Chapter 3

Amira's P.O.V

I bit my lower lip as realization hit me. He was doing this on purpose, but what was his reason? He barely knows me. "Alvera, can you at least tell me what I should do?" I asked. Alvera smiled and replied, "Sure, I can do that, ma." 

I also realized something else. He hadn't told me what he wanted me to make for him. I decided to simply make him my favorite dish; he would like it. With Alvera's help, I was able to make pasta and tomato sauce.

 Looking at the food, I felt excited. For someone who doesn't know how to cook, this was a masterpiece. I hurriedly dished the food and took it to the dining room. 

Morris was already seated, waiting for the food. I placed the food in front of him and sat down to help myself to some food. Just as I reached for the spoon, he screamed at me. I stood up immediately, looking at him with fear.

"You are supposed to serve me and watch me eat, not join me to eat," he said sharply.

I panicked and started serving him. This whole thing was new to me. I thought as a married couple, we were supposed to do everything together. 

He picked up his chopsticks and took his first bite. I held my breath, waiting for more scolding, but he didn't say anything. He took another bite and another until he finished the food. He stood up and left the dining room without saying anything to me. 

I slumped into the chair. This man scared me. There was something about his aura that frightened me to the core. I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with this, but I love him regardless.

I quickly finished my food and left the table for Alvera to clean up. I went into my room and picked up my phone. It was still early to call Anna; she must be at work. I decided to call my mom instead. The phone rang several times before she picked up.

"Amira, what is it?" my mom asked.

"Mom, is there any problem? We usually greet each other before anything else. Why are you sounding this way?"

"Amira, please go straight to the point, or I'll end the call," she replied sternly.

I didn't let her finish and ended the call myself. 

Why was everyone acting up this morning? I sat down on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. I was almost drifting off when I heard a car horn. I quickly rushed to the window and saw Morris and Michael hurriedly getting into the car. As soon as they were in, the driver drove off almos t immediately. I rushed downstairs to ask Alvera what was going on, but I couldn't find her anywhere. I was alone at home.

I started wandering again, this time entering the garden. It was beautiful. Vegetables and flowers had never looked better. I decided then and there that this would be where I would spend my free time. By the time I was done with my little tour in the garden, it was already late. I went back into the house to prepare food for Morris.

Alvera had returned from wherever she had gone, and Michael was home, but I didn't see Morris. I asked Michael about him, but he didn't give me a satisfactory answer. He simply told me that Morris wasn't in the country at the moment, and it was uncertain when he would return.

I went upstairs to shower and noticed that Anna had called me multiple times and even left a voicemail. I returned her call, and she answered as if she had been waiting for my call.

"Amira, why didn't you pick up my call? Did Morris do anything to you?" Anna asked anxiously.

"Anna, please calm down. Just because I missed your call doesn't mean Morris has done something terrible to me. Besides, he's my husband; he wouldn't hurt me," I reassured her, although part of it was also me reassuring myself. Even though he may seem indifferent or unbothered about me, I believed he wouldn't harm me.

"Amira, it's not my fault that I care about you the way I do," Anna replied sincerely.

I smiled, knowing that Anna always reminded me of how much she cared about me.

"Well, Anna, I made a delicious meal today," I giggled, expecting the shock that followed from Anna.

"Amira, you must be joking. Morris might drop dead from the poison you prepared. By the way, where is your husband?" Anna questioned.

My smile faded, and I realized I didn't know where my husband was.

"He left in a hurry this morning. My guess is that he went to work," I replied.

"Amira, your guess is he went to work? Come on, what kind of wife doesn't know the whereabouts of her husband? What does he even do for work?" Anna asked, presenting me with another question I didn't have an answer to.

"Anna, if he comes back, we will have a conversation about it," I told her, trying to divert her attention.

I ended my conversation with Anna and took a moment to reflect on everything. Anna had a valid point. What kind of housewife has no idea what her husband does for a living?

I went to the balcony again, just in time to witness the sunset. This balcony had become my safe space for venting my emotions.

Feeling bored, I realized I needed to find something to occupy my time. My train of thought was interrupted when my phone rang again. I rushed to answer it, and it was an unknown number.

I hesitated at first, but the persistent ringing made me pick up the call. The voice on the other end was cold and demanding.

"Why weren't you picking up my calls?" Morris asked abruptly.

I couldn't even form a complete sentence in response.

Morris's Point of View (P.O.V.):

I was on the balcony when I sensed Amira's presence. I was waiting for her to say something, but she remained silent. In the harshest tone I could muster, I screamed at her. 

I detested her so much, and I wanted her to know. She responded in a weak tone, attempting to evoke pity from me.

Despite trying to contain my anger, she brought up what had happened the previous night. I struggled to forgive myself for that incident, and she was reminding me of it. I knew it was her first time and that she might become attached, but I didn't want that to happen.

I rebuffed her, insisting that what occurred was normal between a husband and wife. That shattered her confidence. 

She fell silent and didn't say anything else. She bit her lower lip, trying to hold back tears, but I couldn't care less.

"Go and take your bath, then come make me breakfast," I ordered her, not even bothering to look back at her as I left.

I entered my underground office, consumed by anger. Michael was already waiting for me there. 

"Morris, you won't gain anything from this; instead, you'll torment yourself further," he warned. I knew precisely what he meant.

"Amira is innocent, just like my mother. She is in her current condition because of that girl and her family. So, Michael, she deserves every ounce of hatred I have for her," I defended my position.

"Why don't you channel your anger toward her father instead?" Michael suggested.

"Do you think I haven't considered that, Michael?" I retorted. "Before I went after Amira, I had already pondered over this. Edward isn't a suitable target; he is old and will die before I can exact my revenge. That's why Amira is the best option. She's healthy, and she will be alive to endure all the punishment."

"Anna, her friend, is still plotting against us," Michael informed me. The thought of little Anna coming after me was enough to lighten my mood.

"Let her continue playing her games, but we'll strike when she crosses the line," I concluded.

Morris, I have something else to tell you. It's about the man you mentioned who was stalking you. He was sent by Bon.

 Bon has been my longtime rival, and he wants to eliminate me by any means necessary. I've had opportunities to kill him, but I've let him go. Now, he has sent someone after me."

"The funny thing about Bon is that he was my childhood friend. He moved away with his family when we were teenagers. We both achieved success in our respective fields, but greed consumed him, and he came after me. 

He was even the reason I started engaging in underground operations. I had to match his energy."

I didn't know what to say at the moment. "Let him be. Let's pretend we don't know what's going on. Also, tighten the security here," I instructed.

After saying that, I left to freshen up. I took a bath and came downstairs to the dining room. Amira brought in the food and placed it before me. She sat down to eat, but I didn't want her to feel comfortable around me.

"Get up!" I screamed at her. Just as I wanted, she became scared. "You have to serve me and watch me eat, but you cannot eat with me," I added.

She served me, and as I ate, I contemplated what to do next to her. She didn't deserve peace or rest. I finished my meal quickly, wanting to leave for the office. I went into my home office when I received a call from the doctor. I instantly knew why he was calling. My mom was having another episode.

I called out for Michael, and he arranged the car for me. As soon as I got into the car, we headed to the airport. I was filled with fear. When we reached the airport, my pilot was already there. Everyone was in a hurry because they understood the urgency. I was even willing to kill at that moment.

We took off, and I sent Michael back in case Bon attempted anything suspicious. When we arrived in Belgium, the doctor was waiting at the entrance of the hospital.

 I rushed to my mom's room. There she was, throwing things around with blood streaming from her body. She must have harmed herself. I tried to grab her, but she hit me with the lamp stand, causing me to release my grip as I started bleeding.

 I looked at the doctor. Usually, whenever she has these tantrums, I calm her down. But this time, she didn't recognize me. The doctor came with first aid.

"Mr. Morris, this is what I wanted to tell you. Her ASD (Acute Stress Disorder) is becoming more severe. She is shutting everyone out, including you. She believes that everyone wants to hurt her, which is why she didn't acknowledge you," the doctor explained.

"Doctor, do something. Give her a sleeping pill, perhaps," I pleaded with the doctor.

"We have tried, but she won't allow anyone to get close to her. Mr. Morris, the best way to free her is to let her sleep forever," the doctor suggested.

The doctor's words left me speechless. Letting her sleep forever? That meant killing her. No! Never! I roared and sobbed, collapsing to the floor. 

Everyone left the room, giving me time to process it all. In that room, I could still hear my mom screaming and throwing things. I remained motionless, sitting in the same spot. I didn't know what to feel. My hatred for everyone intensified; they were the reason my mom was in this condition.

Finally, I stood up and entered my mom's room. She had quieted down. I approached her, and she looked at me, pain evident in her eyes. She hugged me and cried. "Morris, let me go," she whispered.

I froze. My mom had finally spoken after many days, but it wasn't what I wanted to hear. She was asking me to let the doctors end her life. "Mom, please give this a chance. Don't give up yet. I haven't given up. I have faith that the doctors can help you," I pleaded.

"Morris, this has been going on for over seven years, and nothing has changed. I'm scared I might hurt you further. I have already harmed you, and I fear what could happen next. I am ready to go. Please let me go," she implored.

"Mom, please, just this one last time. If the treatment doesn't work, I will honor your wishes. Remember, I've married as you wished. Don't you want to be alive and see her?" I revealed. It was finally time to tell my mom about my marriage, something she had always desired.

As expected, she smiled. "I will bring her to you, but you must promise to make an effort to get better," I insisted. My mom agreed, allowing the doctors to begin the treatment. 

Now, I had to bring Amira to her..