Chapter 90

Justin was the last person she ever expected to meet at this point! Damn! “So you're Frederick's boss?!”

“Gotcha!” He said and winked.

He was still having that grin on his face and all Elodre wanted to do was to rip his face off! She thought, glaring fiercely at him.

“Do take a seat, please,” He gestured to the chair across from him but she didn't budge an inch. “Won't it be great to work with me, Mrs. Billionaire?” He scoffed.

Slow-burning anger rippling in her, her brows furrowed. She bit her lower lip and swallowed hard.

“Why don't you pick up your purse?” Justin raised a brow. “I ain't a stranger, am I?”

Tears rolling down her cheeks, she picked up the purse and ran out of the office. Justin's brows furrowed.

Frederick was engrossed in his laptop when Elodre stormed into his office, sobbing and he cast a curious gaze at her. “What's wrong, Elodre?”

Leaning against the door, her whole body was shaking.

“Elodre?” He got up from his seat and walked to her. He gently held her trembling hands and led her to the chair across from his. “Please sit…and breathe.”

As she sat, sobbing, Frederick's curious gaze was fixed on her. She just hopes she gets the fuck out of his life before he gets killed by Mr. Brooks. He blew out heavily. “What's wrong, Elodre?”

Her ruddy face was glowing with tears as she raised her head. “I…I c…can't work with Justin.”

Frederick's brows furrowed. He was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“I…I never knew your boss was Justin…” She said unsteadily.

“Do you know him?” Frederick asked curiously.

Bobbing slightly, she said, “I do.”

“Then you should be glad to work under him. Someone you know. Don't you think?” He asked.

She shook her head. “I…I'd rather die than working f…for Justin.”

“Why?” Frederick was exasperated.

She was too overwhelmed to speak.

“Are you working for him or not?!” He snapped and Elodre flinched.

She was so shocked. This is the last thing she ever expected. “F…Frederick?”

“Look, Elodre, if you ain't gonna work for him, go find somewhere else to die! Cause I'm sick of this!”

Elodre blinked and tears rolled down her eyes. “Frederick…y…you do not understand…”

“I don't care, Elodre!!” He snapped. “You gotta go before you get me killed!!”

Chills drove down Elodre's spine and she shivered. She never expected an outburst from him. He…he was mad at her too…

Tears had blurred her eyes. She blinked. Her hands trembled as she placed them on the chair handle to get up. The hard knot in her stomach tightened as she felt an excruciating headache.

She gazed up at him for a while and walked to the door.

“Where're you headed, Elodre?” He asked.

Ignoring him, she walked out and shut the door mildly. Where should she go now? She can't stay around here. She's met a bunch of people who knew her already. They were all surprised to see her in Justin's. She was as well stunned to be here.

The place was digital and glassy. The emission of lights was bright. She had her spec on so no one saw her swollen eye. Hums of conversations were floating in the air as staff were working on their systems while some were walking in and out of different offices.

From a few distances away, people were going in and out of the elevators. Everyone was modestly and corporately dressed in suits. She could hear random sounds of heels as some female staff moved to and fro.

Elodre swallowed. Her body had stiffened and she couldn't move. She didn't dare to walk amid those folks who wouldn't take their eyes off her, gossiping behind her back. Story of her life! She thought.

Not like she had where to go. Not even a car or money to board a cab. Now she's codependent on Frederick. He has to drive her home.

Tears spilled down her cheeks as the sound of Frederick's angry voice recast in her head. He was tired of her already! Oh damn! She's a failure! Failure in all ramifications of her miserable life. She thought in agony.

Oh, God! She trembled as burning tears stung her eyes. Leaning against the door, her sight was blurry. Her legs were twitching and she was about to collapse as she felt a whirling sensation in her head.

Trying to gain stamina, she clenched onto the doorknob and exhaled. Her sights were dark.

Frederick was already standing by the door, grasping the knob. Blowing out heavily, he opened the door and Elodre misstepped but he swiftly caught her in his arm. “Hey, it's okay,” He said softly, taking her inside his office. “I'm sorry…I…I didn't mean to…”

“No, Frederick, never mind,” Elodre quivered. He’d hurt her so badly, and the pain was still lingering in her chest. It was burning, igniting more tears from her eyes.

Gazing down at her, Frederick was speechless.

Gently, she pulled away from him. Her face was swollen due to excessive crying. Sniffling, she wiped her tears with her hands and swallowed hard. “I…I know everyone's tired of me. Everyone hates me, and…and I'm gonna accept my fate.”

“Oh, no, Elodre,” Frederick said, trying to reach her arms but she moved away from him. “I'm so sorry…I didn't mean to…”

“Frederick please,” She cut him off. “You meant everything you said.” Tears were rolling down her cheeks. “I saw it…Frederick, I saw it in your eyes. You meant ev…everything…”

“Elodre…”

“Don't speak to me, please,” She sobbed. “I'll go with Justin…so that I leave your life. Y…you have no idea the kinda relationship I had with J…Justin.”

This surprised Frederick.

“I've known him for years.” Elodre gulped hard. “You have no clue what it feels like t…to…” She broke down in tears, coughing violently.

“Whatever happens in the future is my fate,” She said.

She walked out of the office and shut the door.

*****

Justin was astonished when Elodre walked into his office. In her spec, she walked to his table and sat on the chair across from him. “I'm going with you to Canada.” She shrugged.

And a crooked smile pulled his lips.

*********

***

“You helped me, Frederick,” Elodre said when they got home. “And I don't take that for granted. It means the world to me…especially for my little boy.”

Frederick had afforded some dress for Raiden.

“Thank you for the clothes,” Elodre said. “I…I didn't see that coming.”

Sitting beside her on the bed, Frederick held her hand and gently brushed it with his fingers. “It was my pleasure to meet you, Elodre. I…I didn't mean to be rude to you back then…I was just concerned about you. And…I don't want you to stay in California. You have no idea how popular you are…and it's not a good look when people see you in this condition. Especially when there's no money on you.”

She was gazing up at him.

“Did you know the tons of questions I'd have to answer today?” He said softly. “My coworkers didn't just lemme breathe. We all dread Mr. Brooks…and I've fallen victim to his rage once because of my boss. Now it appears I'm on his blacklist. They were all alarmed when I walked into the building with you.``

She sighed. “I'd go.”

*

Lying beside Frederick, Elodre's wide eyes were glittering with tears. Things look completely different right now. She can't believe she met Justin….and she was gonna work in his company?! Damn! As his secretary?! She can imagine how nasty it would be. He'd take advantage of her. This is like a dream come true for him.

She sighed. The burning tears that had welled up in her eyes began to roll down her cheeks.

Now she wasn't gonna see her husband anymore. This grieved her more and chills swept up her body. Engulfed in sorrow, goosebumps formed on her skin and she shivered. Sh…she wasn't gonna see Cayden anymore…

****

The following day…

In his office, Cayden was working with his laptop when the memory of his wife was evoked in his head. This has been happening since the night he kicked her out. He's not been himself. The world seemed to have ended. A rare gem had just been snatched from his life. Her absence emptied him. She was the only woman he'd ever genuinely loved. The only woman he ever cared for.

Damn!

He slammed his fist against the laptop and violently pushed it aside. Fury was burning inside of him. His lips were trembling while he was glaring into space.

*

Fingers flying on the keyboard, Kate's eyes were glowing with tears. Her boss has been furious lately and she was just his victim. He picked at her over every slight mistake. He'd slapped her just on her eyes which were now swollen and bloodshot. Tears were rolling down her flushed cheeks and she was sniffling like an infant. She's so terrified that she is making a whole lot of mistakes.

In a couple of minutes, she printed the documents and walked to Cayden's door. Heart slamming against her chest, she grasped the doorknob and her breath quivered. Her hands were trembling.