Vengence's Odyssey

Chapter four

The click of the door, despite being a small sound, seemed to resound in Stephanie's head. She had agreed to divorce Christian but she felt she'd hurt him too much, seeing as he was still mourning grandma's loss. She also felt guilty for not being there with her, for her when she was in her last minutes. She felt drained and guilty and she wanted to be alone. 

  Stephanie fell on the couch with an exhausted sigh as her parents laughed and mocked at Christian, confirming his signature and being thankful that he'd left without any fight. 

  "You know, I thought he'd want to be smart, good thing I was here to handle him." Her father said with a proud smile and then looked at Demon who was still hovering around Stephanie, hoping to talk to her. 

  "And look, I invited Demon over, I thought he could cheer you up and you know...get to know you, I know Christian was never capable of being the right one for you, you deserve better. " Mr Rolando said and smiled at Demon who gave her a wink and moved to sit beside her on the double seater sofa. 

   "Mum, father, I literally just got my divorce signed, I did not think I'm willing to be in any relationship, not now. " She said and looked unhappily at her parents who were eager to wave her off and tell her it was for the best. 

  "Listen, Stephanie," her father said in his usual authoritative tone, "That chapter of your life is over now, it's best you forget all about it and begin to look into brighter things." He added and gestured with his chin to Demon. 

  "Listen to your father, Stephanie, that man was never good for you, it's time you make a better choice." Mrs Rolando added, convincingly. 

  Stephanie exhaled, her face crumpled in a frustrated frown, "I've told you mum, I'm not ready for that, Demon can leave, I have something else to attend to." She said and rose from the couch, walking out on both of them. 

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  Christian strode down the block, his steps agile and precise, his face a blank mask, he was hurt, he was disappointed in what had happened. He loved Stephanie but she had deeply hurt him, tried to cut him open right in front of her family and the new man she'd let into her life, he knew he had to be out. 

   Moments after he crossed to the other side of the pavement, a Rolls Royce parked right in front of him, missing him by merely a few inches, he looked at the black luxury car, tyres spinning and engine rumbling lowly. Christian was still wondering what was happening when a girl stepped out of the car. 

  She was beautiful, her long auburn hair glistening beautifully in the sunlight as she looked at him, a face so familiar it took him only a few seconds to recognize her. She was Alice Wills,the only daughter of Carter Wills, a mafia boss. What did she want? Christian wondered as she flashed him a smile and said, "Get in." Christian looked at her for a few more seconds and she simply smiled, "I won't bite." She added.  

   Christian got into the vehicle, the cold interior a stark difference from the blistering July sun. She wore a silk green dress, her hair pinned at the sides and her smile rather enticing. 

  "How have you been? It was a bit of hassle to find you." She confessed as he took on the interior of the car and of course, her. "It's been a while, how's grandmother too?" She asked. 

  Christian nodded, he could quite recall the circumstances which they had met. It was when she had saved his grandmother's life, he had offered her his address and number, telling her he was indebted to her, she refused and left that day, now, she was back suddenly and Christian had a feeling that it was to claim that 'debt'. 

  "I'm fine, Alice,it has indeed been a while since I last saw you." He replied, his stare a little questioning, he did not enjoy not knowing what her intents was. 

  "And grandmother? I'd love to meet her again, she was quite the character and I had such fun memories of her." Alice said with a fond laugh. She noticed that Christian  was not finding the humor in that and she quickly sobered up. 

   "Grandmother is no more, I buried her a few days ago." He stated, his voice blank, almost unfeeling. Alice gasped and clutched his hand firmly in hers, "I'm so sorry, I didn't have any idea," She said and exhaled deeply. 

  "I swear I didn't know this, if I did, I wouldn't have come." She said and then sighed, "You know what? I think this can wait, I'll find my way around this one, you no longer owe me." She stated as ordered the driver to stop the car.  

   "I knew from the moment I saw you that I had to redeem my vow, you should know I'm a man of my words, Alice,I will do as I promised." He said and she frowned, her pretty eyes sad and unsure. Christian nodded and she sighed again, this time clearly stalling. 

  "Are you sure? I know you just lost her...and...maybe it's best to..." Christian cut her in with a firm nod. "I'm sure, I made a promise and I won't go back on it," he said, a note of finality in his tone. 

   "You have no idea what I want from you and I think this isn't the best time to ask, I...it is odd and unconventional and...well, I just can't..." She began and stammered as she tried hard to say it out. It was clear that she was nervous and Christian did not know her as a shy person. 

  Christian merely stared at her as she inhaled and exhaled and finally blurted out the most shocking question he'd heard for a very long time. 

  "Will you be my boyfriend?" She asked with an anxious expression on her face.