"I don't care what you think I think is not true. Alex it is over." I ended the call, taking in deep breaths and excitedly glancing at Jeraldine. She smirked as she gave me a pat on my shoulders.
"Wanna see something amusing?" Jeraldine held herself from laughing. In curiosity, I sat down, asking what she meant by that. "Only some seconds from now, she will call in."
"Who's calling?" I raised my brows discerning what she meant. She laughed at me, and sat calmly on the couch, crossing her two legs."It can't be…"
"You guessed it right. Melissa, your evil twin," She chuckled, tapping her fingers unconcerned on her laps and began counting her fingers out loud. "One…Two…three…" As soon as she counted up to three, that same line rang.
I furrowed my brows and gazed at the ringing phone in my hand. My skepticism is rising to its peak. She couldn't be right, could she?
"Answer it and let us see what she has to say," Jeraldine urged and I did so. I accepted the call and the next thing was Melissa's voice.
"Sister, Alex called me saying you called off the wedding. Why? Is there any major reason for doing that? You told me you loved Alex with your heart, why then do you want to call it off?" I heard Melissa's voice echo from the speaker.
I clenched my fist hearing her enchantedly making me go back on my decision. So Melissa was like this from the start, how then was I so blinded?
"Hey…are you still listening?" In panic, Melissa asked, nervously tapping her foot on the ground as she paced back and front. "Rachel, please don't do anything stupid. Where are you now? And why aren't you calling with your number? Who are you with now?"
I blinked my eyes in tears as her false care struck me deep. If it was in the past, I would have answered her with thoughts of her being the most loveable person in the world, now it was only despise that was engraved on my heart.
"Alex told me you travelled out of the country. Are you back and how come you didn't tell me so I could pick you up from the airport."
"Didn't feel like seeing you Melissa. I came back unannounced, don't I have any freedom of movement again? Must I report everything to you?" The dead end silence on the other side of the phone call was an evidence that she was in fear. Fear of not being able to tie me down again.
I heard her laugh, stuttering to say a word from her mouth.
"Of course I care about you, that is why I am asking you those questions. Is there a problem, Rachel, you don't sound like yourself. Worry not, your biggest sister is here. I will help you settle whatever crisis might have come up. Where are you?"
"Settle what? I told him clearly I am done with the marriage. Melissa, support me this time around when I say Alex is cheating on me."
"Where did you hear this false allegations from?" Her voice jerked in anxiety.
"Wait, Rachel! Alex wouldn't do anything like that." I heard her clear her trepidified voice and continued. Her deception sinking deeply into my ears.
He wouldn't do anything like that? Psst! I rolled my eyes and Jeraldine giggled, holding herself from not laughing out loud.
'I bet they are having the best night with each other unless how would Melissa know of my divorce with Alex, three seconds after I told him?'
"I have to go, I want to rest for the big day ahead. Melissa, I wish you good luck on tomorrow's event. Break a leg,"
"Wait, tomorrow? You shouldn't step your legs into the company tomorrow. You just got off from your vacation, working is too stressful, let me handle everything for you." Melissa spoke, adding care to her words.
"I don't need you any more. Goodbye…"
"Wait, don't cut the call yet…Rachel!" She screamed, and I was tired of constantly enduring her shenanigans. I reached for the red end button and clicked on it.
I sighed, and fell back into the chair in deep thoughts. It had been so clear to me all this while. No wonder Melissa always made vacations a normal daily event while she worked her ass off, to Garner support from the shareholders.
'Not again! Never again! I clenched my fist. Everything I stupidly started would end, this moment. I was going to take back everything I owned! Starting first with the company.'
"That was so interesting. I really enjoyed Melissa giving herself off. You took her by surprise and it wouldn't take her time to find out you've turned against her. You need to be careful from now onwards." Jeraldine chuckled, as she snapped me out of my thoughts.
I nodded my head. What could Melissa possibly do? I was going to be one step ahead of her since I had already loved this life.
"What next do you want me to do? Your best friend is here," She stressed the bestie part with grinning ears. I knew from then on that Jeraldine only waited for me to come to my right senses. How less could I love her?
I pulled her into a hug, giving her a thank you kiss on her forehead. She shoved me away and coldly stood up from the chair.
"Enough, Rachel! It is time for business. How are you going to turn the tables tomorrow? It is not a secret that Melissa has everything wrapped up in her hand. We need to think fast."
"I just know how. Someone owes me a favor and I will request of that favor now!" I sheepishly smiled, borrowing her cell phone and dialing the digits into the pad. I held the phone up to my ear hearing it ring.
After two rings, a cold, mischievous, croaked voice answered the call.
"Who is this?"
"Did you forget me so soon, Uncle? I am back and I want you to help me."
"Help you with what? Go meet Melissa!" He added in rage. I knew everything was my fault from the start so I didn't blame her no more.
I abandoned him as my family and threw him to the dutch because Melissa said I should.
Now I am realizing I was really stupid!
"Uncle, I really need your help. It is very urgent,"
"What do you need help with?" He surrendered.
"I need updates on the company. What is Melissa up to?" I demanded and there was a long silence from his side. "I haven't been around for too long and I have lost control of the company. I need your guidance."
"Do you think I'd help you just because you asked me to? I will need something in return…"
"Like what? Name your price…" I insisted. Apart from my parents, I had no relatives to turn to in the time of need- they only came when there was something in for them. Uncle Shawn wasn't an exception either.
"I want 35 percent of your share!"
"That much? I can't give that! Reduce your price!" I sat down, negotiating with him. "We are family, we shouldn't be naming prices."
"I stopped being your family since you stripped me off my position and handed it over to Alex. Go find your husband for help and let me be in peace!" He roared, threatening to end the call.
"Hold on, it hasn't gotten to that point. I will give you the shares only if you give me updates." I agreed.
Didn't he want shares? I will give him the shares in exchange for his knowledge and later when I get my footings, I will collect it back from him.
"Tomorrow, Melissa is selling off the Rodriguez group to the Vale's." He smirked, the ticking sound of his clock resonating in the speaker. "Surprised right? There is barely enough time and you know what happens when the company enters Vale's hands."
"The company dies…it dies!"
...…..
In Heather Estate, The Rodriguez Mansion.
Melissa paced in her bedroom, frustration mounting with each unsuccessful attempt to reach Rachel. She dialed her number repeatedly, and there was no response from her either, rather a recorded voice mail.
"Calm down, baby. Rachel hasn't figured anything out. Let us go back to what we were doing." Alex softened his voice, pulling her back to the bed.
"Shouldn't you be worried? Rachel never spoke to me like that! Rachel never rejected my help before! Something is not right! Something is not right!" She repeatedly said, her voice cracking on the way.
Sweat beads formed on Melissa's face as her heart palpitated twice than usual. Alex frowned, and took out the phone from Melissa's hand. He dragged her to the bed,and made her sit.
"I know Rachel from childhood, she isn't like that. Rachel is dumb and as long as you give her that assuring love, she is stupid forever. I don't know why you panic so much!" Alex responded with so much assurance.
Who was Rachel that he couldn't easily toy with her feelings? She was only someone chasing after love, and he was ready to give it to her!
Alex leaned over on Melissa, as he soothed her temples, giving her a befitting massage.
"I hope you are right, because she kept accusing you for cheating on her. I hope none of our sex leaked out in the open."
"None, I swear! I made sure every passion session we had was done in her absence. There is no way she would find out about anything. Didn't you say you also prevented her from seeing Jeraldine too? Believe it or not when I say Rachel is just hearing rumors."
"Those rumors are dangerous! I will tell my PA to get rid of it." Finally, Melissa settled down in Alex's embrace, inhaling and exhaling simultaneously. "Baby, I am sorry. It is just that it took a whole time to get her on board. I can't risk Rachel knowing anything until Mr. Vale signs that transfer of company document."
"It'll be okay, Melissa. My half brother won't reject such a good offer. The Rodriguez group is failing anyway. We could use the money for our honeymoon," Alex murmured. "We'll figure this out."