Klein's warning to Rebecca

 

★★★★★

"Rebecca, you could have at least given him a chance to talk. I am sure he wanted to clear up the misunderstanding you two have," Rebecca's father began, settling down at the dinner table.

The fork in Rebecca's hand paused mid-air, and she stared down at her plate, her expression clouded with gloom.

"What? You spoke with Ed!?" Her mother chimed in, and her surprise was evident, "What did he say?"

"Stop mentioning him in front of me!" Rebecca snapped, her frustration boiling over, "I have no relation with him, nor do I care about his existence," Rebecca flared at her parents, "And both of you get over with him. If you are still thinking he is some kind of gentleman and would care for our family, then you are wrong. None of you understand his twisted nature and any help for our business from him is a complete fantasy."

"Can you explain why he suddenly cancelled the engagement 3 years ago without giving us any solid reason? I went to his office, but he informed the staff that I was not allowed to step into his office. When I talk to his grandfather, even he didn't know anything about his reasoning for acting that way," Rebecca's father asked in order to know the truth. The last time, he was forced to send his daughter abroad without caring about the truth.

Rebecca glanced at her father and added, "I am just as confused as you, Dad. He did not give me a single explanation for what I supposedly did wrong three years ago. But his action made me realise- he holds some deep grudge against me. Now, I hate him to my core and I could not care less how he sees me."

Rebecca's outburst stunned both her parents, and they could not make themselves speak about Edward more. Still, her father had his own reason for wanting her to reconsider Edward, though he knew there was little he could do. Trying to steer the conversation elsewhere, he cleared his throat and asked, "Well, how has your time gone with Mr.Pete!"

Rebecca had lost her appetite long ago, and now, hearing that old Man's name, she felt more repulsive. She pushed the chair back and stood up, her voice cold as she said, "It is not about my happiness, hence asking my opinion should not be a concern. As long as I can help you with your business, that's all that matters." Without another word, she turned and headed to her room.

Rebecca's mother let go of the spoon and leaned on her chair, with her eyes on Rebecca's father and said, "I am scared for our daughter, Klein. I feel like we are doing extremely terrible things with our daughter."

Hearing this, Rebecca's father yelled, clenching his fist on the table, "Do you think I enjoy watching her sad, and disheartened? Do you think I sleep peacefully at night? We are finished if she doesn’t marry Mr.Pete! Our future is hanging by a thread," he wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up, his voice tense and resolute, "She will be fine with Pete. She will have not just a husband but an equal stake in his empire."

Back in the room, Rebecca sat by the window and let her mind drift to the day when he agreed to their engagement and even made her feel he was happy to get her as a partner. They got a blessing from his parents, too. So when did it all fall apart?

Suddenly her phone buzzed with an email notification. Rebecca glanced at it and sighed. She was assigned to interview Veronica Black. After a year of working as a media journalist, she had interviewed countless celebrities, but this one- Veronica- was the last person she wanted to face.

Rebecca climbed onto the bed and turned off the light, letting out a weary sigh. Little did she know, the peace she desperately sought was about to be shattered the very next morning.

As the morning arrived, Rebecca was dragged by her mother to the hall, only to find her father standing in front of a TV, remote in his hand and his face had lost all the colours.

She saw the news that was exclusively rolling on in all news channels. "The reputed Businessman Pete Solanki has been arrested for dealing drugs and making poisonous medicine for years. A large amount of his business has been seized by the special branch and by no means anything could help him from this tragedy."

Rebecca's father fell to the ground, clutching his forehead, crying out, "We are finished, Leena. We are doomed. Now nothing can stop our business from being bankrupt."

"Klein," Rebecca's mother rushed to her husband and grabbed his shoulder, "Don't stress, please. Your health is fragile, and the last thing we can tolerate is seeing you worsen."

Rebecca breathed through her lips as she could sense what her father was thinking. But they overlooked the fact that Pete was not a good man. They should not put such faith in him.

"Dad, we will think of something else for our problem. Pete is not the end!" Rebecca said with an assured tone since her father required some comforting words.

Klein stood up from the ground, turning to face her with a look of deep disappointment.

"He was our hope because he was the only person who was willing to marry you. The scandal three years ago tarnished your reputation in the worst possible way. If Edward had agreed to marry you, people would forget the incident. However, his rejection- it sealed your character, brand you in a way no one will forget," Klein's voice cracked, losing his composure, " there is nothing left, Rebecca. You have to make Edward marry you if you really want to see me alive."

Klein brushed past Rebecca, retreating to his room without another word. Leena's face twisted with guilt as she watched her daughter, knowing how unfairly they were treating her, but Klein's desperation to save the business left them with little choice

She approached Rebecca and muttered, "I am sorry," then quietly followed her husband to the room.

Rebecca stood frozen, staring into the space ahead, feeling as if a heavy weight had settled in her chest, crushing her from the inside.