chapter 18
\-Later in the evening-
Cressida entered the room, cradling a plate of food in her hands like a delicate treasure. She approached the couch with measured steps, setting the plate down on the table with precision.
Alaric’s eyes lifted from his phone, his gaze drifting to her. “What’s that?” He asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
“Your food,” Cressida replied, beaming. “I figured you might be starving since morning, so I whipped up some instant noodles. Wish I knew your favorite meal without having to ask—I’d have surprised you with that.”
Alaric raised an eyebrow. “Is cooking noodles considered babysitting?” Before Cressida could respond, he set his phone aside and added, “my favorite meal is pounded yam with egusi—preferably with goat meat, but ponmo will do if goat meat’s not available."
Cressida’s eyes rolled good-naturedly, and she bit back a smile.
He caught the gesture and chuckled. “You can mock me to my face—no need to hide it,” he permitted, his tone gentle. He shifted to the edge of the bed, his eyes locking onto hers. “Since you’re here, would you help me? It’s a request, not a command,” he added, his tone polite.
Cressida smiled and hurried to his side. She pushed his wheelchair closer and carefully transferred him into it.
“Thanks.” He said, his gratitude genuine and without a word. She pushed him to the table, positioning the meal within his easy reach. Just as he picked up the spoon, she snatched it from him.
“Since I’m doing this, I’ll see it through,” she said with a playful smile. She scooped up a strand of noodles and brought it to his mouth, and he accepted the offering with his eyes never leaving hers.
She fed him five spoons, and then a mischievous glint sparked in her eyes and she began teasing him—moving the spoon to his mouth only to pull it back just as he was about to take a bite.
“What—” Alaric protested, but before he could finish, she repeated the motion, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Frustration etched on his face, he sighed and tried to grab the spoon, but she continued to tantalize him, pulling it away each time he thought he was about to get a bite.
Finally, he threw in the towel. “Please, stop and let me just eat!” He pleaded, his voice laced with exasperation.
Cressida’s lips tightened as she slightly nodded and fed him the rest of the noodles in silence. When they were finished, she asked, “are you okay, or should I prepare more?”
“It’s okay.” He replied, his voice soft.
As he reached for the water on the table, her hand beat him to it. She picked up the glass and let him drink from her hand. “Thanks for eating it.” She said, her voice soft.
She stood up, plate in hand, and turned toward the entrance.
“Thank you, and I'm sorry I—” Alaric muttered, his voice apologetic.
She ceased taking another step forward and glanced back at him, her smile radiant. “Don’t worry,” she said, her tone soothing and reassuring. “Personal growth is a journey, not a destination. That you’re trying is what truly counts. I’m not holding you accountable, and from now on, you have my promise that I’ll never judge you again.”
Alaric’s eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you."
Cressida walked back to him, turned his chair around, and positioned him facing the couch. “About the information I got earlier,” she said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. “The shares the chairman is adding to Felix’s are yours.”
Alaric’s eyes widened in shock. “My share?!” He exclaimed.
She nodded hurriedly. “Yes,” she confirmed. “I got the information from Sadie. According to her, the next board meeting is next week, and that’s when the chairman plans to pass it to him.”
Alaric’s face contorted in confusion and surprise, his lips frozen as if words had deserted him.
Cressida’s voice broke the silence. “Alaric,” she called softly, asking, “is it possible for the chairman to pass your shares to Felix without my signature?”
Alaric nodded numbly. “Yes,” he responded, his voice barely above a whisper. He exhaled softly, his words spilling out in a mixture of explanation and frustration. “He’s the head of this family. Everyone’s share is under his care, and he can divide them at his will,”
“That’s just the way it is,” he said, his tone laced with resentment. A hint of bitterness crept into his voice as he continued, “he’s got the power to take away our shares if we don’t deliver. But I never think he’d wield that power so mercilessly.”
His eyes flashed with indignation as he scoffed, his words dripping with disdain. “To think he could just take everything away from me without a second thought.” His voice cracked with emotion.
Cressida puffed out a breath and shook her head. “I doubt he does this without a second thought,” she said, offering her perspective. “Amabel claimed you’ve been dodging your office duties after what happened, simply because you don’t feel like dealing with people.”
He nodded in confirmation. “Yes,” he said, his shoulder slumping slightly. “Isn’t that enough reason?”
Cressida’s expression was understanding. “Of course it is,” she said. “However, consider the chairman—he’s a shrewd business manager. Just like you, he can’t tolerate losses, so he took steps to safeguard his interests.”
“The least he could have done was be upfront with me,” Alaric snarled, his voice laced with anger. His jaw was clenched, his frustration palpable. “But no, that ruthless old man has been secretly plotting against me, and I bet that manipulative woman has been pulling the strings…”
His eyes narrowed, his words dripping with venom. “She and her son have been gunning for my share for years, driven by jealousy and a desire to one-up me.”
Cressida’s tone was calm and collected, her words strategic and deliberate. “Assigning blame won’t accomplish anything,” she said, her voice a gentle counterpoint to his anger. “The question is—do you still want to claim your share? If so, we need to concentrate on protecting it from Bryson. Once he gains control, there’s no retrieving it.”
Alaric slammed his fist on his thigh. “Yes!” He shouted, his voice raw with determination. He gritted his teeth, panting heavily as he struggled to contain his emotions. “That’s exactly what they’re counting on, but I’ll never let it happen. I’d sooner die than stand by and watch him seize control.”
“You don’t have to die sooner—you should find a solution.” Cressida said.
Alaric’s gaze snapped to hers, his eyes burning with intensity. “How do we get out of this mess?” He demanded. “With next week rapidly approaching, we need a solid plan…”
His gaze lingered on Cressida’s face, his brow furrowed in scrutiny. “Wait,” he said, pausing for a moment. Then his expression shifted, and he nodded. “You’ve received intel from Amabel, and as agreed, you’re taking the reins. I’ll hold up my end of the deal and follow your instructions without question,”
A wide smile spread across his face as he bowed his head slightly. “Now that you’re in charge, goddess, I’m all ears. Share your plan, and I’ll carry it out without hesitation.”
Cressida’s face contorted in a disbelieving frown. “What the...?” She trailed off, scoffing. “You can’t be serious, Alaric. This is a complex business situation. I’m not exactly experienced in this arena. It’s all so... sudden and overwhelming,”
She shrugged, her arms splayed out in a gesture of helplessness, her eyes widening slightly. “I’m completely clueless. I don’t even know the first thing about leading in this situation?”
She tapped her right hand on her left palm. “So tell me. How. Do. You. Expect. I. Would. Lead?”
Alaric opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off, her finger pointed at him like a warning. “You’re the one with the expertise, and it only makes sense that you take charge. Okay?” Her tone was firm, brooking no argument.
He joggled his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Okay, ma.”
Cressida’s expression turned stern, her eyes half-closing in exasperation. “Be serious, Alaric. I’m not joking.”
Alaric feigned innocence, shaking his head. “I’m serious as well,” he said, his tone dripping with mock sincerity. “I understand, and we’ll do exactly as you said. I just need to discuss it with Easton—my mind is as blank as yours right now.”
“My mind isn’t blank—I just lack experience in this area.” She protested, her expression reproachful.
Alaric nodded, avoiding an argument. “Okay. Agreed,” he said, teasingly repeating her words. “You aren’t oblivious. You just lack experience in this area. Okay. I’ve got it. I’ll keep that safe in my mind.”
Cressida’s patience wore thin. She exhaled softly, shaking her head. “Gosh...” she uttered, her eyes fixed on Alaric. “Do you know why your attitude is annoying me now?”
Her voice took on a snarling tone. “Because you also find someone acting like you’re doing now annoying,” she shot back. “It’s obvious you’re talkative—you were just hiding it.”
Alaric’s face broke into a wide smile. “Guilty as charged,” he said, his tone unapologetic. “I’ve always held back, but since I’ve found someone I trust—you. I can be open about it now. Or won’t you allow me?”
Cressida's expression softened slightly, her voice taking on a more reflective tone. “I will not let you shoulder the blame by yourself. I unleashed this part of you, so I should accept the repercussions, too,”
Her gaze lingered on him, a hint of wistfulness creeping into her voice. “But don’t be surprised if I say I’m missing the old version of you.”
Alaric’s eyes bore into hers, his expression unreadable. Then, a faint smile flickered on his lips, only to be quickly replaced by a dismissive scoff. He turned his gaze away, leaving her wondering what had just passed through his mind.
“Should I call Easton?” Cressida asked, already standing up.
“No,” Alaric responded immediately. His eyes sparkled with amusement. “Who says you can’t listen to our conversation? As the key stakeholder, you’ll be involved in all major decisions. With me taking the reins temporarily, I’ll keep you informed throughout the process.”
Cressida nodded, seeming to accept this. “Okay.” She agreed, turning towards the entrance. But Alaric’s next words stopped her.
“About where I went this morning,” he said, revealing, “I’m meeting with Floria. She’s secretly doing an investigation and has gathered some pieces of information, so I went to collect them from her.”
Cressida glanced back, her expression inquisitive. “Is that how it is every month?”
Alaric shook his head calmly. “No, it’s the first time I left that early.”
Cressida’s eyes narrowed slightly. “But Amabel told me you do every month end.”
Alaric’s expression remained neutral. “It’s a lie,” he said. “From now on, if you doubt anything, confront me. I’ll be honest about those I’m willing to reveal, and if I can’t share, I’ll be polite with you. I promise.”