Chapter 12
Panic crept in as Cedrissa realized Alaric was nowhere to be found. She had woken up early, determined to continue the previous night’s discussion, but her search of the house yielded nothing. She went to the main entrance guards, and he revealed Alaric had left in a hurry with Easton before dawn.
Undeterred, she pressed the guard for answers, but he remained tight-lipped. Frustrated, she tried calling Alaric, but his phone was dead. Without Easton’s contact info, she had limited options. She approached Amabel, despite suspecting she’d come up empty-handed. After all, what would Amabel know about Alaric’s whereabouts?
“Don’t worry, dear. It’s just his monthly ritual.” Amabel said soothingly, her hand resting reassuringly on Cedrissa’s shoulder.
Cedrissa’s brow furrowed in confusion as she repeated, “monthly ritual?” Her voice was laced with uncertainty. “What do you mean?”
Amabel’s expression turned knowing, a slight smile appearing on her face. “From the 20th to the end of the month, Alaric disappears. No one knows where he goes. The chairman tried to dig deeper once, but it ended in a huge argument.”
“But–” Cedrissa’s lips parted as she tried to speak, but she bit back her words, careful not to reveal her growing unease. Despite her efforts, her face betrayed her, and her distress was palpable as she processed the revelation about Alaric’s mysterious departures.
Amabel had noticed Cedrissa’s lingering concern since she entered the room, and it was getting on her nerves. At first, she thought it was just a passing expression, but Cedrissa’s persistence made her comment, “I didn’t expect you’d be this invested in him.”
“Hum!” Cedrissa exclaimed, her eyes slamming shut, and she quickly conjured an excuse. “you’re right, ma’am. You told me to be cautious,”
A calculated smile spread across her face as she subtly scratched her right shoulder with her left hand. “I’m just playing the part—making it look convincing,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe he’s having someone watch me, so I must look worried to fit the narrative.”
Amabel nodded, impressed. Her expression turned approving as a smile curled into her lips. “You’re doing an excellent job of playing your role. That’s exactly what we need for our plan to work,” she commended, her tone laced with admiration.
“But you shouldn’t worry about the staff, they’re all loyal to me,” Amabel assured, her voice confident. “Alaric has no one here reporting to him, so be yourself when he's not around.”
Cedrissa’s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and concern crossing her face, though she’d suspected as much. She played along, feigning surprise.
“Have you discussed the party with him? What’s his stance? Will he come with us?” Amabel asked, her curiosity evident.
Cedrissa’s face fell, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with guilt. “He refused. He said nothing can change his mind.”
“Don’t push him. If he declines, it means things are unfolding as planned,” Amabel said, excitement dripping in her voice. “His presence would only overshadow Bryson’s chances. It’s actually better he’s not attending—don’t pressure him.”
“But the chairman–” Cedrissa tried to voice her concerns about chairman Dawson’s condition—he’d only accept her if she could convince Alaric, but Amabel cut her off, shaking her head rapidly.
“Don’t waste your time worrying about the chairman. He knows Alaric is stubborn and won’t budge. He’s just testing your limits.”
Noticing Cedrissa’s skepticism, Amabel smiled reassuringly, patting her shoulder. “Relax, I’ve got your back. I’ll speak up for you. I’ll make sure the chairman won’t hold it against you.”
A warm smile spread across Cedrissa’s face as she nodded. “Thanks for being like a mother to me, ma…” she said, her eyes softening as she gazed at Amabel.
The sound of Alaric’s car horn cut through the moment, and Amabel’s expression shifted. “You should go now,” she urged, her voice low.
Cedrissa hurried out of the room. She paused in the parlor, thinking to wait for Alaric, but then reconsidered. If he expected to meet her inside, she’d be better off waiting in their room. She changed direction and hastened to their room instead.
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“Where have you been?” Cedrissa threw a question point-blank as the door swung open, her eyes meeting with Alaric’s—who quickly averted his gaze from hers.
Easton wheeled Alaric into the room, pausing expectantly, but Alaric silently handed a stack of documents over his shoulder to him.
“Hold on to these.” He instructed, his voice low.
“Okay, sir”. Easton collected, nodding slightly, and without another word, he looked in Cressida's direction, and curtsied before veering around and walking out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.
As the door closed, Alaric propelled himself forward, his face cast downward in avoidance of having eye contact with Cedrissa—who stood at her distance with her arms crossed, watching him intently as if she’d launch an attack once he moved closer.
“What are those documents?” Cedrissa asked, her curiosity boiling over. “Do you still choose to hide things from me? Don’t you trust me yet?”
Alaric’s eyebrow arched slightly. “In what order should I answer your questions?” He asked, his tone neutral.
Cedrissa’s gaze held steady. “The order doesn't matter. I just need answers. Are you still doubting me? Yes, or no?”
“Let me make one thing clear,” Alaric said, his eyes holding Cedrissa's gaze. “Some things will always remain off-limits, no matter how close we get,”
His voice was firm, but his tone was measured. “You may think you know a lot, but the truth is—you’re still in the dark about me…” his gaze dropped, and his voice took on a hint of introspection. “My life revolves not only around just about revenge.”
Cedrissa’s hands relaxed, and she leaned forward slightly. “What else is there?” She asked, her tone gentle but insistent. “Can I-”
“No, you can’t know,” He cut her off before she could press further. His expression turned irritable as he rolled closer to the bed. “You’ve asked too many questions already, and I’m not in the mood. It’s been a long day, and I need to rest. No more debate.”
Cedrissa nodded quickly, not wanting to push him further. “Okay,” she said softly. She shifted gears, trying to steer the conversation to safer ground. “About our discussion last night... have you changed your mind?”
“No. I’m not attending,” he responded coldly, his expression unyielding. “I’ve thought it through, and I’ve decided it's best if I’m not there.”
Cedrissa’s face fell, but she tried to reason with him. “But-”
His gaze silenced her. “I’d appreciate it if we didn’t discuss this further. My decisions are not up for debate.”
“If you don’t care about Amabel’s motive, what about meeting other business executives? It could be beneficial.” She argued.
Alaric’s expression turned mocking. “You think attending would be beneficial?” He said, his tone questioning. He shook his head, adding, “no. I’d be a laughingstock. Felix would try to get under my skin, and... let's just say it wouldn't end well." He reminded her, "You told me to keep my emotions in check, didn’t you?”
Cedrissa acknowledged his point, but countered, “having me by your side might make a difference. If you don’t give people the opportunity, they can’t mock you.”
Alaric’s eyebrow arched, and a soft, incredulous chuckle escaped his lips. “You think your presence would make a difference? What impact would you have?” He forwarded a question, his tone belittling.
Cedrissa hesitated, unsure how to respond, but Alaric didn’t give her a chance. “I’m not going, and that’s final.” He declared, his voice firm.
Cedrissa clenched her fist—her frustration boiled over. “Can’t you snap out of this, Alaric? How long will you keep shutting yourself off? When will you stop hiding from the world?” Her voice escalated with each question, emotions threatening to spill over.
“If you need someone to remind you that you’re alive, then let me tell you,” she said, the words spilling out in a passionate torrent. “Alaric, it’s time to re-emerge. It’s time to show the world you're still here.”
Alaric’s face twisted in anguish, his voice erupting in a raw bellow, “I don’t need validation from anyone!”
“But I won’t hold back my thoughts!” She snapped, her intensity matching his. As she exhaled softly, her gaze dropped, and her tone turned gentle. “There’ll come a time when you’ll need others’ help. Don’t wait until then to ask—the best time to start is now,”
Her voice filled with conviction as she lectured him, “you can’t just do what feels right—you need to consider others. You shouldn’t dismiss people as inferior or useless. Every person, everything in this universe, has value. Everyone exists for a reason.”
Alaric’s response was subdued, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know, and I do take others’ opinions into account. I’ll need people’s help, but not from the majority—I just need to get the most important people on my side,”
“Only those with nothing to offer make the most noise. Socializing isn’t the same as truly connecting with people,” he pointed out, his words dripping with confidence. He smirked, authoritatively raising his brows. “And just because I’m not attending a party doesn’t mean I’m not building relationships. You know nothing about what I’m doing behind the scenes.”
“How can I when you keep me in the dark?” She questioned, her frustration evident. She discharged a soft breath and leaned in, her voice taking on a persuasive tone as she stated, “Okay… if you won’t attend the party for networking, then I need you to do me a favor.”
His eyes narrowed. “What kind of favor?”
“I need you to attend the party so I can gain the chairman’s approval,” she said, her eyes locked on his. “He’s only willing to consider me if I can make a difference, and he specifically mentioned that if I can’t get you to attend, I’ve failed as your wife.”
He raised an eyebrow, his expression incredulous. “And since when does his approval matter?”
“It’s-” she attempted to explain, but Alaric cut her off, his tone dismissive.
“You owe me no explanation. I don’t care about your reasons. But one thing is certain—I’m not attending that party,” he said firmly, his eyes slightly widening. “I am not earning you any honor—I owe you none.”