Chapter 30

While Bianca sat in the dining room, fumbling with the gold ring on her ring finger, Leah brought her some coffee in a little mug and cautiously dropped it on the table.

"I added some creamer to it, ma'am, "Leah said with a lowered gaze and Bianca dismissed her with a slight nod.

When Cayden walked down the stairs, all hot in his suit, he was surprised to see her. " Mom?"

"Cayden," She smiled up at him.

But he was gazing deep into her eyes, reading every expression in them. "Why are you up so early?" He walked to her and held her hand, gently brushing it with his thumb. "Did you sleep fine last night?"

She gazed up at him for a while and said, "No, Cayden, I didn't."

A smile pulled his lips as he gazed down at those ocean eyes. He knows. "I'm sorry about last night, Mom. I'm so sorry." He caressed her cheek and she smiled. "I know I was rude…but…" He sighed.

"But what?" She asked quietly, gazing up at him, reading his countenance. He looked away from her. "Cayden?"

He studied her again.

"You were drunk last night."

"No, Mom," He placed his hand on her shoulder and caressed her neck. "I drank but I wasn't intoxicated."

"Can you please sit?" She asked.

He glanced at his wristwatch. He knows what's on her mind. He's aware of how curious she was. He sighed and said, "I gotta beat the clock, Mom. I've been leaving for work early lately 'cause I got some big fish to fry."

Bobbing her head slightly, she assessed him and smiled, "You're always my charming baby boy." She winked at him and he chuckled softly. "Yet, you still have to sit to have breakfast."

"Breakfast? Oh, no, Mom." He said softly and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "I gotta go now. Do take care of you, okay? Love you, mom. Catch ya later!" He pressed another kiss on her and walked off.

Smiling, she watched him leave.

"Jasmine, you were right." She said to Jasmine who was standing at the entrance of the kitchen.

"I dunno why." Jasmine shrugged. "He'd stopped eating at home for long…which is why I…I hardly keep his food at the dining."

"But you have to," Bianca said. "Just keep doing it." With her finger, she beckoned Jasmine to come to her. "Don't you think something is wrong?" Bianca whispered.

"S…something like what, ma'am?" Jasmine asked in a low tone.

"Comm'n Jasmine," Bianca said. "You know what I mean. Stop playing dumb on me."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Jasmine said, gazing downward. "But i…I can't tell if anything is wrong…"

"Jasmine?" Bianca raised a brow. "Haven't you noticed any sort of issue between my son and his wife?"

Kinda. Jasmine thought. But God forbear! It's not her place to disclose anything about her mistress to anyone. "I… I…haven't, ma'am…"

Bianca frowned at her. "You're so dumb, Jasmine! Just leave my sight!" She said coldly, scowling at her. "Like mistress like Jasmine," She murmured as Jasmine walked off. Damn! She grabbed the mug and sipped her coffee.

***

****

**

In her corporate shirt, a well-tailored skirt, and heels, Jigyasa was standing before her boss, all clammy from pressure.

"Seems like someone is tryna play hard on me," A crooked smile pulled Mr. Bradley's full pink lips and he sipped his water in a tumbler. "Come closer!" He said coldly and she took a few steps closer to his table. But when he attempted to touch her, she backed off and his eyes narrowed. "Jigyasa!!"

Not again! Jigyasa thought. This is something she's been facing for a couple of weeks now. Occasionally, her boss tries to touch her…and she'd never mentioned this to Weston. God knows Weston would rip him apart if he found out. He might even end up ripping her apart too for not telling him. She sighed.

Mr. Bradley, arose from his chair and she backed off, but he'd locked the door.

"Please…Mr. Bradley," She sobbed, backing off till she leaned against the wall. "Please…"

She attempted to scream but he quickly muffled her mouth with his big hand. "Are you insane?!" He said. "Just lemme do it asap…."

Trembling, she shook her head.

"Oh, I see," Mr. Bradford assessed and bobbed his head. "Is it not my money you've been stealing to afford the expensive clothes you've been wearing lately? Look how sexy you are…" He wanted to touch her boobs but she held his hand. "How dare you hold my hand?"

He slapped her and she wailed in pain.

"Shut up!" Bradley said. "Since you started working here we both know your life has changed! Then you can't do me a little favor?" He exhaled, glaring at her. "Then, you're fired!"

She blinked, still covering her burning cheek with her palm.

He brought out a key from his suit pocket and opened the door. "Now get lost!! Take all that belongs to you, leave, and never come back!!"

Without saying a word, she walked out of his office and he slammed the door.

As she got to her desk, tears began to flow down her cheeks. She wept for a long while before leaving the office.

**

At six thirty when Bradley was about to leave, he went to her office and opened the door. She must be in there! He thought.

But as he looked around, he didn't see her. What! He gasped. Can she be hard? His eyes wide, he searched her drawer but her belongings were all gone.

Fuck! He placed both hands on his waist and blew out. Nah, that wasn't what he expected. He expected her to beg…but she didn't! What has given her such a nerve?!!

***

Jigyasa's face was damp with tears as she wept, viewing her face in the mirror. Her left cheek was sore and marked. Weston was surely gonna see this…and only God knows his reaction.

Weston had told her severally to quit the job but she'd refused…and now look what happened at the end. Sitting before the mirror, she wiped off the tears. The fear that her man would surely get mad at her made her sick.

Shortly, her phone began to chime on the bed. Sniffling, she hurried to pick it up and when she checked the caller, she gasped and her heart began to thump in her chest.

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