It was morning as he lay in bed. Looking at the ceiling. Again another day for the Noah family to treat him like trash. And before he could even finish that Thought Eliza walked in, rage burning in her eyes.
“What do you think you are doing in bed? The house needs to be cleaned. The surroundings as well. Also, I need my food. And I have people coming over and they need to find something to eat. So you better get moving. Since you don’t want to leave this place,” she spoke.
He stood up in his dirty clothing. There was even a hole in the trousers, in the left knee to his trousers. He put on his shoes, which looked even worse than his trouser then took a shirt.
“And why would you sleep without a shirt, even? They are mosquitoes here,” she spoke.
He just put on his shirt and walked outside. Not answering any of her questions. He hoped for her to be nice to him. At least a bit of respect. But she was asking him to leave the house as if they were not married.
He went far from her and began doing his chores. Trying to finish on time because he had somewhere he needed to be that day. It was his shot at getting what he wanted. His chance to get out of this family’s house. To finally get back at them for what they have been doing to him. And he was hoping for that.
After he finished preparing the food, he took them to Eliza and her friends. He put them on the table. Then, before he went out of earshot, he heard one of them saying.
“Why are you still allowing him to leave here with you? Because of him, no man will marry you. The man you truly deserve,” she spoke.
He felt like a snake was squeezing his lungs. Anger bubbling up inside him. He wanted to go and tell her off of what she had just said.
He never liked Eliza’s friends because they always talked badly about him. They always made Eliza feel like she made a big mistake agreeing to marry him. Not even one of them tried been on his side.
“I know, right,” the other one spoke. “Have you seen him? He is dirty and filthy. The way you are supposed to be spoiled is nothing he could do. He can’t buy you all the expensive things you need. I wish you married that Jackson guy from work,” she added.
Trevor’s anger grew with each word he heard them say. And to top it off, she didn’t even try to defend him. Sometimes he wondered why he still loved her despite everything she made him go through. Despite every word she told him.
She sighed, “it’s sad, really. And the bad part is I can’t do anything about it. Grandfather made me do it,” she spoke.
Not willing to hear any word that came from the mouth of any of them, he walked away to the back. He sat on the rock, trying to see what he can do about this all thing to end. If what he had in mind would work and if Mr. Noah would approve of it.
He took out the locket and put it in his hand. Examining it in each way possible. If by any chance Mr. Noah meant what he thought the man meant, then his life might just change for the better.
As he was garden later that day, his mother-in-law walked over to him. Calling him as loudly as she could. That even the birds ran away.
“So, you haven’t heard me calling you? I have been doing that for some time now. And you are just sitting here,” she scolded.
“I’m working, mother. I might have not heard you,” he spoke, trying to banish his anger way. He couldn’t take it anymore. It has been months ever since Mr. Noah died and he has been treated nothing but trash. Pushing him from one side to the other.
He was getting tired of it all.
“I’m not your mother, you useless boy. And I will never be one. Now you need to sign this as soon as possible. You have twenty-four hours to sign them,” she spoke and threw some papers on the ground.
He picked them up and his eyes widened at what he was seeing. He couldn’t believe his eyes. And to think she was his mother-in-law.
“Mother, I can’t sign this. I would never sign this,” he told her as he handed her the papers.
“Boy, I don’t care what you do or think about this. But you have to sign them within twenty-four hours. And I need my tea,” she spoke and walked away, not giving him a chance to speak back.
He examined the papers for a while. Thinking about why she was trying to separate him and his wife. Why she wanted him to sign the divorce papers.
“I can’t sign this ever,” he spoke and folded the papers as he walked inside the mansion. His heart aching even more than it did.
Maybe it will be a good thing getting out of this family. She didn’t even like him. But he loved her and wasn’t willing to give up on her just like that.
The all family never liked him, and maybe he needed to leave the house. But what would Mr. Noah think of him? He told him the family needed someone like him. Someone to keep this house together.
He would be disappointing the man that took him in. The only man that treated him like someone. But again, the old man was no more. Was it worth it still staying with the family?
He took the tea and heard his mother-in-law telling her daughter to sign the divorce papers. But she hesitated to answering her. And that was all he needed to hear. No matter how she treated him, maybe there was a part of her that wanted him.
He walked into the living room and gave his mother-in-law her tea, then smiled at Eliza and walked away.
He took the locket and headed to his room. Hoping the words hold something good for him by the end of today.
He took his bike, and as he was about to leave the house, Eliza called him from behind.
“Can you take me to work? All the cars are being used and your thing is the only thing that is left. I’m running late to work. I have a meeting in less than an hour,” she told him.
He just gestured for her to get on and he rode the bicycle as fast as he could. And for the first time, she was touching him ever since their marriage. A smile stretched on his mouth with excitement.
She gripped him tightly as he passed through town. Passing cars as he rode his bicycle. Trying by all means to get her to work. To make sure she has no reason to complain to him. To shout at him.
“Will you slow down? We might fall,” she spoke, trying to catch her breath.
“You have to be there before the meeting starts. I will get you there, my wife,” he spoke with excitement in his voice.
After a few minutes of driving, they finally reached the place. He rode the bicycle inside and then parked it in a space that didn’t have cars on.
He looked at her and she looked messed up. Her hair was all over and she was straggling to fix it. Putting her makeup in order again.
“Sorry,” he spoke as he tried to touch her, but she moved away as she began walking inside and he just followed her.
Then, before they could even reach farther, he heard something behind. He turned and his heart skipped a bit. His bike was crashed. Ran over by someone’s car. He went running to it.
Shouting, “Vea, Vea!” He took the bicycle underneath the car as he cried. Trying to put it back together, but it was damaged beyond anything.
A man with an expansive looking suit walked outside the car. He smirked at Trevor. Not showing him even a bit of remorse. He looked delighted by what he has done.
“Why are you making a scene over an old bike? It’s just a bicycle,” he spoke.
Trevor looked at him as he wiped off his tears, “this is not just a bike, you ungrateful bastard. This is the only thing I have that I can call mine. I worked hard to get this bike. Now you have killed my Vea,” he spoke as he kept on trying to put it back together.
“Isn’t he the boss’s husband? Why is he here and why did she allow him to even come here with that thing and wearing that?” Some girls talked behind.
“It’s sad. He even named it,” the other one spoke.
“Some people,” the first girl spoke and they left.
“I wonder what she sees in you. You are useless good for nothing, man. I wonder why she hasn’t divorced you yet. What made Mr. Noah choose you for his youngest granddaughter,” the man spoke.
“Jackson, that is enough. We have a meeting we need to attend to. And Trevor, you can stop been dramatic about a bike. You need to leave this place now,” she spoke and walked inside the company with Jackson.
He glared at them as they walked. He wanted nothing but to blast the bastard into a million pieces. For one day to look him in the eyes and tell him he was wrong, thinking of him as a loser. Thinking that Mr. Noah made a mistake by choosing him and not Jackson.
He just took his bike and walked away. People watching him and talking as he passed. The only thing he called his destroyed and damaged.
*
“Did you see him outside? He was crying like a little girl. Over a bicycle. A dirty bike that is not worth more than a few cents. And he named it. What did he call it again... Vea,” a girl spoke. Not knowing Eliza was passing by.
“I know, right? Look at his wife. She is the goddess and yet married that low life,” another one spoke.
“Don’t you all have something better to do then talking about other people’s lives? Get to work or I will have you fired,” she scolded, and went straight to her office. Not allowing Jackson to tag along.
She was going through all this humiliation because she allowed her grandfather to control her. Because she wouldn’t let the old man die on his deathbed without fulfilling his wish.
“Maybe signing those divorce papers will be the best thing for me,” she spoke as she put hands on her face. Tears coming out. “Why did it have to be me?”
She thought about what everyone was saying about her husband. Not that she really cared that much. But for some reason, every word pierced her.
“Sorry to just enter, but we need to be at the meeting as soon as possible,” Jackson told her. “Don’t tell me you are crying because those girls were saying the truth. Your husband is a loser, and that is that. You need not to cry,” he walked to her. “Don’t tell me you have fallen for his stupidity. All he wants is your money and nothing more,” he spoke.
“Of course not,” she cleaned her face. “Something entered my eyes.” She stood up, and they left the office.
She thought about what Jackson had just said. Could she have been crying because she cared for him deep down? Because she couldn’t stand any hurtful comment about him?
But that can’t be possible. She thought as they made their way to the office.
“I’m here if you need to talk. You know that, right? He is a nobody. Just divorce him already,” he told her.
She refused her mother about the divorce. And now the man was also telling her to sign the papers. Maybe it was for the best. What they all needed. Away from each other. It was not like they were even leaving together. The only time they touched was today on the bike.
She sighed and just walked into the meeting room.
He left his bike outside as he reached his destination. He entered inside and the all place was sparkling with jewelries. And the bright lighting made the place look even more bright.“Morning sir,” he said to the man on the counter.“Morning,” the man replied, unconcerned.“I want to check something. Actually sell it if it turned to be what I think it is,” he spoke as he removed the locket from his pocket. “Can you tell if it’s pure gold?” He asked.The man took it and began to examine in it. After a few minutes, he looked back at Trevor. “Well, it’s pure gold. But it needs polishing, and that costs a lot of money. Do you have it?” He asked.Trevor Thought about that. The only money he had right now was nothing but cents. He couldn’t even begin to imagine having a lot of money right now. He just shook his head.“Then if you are selling, we need to deduct the money for polishing it.”“How much are we talking about?”“Well, I will give you a hundred dollars for it,” he spoke.“You are
“Eliza, we have no choice here. The company will be bankrupt if we don’t do something about it,” Jackson told her as they walked into her office after the meeting.The company was losing money. And they had no way of saving it. The only way that seemed to be possible was for them to sell it, or at least allow an investor in.“Think of anything soon. Because we need to keep this company running. Selling it isn’t the best thing here. Allowing an investor to take over is not also possible. There is only one way,” Jackson spoke.She looked up at him. “Couldn’t you do something about it? You are wealthy. I will give you back the money. Please. You are all I have right now,” she spoke as she touched her head. Thinking long and hard about what has become of her beloved company.He walks and sat opposite to her, “I would have helped you if I had what it takes. But my father wouldn’t let me because I refused to work at his company and came here. He told me I think I have grown up and he will n
He didn’t sleep the all night. He kept turning from one side to the other. The discussion Eliza and her mother, together with the grandmother had kept echoing in his head. They wanted her to sign the divorce papers in exchange for them selling their shares. But he didn’t want to divorce his wife. And he was not going to allow it to happen.Then there is the thing with the call he received. He was supposed to go there in the morning tomorrow. He needed to pass to the bank and get some bank statements for the company he did not know. They told him they knew him and he was supposed to be there. But he was clueless to what it was about. Why they called him for the meeting?He hadn’t applied for any job. But they have been trying to contact him for some time now. He sighed as he turned yet again. His eyes were wide awake.This might just be the thing that saves his marriage. That saves his wife’s company. Because she was the only one that seemed to care about it. They all didn’t bother as
After another thirty minutes, he reached the company and sent the drive the money he needed. He got out of the car and began walking to the company.Before he could enter, someone called him behind. He turned, and it was an old man wearing some sort of uniform.“Where do you think you are going, sir? This place is not for people like you. Yes, I know who you are. You are the youngest son-in-law of the Noah family. We are not looking for workers,” he spoke.“No, sir, I didn’t come here to—““Save me the trouble. Just leave. You thought by marrying in the family you will be rich? Just leave or I will throw you out myself,” he spoke.Trevor tried to explain himself to the man. But the old man was hell bent on throwing him out of the company. He tried calling Charity, but the woman was not picking up.“What do you think you are doing?” A young woman about Eliza’s age came out of the company. “Do you know the man you are touching like that?” She asked him.“Yes, Miss Mpundu, He is the son-
He couldn’t even begin to explain what had just happened to him. His life was changing right in front of his eyes. He was apparently the owner of a very well-to-do company. And his account was clouded with cash. The money he could use to do about anything. And he was the best customer at the bank. Making him a millionaire.After the meeting, he went to his office, talking to Charity and listening to what she had to say about everything. She explained more to him about what happened and why he was only finding about this now. She told him a bit about the company and gave him some files he can go through that will help him better manage the company.He had no experience whatsoever about running the company. And that scared the crap out of him that he might fail his grandfather-in-law.Mr. Noah trusted him that much to give him the company. To leave him something that will end up changing his life for the best. That was changing his life.“Charity, I do not know what I’m doing here? I do
He walked to the front where his wife stood. Everyone was still glaring at him.“Eliza, I told you I will find a way. You don’t have to divorce me to get your company on track,” he said for only her to hear.“Trevor, I don’t have time for this. What do you want? You know what, just leave. We will talk about this behavior at home. And get ready for all of them,” she spoke.“Listen to me, Eliza. I know you didn’t want to sign those divorce papers and I’m not going to sign them. Just give me a chance to say what I have. But those shares will be sold...”“What the hell is he doing here? I thought this is only for family and interested members. What does he think he is doing here? Maria?” A man spoke, looking at Trevor’s mother-in-law.He was Jackson’s father. He looked exactly like his son. very grumpy. With short gray hair. And he wore an expensive suit that seemed to choke him.“I’m so sorry for this, sir. He was just leaving,” Eliza spoke and took Trevor by the hand. “You need to leave
The all way home he was silent. Allowing her to suffer with questions to what was happening. The woman had no idea to what was happening at all. How her husband happened to get so much money to buy her shares of the company to save her company. He had no money to get a new expensive SUV. Just this morning he was taking a taxi to go out. And now he appeares with money enough to buy her shares. She was drowning in questions and he was not giving her a chance to ask any of them. She couldn’t even think of asking him what was happening because she had no idea where to start. Other than wait as he told her to. For everyone to get to the mansion that was apparently his according to Charity. Half way home, his phone rang. He took it from the holder and Charity was calling. “Yes Charity,” he answered. “I have the papers you needed for the mansion. Should I sent to your email or you will get them tomorrow?” She asked. “You should send them. I need them. And you called at the right time a
They sat in silence in the living room. Trevor still sitting on grandmother’s couch. Everyone stood. Except for the old woman and his mother-in-law.Eliza was still looking at the phone. Trying to see a fault in what he just showed her. She looked at him a couple of times. Opening her mouth and closing it again. She had nothing to say about the whole thing.She looked at her family members, but they all tried to look away from her.“Why would I lie about such a huge thing, Eliza? You have seen it for yourself and, in case you are in denial, they can’t even look at you right now. They have nothing to say to you because they know what I’m saying is the truth,” he spoke walking to her. “I know this is all a lot to handle. It was as well for me. But we can’t run away from reality. All we can do is embrace every moment of it. Life is too short to worry about crap,” he spoke, resting his hands on her shoulders.She looked up at him, and he let her go. She walked to her grandmother and sat n