62. Forgive Me

I became very glad that I had sorted things out with mum. Thing became insanely perfect afterwards.

While I handled with Mr. Reyes, making him believe I would move back with him to Mexico, I moved back to the company’s house.

Mr. Reyes had told me that the minute he was done with some personal matters in America, we would be returning to Mexico together.

He had sent loads of money into my bank account, telling me this was the start point.

“That bastard.”

Did he think money could buy a true family’s love? He had to be joking.

One morning, just as I was on my way to work, in my disguise outfit, a car pulled over beside me.

I totally ignored it, but when it kept on following me, I became insanely creeped out.

“HEY! Piss off!”

I exclaimed those words, walking faster after noticing the glass was tinted.

All of a sudden, the glass slowly came down. I could have sworn I was in a dream.

My shoulders shrugged automatically at the sight of who it was.

To some extent, I wish the ground would come to swallow me.

It was Big James.

His hair cut was still a bald one, complimented the moustache that spread out his lip line as usual. Not strikingly handsome, and a rugged face which suited a business man.

“Eleanor.” he simply said.

I stood still on my spot, wondering why I had to be entangled in the webs of men from the James family.

I didn’t answer those words. Instead, I waited…

I waited for him to tell me to get out of the company’s house.

Cause I knew he could be that petty.

“Get in,”

He surprisingly let out. My eyes froze, in shock, wondering what exactly was happening.

I creepily looked around the neighborhood, to make sure people were around.

I mean, for all I knew, he could kidnap and threaten me?

“I know what you’re about to say, Big James.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, that I’m in your company’s house and employed as Liam’s assistant which you had no knowledge of.”

“Insult me all you can,” I added, bowing my head in distress.

I sometimes wondered how life could have been for me if my real dad was responsible?

Would it have all amounted to this?

“No, kid.” he seethed, with a slight pat on my shoulder.

His other hands rubbed over his head as he spoke like he was in distress.

“Huh?”

I blinked several times, just to be sure I wasn’t in the wrong car.

“No, kid.” he repeated.

“I misjudged you, Eleanor. And for that, I hope you forgive me.”

My eyes bolted immediately, at his words. What was this about? Did some fairy sprinkle a good luck dust on me?

“Excuse me?” I looked at him just to be sure.

I wondered if this was really Big James or I was dreaming…

Cause the Big James I knew, hated me.

The Big James I know, detested me and saw me as some dirt; like a piece of trash.

“Where is all this coming from, sir? You hate my guts, don’t you?”

I remarked with a slight snarl. “Then why are you telling me these?”

“Just yesterday, I was caught between my two sons who explained everything that had been happening. The fake relationship you had to put up with Liam, to pay for your mum’s surgery.”

“To think I spoke ill of her and misunderstood you for a gold digger…” he sighed, before continuing.

“Please accept my apologies, child.”

My heart thudded, rapidly.

Then faintly…

Lord, I was so unsure, this felt so much like a dream.

What if he was trying to get me leave his sons, once more?

Suddenly, the painful flashback of the humiliation that I had back in Pink Moda re-surfaced. I sighed.

This personality was so different from the person I witnessed that day. And the other day I came over for dinner with Liam.

What was going on?

“Liam told me about Mr. Reyes being your illegitimate father. And the plans you currently put to get rid of him.”

“Whatever those plans are, I’d advise you be extremely careful. Blue Spirit is a very dangerous organization. And, over the years, no one has unwoven the web of lies surrounding it.”

“I-um, would be...careful like you said.”

“Thanks for your concern,”

I said, with a slight bow to show respect at least.

This was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in a long while; really.

My hands reached for the car's door, in an attempt to leave.

“One more thing,”

He said.

“Send my regards to your mum. I could have gone to see her, but I’m currently in a hurry to an important meeting.”

He constructed.

I nodded.

Thank goodness, because that would be weird. What was I supposed to tell mum?

Meet the man who kicked us out of her house?

Or my job?

“Yeah, sure…”

My hands hastily grasped the door, wavering off those thoughts when I suddenly heard his voice again.

“And you can resume as Nikki Fox back at Pink Moda.”

A certain part in my heart tugged in happiness and relief.

Finally, something that was more like me.

A job that was more like me.

B-but, GODDAMIT! I needed to be true to myself this time. All this time I had been living a lie and I had to change that.

“Thank you, Big James, but can I request something?” I asked immediately.

“Sure, go on what is it, child?”

“Can I use my real name this time, in place of Nikki Fox?”

“Why the sudden strange request, kid?”

He asked. A wave of emotions jolted through me, like an electricity when I recalled occasions, I had to fake it to fit in.

“Cause that name…”

I trailed on my words.

“It caused lots of pains for me. If there’s anything I learnt so far, it would be being authentic to your true self.”

“So, I’ll rather keep Eleanor.” I said.

“Eleanor Reyes.”

With a smile I added.