024
Cressida emerged from her room, bleary-eyed from the early hour, and greeted Amabel with a warm “Good morning, ma.”
Her smile faltered for a moment as she took in Amabel's polished appearance. Already dressed to impress, Amabel sparkled with elegance, the necklace and diamond bracelet she reserved for special occasions gleaming on her neck and wrist.
As she arrived at the parlor, she painted a bright smile on her face. “You’re up early,” she remarked, her tone laced with surprise. “Where are you going early this morning?”
Amabel’s gaze met Cressida’s, her brow furrowed in confusion. “You’ve forgotten already?”
“Of course not,” Cressida's response was swift. “You think I’d forget something so significant? Today marks a long-overdue reckoning for Felix.”
Amabel let out a gentle sigh, her left hand resting over her heart. “I thought as much,” she said, her voice soft. “Your question seemed... uncertain.”
“Okay, but you're all dressed up,” Cressida observed, feigning curiosity. “Are you expecting someone?”
She already knew the answer, but played along as expected. “Didn’t we agree to celebrate only after the news is made public?”
Amabel’s smile grew as she gave a gentle nod. “You’re correct,” she said, elaborating, “I’m attending the board meeting in my capacity as the head of the jewel company. I’m also a director under the organization, but I don’t attend meetings,”
“But this… I need to be present.”
Cressida nodded. Her fake, yet bright, smile was still in place. “You should be there,” she agreed. “While it’s Felix’s coronation, the true honor of the day belongs to you,”
“Your unwavering support, as a mother figure, made today’s celebration possible. You deserve every bit of it.”
Amabel giggled, beaming with delight at Cressida’s flattering words. “What do you think of my dress?” she asked, twirling slightly. “It’s a one-of-a-kind, exclusive design worth millions—but today was worth the splurge,”
Her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and satisfaction. “My ultimate goal is to see Felix become president. But what’s equally satisfying is he’s now claiming what rightfully belongs to him, including Alaric’s share. It’s a huge relief, knowing my son has finally come out on top.”
“I understand where you’re coming from, Mother,” Cressida said, feigning agreement. “Every mother wants to see their children thrive, so it’s no surprise you’re over the moon today,”
Her words dripped with insincerity as she continued, “Alaric is the unfortunate one—a motherless child who’s lost his share. Though, if you ask me, it was never really his to begin with,”
“He was just holding onto it for Felix, and now that Felix is ready, he’s taking what’s rightfully his.” Cressida’s tone was laced with sugar-coated venom, carefully crafted to keep Amabel convinced and delighted, despite the contrast between her words and true thoughts.
Amabel beamed with satisfaction. “I’m grateful you see things my way.” She said, her voice filled with warmth.
Cressida shrugged her left shoulder. “Why wouldn’t I?” she replied, her tone dripping with feigned sincerity. “It’s a simple truth—you’re the matriarch of this family, the only woman who truly matters. You stood by the chairman’s side through thick and thin, and his success is a direct result of your unwavering support.”
Amabel nodded, her eyes shining with pride. “Exactly.” She said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“You reap what you sow, and since you’re the one who planted the seeds, it’s only right that your son should reap the rewards—not someone else’s child,” Cressida proceeded, excited Amabel was still in her trap until the last minute.
She shook her head, furthering, “Alaric shouldn’t benefit from something his mother had no hand in, and I’ll never stand for such injustice. It’s only fair that your son gets what’s rightfully his.”
Amabel slowly shook her head, a look of deep admiration on her face. “You’re an angel,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. “You’re a blessing from above, and I’ll never forget all that you’re doing for me and our family. I promise to reward you abundantly for your loyalty and dedication,”
“Once Felix achieves his goals, I’ll make sure you’re set for life—you'll want for nothing and live a life of luxury and comfort.” She promised.
Cressida's eyes locked onto Amabel's as she grasped her hands warmly, her voice taking on a softer tone. “At first, I was in it for the benefits,” she confessed. “But the more I learned, the more my motivations shifted,”
Her gaze intensified, her words laced with conviction. “I’m not doing this for rewards or recognition, Mother. I’m doing it because you deserve it,”
She offered a reassuring smile, her voice filled with determination. “You can rest easy knowing I’ll always have your back. I’ll be right behind you, supporting you every step of the way. And when needed, I’ll be the one leading the charge,”
“We’re in this together, Mother—you and I—and I’ll never give up on you or our family.”
Amabel enveloped Cressida in a warm, tender hug. “Thank you,” she whispered.
She pulled back, still holding Cressida’s hands, her eyes searching. “I wish you could stay with us, within the family, once this situation with Alaric is resolved,” she said. “I wish things weren’t so complicated, and you could be with Felix.”
Cressida flashed a bright smile, eager to shift the conversation away from the previous topic. “Your dress is stunning,” she complimented, her voice dripping with sincerity. “If only it weren’t a one-of-a-kind design, I’d love to have one too, so we could match.”
Amabel’s eyes lit up. “We can get you one if you want,” she offered. “As part of our agreement, I have the right to authorize additional designs so they could create as many as I want.”
Cressida politely declined, her tone gracious. “Thanks, Mother, but you can keep this design to yourself. How about we plan something special for when Felix becomes president? We could get an exclusive edition, just for the two of us, and wear it to his inauguration ceremony?” Amabel’s face broke into a wide smile as she nodded. “Whatever you want.”
Amabel released Cressida’s hand. “I should leave now. I want to arrive at the meeting ahead of the chairman.”
“Enjoy this moment, Mother, for it’s the culmination of your efforts. The outcome of your actions is unfolding, and more is yet to come. Nothing lasts forever, so savor these final moments,”
Cressida’s words carried a weight, hinting at the truth in her mind. Regret flickered across her face, figuring out her intended remark, so she swiftly backpedaled, saying, “I wish I could join you.”
Amabel smiled reassuringly. “Next time, I promise you’ll be by my side,” she promised, picking up her phone from the table. As she turned to leave, she called out over her shoulder. “I believe Alaric is sleeping already, right?”
Cressida nodded. “Yes, ma,” she confirmed. “He’s deep asleep.”
“Good,” Amabel uttered, informing, “don't forget to dress up for the celebration party tonight. I’ll send the driver to pick you up later.”
Cressida nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, Mother." She watched as Amabel disappeared out the door, then wrapped her arms around herself, leaning slightly to one side.
Her gaze lingered on the entrance for a moment before she let out a deep sigh and turned to head to her room. With a vague murmur, she whispered, “the wind is picking up. May your legs stand firm,”
“The gloves are off.”