The Legendary Conglomerate

Chapter 2: Forced

"Okay then," Killian said firmly.

Moments later, the two of them were at the House of Asia. A trendy cafe for young people, couples who want to celebrate birthdays or the like.

The cafe was quite beautiful because the atmosphere was very vintage. It is supported by many small bamboo trees that are well-maintained.

Coupled with the many fish ponds inside, it creates a very cosy atmosphere, so many young couples and families always eat there. Of course, for those whose level is in the middle to lower class.

After getting to the right place, it is equipped with a small fountain on the edge of a clear fish pond. Killian and Elizabeth immediately sat down in the pretty little gazebo.

A few moments passed, but no one tried to start a conversation. An awkward atmosphere is felt between them. Not wanting to linger, Elizabeth took the initiative to start the conversation first.

"Let's order some food first," Elizabeth said, breaking the deadlock between them; after seeing a cafe waitress walking towards them from afar.

Entirely unexpectedly, Killian vented his life's frustrations to his friend Elizabeth without being asked.

"You order. I'm a useless man. I've never held money or had money. My work at my wife's family home is not appreciated."

"Daily, I do the cooking, sweeping and mopping, grocery shopping at the market and other chores. I barely have time to earn my own money," Killian said as he wiped away the tear-like beads falling from his eyes.

"A-are you crying, Killian?" asked Elizabeth, confused.

"Ah no, it's just sweat," replied Killian matter-of-factly.

Their conversation stopped when the waiter who would serve them arrived and presented a list of food and beverage menus in the cafe.

After ordering the food, the atmosphere was awkward again, and no one took the initiative to start a conversation.

"You don't have to worry. I'll treat you today. Don't lower yourself because of that," Elizabeth said, breaking the silence.

"I'm ready to hear whatever you have to say today. Come on! Release all your thoughts to me."

"Thank you!" Killian exhaled heavily, then continued, "For over a year, I have been their servant. I was forced to do this because of their grandfather's message, who had helped me when my life was almost lost, poisoned by a group of young men sent by a wealthy family in Birmingham."

"After I recovered, I was married off to his granddaughter two months later. According to her grandfather, I was not as simple as I looked. The man insisted on marrying off his granddaughter to me after he saw this necklace I was wearing," Killian said, showing the necklace around his neck all this time.

Elizabeth looked at the necklace for a moment without intending to touch it. She only saw the necklace from a metre away. But what she saw was not wrong. The chain did contain a great mystery.

"So why all this time, you didn't try to find a job out there?" asked Elizabeth, not understanding Killian's condition.

"I've tried applying for jobs everywhere. But most are just office boys or cleaning services in those big companies. None of them trusts my abilities; there is someone influential in Birmingham to pressure all those companies not to accept me to work for them. But that was just my assumption. I had also applied to the giant Spencer Group but was rejected there. Most of the managers were arrogant and looked down on lower-class people like me," Killian replied, revealing everything.

"So, I've continued working for the Julietta family for the past year or so. But that won't last much longer. Their family, apart from Grandpa Smith, hated me, especially my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and Julietta's cousin. It's safe to say that every day, moment and hour that they see me, they're clamouring for my separation from Julietta. I've become immune to hearing it.

"Honestly, I couldn't stand how they treated me either. But to fulfil my grandfather's will, I endured their scorn and mistreatment. But as the days went by, their abuse and mistreatment of me became more intense. Not only do they attack me with words, but they also attack me physically."

"And the climax was when with my own eyes, I saw my wife making out with another man. With a heart, she insulted me in front of that man. Slapped, pushed and spat at me there."

"As a man, I am not naive. I realised that if this continued, my life would always be oppressed. My self-respect has even been lost like an animal. Love has made me blind. Love has also made me weak. I hoped the seeds of love would grow in Julietta's heart by continuing to serve her. But I was wrong."

"They are all just taking advantage of that love. Julietta and her family had the opportunity to oppress me. In one year, they got all the chores for free through me. But now, I've decided, and I'll agree to their demands to part with Julietta. Especially after she rejected me in front of others, and again I have carried out the mandate of Grandpa Smith."

"So please help me, Elizabeth," Killian pleads.

"How can I help you, Killian? I don't have any rights against you. Especially when it comes to Julietta," Elizabeth responded, feeling motherly and confused simultaneously.

"Just pray and encourage me so I don't get worse," said a distraught Killian.

"Killian! You've been a tough guy for as long as I've known you. You don't give in easily to circumstances. That's what I've known all along. Come on! Don't continue to drown in the chaos of your household. Be strong if you want to part with Julietta. Don't hesitate anymore. I'm sure you can do it," Elizabeth tried to calm him down.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. You are my best friend. If, on another occasion, there is a respite in my life. You're the first person I'll turn to," Killian thought.

Shortly after he finished saying that, the menu they ordered came. They ate with gusto.

After some time, Killian and Elizabeth finished eating. Then they left the place after paying for the food.

Elizabeth decided to continue visiting several companies in case they needed new employees. Meanwhile, Killian went straight home to his wife's family.

***

He was arriving there. What a surprise he was when he arrived. His wife's entire extended family, including the head of the family, Granny Smith, were sitting with tense faces as if they were angry. From the looks on their faces, they were talking about something significant.

"That's the loser man," one of Julietta's cousins, Julius, shouted in a firm voice.

"How dare you come back to this house after what you did to Robert," Julietta interrupted in a high tone.

"You loser! You're such a useless piece of rubbish. Because of you, the cooperation agreed upon with the Spencer Group was ruined," Julietta's mother, Emma, shouted.

"Robert, with his influence, has cancelled the contract with our company, Smith & Co. It's all because of you!" Julius just as vehemently as Emma.

"Also, Robert intends to take you to court for mistreating him," another of Julietta's cousins said.

"But grandmother has suspended it as long as you're willing to sign a divorce agreement with Julietta," chirped Julietta's sister Christine lightly.

"You look like an animal. Are you deaf, Killian? Why are you so quiet?"

"Everyone be quiet! This is where I decide what to do with that useless son-in-law! From now on. You are no longer allowed to live in my extended family home. You have been expelled, and you are no longer needed here! Now sign your divorce agreement with my granddaughter Julietta. If you still refuse, I will throw you in jail," she threatened.

After Granny Smith finished saying that sentence, the atmosphere became silent, and no one dared to speak up. They were all waiting to see what Killian, the useless son-in-law in their family, would say.