Do Something

RAYMOND 

Finally, the day came. 

Opening my eyes on the bed this morning, a part of me wished that I didn't wake up on this day. 

For all that I knew, this was the day when I got to defend myself. No, not that. It was either I came back home guilty or not—and I wondered which one it would be. 

Standing on my feet, I made the bed before reaching the closet, opening it, and closing it without doing what I had come to do. There were so many thoughts running around in my head and I could not help but wonder what my fate would be. What was it going to be? 

I remained on the bed for a short while, standing on my feet and reaching the closet once more. 

It was at this point that I knew what I had come to take or rather, my mind was made up to take what I needed and in moments, I grabbed a towel out of the space, reaching the door of the bathroom in seconds. 

By the time I came out, I was certain that I didn't want to be there—at the office. 

How about I called Tessa to announce that I was sick? No, it didn't make any sense because the board members and executives would know this was foul play and there was no way I would risk my properties for something like that. 

Someone like Victoria. 

Such a woman who would misuse the company's assets when they got to her hands. I wasn't going to let that happen. No way such a thing would happen. 

After a long while of thinking, I walked to the door of the room. Changing my mind, I walked back so that I could take a look at myself in the mirror. Nodding in satisfaction, I walked to the door once again, opening and walking out before shutting it—letting my legs lead me through the hallway as I wondered what was going to happen. 

Not only did I wonder what would happen. 

I thought about Rhett. 

This would be a good thing for him. 

He would be the happiest man on the face of the earth if a thing like this happened. 

And not just that. 

I didn't need to ask before understanding that the old man who happened to be my Grandfather would be disappointed in me. 

He would hate me for the rest of his life and there would be nothing I would do about it—he and Rhett would become close while I would be tossed to the side. 

“Mr. Jefferson?” 

Stopping in my tracks, I turned to look at Maria. She moped at me with a smile on her countenance. “Good morning, Mr. Jefferson. You look good today. What's the occasion and can I serve your breakfast?” 

Food. 

Was food important to me right now? 

Although on second thought, I needed to eat as much as I could and be alert in advance. 

“Yes—” I walked to the diner, automatically taking a seat. 

“Serve the meal, Maria. Be fast about it, ‘cause I don't have all day. Do you understand?” 

Not saying a word, she dashed out of my sight. 

My fingers tapped the table and I waited. 

Why was it taking time? I looked at the door of the kitchen, impatient with thoughts of leaving without eating. That was the plan, after all. 

“Maria?” 

“Mr. Jefferson.” 

The meal was placed on the table soon and I smiled, nodding as well. “Thank you enough. Where is my wife?” 

“I'm right here—” 

That was Eleanor's voice. 

Should she not be in her room with Michelle? 

I turned to look at her walk in my direction before looking away and facing the tray of food before me. 

“Good morning, Eleanor. How are you today?” 

Was she really asking me that? 

“I am doing well, Eleanor. How are you and the baby?” 

She nodded, settling on a chair right opposite me. 

“We're doing well. I wanted to talk to you—” 

Her smile was bright, leaving me to wonder what she was up to, or rather, had done. What was it? “The meeting happens in a short while, I understand. But I need you to just be there and do what you can do.” 

I was lost. Instantly. What was she saying? 

“I—I don't understand—” I confessed. 

“What do you mean?” 

Sipping water from the glass before me, I faced her again. 

“Was I going there to do something else if not me?” Confusion appeared on my countenance, leaving me to wonder if the woman was playing games with me on a morning like this. Did she even know what was at stake? 

“I'm asking you to go there, Raymond—” she was on her feet, intending to walk away. “You shouldn't bother about anything because I have a plan. And stop frowning—it doesn't look good on you.” She had reached the stairs when I called her back, already on my feet and behind her. 

“What do you intend to do?” 

Turning around, Eleanor faced me. 

“Why should it bother you, Raymond Jefferson? I plan to do what I have in mind and you'll see it at the end of the day. I just needed to let you know that you shouldn't worry so much. Do you understand?” 

“Yes, but—”

“No buts—” she turned and was walking. 

“I need to run along and hurry with my preparations, Raymond. You should run along already and don't bother yourself so much about it, mm?” She was out of my sight in moments, leaving me to my thoughts and them alone. 

Heading back to the table, I rushed the rest of the meal. According to the wall clock, I was almost late for this meeting and should be on my way to the office already. 

“Thank you, Maria!” 

And I set out of the house, with my briefcase in my hand. Arriving at the car in a short while, I waved at the driver, relaxed my head on the chair, and let out. “Take me to the office already. I have an important meeting at ten.” 

During the ride, I thought about Eleanor's words to me. 

Did this mean she had a solution already? 

Why then didn't she share it with me? A sigh ran out of my mouth on several occasions while I thought about it. 

Why? 

Why didn't she tell me what she could be up to?

These few weeks of living with her and I had become convinced that she was a smart woman. 

But how can she come up with something—a solution to a problem as serious as this on D-day? 

Who the fuck does that? 

In a short while, the driver drove into the compound of my company. For a moment, I looked around the large compound while seated in the car. 

Was I not about to lose these things I have built for myself? 

How could a thing like this be happening to me? 

Hopping down, I waved at the driver and then, led my way to the reception hall—managing a smile. 

“Where's Tessa?” 

“Uh—” the lady at the receptionist stand got up. 

“Here, sir—” 

Looking forward, I caught sight of the voice owner. 

“Good morning, Tessa. Mrs. Victoria and the board members are here already, are they not? I know I saw a car outside while on my way in here.” 

“Yes, Mr. Jefferson—” she took my briefcase and started walking. “They're waiting for you so the meeting can commence. I made them understand that you're on your way and here you are. Do you need anything?” 

A solution, of course. 

A solution was the only thing I needed. 

“No, I don't think I need something. Thank you.” 

While I walked to the door of the meeting room where the men and my sworn enemy were gathered, I muttered a word of prayer. Pushing the door open, a smile was managed on my countenance, even when my gaze met Victoria's. “Good morning, everyone. Forgive my lateness to the meeting. I was assisting my wife with the baby.” 

Victoria smiled. “Welcome, Mr. Jefferson. Shall we?” 

“Of course,” I walked to a chair and was seated. “Thank you for having me. Can we get on with it?” 

“Yes, please.” 

Everyone settled. Victoria reached for her handbag, picking it up from the floor and dropping it on the table. 

Just when we were about to begin, the door opened. 

All of us in the room faced the entrance, sighting Tessa who walked further into the space. “I'm sorry if I interrupted you, but the wife of my boss is here to see him.”