Chapter 55: Chapter Fifty-five

Chad.

Her usually bright brown eyes were dimming, clearly deep in thought that was slowing plummeting south but I knew better than that. She’s obviously still caught up at that moment, where her ex-assistant’s head popped like a balloon in front of her. Rachel has seen blood, people shot but this one was indeed traumatizing for her. It’s her fault anyway, why she agreed to see that con-artist. Didn’t I tell her to stay away?

“Rachel…” Still no luck in getting her attention, I shook her shoulder. “Hey, Rachel!” It did the trick, bringing her back to reality before she floated away to oblivion to the point of no return. Blinking, she brushed back her golden hair and stared at me for a few minutes, confused. Mentally sighing in relief, I grabbed and pulled her towards me, embracing her heat and—if only—her problems as well.

I’m sorry… it hurts to see you like this.

“It’s my fault,” she murmured and pulled away. Staring right into my eyes. “It’s my fault why she’s dead… oh god.” Tears started pooling in those eyes of hers, filling up and rolling down her cheeks. “Should I turn myself over? Maybe the police would—”

“It’s not your fault, Rachel.” I frowned at how absurd it sounded. She wasn’t capable of sending Howard to jail, even if she could. No, it was never her to begin with. Howard just didn’t know that she was being watched and followed to make sure she wouldn’t speak. She had to pay the price which is her life. Still, to me, it wasn’t right for someone to easily finish off a person. We don’t have the right to choose who lives or dies.

But she just had to do it.

“Are you the one who shot her? No, you didn’t so don’t take the blame.” Taking her hands into mine, I gave each a gentle squeeze and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I’ll pull a few ties that Dad has with the police to fasten the apprehension of the killer.” The warmth went back into those chocolate eyes, slightly widening before she flashed me such a sad smile that it almost made my heart ache.

“Thanks for comforting me, Chad. How can I go through these kinds of things without you?” Rachel sighed, lowering her head. Fingers caressing my palm with abstract lines like a fortune teller would do. I couldn’t help but chuckle and pat her head, making her glance up.

“Why? Harvey not a good listener?” I laughed quietly but stopped short when she shot me a displeased look. “All right, I know you won’t tell your problems to anyone else—keeping it all in. Isn’t that bad for that little heart of yours?” Reaching out to cup her cheeks, I gave her a pointed look. “It’s not good to hide everything, especially things that make your head go crazy, for example… your love for me.”

Succeeding in my plan to amuse her, Rachel scoffed at my dazzling smile, rolling her eyes. “Yeah right! As if you’d make me go mad.” A mischievous smirk was all it took and fingers running down to the pencil skirt she wore, ready to unzip it off her, that made her concede.

“I surrender! I said I surrender, Chad!” She giggled hysterically, harshly pushing me away. No one would suspect that a person died instantly in front of her whenever she laughs like there’s no tomorrow. That would be what I should focus on doing right now until those horrid images leave her head.

Rachel Maxwell, the heiress of the billions of her parents and the next one to run the Maxwell’s growing empire. A beautiful and smart young woman, my girlfriend, and member of one of the most influential families in all of Cleveland, is right here saying that she couldn’t go through problems without me by her side. It’s normal to hear a man or woman say that to their lover, often seen in those sappy romance movies, but in the world today it’s often ridiculed.

But to hear it from her, who people and the media see as independent… it’s heartwarming and at the same time, it almost made me laugh at her face. You don’t know what you’re saying, Rachel. Once you find out the truth, will you still say the same words to me? Or will you find a better man and repeat that famous yet cliche line?

“Where are you going?” Not bothering to answer her question, I headed out of my bedroom and towards the kitchen. Standing in front of the refrigerator, I pulled the handle and grabbed the green apple juice box. Quickly returning to the room, I handed it to Rachel and sat down next to her once again. Her gratitude came in a soft mumble and gently shot the straw into the hole, sipping the juice out of the damp box.

“Don’t sweat about figuring out who killed Arianne Howard.” I murmured, clasping my hands around hers. “Leave it to me. For now, just act like nothing happened, okay?” Then, my thoughts drifted to her friend—Patton was his name, right?—and slightly furrowed my eyebrows. “Um, about your friend…”

“Patton?”

“Yes, him.” There was no other way but to let Rachel convince the soldier to keep things quiet. It may be hard for him since he’s practically a man who follows the law but with a little coaxing from her, Patton would stay quiet. “Can you please tell him not to rush and act on his own? Tell him that I have it all under control.” We can’t have a single blabbering mouth on the loose.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Rachel agreed. It was too easy, her not asking questions and ready to do what I say. She was truly shaken by what happened, not knowing what to do anymore. Who can blame her? But at the same time, I felt guilty. Guilty for making her look stupid because even if I turn the world upside down, nothing would change. My love for her wouldn’t waver as my guilt would bury me six feet under.

Nothing would change the fact that I am going to hurt her in the end.

***

“Thanks… for always listening to my problems,” she mumbled and then chuckled. “Even I know you have your own, silly of me to dump this all on you.” The cold December wind flew past us, messing up her blonde locks that were suspended in the air for a few moments. Patting down the stray strands, I grinned down at her reassuringly.

“Come on, Rach. I’m your boyfriend and your trusted business partner! I should find ways to see that smile on your face,” I licked my chapped lips and continued. The blonde woman gazing at me with a faint sparkle in those brown eyes. “Always find a way.”

“But this is a problem, my problem that I shouldn’t involve other people—”

“There you go again,” I sighed with a slight shake of my head. “You keep it all in, just relax okay? Please don’t be so hard on yourself and let others try and help you. Even if you claim that you can do it all, you still need someone on your back.” Wrapping my arms around her, I gave her a squeeze. “You’re not alone in this, Rachel.”

Returning back the hug, I felt her nose against the nape of my neck, inhaling the scent of my cologne and exhaled. “Okay, okay. I’ll try to keep that in mind.” Chuckling at her response, I planted a kiss on her forehead. Aware that she didn’t like other people seeing, especially the media— public display of affection isn’t what she likes, something I do at times just to make her squeak in annoyance —I instantly pulled away and smiled.

The ringing of her phone snapped her out of our moment, diverting her attention away and to the killjoy cellphone. Her eyes went wide after seeing the caller’s name and hurriedly hid it. “I-I have to go! Dad’s calling, it must be urgent.”

“Of course, you attend to him first.” As much as I didn’t like others to have her attention— jealousy is something I have to get rid of or she’ll laugh at how boyish I am. I am already a man! “Don’t keep your father waiting or he’ll think his angelic daughter is with a man.”

Her melodic laugh graced my ears before she waved goodbye, mumbling her farewell and took off. The Mini Cooper parked in between my car and another person living in this tall building. I watched as her car sped away, out of the parking lot. As I was about to head to the elevator, the familiar silver BMW caught my eyes. She’s here?!

“I thought she’d never leave, Chad! And a kiss on her forehead? If you want to be a better actor, go for the lips instead! Wrap her around your finger that way!”

A grimace was all I could do, not wanting to disrespect her unless I’ll get another sermon that would be the cause for my ears to bleed. Turning to the woman, I slightly narrowed my eyes at her stupid shiny blonde hair that is always in a sharp bun and her icy blue eyes that I all inherited. The only thing I inherited from the old man was his humor, the way he courted women and how he smiled.

So what did he eat for him to settle down with her?!

Seeing my glare, she retaliated with a more intense one. “Don’t give me that look, Chad.” Black Christian Louboutin heels, that Rachel has one rack of, click clacking as she approached me, the devious woman stood before me and crossed her arms across her chest. “Is that how you greet me? You ungrateful little—”

“What do you want, mother?”

A sinister smile spread across her lips as she nodded. “That’s the way, son. There’s nothing you won’t do for me, right?” Then, she sighed. “Let’s go inside, I don’t want any pests eavesdropping.” Knowing who she was referring to, I nodded and led the way. Once in the elevator, we rode it in silence until we reached my floor. Getting this penthouse was no joke, my parents had to work hard. Blood, sweat and tears were shed. I should’ve known that my mother would go through lengths to bring herself up from the ground. She wasn’t born rich like the Maxwells, they only had to work to make more millions. No, mother was merely a humble woman before. Merely after the thought of serving women who wanted to be beautiful, selling lotions and facial washes that would make all your pimples go home. But that dream never came. Instead, she devoted her life to studying business in hope of building that dream once she got the capital.

Until money became more important than her life which led to her greediness.

“So, the private investigator is still sniffing around?”

Mother rolled her eyes and shook her head in disapproval. “I’m not an idiot, it’s clear to me that Damon Maxwell is on to us. I even had to kill that useless girl! Who would’ve known she got the guts to tell Rachel, huh?” She then smirked, “But that won’t stop me from getting that gold mine. There is no other way but for you to romance that boring daughter of his.” I winced at the way she described her, but didn’t say anything. If I did, she’ll recite a long poem about how Rachel Maxwell isn’t the right woman for me even if she has it all. She’ll also say how we’re like the opposite to each other.

Didn’t she know that opposites attract?

“Mother, what are you doing here exactly? Did you just come here to spite me or?”

“Why?! Can’t a mother visit her son in his penthouse? That he might’ve snagged a better woman than Maxwell’s daughter?” I frowned at her, not liking where this was going. “You know better than this, my boy. Once that daughter of his know that you’re just dating her because of money—”

“I am not dating her for instant cash!” I seethed, pushing the door to my place open and letting the devious old hag in first. “Do you need to get your eyes checked? I love her!”

“Ha! Love? That’s really funny, Chad.” She cracked like a witch, nothing new to it. “There is no such thing as love in this world. Look, you know I only married your father because he had money and the looks. You’re like me, using your charms and intellect to gather more women to swindle! Just like what you’re doing right now to that Maxwell heiress.”

Flopping down on the leather couch, I shut my eyes and faced the ceiling. “I’m serious but you wouldn’t believe me even if I tried to tell you.” Opting for another subject to dwell on, she began to chatter away.

“I’ve met this woman at the salon today! She’s the wife of a senator and guess what? She has a daughter! She’s twenty-two and is aiming to follow her father’s footsteps in politics. And I saw this other man in the restaurant, he has two daughters and is very successful!”

“I thought you said that marrying the Maxwell’s heiress is the key to all our financial problems?” I didn't date her before, seeing her as one of those women who wouldn’t want to date a player like me. She was better off with some guy into politics or a model. Knowing her previous ties with Nathan Wright, I thought she only wanted to date models. But mother insisted that I give her a shot and who knows, probably become close to the family. However, I was against it at first and said she wouldn’t have me. And how right I was the first time!

“Yes, I did before…” she mumbled almost in a whisper. “But you used to complain how difficult she is and thought maybe I’d find another target.” She then frowned, “A much better one than that Heather girl. Absolutely disgraceful!”

“Then leave me be! Shouldn’t you be happy that I am officially dating her?” I grumbled, “I did ask for four million already. Isn’t that enough for the company to progress?” When she didn’t respond, my suspicion popped out. “By the way, you never told me what happened after you made a deal with that businessman from Hong Kong. Did it go well?” Still no response, my doubt grew until I shot my eyes open to face her, only to see a sheepish smile on her lips.

“Sorry, my boy…” she stuck out a tongue, “but I used it all up before I could make the deal.”

I felt my blood soar up high, my whole body leaving the couch and stood in front of her, seething in irritation. “You what?! You told me that you’d use it for the deal to be sealed and now you’re telling me that you used it for something else?!”

She scowled, “What?! Don’t I have the leisure to go to the casino anymore? I was growing bored and your father is too busy to even notice me!”

“That doesn’t mean you could waste four million on the casino! You can’t even win a single game!”

“Shut it, Chad! I’m your mother so you don’t tell me what to do! I make the rules here!” That’s really strange because last time I checked, I moved out when I was eighteen and lived here for years now. Technically, this is my home. But I wouldn’t tell her that, she’ll make my life a living hell if I did. “And because of me, I made you who you are right now! If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t get a single deal! Just take that partnership with Mr. Lee that your little girlfriend couldn’t even get! Who made sure you both can get it?”

“You did.”

The smugness was radiating off of her, evident in the way she grinned. “That’s right, Chad. I did. If it weren’t for my charms and my ties to a horde of influential people, you wouldn’t be able to do anything at all.” Waving a dismissive hand, she grumbled. “Is this how you treat your guest? Insult and interrogate her? Go and grab me something to drink!”

Mumbling how she complains all the time under my breath, I took my time in the kitchen as I poured orange juice into the glass. What if I put this all to an end? So that she wouldn’t bother me anymore? She has to admit defeat at some point, that she can’t continue controlling me forever.

Feeling the slight bulge on my pocket, I fished it out and stared at the ring box. I recently bought it this morning on my way to work, saw a jewelry store that had a name of a woman that seemed to be a bit— in lack of other words, bitchy —but that’s not the point. Even if it was a girly girl’s name, the store had good jewelry that I could afford. Rachel has probably a lot of jewelry that women are envious of or have been dreaming to buy so the chances of her liking this was low. Still, it didn’t stop me from entering and purchasing the most elegant engagement ring that I saw. The diamond shone brightly under the light as it lay on its velvet bed.

Proposing to her was another problem, clearly she isn’t ready for it. But I could wait. I could wait for the best woman even if it takes me a lifetime to get that sweet “yes”.

“What took you so long—” A gasp was elicited from my mother and I turned around to see her eyes intently on the ring. In a few seconds, she snatched the ring and turned her back to me. It was quiet for a few moments when she burst into laughter. “An engagement ring? Are you serious?”

There was no use hiding it and this was the only way for her to believe me. That I truly love Rachel Maxwell.

“Yes, I am.”

“Really?” Shutting the box, she threw it to the ground and faced me with an angry facial expression. “You are not marrying that woman. You’re not going to waste your time and settle down when you could hop from place to place and get a better one! Have you forgotten why I wanted you to woo her? Money! Money only, Chad!”

“I want to marry her, mother.” I argued, “Why can’t you just be happy for me? For once in your life, let me choose!”

The corner of her lips quirked up in a sinister smirk. “So, you really want history to repeat itself? Fine, so be it.” Walking away, I hurriedly picked up the box and caught up to her. “If you want what happened between you and Diane again, why should I stop you? I mean, I am just your useless and overbearing mother, right? I gave you everything and you decided to marry that woman, throwing it all away!”

“What are you planning to do?” I demanded, feeling my insides churn in fear. “Are you going to hurt Rachel? You can’t do that! Why don’t you just fucking stop this?!”

Stopping on her tracks, she faced me with a passive expression. “Stop this? I’ll stop this once your eyes are finally opened. That you won’t settle down with that woman and just follow my orders. You’re throwing the future I’ve been building for you. Do you think I’d be happy about that?”

“Who the fuck told you to make my future when it should be me doing it?”

She didn’t bother to answer, pulling the door open. Then, mother chuckled. “I wonder if Damon Maxwell is doing all right. I heard that one more heart attack will take away his life!” My eyes widened at her words. “Well then, I shall make it the best surprise he has ever seen!”