Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Fiona Pov

I was mad at Valerie for the humiliation and also mad at Charles. I didn’t expect him to act the way he did with me but it could be because of Valerie. I needed her out of my way so that I could get Charles all to myself .

But everything had spiralled out of control.

I needed to talk with my dad. I needed to find out if truly Valerie is who she claims to be.

Everything around me moved in a blur until I got to our household.

Once I got to the door, the butler was there to receive me.

“Welcome home Miss Fiona.” He greeted me with a slight bow.

“Good morning Mr Buss, is my father and mother home?”

“Yes they are, preparing to have breakfast.”

“Oh well, I guess I came at the right time.” I said and immediately walked into the house.

The scents of freshly cooked meals wafted through the air.

“What a surprise, my little pumpkin is home.” My mother said excitedly as I walked over to hug her.

She has always been my biggest support not like dad.

“Good morning mom and Dad, it’s nice to see you both looking good.”

Dad just smiled and continued with his food. Mom gestured to the cook to dish some food for me.

I began to eat in silence and laugh or smile when mom said anything funny but dad was quite this while we talked.

“Dad, I …um..have something to ask.” I said, unsure of how to start and turned to see my mom look at me with curiosity.

“Go on.”

“How well do you know the Clark family?

I know you are partnering with them.”

“What exactly do you want to know Fiona, stop going around circles.” He chided almost coldly and I swallowed my food quickly.

“Is his daughter actually Valerie?” I asked.

“Well, Valerie is the Clark only daughter and the heiress to her father's company. Aside from that, she is also the queen of the jewelry business and I’m proud of her”

His last statement really pissed me off that I had to fold my hand into a fist. His words just added to my anger

“You have never said you are proud of me Dad, I'm kind of jealous .”

I said nervously and Mom covered the back of my hand with hers.

“You know why. How could you come back to date a low life like Charles rather than Caleb, the man that I picked for you?”

His voice went high as he asked, Caleb is a big issue between us that we have failed several to agree on.

“I did not love Caleb as much as I do for Charles.” I said without holding back, he looked up from his food and shook his head in pity.

“How silly of you. And now you are willing to pick after Valerie?”

My stubbornness was shining through and I was not ready to back down.

“I’ll make sure Charles gets all the fame.”

“How? From your little power as an influencer or try to harm Valerie?”

I hated the fact that my father could see deeply through me.

“I think that’s enough discussion.” Mother finally intervened as always. Dad took the last spoon of his food and stood up. Walking half way through the hall, he turned around.

“Make sure you don’t do anything stupid Fiona. You won’t want to see my dark side. Because I won't clean up any of your mess ” He said and walked away.

My mother came to my side to comfort me as she must have realized I was still clutching my fist.

“Don’t mind your father. He doesn’t mean all those words.

“Stop trying to cover for him mom. You know dad hates me. First because I’m not a boy and secondly because I’m not as successful as he wants.”

“Don’t say that my child, he actually loves you, it's just that he can’t express it. He is a tough man.”

“Well, he should learn to express his feelings.” I said.

“How are things going between you and Charles?” Mom asked.

“Not good, mom. His attitude towards me has changed and it's all because of Valerie.”

“What do you plan to do?” She asked.

“Make Charles forget about her even though it means me getting my hands dirty. I’ve been mocked enough.” I said angrily.

“You have my support, take what belongs to you but be careful.” Mom said and I couldn’t help but smile.

She has always been my greatest support even when dad tried to force me into marrying Caleb Augustine, a wealthy businessman.

Dad's hate for me started right then.

“You can never be useful, and I hate that you are my child.” He had said when he found out that I ran away on my wedding day.

But now,I won’t let him control my life. I will take what is mine which is Charles and be happy.

“You will do just fine. Charles is currently stressed and needs a little break from all the drama he must’ve faced but that doesn’t mean he should change towards you.”

“I'll stay here till he comes to beg and apologize to me.”

“Don’t you think you’re going hard on him? Well, it’s your choice and I pledge my full support.

I smiled at mom and she gave instructions to the maids to clean my room.

If Charles really loves me, he would come looking for me and apologize for his behavior last night.

I really didn’t care if Valerie was the daughter of the richest man in the world but she’ll have to pay back for the humiliation in whatever way that pleases me.

After taking a shower, I decided to do a little shopping at the mall. The driver drove me down the town's biggest mall and I happened to see Valerie walking into the mall too.

She dressed all pretty and innocent. I’m envious she has all the fame and my dad is proud of her to make it all worse. I could do better than her if I decide.

Just like how I took her man.

I walked up to her side and started picking out dresses to buy.

“Are you here for a fight Fiona?” She asked after noticing my presence.

“Not like I don’t want to fight you but I would rather save my strength for another day.” I said with a smile at her.

“Awwn, how sweet of you.” She returned with a smile that I wish to wipe off her damn face.

I made payments for my dress and waited for her to come out of the mall.

“Look Valerie, I know all you are doing is to make Charles come back to you but that would never happen”. I said as soon as she walked out.

“What am I doing?”

“Yunno, the whole fame thing, it won’t get you anywhere.”

“I don’t have any business to do with you or Charles any longer, I’ve got a whole lot to do for myself. And as for you, I thought you had a life in Mexico? Why did you come back?”

“That’s none of your business.”

I can't believe she was trying to shift the direction of the conversation.

“Well, it’s not especially the fact that you have a child for another man.”

“W…wait, what did you just say?”

“Ohh, you heard what I said pretty Fiona.

You thought I didn’t know your little secret?”

“How dare you poke your nose into my secret life.” I moved closer to slap her but stopped myself. Any harm from me to her and I’m sure I’ll be done for.

“It’s good you stopped yourself cause you don't want to get embarrassed. Would you??”

“Stay out of my life Valerie.” I warned but she chuckled.

“Actually, you better stay out of my life if you love yourself. I won’t repeat myself again and I’m not in any way interested in you and Charles.

She turned away into the car which was already opened for her by the driver.

I couldn’t focus again. I really wanted to know how Valerie found out about my secret. I know she could use it against me at any point but I wanted to ruin her life first before she did mine.

I got home and wasn’t surprised to see Charles with my mom talking.

“Hey babe.” He said as I made my way to my room.

“Hey Charles.”

“Can you excuse me for a bit Mrs smith?”

“Of course, son.” my mother replied.

I hastened my pace but Charles was fast enough to get a hold of my hand.

“What’s really the issue Fiona?”

“You really mean to ask me that after what you did last night?”

“Look I didn’t mean to turn you down but I wasn’t just ready okay?”

“Is it because of Valerie?”

“Look, it has nothing to do with her, it’s just work. My shareholders are worried that since she’s not sponsoring my business plus me losing sales, we will go bankrupt.”

“Listen to me Charles, we will do everything possible to get you back on track.”

“I don’t know how easy or hard that would be Fiona, Valerie the queen of Jewelry is back and she has gotten new designs too.

“Charles, I’ll help you rise even more than Valerie.” I said with a spirit of determination.

Let the battle begin.