Chapter 11: Bumpy Flight 2

We touched down in New York and i still had the feeling of defeat right in my stomach, my son walked past me like i had become a ghost, got off the jet and tried to hold my son several times but he would yank my grip off his hand like i was some stranger to him and as the security officals escorted us our convoy, i could see the preying eyes of everyone on my skin, they glared while others took pictures. The online stunt wasn't over, not by a long shot and each second I spent in the airport made me more weakened than I already was.

"It's a pleasure to have you back sir" Conrad's personal driver greeted while Conrad simply smiled at him, i took my seat in the other SUV, feeling left out and alone, I reached for my phone, there was only one person i could explain all of this madness to, the only person i knew my emotions better than the man i called my husband.

"Hello girlfriend!" her smooth voice made me smile for a brief moment, I forgot my pain in an instant as my mood slowly lit up, Emilia was more of a sister to me than a friend, someone I could cry on when the world turns its back on me.

"Are you there?, answer me girl!" her voice came again and I managed to laugh this time.

"Are you back in New York already, i can't wait to see my darling Arabella, how was the trip?"

I tried to speak but words failed me as my mind completely went blank, was my trip filled with any joyful moments at all?.

"It was terrible Emilia, I feel so weak and tired, i feel so terrible right now, i don't even know what's going wrong, I'm losing my mind, Emilia!, I must have done something wrong or maybe I'm just overreacting, I don't know anything anymore!" I yelled as tears filled my eyes, waiting for the right moment to rush down my cheeks.

"Calm down Arabella, a lot has surely happened but I need you to be calm, I'm here for you girl and you know it" she assured as I tried so hard to hold myself from crying. I caught my driver's gaze at my face from the rear mirror, he was astonished by my outburst, he hadn't seen me like that, and none of them had.

"I can't calm down Arabella, I'm losing my freaking mind, I don't know what's going on, I'm losing my marriage, I'm losing my man!" I kept yelling out of control, my emotions getting the better of me with each passing minute. When it came to Emilia, I have never for once held back my emotions and she has.

"Arabella!!!" she yelled, her voice louder and authoritative.

"Emilia" I responded calmly as I wiped off my tears.

"I saw the gossip trending online, I saw all of the hate comments rising against you, I felt hurt and I'm sorry I didn't call earlier, I didn't want to disturb you with such disheartening news"

"My son said he hates me and the world now calls me all sorts of names, Conrad says it's nothing but still treats me like trash, I'm facing hell right now!" I yelled again.

"Michael can't dare hate on you, I will beat him up if I have to, I don't believe anything the media is saying, I know you more than anyone and I know you're a good mother" Her voice filled with a little glimpse of hope as I found myself smiling foolishly.

"I just need someone to talk to, can you please come see me?" I asked faintly as words failed me, my heart was heavy as a rock.

"You don't have to say that twice dear, I'm on my way, can't let you cry yourself to bed, there's nobody more emotional than you and there's no way I will let you hurt yourself" she assured.

I hung up and managed to smile a little, I knew for a fact that her presence was more comforting than oxygen, she has been my happy pill for more than I can remember.

"How far are we from home?" I asked the driver who still had his gaze on me but turned quickly before he could get caught.

"I know you have been staring at me for the past few minutes, is there anything you want to say to me?, i seem to be talking insults from strangers these days, tell me whatever you have been dying to say to me," I said, his composure shifted as i watched him swallow hard, he tried to speak but kept his lips sealed.

"That's what I thought"

"I'm sorry for staring and eavesdropping, I just couldn't bear to watch you get so emotional and for what it's worth, I don't believe any of those hate comments. You're a caring woman and a strong mother"

I found myself flattered by his words for a moment, i clearly wasn't prepared for his response but I managed to fake a smile.

"Thank you, how far are we from home?" I asked again.

With one swift turn, we got to the mansion's gate and he paused to catch his breath before words came out from his mouth "We are here ma'am". I stepped out of the SUV and watched as the guards took the bags inside the mansion, the maids welcomed my husband in and my son quickly dashed at the Chef, hugging her so tightly like he had found a new mother in her.

Watching the whole scene that played before my eyes made me angrier and jealous.

"How was your trip young master, did you miss me?" my chef asked with a broad smile on her face while I stared at them.

"I missed your food and I miss you too, can't wait to test whatever you have prepared, I'm hungry," Innocent Michael said with joy etched on his face.

"Let's go inside Michael, you can have a taste of her food once you are well rested, we had a long flight and we need to freshen up," I said, interrupting what appeared to be a little conversation between my son and the family chef.

"I'm not going in with you Mom, leave me alone!" Michael yelled at me.

"Michael, how dare you talk back at your mother in such a manner, follow her in" My Chef scolded him before I could even find time to react, i stood there, still struck with shock by the words that had become so normal for my son.

"Michael, go inside now!" I ordered at once, ready to drag him in if it came to that.

"I'm not going in with you, Please leave me alone, you are acting like a leech, give me some space!" Michael said without an atom of remorse in his voice, I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Michael!!!" the other maids screamed but before they could get a chance to scold him, Conrad spoke out.

"Let the boy be! he has the right to either be alone or follow you around like a pet, he's no longer the puppet you can easily control"