The Beginning

ELEANOR 

Walking out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me, I glanced at the cot where Michelle lay, smiling and leading my way to the closet. 

It was another week and another day to stay back at home. As usual. There wasn't any difference between this life and the one I had before this. 

Maybe there was a difference. 

Of course, there was. 

Raymond Jefferson was a rich man who got money from sitting in his house and giving orders to a Tessa who must be his PA or staff in the company he runs. But Andrew—he had to leave the house every morning and maybe not, but at least three times a week. 

Smiling, I now snapped out of my thoughts. 

My legs led me to the closet and I searched for an outfit that would suit the day. Nothing special was happening, but I was hopeful for next week if not this week. My plans to strike back at Andrew would come to life and he would eat a piece of his punishment, just as I wanted. 

I found the outfit I was looking for in moments. 

“Yes,” and I took it out of the closet, turning around and dumping the piece on the bed. 

Just about that time, a knock landed on the door. 

I looked up from the bed where I was seated, wondering who it was. “Come on in—” I mentioned after adjusting the towel to hold me perfectly just in case it was the man I married. Then, I saw it wasn't him. 

“Maria.” 

“Ma'am,” the younger lady walked into the room, smiling. “Good morning, ma'am. I'm sorry if this is a disturbance, but Mr. Raymond asked me to send for you. A group of people are here to see you.” 

A group of people? 

Did I hear the woman correctly? 

“Did you say a group of people, Maria?” 

“Yes, ma'am,” she moved closer. “They're three of them and they're seated with Mr. Raymomd who is waiting for you.”

It now made sense. 

“Oh,” another smile came alive on my countenance. “I'd be there. Thank you for coming to tell me.” 

The door to my room shut and I concentrated on getting dressed. The outfit I had selected was okay for the meeting, after all, and all I needed to do was be certain that my face looked good. And of course, put up the act too. 

In a short while, I was ready for the meeting. 

The least Raymond could do was let me know that the meeting would be held today. 

But it wasn't his fault, or was it? 

I walked to the door after checking in on Michelle. 

Walking out, I led my way through the hallway and caught up with the stairs, before the last brick, and now—I faxed four men of which one of them was my husband. 

“Good morning.” 

“Good morning, Eleanor,” Raymond mouthed first. “Come. Sit with me.” He urged, and I led my way to his side, settled on the same couch as him in moments. 

“Good morning, ma'am.” 

One by one, the man greeted. 

“It's nice to finally meet you. Thank you for coming to save the day—” another man said and I looked at Raymond who looked at me as well. 

“They know the truth—” he chuckled. 

“These are my trusted men and I don't keep anything from them.” He mentioned to me who nodded before looking at them. “But this isn't the reason why we're here today. Why not introduce yourselves to my wife, gentlemen?” 

One sat up. “My name is Matthew—” he introduced and then looked at the man seated right next to him. “—right here beside me is Jason and beside Jason is Nicholas. I am the leader of this operation, whatever it may be.” 

Registering their names in my head, I managed a smile. 

“Nice to meet you all, Matthew. I am thankful for having you all by my side. Shall we?” Even though I didn't know how to go about it, I looked to my right and met the gaze of Raymond who sat up, ready to help. 

“The man my wife was married to before now, dumped her with his child in the hospital—” he started, leaving me embarrassed but what would he have me do? “—she had his baby on that particular day and I came to make some payment for my Old Father's bills that happened to be outstanding. Then, I met a nurse who I explained my ordeal to from the onset and she explained that someone might be in need and may take up an offer.” 

As he spoke, I could not help but recall how we had met. That wasn't the worst way to meet the love of your life, but it was the worst way to meet a contracted partner. 

Shutting my eyes, I opened them moments later. 

“We signed a contract but before that, she had a favor to ask from me. Do you know what that is?” 

Confused, the men looked at each other before facing their boss. “No, what was it?” It was Jason who asked.

“She wants revenge.” He announced. 

“We don't know exactly how we should go about it, but this is what we want. And for the first time in my life, I don't care if we go about this operation the right or wrong way. The man is wrong for doing what he did to the woman and his daughter. A child he put in her.” 

“That's a lot!” Their leader, Matthew mouthed. 

“I'm sorry you had to go through all that, Mrs. Jefferson. How are you feeling now? Have you recovered from all of it already? We are sorry and are here to help you.” 

“Well, gentlemen.” Raymond stepped back in. “She's not recovered and would not be until she has a way to get back at him. Do you understand? The man needs some punishment and this is the only thing that matters to her.” 

“What should we do?” 

Someone touched my hand. It was Raymond. 

I looked at him, managing a smile. “What?” 

“What do you want them to do?” 

“I don't know, Raymond.”

“You no longer answer to me, gentlemen.” He looked away from me and faced the men. “Maybe you do. But this woman here is your boss in the meantime until the operation is over. I trust your services a lot and this is why I chose the three of you to do this for us. Do you understand me? Be careful enough to not disappoint me.” 

“We'll not disappoint you—” they all echoed and one of them asked. “Does our new boss not have the slightest idea what she wants to do? Or does she want us to come up with an idea on her behalf? Indeed, the man deserves some punishment. What if you didn't come to her rescue?” 

Silence ruled the space for a long while. 

I was racking my head, thinking of what to do. 

How could I not have an idea? 

Was this how dumb I had become? I stared at the ground, and at some point looked at Raymond, pleading with my eyes that he would come to my rescue. 

Then, someone coughed. 

It was Raymond. 

“I think I know something that can be done.” 

These words gave me hope. 

I paid attention. So did the men. Everyone had their eyes fixed on Raymond who adjusted, moping at each one of us. 

“How about we begin by looking into his profile?” He asked, still looking around. “When I say looking into his profile, I mean, we could check him out and seek ways to bring him down. We don't have any yet but we could.” 

I shook my head. “I don't think so.” 

“Why?” One of the men asked. 

“Andrew didn't hide anything from me until he started cheating. Do you think? I don't think so.” 

“I don't think so, too—” Raymond was nodding. 

“But this is what we have to do. There's no way we would come at him if we don't have something to use. It's enough that he hurt you, but I believe we need leverage against him. Do you understand me, Eleanor?” 

“Yes, I do.” 

“Good. So, gentlemen. I'm sure you know what to do at this point, or don't you know what to do?” 

“We do, Mr. Jefferson. Although we would be needing a few personal information from Mrs. Jefferson. This way, we get to know his place of residence and the rest. I'm sure you understand what I mean. We need to see a picture also, and if possible his place of work.” 

“I can provide you with his pictures and residence.”

“How about his place of work?” 

“I don't have it. Andrew didn't tell me where he worked all through the marriage. He said he is a distributor and that was it. I didn't ask much because I trusted him.” 

The men in the space gave each other a look. 

And now that I thought about it, I realized how stupid I was—all in the name of love.