Life After Divorce: The Rise Of Elijah Crawford

Chapter 4

Rhonda was taken aback, her heart pounding in disbelief. "He did what?" she exclaimed. "Now, why would Elijah do that? Why would he get into a physical altercation with you, mom?"

Rhonda had been with Elijah for some years, and he had never shown a hint of violence. Her mother's claim seemed incomprehensible.

"He- he was taking out his anger on me," Tiana replied, her voice trembling. "He said I'm the reason for the divorce. I'm telling you, if the security men had not come, he would've killed me."

Rhonda couldn't quite believe her mother. She gripped the phone tighter. "Mom, please, you have to stop with all these. I don't believe Elijah would hit you, let alone try to kill you. Can you please stop making more trouble for me? I can't bear the emotional turmoil any longer. You've  already done enough."

On the other end of the line, Tiana's voice wavered with surprise. "Rhonda, I never thought you would doubt me. It's rude to question your mother. You should trust my words without reservation. You have to understand, he's changed so much. I'm scared for both of us."

Rhonda took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

"Anyway,he’ll have to face the consequences! Now forget about him.I've set up a meeting with Mr. Kingston. We need to ensure our business remains unaffected by theirs. I'm heading there now. You should definitely come along."

Rhonda furrowed her brows, surprised that her mother even knew Mr. Kingston Luxe. It should have been her decision to meet Kingston, not her mother's. Nonetheless, she acquiesced.

"Alright mom, I'll join you."

"Oh, and before I forget, Rhonda, please make sure to bring the latest market analysis on Luxe Holdings," Tiana added.

Rhonda nodded. "Of course, I'll make sure to have them ready."

***

Moments later, Elijah arrived at the secluded building where Winnie had taken her grandfather. He found her waiting in the car park, her presence commanding the space. Taking a moment to absorb the sight before him, he couldn't help but be captivated by her allure.

Winnie's hazel eyes conveyed warmth and intelligence, drawing people in with their inviting gaze. Her skin was porcelain smooth, adorned with delicate freckles, and a left-side dimple graced her face when she smiled. With wide hips and a slim waist, she was a vision of beauty, leaving a lasting impression on those she encountered.

"Welcome, Mr. Elijah," Winnie greeted with a warm smile as soon as he stepped out of the car, creating a sense of immediate connection between them.

"Thank you," he replied with a calm demeanor.

"Shall we?" Winnie inquired, gracefully gesturing towards the entrance. 

"Sure, lead the way," Elijah replied, falling into step beside her. 

As they entered the room, a strong scent of antiseptic hung in the air. The dim light, filtered through the heavy curtains, cast long shadows on the rich red velvety beddings.

Winnie's grandfather laid on the beautiful bed, his breathing labored and shallow, the severity of his condition evident. Another figure, dressed in an impeccable white coat, stood nearby, and Elijah could not contain his surprise. He turned to Winnie with an inquisitive look, silently questioning her about him.

"Um, Mr. Elijah, this is Dr. David, a student of the very best doctor in the city," Winnie introduced, her voice soft and comforting. "I apologize for this, it's not that I don't trust either of your medical skills, but I just want to ensure my grandfather's safety."

Elijah nodded in understanding. He didn't take offense. However, he could sense David's apprehension about having him in the room.

"So, what medical school did you attend?" David inquired, attempting to break the ice and alleviate the unspoken unease.

"None," Elijah replied in his typically monotonous tone.

"Oh, come on, you must've trained under some famous doctor. How else did you acquire your medical skills?" David persisted, his curiosity gleaming in his eyes like a beacon in the dimly lit room.

Elijah let out a soft sigh. The man's persistence was annoying. "None. I learned everything about medicine on my own."

David raised an intrigued eyebrow,asked with a smirk. "On your own? That's quite unconventional. What gives you the confidence to treat Mr Carter when you haven’t got any formal training at all?"