If it was Elisabeth, then this nightmare had ended, and my freedom restored.
My breathing flickered in an odd pattern.
The rise and fall of my chest skipped a cord.
All was fast.
My cheeks tensed up alongside a crippled smile which enhanced an illicit dose of anxiety in my words.
"Elisabeth?!"
". . ."
Oh!No!
She didn't!
Did she just hang up on me?
My grip on the phone stiffened.
I lowered the fixed phone to my chest and stared at the device before holding it up against my ear.
My teeth gritted at each careless repeat of her sick name yet no response.
Enough!
I flung the device across the table but it slipped.
On cue, a cord suspended it above the floor.
Why treat me like some outcast?
With a cautious gesture, I retrieved the phone and placed it on my desk while maintaining aggressive eye contact.
Maybe she freaked out or something came up.
She would call back, right?
The long wait left me restless.
Why did she stop my call in the first place?
I couldn't wrap my head around it.
Very weird.
Her steady words, the euphoria in her attitude, all these traits were different from the first interaction we both had on the wedding day.
Strangely, the way she delivered her lines didn't give off any sort of stress.
She must have acquainted herself with my home and was undoubtedly comfortable.
Yes, that was it.
What a snake?!
How human was she?
She didn't sympathize with me upon the fact that she dumped me into this mess.
If not for her silly escape and her grandmother's trickery, I won't be a victim of this marriage.
Who would have married a demon who was out to seek revenge?
How dare she feel at home in my room?
How dare she pretend to be me and forget all the terrible glitches in her life?
Was it worth it?
If I was given a chance to start over, I won't ask for a boyfriend or accept this marriage.
I sighed. "Megan, how couldn't you see the imposter at home?"
Like a bird, caught in a cage, my thoughts were trapped.
Questions flooded my haven and whipped my sanity into the chambers of frustration.
How dare she?!
Even though one had to be brave, I didn't phantom her cold shoulder towards me.
It was a bullet to my spine.
One that silently killed.
I tried to move but my feet went numb.
Little aches made their way up my forehead and tossed my brain into a trend of pains.
It worsened as time went by and all I did won't work.
So, with stern efforts, I tucked myself deep into my blankets and covered my head with a pillow, that soaked up my fragile tears with their softness.
"This wedding was arranged for your good and your happiness. We want you to have the best education we couldn't offer and the rich lifestyle you have always dreamt of."
The rich lifestyle must be it.
She took advantage of the situation and enjoyed the privileges.
There wasn't a difference between her and her grandma.
They were gold diggers, money-minded individuals.
I'd made up my mind about Elisabeth.
She didn't care about me.
She just loved my wealth.
She leeched on others.
The strides down memory lane amplified my headache to the point where the room spun around me.
I tugged my burdens out of bed, slid into my house slippers, and walked out of my room.
I descended the countless steps to the kitchen.
"Hello Mrs. Horton, what brings you to the kitchen?"
The chef from last night raised a brow at me, a boyish smile playing on his slightly lifted lips.
"Please, can I have a cup of coffee?"
"Perez, make it two cups of coffee and bring it to the coffee table outside."
Out of my trance, I rolled my eyes at Perez and caught sight of Tasha.
Her usual smile followed her as she walked toward me.
Her flowery sun gown towered over the tiles. "Elisabeth, I didn't find you in your room. I followed my instincts and they led me to the kitchen. By the way, I will like us to have a little discussion. Hope you don't mind."
I fondled my sweaty hands, shot her a chiseled smile, and rubbed my neck.
Tasha wanted to discuss something with me. What for?
I flipped a rebellious strand of hair that sat in my line of sight. "Sure, why not?"
"Good, please come with me." She snapped her fingers. "Perez, add some succulent pastries to my order."
OUT OF THE MANSION, taking fresh air in the courtyard, we sat under a table and the palms served as a parasol.
Perez served us two cups of coffee and a tray of pastries. "I shall take my leave."
He bowed and left.
Next to me, Tasha sipped from her cup of coffee and munched a croissant, savoring the texture with a little moan.
Shifting my eyes from her to my cup of coffee, I took a long sip and memorized its taste, the aroma of roasted coffee grains.
"Lady, your husband is a strange specimen of the human hood. Not that I'm complaining, but you see, the sudden death of his father affected his mental state. His father was like an idol to him. Truth be told, Edward carried his son's happiness with him to the grave."
She paused and chewed on her bottom lip.
A tear ran down her cheeks.
She struggled to keep up with our discussion but failed.
She wasn't over Edward, she was attached.
Her eyes sparkled when she talked about him and laughs escaped her lips, a damping blush on her cheeks.
"All I ask of you is to make my son know happiness. Teach him how to smile once more. Tame the beast in him. Make him the Dwain he used to be."
She tangled my hands with hers over the table.
"Promise me that you will never let him down no matter the stakes."
She buried her big sea eyes in my face.
The sincerity in her stare was hunting.
Rooted in the same spot, I was puzzled.
My lips shivered but no words fell off.
I couldn't lie to this woman.
I remained a statute.
Such a promise wasn't mine to make but Elisabeth's.
"Sorry for intruding, Mrs. Tasha, your guest has arrived." One of the housemaids butted in with a smile. "He has a 4 o'clock. "
Tasha took in a deep breath but didn't release my hands. "Fine, tell him to give me a second. I'm there shortly."
She waved the maid off and dismissed her.
"Elisabeth, think over what I told you. I'm sorry we have to carry our conversation to later. My guest is an impatient barrister, hot-headed."
She untangled our fingers and shot me an all-is-well smile.
Drying her face with a napkin, she strolled out of me.
I gulped my coffee in one go and retired into the mansion.
Tasha's chit-chat freeloaded my head.
I had to escape this mansion as soon as possible.
My career was at stake.
My freedom too.
Oh!
My family won't let this slide easily.
Dad had a fierce temper.
Mum was a dictator.
Chills ran down my back.
I choked on air.
Elizabeth contributed to Tasha's suffering.
I had to do everything possible to make her fix her mistakes.
"Little man, can you stop running? It's not time to play. No chocolates! The dentist said no chocolates. Come on, give that to me."
"Cami, I love chocolates."
Liam was dressed in a little white cardigan and white sweatpants.
His sneakers screeched on the floor as he fled and sheltered behind my legs.
Camilla walked toward us and singled him in one go. "I saw you. Now, come give me that bar of chocolate."
"No!" He jogged upstairs and stuck his tongue out. "Catch me first."
THE MORE TIME PAST by, the more I became frustrated.
I dialed Megan's number, but stopped halfway and dropped the phone on my desk.
Pacing my room with my nails in between my lips, vibrations stole my attention.
The fixed phone chirped on my desk, and the bell melody snatched my breath away.
Did she decide to call?
Without a waste time, I sauntered to my desk and picked up the call.
"We have to talk." Elisabeth cleared her throat, mimicking a whisper. "But not over the phone. Your house is not safe. I will give you an address in the next 24 hours. Do not play dirty."