The Vengeful Masquerade

The Plan For Escape

Stephan woke up the following day rubbing his two eyes. It was obvious that he didn't have a good night's rest. His hand slightly brushed the bedside, and he noticed that Rita was not in bed. He murmured to himself and sighed. There was nothing he could do. He wasn't good enough for her and that was all Stephan could think about. The little money he had managed to siphon over the years wasn't going to be enough for him to start a new life or even run away. He needed a game changer if he was going to beat Rita and her family.

Getting out of bed, Stephan knew an opportunity was going to present itself, but he didn't know how long he had to wait for it. The funniest thing was that Rita and her family were enjoying the games they were playing. It almost looked like they were stalking and searching for a suitable man for their daughter, despite the fact that she was married to him. Stephan was now a mere guard in his own wife's company.

He hurriedly got his bath and raced to work. “ You are late, Mr Stephan,” Gerard said while putting on his shoes. “ I know, I am sorry. This won't be ephemeral.” Stephan promised and the man smiled. “ I hope not. I know you are still struggling with the shift and change of power, but you need to forget it. A man must do anything to survive.” Gerard said again, and he quickly assigned Stephan to the exterior part of the combat, which was used by fewer people.

“ Nobody will disturb you over there, and you won't have to meet with your wife at all times.” Gerard looked at Stephan with his head bowed. “ I don't know how well I can thank you for that. I am grateful, Gerard. I will never forget your kindness.” Stephan promised. He quickly changed into his uniform and put on his facepoint. Despite being demoted to a mere guard, Stephan still looks handsome. Some of the women brush seeing him walk towards his post.

“ I still don't understand why Rita would want a man like this for a guard. Does she see what we see in her? Omg! She is so dumb.” one of the staff said while looking at Stephan as he walked past them. Her friend looked at her back, and she saw Rita standing with her hands akimbo. “ Do you think we should get his number?” Violet asked again, this time. She was biting her lower lips.

“ You can do that on your way home.” Rita said the words as she walked away before she could even think of begging.

“ What the hell were you thinking? I tried to warn you.” Her friend said, as Violet cried bitterly. The day was a busy day for all the workers, including Stephan, who had mounted the doors and had to open for the staff each time they were coming and going.

“ Have you heard? The organization is launching and merging at the same time as Maddicon and the co-business group.”

The staff gossiped as they walked past Stephan, who was tired from standing. His feet were sore, and he wished he could go back to his former office, which was now occupied by Maxwell.

“I wondered why we needed to merge again. I mean, the company is doing fine, and we are better than most of our peers in the business world. So why merge again?” One woman who had a big belly said

“ I thought you would have gotten it by now, but clearly you don't. This isn't about companies merging. This is about a new life for Miss Rita. I think she finally has the balls to dump Mr Stephan.”

Both of them looked towards Stephan and walked away. For a moment, Stephan’s face went pale. He knew he needed to act fast. Time wasn't on his side anymore. He knew there was nothing he could say or that would change Rita’s mind. He wondered where they had met. Stephan immediately called his lawyer, who had been his childhood friend all this while. “ I need to see you, Ben.” he said slowly over the phone, shuffling.

“ Okay, Steph. Just let me know when you are free. I need to go.” Ben said in a hurry and the line went dead. The day went slower than usual with him checking his wristwatch each time. The loud alarm signifying the end of the day wole Stephan up. He quickly cleaned the drool he had on his mouth and ran back to his office to change his clothes. He rang Ben’s line again and told him he was on his way.

“ You don't mean this?” Ben finally said, hearing everything Stephan had told him. “ Wow! I thought you were living the life.”

“ No, I was a slave, and I was treated like dirt even in my own matrimonial home. My wife has no regard for me, and she is finally going to leave me for another billionaire. I know what I am doing, Ben.” Stephan said coldy.

“ The Gilbert’s are the richest and most powerful in the country. Going against them could mean the end of my career, but I have a vendetta too. We could bring them down together, but first we need to make sure you don't lose your marriage.” Ben said again, taking the vodka before him.

Stephan’s face showed he didn't understand what Ben was saying. “ I want out. I am not saying I want to be in this toxic relationship anymore. I just need to get a few properties from her. Something that would set me up for life.”

Ben smirked, “ Do you think Rita didn't think of all of this? I am sure she had this planned all along, but we are going to outsmart her.” Ben laughed.

“How?” Stephan asked back with his eyes almost popping out of their sockets. it was evident that he was ready to hear what Ben had to say.