"Have you picked Zayne from school?" I was on a phone call with the driver, Oliver.
"No, ma'am." He said from the other end.
"Ok, just don't worry about it, i will get him on my way home." The meeting had been postponed after Sophia's outburst. I could do with a mother-son bonding time after yesterday's drama at home. I wanted to make it up to Zayne.
"Alright, madam."
"Coffee, please." I stretched money to the guy at the counter in the cafeteria.
"Rose,"
I looked around and saw Henry. I smiled brightly at him, who seemed to look handsome with every passing day.
"Henry. It's nice to see you. Need coffee? On me of course."
"No, Rose. I came to clear things up." He sighed. "What happened between you and Sophia. I didn't say anything while we were in the board meeting, and that is because i have a lot of respect for you. However, i will not tolerate any insults directed to my wife."
My jaw dropped open. I was in complete awe. "Are you threatening me?"
"No, I'm not." His hands were put in his pocket. His face was plain and emotionless, though i sensed a bit of anger. "It's just a simple... Take it as an address. No bad feelings, wouldn't want to spoil our partnership."
He was confronting me because of that bitch? As much as i wanted to slap and punch him in the face. I couldn't help but admire his pink plush lips and his brown eyes. He'd always looked so cute whenever he had that serious face.
Coming back to my senses, i just realized i lost. I may have won the conference room session against Sophia, but seeing how Henry defended her, I'm actually feeling like a sore loser.
"So you really let Sophia control you now?" I picked my coffee that was dropped on the counter a while ago. "That's a pity." I rolled my eyes and walked out on him.
•~
Bumping through the doors of the restroom, My heart thudded frantically, my breathing went haggard. I turned the tap on and splashed cold water on my face severally, while i swept my hair backward, preventing it from getting wet.
My make-up was smudged but i didn't care.
That's Mrs. Sophia Exelero to you. Do not forget that i am now married to the CEO and owner of Buena Corp.
Point of correction, i can never be Eve. I would never stoop so low to kill my father.
I am way better than Eve, my husband can testify of it. - Sophia's words.
I will not tolerate any insults directed at my wife. - Henry's words.
The words of Sophia and henry kept playing in my head, over, and over, and over again. Making me more pissed over and over. I fisted one hand and raked the other through my hair. I took in deep breaths, anything to calm me down.
I just needed to smash something.
Anything.
The coffee cup that was given to me a while ago payed the price, i flung it at the mirror. Drops of black that contrasted with the the clear white rest room was spilled everywhere, it looked messy.
I was still not satisfied.
I picked up my phone and dialed Logan's number.
"Quit everything you're doing now and investigate for me everything Sophia Donathan has been up to for the past two years." I demanded in fury.
"Why?" He questioned over the phone with a confused tone. "Bethany is our main suspect."
"Bethany can't do anything while she's in prison, right? There has to be a benefactor. Do what i ask of you and stop asking me stupid questions."
"Oh, so..." He didn't finish what he had to say because i cut the call.
Now, i had a feeling Sophia was responsible for Dad's death. It's got to be her.
•~
I was driving home with Zayne on the passenger side with a seat belt on. I gave him several glances while he played a game with his tablet.
"Zayne, are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes, mommy." He replied, paying attention to the game he was playing.
"Oh, that's nice. How was school today?" What a normal would do is enquire about her child's welfare.
"It was fine mommy." He said, plainly. Obviously still disappointed in me.
"How about i take you to the park tomorrow?" He's a child. Children forgive easily.
"I have a lot of school work to do."
Well, it seems this child doesn't forget so easily. Zayne was a smart kid. An excellent pupil. Sometimes I'd wonder why he was so sensitive, because now i couldn't con him. "Zayne are you still mad at me? You never reject the park."
He doesn't reply nor give me a glance.
"I got you something." I stretched my arms backward and picked a package i left on the seat. "Well... Since you like them alot..." The package had in it my worst enemies. Peanuts.
I stopped by the mart to get a peace offering for him. "Here you go."
He takes the package from me and looks into it. "Thanks mom. But... i always preferred the peanuts you make."
The peanuts your real mother make, not me.
I stared at Zayne sympathetically. When the time comes, i wonder how i would explain to him that i wasn't his mother, that i was just a woman with his mom's face. An impostor.
"What if i make you chocolates instead?" I can't make peanuts. I'm so damn allergic.
The only regret i have is that I've deprived this child of his mother and as much i tried to... I could never be like Rose. Ever.