Chapter 91

Shakily, Kate wiped off her tears with her handkerchief and sniffled. She swallowed hard and opened the door slowly. Stepping into her boss’ office, her face was down as she shut the door mildly.

Cayden's red-burning glare was fixed on her as she approached him.

Her hands were trembling as she stood before him.

“What the hell are you here for?!” Cayden thundered before she could speak. “Are you dumb, huh?! Are you?!!”

Her heart was whacking in her chest. “I…I'm sorry…”

“Tell me what the heck you want and get your fucked up ass outta my sight now!!” He snapped, trembling in rage.

“I…I've corrected th…the mistakes, s…sir…” Stuttering, her puffy wide eyes were glinting with terror

Eyes trailing down her body in an insulting manner, he snatched the papers from her and she jerked. He tossed them on his table and cast a cold glare at her. “What are you still waiting for?!”

“N…nothing…”

“Shut the fuck up and get lost!!” He was slamming his table with his fists. “Get out!”

Trembling, she stumbled backward and scurried out of his office. Pressure biting all over her, she rested her head on her table and wept. The pressure was overwhelming.

Cursing savagely, Cayden was furiously slamming his fist against his table. He was just so fuckin mad and couldn't put himself together. Damnit!!!

His face was ruddy with anger and veins striped on his head.

*******

Jigyasa has been indoors since the night she left Weston's and has been weeping all through.

*****

Elodre had packed up the few clothes Frederick had bought for her and he'd gone to work. Justin and her were moving today at noon and this was even worse.

Oh, Cayden. She wept bitterly as she sat on the bed. She didn't think she would survive without him. All she wanted was him. She can't live without him. She can't….

She was craving to be with him right now. To be in his arms. Since the night he kicked her out it feels like an important part of her was missing. And now she's moving to Canada…which means she'd never see him anymore. He doesn't want her anymore. Elodre burst out crying, engulfed in grief. Her body was trembling terribly.

**

At eleven thirty on the nose, Frederick returned home. He came into the room and said, “It's time, Elodre. You gotta hurry. I'll drive you over to Justin's place so that you join him.”

But Elodre was crying. Her face was damped with tears. She's not willing but doesn't have a choice. She must go.

Struck by her trembling cry, he went and held her shaky hands. Gently, he lifted her and cuddled her. She was shivering in his arms. He stroked her back and said softly, “I know…I know. I understand how you feel.” His arms were tight around her. “It's okay…”

“C…Cayden…” She sobbed on Frederick's shoulder. “I…wish…” She broke down in tears. “I…I don't even know how long I'd b…be in Canada…”

“I know,” He tried to hide the quiver of his voice. Tears were tickling his eyes but he didn't let them drop. “I feel sad too. I wish there was another alternative. But,”

He held her tiny face in his hands and looked into her watery eyes. “You're a strong woman, Elodre. Don't give up. Just give this a try, okay? Don't cry.”

Sobbing, she bobbed slightly.

“Everything will be fine,” He said.

****

Bidding Elodre goodbye as she got into Justin's car, tears spilled down his cheeks.

****

The following day,

Kate was on her desk, working on a document when Cayden walked in and she shuddered. “G…good morning, Mr. Brooks.”

Without responding, he studied her for a while and walked into his office.

Resting his elbows on the table, he cupped his face in his palms and sighed.

Shortly, Kate entered his office and walked to his table, all trembling. “G…good morning, Mr. B…Brooks.”

He nodded slightly in response, gazing at her swollen eyes.

“Mr. Marcus said he's coming over by one-thirty.” She said and lowered her gaze.

“When did he inform you?” He asked softly.

“Y…yesterday,” She said shakily.

“Yesterday?” He asked, raising a brow. “And you never told me?”

Tears were glittering in her eyes. “I…I'm sorry, Mr. Brooks…”

Studying her, he sighed. “It's okay.”

She turned to leave…

“Kate,” He called her. “Come here.”

She came back and stood still before him.

“Come to me,” He got up from his chair and sat on his table.

Face down, she walked over, trembling.

His gaze was fixed on her swollen eyes and he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. He'd lost his cool on her yesterday. “How are you feeling, Kate?”

“I…I'm g…good, Mr. Brooks.” She stuttered.

He sighed. “Sorry about yesterday, Kate. I never meant to hit you, okay?”

That lit her up. She never thought he'd apologize to her. “T…thank you, Mr. Brooks.”

He saw tears rolling down her cheeks and said, “Come here.” He pulled her close and cuddled her. “It's okay, Kate.” He was stroking her back.

Resting her head on his chest, she sobbed.

“Aww,” Cayden chuckled, stroking her back. “Why are you crying? Be honest with me.”

But she couldn't speak. She didn't dare to tell him. And damn! Mr. Brooks is the best boss ever! She thought. He's so considerate and understanding.

“Is it because I yelled at you?” He asked.

Shyly, she said, “Y…yes…”

He knows. That amused him. “I'm sorry about that, okay? You know days are different. But you must understand me.” He was still stroking her back. “Whenever you see me mad about something, don't come too close, okay? Do not bring stuff to me at that point, okay?”

“I…I'm sorry Mr. Brooks,” She said.

“It's okay,” He smiled. “Wanna see you smile…”

And a smile dragged her lips. Feeling shy, she covered her face with her palms.

*******

CANADA

Elodre was like a fish outta water as she sat before the laptop. She'd been working from six on the nose and it was now two twenty-five. She was exhausted and her eyes were aching excruciatingly. Can Justin be so cold and inconsiderate? She wondered. She didn't even have breakfast. Is this what she'd be going through?

“Are you done yet?” Yvonne asked.

“Almost,” Elodre forced a nervous smile.

***

When she was done, she took the files to Justin's office.

“Hope you cross-checked the work?” Justin asked.

“I did,” She answered dryly and dropped the pile of files on his table.

“Have you ever worked for someone in your life?” Justin asked sternly.

“My baby is sick, Justin,” She said. “But you ain't showing any concern.”

“You must learn to address me officially if you wish to secure your job, Elodre,” He said.

A hard knot formed in her stomach. That threw her off balance and she blinked. “I ain't a stranger to you, Justin. So do not treat me like one. You're supposed to help me.”

“Help you?” Justin scoffed. “And who's this coming from, huh? Coming from a woman who abandoned me because of a fuckin billionaire who eventually kicked her out!”

Her brows furrowed. “Do not refer to my husband like that, Justin!!”

“And what makes you think you can address me by my name, huh?” His eyes were grim. “Besides I don't owe you anything about your goddamn son! He's not mine! You must wait to get paid by the end of this month!”

“This is just the first day of April, Justin.” She almost cried. She was misty-eyed.

“Yeah it is,” He said coldly. “You thought you could run away from me, huh?” He smirked. “Oh, you thought marriage is all about money, huh? Now you've seen the outcome.”

“I didn't marry my husband because of his money!” She said, gazing directly into his hazel eyes. “Mind you!”

He laughed. “You even have the nerve to talk.”

“Why won't I?” She said, “I wouldn't mind if you could help me pay my son's hospital bills and deduct it from my salary.”

“Nah, momma,” He grinned. “I don't do that.”

Elodre heaved a sigh of distress and placed one hand on her aching head. “Raiden is just a four-year-old, Justin. He's a child for crying out loud!”

“Go tell that to his dad,” He said.

She opened her mouth to speak.

“Get the hell outta my office if you wanna be a fuckin brat!”

“W…why’re you doing this to me, Justin?” She was frustrated.

“And what did I do?” He asked. “Just so you know, Elodre, no man in my shoes could've done what I've done for you!”

“You did absolutely nothing good, Justin!” She snapped. Her she's were blazing with tears. “You just brought me here to punish me because I refused to marry you!”

And Justin's eyes narrowed. “You're ungrateful, Elodre!!”

“My son is dying, please,” Tears began to roll down her pale cheeks. “P…please…I beg you.”

“Elodre you chose to come with me to Canada,” Justin said. “I never asked you to.”

That was like a slap on her face. As she blinked, more tears spilled down her cheeks.