Margaret’s Repentance
A few hours later Xavier was leading Elaine out of the office, his hand behind her back. Once they got into the elevator, she snatched her body, stepping a few inches away from him.
“You didn’t have to be in such a hurry.” It was just a few seconds from the agreed close time. The moment the clock ticked, he’d forced her out of her chair and led her out of the office.
“It's the agreed close time. Besides, you didn’t have any work you were doing.”
“Says who? I sighed a lot of files today.”
“Sighing files isn’t that much work, Mrs Romano. You know better than that.”
They soon walked out of the elevator, heading outside the building. Finally, they got to the parking lot where Xavier’s black Rolls Royce was parked. He opened the back seat door for her, hopping in after her and ordering the driver to start the car. From the side, she could see the other cars of their security guards starting behind them.
“Where are we going?” She asked when she saw that the car wasn’t going the usual way that led to their house.
“We’ll have dinner at the Romano mansion. Mother invited.”
She nodded, fixing her hair by tightening the bun.
Soon enough, the car rolled into the Romano mansion, stopping in front of the steps that led to the main door of the mansion. Xavier stepped out, stretching a hand for her to take but twitching her lips, she got out on her own.
“You didn’t have to do that, doll. Are you taking every means to defile me?”
“What if that’s the truth.”
“Then you’re not going to like the punishment, I tell you.”
She scoffed, climbing the few stairs until she got to the main door of the mansion which she gently knocked on.
They didn’t need to knock more than once before the door was flung open, revealing Xavier’s mother. The woman’s eyes fell on the two people before her and pushing Xavier to the side a big, she caught both of Elaine’s hands in excitement, pulling her in for a hug.
“You’re here, darling. How are you?” She asked.
“I’m alright mother, how are you doing?”
Xavier shook his head as both women made their way into the house. Not bothering to acknowledge the greetings of the servants who had their heads lowered, he made his way into the mansion, his hands buried into his pocket.
“Thank you so much for the herbal tea, mother. It works magic.”
“Oh, that? It’s nothing. As long as you and the baby are fine. My friend works in India, I just had to ask her.”
“Then you must thank your friend for me too. I feel relieved whenever I take it.”
The women smiled at each other. Suddenly, someone walked into the living room from the direction of the kitchen. Xavier’s eyes widened, his hand wrapping around Elaine’s back in a reflex action.
“What is she doing here, mother?” He asked.
“Margaret? I invited her for dinner also. She even agreed to cook.” She smiled at Margaret. “Be nice to her, will you? She’s not going to cause you any trouble, she’s a changed person.”
To prove the point, Margaret made her way to them, smiling at her brother and his wife.
“Welcome brother, welcome sister-in-law.”
Elaine forced a smile at the slightly older woman. Xavier scrutinized her from her head downward, his eyes filled with suspicion. Without breaking his gaze from her, he spoke to his mother. “That better be the case, mother. If she causes any trouble, I’ll not hesitate to throw her out.”
“Xavier, she’s your older sister, have some respect.”
“If she has some for herself, I’d do the same.”
Margaret kept her smile even after her eyes fell on the necklace on Elaine’s neck, the family’s heirloom that Xavier had given her even before their marriage.
“I know the image of me in your eyes is so bland right now, but I promise I'm going to change that very soon. Forgive me for the other times, Xavier, Elaine,” she lowered her head as she made an apology.
Elaine shook it off. “It's fine. I really don't hold any grudge against you, you don't have to apologize.”
“Thank you so much. You have a heart of gold. Please sit down while I take care of things in the kitchen.”
At that, she turned around, heading back to the kitchen where she'd walked from. Elaine and Xavier took their seats on the couch, while Mrs Romano sat on the couch astride them.
“Don’t listen to her words. She can be cunning at times,” Xavier whispered into Elaine’s ears.
“Don’t be mean. She looks genuine this time.”
“You better be careful so you don’t fall into her traps.”
“You’re mean.” She grumbled. She knew Margaret had been quite hard on her a few times but her apology this time seemed genuine. The woman looked like she’d repented. Wasn’t that a good thing?
“They’re here?” Their heads raised when they heard a voice from the stairs. Elaine on seeing the old Mrs Romano struggle to climb down the stairs immediately stood up and rushed to her side, slowly helping her down the stairs.
“Thank you so much, good child.” She helped the old woman until she sat on the couch beside Mrs Romano. “You know, my legs keep failing me.”
“If you agree with me and stay in one place, you won’t notice your fast-rising old age, grandmother,” Xavier said, his eyes fixated on his phone.
“That’s all you have to say? You spoiled brat.”
“Am I? I’m not the one who refuses to take medications all the time.”
“Xavier,” Elaine warned from the side. This husband of hers knows nothing like filtering words before speaking. She could see the old woman’s face grow red in anger and before any of them could say anything, she threw her walking aid at him.
“You brat.”
Luckily, Xavier was fast and caught it before it could get to him.
“Wrong move. I taught you better.”
Mrs Romano shook her head at their exchange, stiffening her laughter. If she let it out, the old woman would face her instead.
“We should all move to the dining hall. The food is almost ready.”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
