Brandon's Reaction

Brandon Henderson's Narrative

On Sunday morning, I woke up as the daylight slowly filtered through the window, fully activating my senses. Upon opening my eyes, I noticed Rachel standing before me, fully dressed and wearing an angry expression. Instantly, I knew the reason for her displeasure.

"Good morning," Rachel greeted me, still wearing an angry expression.

"Rachel, I mistakenly called you Jewel last night. I'm very sorry. Emma's image was all over my face and I...," I began explaining.

"I didn't spend the night here," Rachel interrupted me with a dry tone.

"Are you sure?" I furrowed my brow and my gaze narrowed.

"I did not sleep here," Rachel reiterated.

"What?! Was Emma here last night?" I asked, hoping that the answer would be no. Rachel dragged out her response, leaving me in suspense, and causing my heart to almost leap out of my chest.

"Was she?!" I pushed further.

"No," Rachel finally replied, a smile playing on her lips. A sense of relief washed over me and I took a deep long breath.

"Are you sure?" I questioned just to make sure she wasn't just joking.

"Emma is in Malmö. Perhaps she's crying her eyes out now that you've married her worst enemy. You know she never wanted us to get married," Rachel chuckled mischievously.

"So it was just a dream," I whimpered, not intending for Rachel to hear me. However, she managed to catch my words and responded.

"That's not true, Brandon," she said firmly, gesturing towards the bed I was lying on. I quickly glanced at the bed, only to be startled by the bloodstains on the once pristine white sheets. I let out a soft gasp.

"Oh my Goodness!! What happened?" I exclaimed, my eyes widened in shock.

"I sent my personal maid to decorate our bedroom and you fucked her without her consent. Let me not sugarcoat what you did, Brandon. You raped one of my servants last night," Rachel stated, sitting down on a nearby sofa, crossing her legs and folding her arms across her chest.

I didn't doubt Rachel's words. I knew I had a problem, which is why I made it a point to always stay sober and avoid alcohol at all costs. But last night, I thought Rachel and I would be sharing my bedroom, and since I had no romantic feelings for her, getting drunk seemed like the only way to sleep with her without clouding my mind with thoughts of my Jewel.

"Why the hell did you send your maid to my bedroom? Did I say I wanted my damn bedroom decorated?" I shouted at Rachel out of frustration

"Oh, hell no! Did I know I married a creep?" Rachel fired back at me. Silence enveloped the room and after a while, I spoke.

"Where is the girl? I need to see her," I said, quickly getting off the bed and grabbing my snug briefs to start dressing.

"I've confined her to one of the guest rooms to prevent her from talking to anyone or the media. You really left her severely injured," Rachel chuckled mischievously.

"Where did you keep her? I need to talk to her and take her to the hospital! I don't care who she talks to. It is rape, and I must take responsibility for my actions!"

"Take responsibility? Seriously? You want to disgrace yourself and me? You want the whole world to know that I married a rapist? What would your Jewel think of you?" Rachel asked.

"Emma knew I had this problem. If she had been here, she wouldn't have allowed me to drink more than a half glass of champagne," I lamented.

"Well, the girl you raped is not pressing charges, but she doesn't want to see you or talk to anyone," Rachel said. "We're gonna keep this secret between us! No one else will hear about it!" Rachel yelled.

You must show me the girl," I insisted.

"If you want to go to jail, then you should first return my kidney before going," Rachel said. "I saved you because I wanted to marry you. I didn't save you for prison! Brandon, return my kidney and go to jail!"

"Rachel, I want to meet the girl," I insisted, ignoring her rants.

"I won't show you the girl," Rachel said with a calmer voice.

"If you don't want me to see her, then let's end this conversation!" I said angrily.

I wondered why Rachel's life revolves around games and reminders of the kidney she gave me. Can't she be serious for once? Can't she go a day without mentioning how she saved me? !" I said in my mind as I headed towards the bathroom.

"Brandon!" Rachel called. I halted and turned my head.

"Sit," she commanded and pointed at the bed. I looked at Rachel and shook my head.

"What did you say?" I asked, surprised by her commanding tone.

"I said sit!" Rachel repeated, pointing at the bed.

"Rachel, are you out of your mind? Just because you're my wife, you now think you can order me around like a child?" I said, folding my arms across my chest and staring unbelievably at Rachel. Rachel lifted a small memory card.

"What's that?" I asked nonchalantly.

"Everything you did to my personal maid who I sent to decorate our room is right here. The camera captured everything that happened here last night. I quickly removed this card before those in the control room got hold of it. So, park it and tune in for what I gotta say," Rachel said, pointing at the bed again. I remained standing, continuing to stare at her, wondering what I had gotten myself into.

"Fine! If you want to stand, you can stand. All I want to say is this. The girl you raped is gonna to carry our child, and she has agreed to carry..."

I sighed and entered the bathroom. Rachel followed me.

"Brandon, if you do not go on board with my plans, the entire world is gonna see the president of Zenith Incorporation messing with some sixteen-year-old kid! I get it, you're not stressed 'cause your buddy is tight with the VP and they're gonna protect you, but do you even realize the huge mess this scandal would create for your company? Do you?! Brandon, you gotta get with my program or Zenith Inc. is goin' down!" Rachel continued ranting behind me.

I silently retrieved a new brush from a drawer, brushed silently, and had my bath while Rachel continued to rant at my back, issuing one threat after another.

I came out of the bathroom and entered the walk-in closet, took out a new pair of trousers and a T-shirt. I dressed up, came out again while adjusting my belt, and began to walk towards the door.

"Bran, I will show this to the whole world if you step out of that door! The girl's family is gonna to see it," Rachel continued talking, but I did not look back.

All I wanted was to meet the young girl I was with last night. If Rachel can't show me the girl, then she can do whatever she likes. The mistake has already been made, and the only correction is meeting the girl and taking responsibility for my actions. I thought to myself as I walked hurriedly towards the door, regretting why I drank too much last night.

"Brandon, do not open that damn door!" Rachel yelled, causing me to halt and turn.

"Rachel, if you don't bring the girl to me before noon, don't ever come close to me again. We have nothing to discuss! You can go ahead and show the contents of that card to the world. I'm not afraid to admit my wrongdoings. No one is above the law in this country!" I said firmly, dashing out of the room. My bodyguards immediately followed me.

"This girl is a witch! She just ruined this perfect opportunity for me," Rachel seethed with anger, her teeth gritted. She then forcefully pulled down the long mirror that was in the room, causing a crashing sound to echo through the open window and filled the spiral staircase. Rachel continued destroying my things and the crashing sounds continued echoing. However, neither I nor my bodyguards looked back.