The madam requests to see you, the man standing in front of Steven spoke with a firm voice. Steven didn't try to look up, It was not that he was too good at remembering people, since he could remember this man whom he had met only once. But that this particular man had caused him to discover a nasty side of Amanda one day.
I would rather not see her, go away. Steven spoke weakly, his splitting headache intensifying.
I'm afraid that is not up to you, The man cut in while bending down and picking Steven up, placing him over his shoulders. Steven revolted, quickly, punching the man in his face almost repeatedly. The man shrieked out in pain while dropping Steven carelessly. Steven looked at him without redirecting his stare for some time, before he started to walk towards the direction of the house. He knew too well that he was not too weak to make it to the house, but his spirit was broken to do so. Nevertheless, he must make it to the house on his two feet. He would rather not arrive looking so miserable.
He stood at the front of the gate, observing every little detail about it. He would rather not pass through it, but he knew that avoiding the house was for a fleeting moment. He had to face his pains.
So he took a bold step, yanking the gate so wide To alert the people inside that he was coming.
He walked forward until he reached the door and entered inside.
Stepping inside, he saw his in-laws well seated in the sitting room, not saying a word, staring intensely at him without turning their gaze for a second.
Those eyes were not looking at something human, most likely a lesser being who was meant to worship them but was ungrateful. Steven clenched his fists in anger, hid his frustration and tried to navigate his thoughts into something positive even though negative emotions were swirling in his mind. He turned to face his once beloved wife, who sat down on one of the two comfortable chairs in the sitting room. His mother-in-law occupies the other one. He was weak and collapsing, but he was not offered a chair as all the chairs had been occupied except one which his sister-in-law had used to position her legs comfortably. He couldn't care less, he just wanted to leave there. He moved and started making for the door when Amanda interrupted him.
Why did you come to my company, she said coldly while crossing her hands across her chest.
Steven wondered why she would ask him such a question, doubting that Amanda had forgotten that they were meant to celebrate her promotion.
Why didn't you show up as we planned for the celebration of your promotion? He said while locking his gaze with her. The look on Amanda's face confirmed all of Steven's doubt.
Amanda had forgotten, though he felt his heart sink deep
No way, don't tell me that it was because of that nonsense that you had to come to where I was to embarrass me. She said while straining her voice in such a way that the veins in her neck were visible.
Steven removed his gaze from hers and looked at his feet, clenching his fists tightly.
He was furious but tried hard to contain his anger, once more
He was suffocating not due to lack of air, but due to the environment, he was in.
His in-laws just sat down there as they looked at him standing before them while he discussed with his wife something that should have been between the two of them
He was so disappointed in Amanda, and just when he couldn't contain his anger and dissatisfaction with Amanda's behaviour.
A high-pitched laughter broke the silence. It was not too loud, but to Steven, it rang so loud in his ears. The laughter stung him so badly that he could not turn to face the person laughing.
It was short, but in Steven's head, he would just not stop hearing the laughter.
Sorry, he was just too hilarious, Amanda's younger sister said while holding her lips.
Go on, Go on, she said while moving her hand in a way that meant continue.
Steven, Amanda called out his name firmly, about to stand up. But she was cut by Steven, who pointed at the man who brought him here.
Who is that man?
And how does that have to do with you—Listen to me Steven, she said while standing up
But was cut again by Steven
I said who is that man?!, Steven was already shouting.
Amanda looked up at him and gave him a dirty slap on his face. Which stopped Steven in his tracks.
He's my bodyguard.
STEVEN, HE'S MY BODYGUARD!!!
Ooh, I bet you are going to ask me WHEN I got a bodyguard !!
Then you will ask me HOW I got a bodyguard !!
Then you will go ahead to ask me WHY I got a bodyguard!!
Yeah, go on ahead, after all, you are that creepy!!
Now listen, she said while poking Steven on his chest, her voice was already cracking from shouting too much to the extent that her voice could be heard 5 houses away.
Listen to me, Steven, she said in a low voice
He got me the bodyguard, yes he did! She was shouting again.
He was useful enough to give me a bodyguard but you?-
She stopped looking at him up and down
Steven spoke again after finding his voice.
Send him back Amanda
I can take you to work
I can protect you don't have to be protected by the man chosen by the CEO,
Amanda chuckled, you will take me to work, with what?
Please remember that you can't even afford a taxi!
Protect me, you make me laugh Steven
The only one I need protection from is YOU!
Yes, YOU, Steven!
I require protection from you!
Do you check yourself in the mirror, and you expect me to let others see you with me?
That's bullshit!
Steven, know your place
run that your godforsaken pizza shed in peace
And don't try to interfere with my business!!
Who I meet, date or even live with is not your business !!
She turned to leave when her mother stopped her in her tracks.
Amanda, her mom called out her name firmly, This was not what we discussed
How long are we going to tolerate—
Cut it out, Mom,
Not now, Amanda said as she didn't let her mother finish her statement
Amanda, give him those papers, her mother continued
I said cut it out mom, I'm not in that mood.
She said while locking gazes with her mother before entering her room and banging her door.
Then almost immediately, Steven's in-laws left the room, eyeing him nastily
Steven was left in the sitting room
His head was pounding so hard that everything became blurry in his eyes until he passed out.
Steven slowly opened his eyes but shut it back quickly as he was repulsed by the brightness of the room, but he wasn't surprised as he figured that it was probably because he had been unconscious.
He slowly raised his head to identify the figure next to him, but his headache hindered him.
Steven stays still, it's me, Sebastian. Steven's only friend, Sebastian said, while gently pressing Steven's head down to rest on the pillow.
The corners of Steven's smile curved into a light smile, and he continued to look up.
He didn't have to look around to observe the place, as he had been there several times.
Sebastian, how much do I owe you now?
About 1000 dollars now. Sebastian said while the corners of his lips curved into a smile, you need to stop all this Sebastian, how am I going to pay all this money back? Steven said, his face turning into a frown.
Hey, the doctor said you should rest for some days, you are not yet okay.
Get well fast, so you can begin to worry again, Sebastian said while placing Steven gently.
Steven could hardly conceal the frown on his face.
Sebastian had been his unwavering friend and supporter so many times, and most times he used his savings to solve some of Steven's financial problems, which Steven had always been strongly against.
He felt bad over making Sebastian, who had financial difficulties to face, tend to his.
As Steven continued to ponder his helplessness, he was cut by Sebastian's words.
Steven, sign the divorce papers