Taste of Victory
**Kael**
The afternoon after Rachel visited my office, I found myself in her unpleasant presence again, as she needed to fulfill the first part of our agreement, and there was no reason to postpone the meeting between her and my mother.
"You must think you're very clever, Rachel," I commented, looking at her by my side. "But don't think for a second that I believe you don't have a Machiavellian plan in mind."
We were on our way to my house, located in a residential area of Seattle, where my mother spent all her days and nights, secluded and not going anywhere else except the garden I had specially built for her, which had become her favorite place in the huge mansion.
"How can I be planning something when everything is already lost?" She tried to deceive me. "You have a terrible impression of me, Kael."
"You must be plotting some way to get revenge for what I'm putting you through," I pointed out directly. "I know the kind of person you are. You don't believe it's over."
She let out a laugh full of scorn, which disgusted me a bit, but I maintained my façade of indifference. I didn't want her to realize that just being in the same car as she made me sick, as that would give her a sense of power over me.
"Let's say I have the right to dream of better days, don't you agree?" She suggested ironically.
"People like you don't have dreams, Rachel," I stated in a monotone. "Only petty and selfish plans."
With a cynical smile on her face, she glanced at me. I decided not to say anything more, as there was no reason to continue the conversation. This visit was not a courtesy.
"Mr. Graham, we have arrived at your house," my driver announced, circling the car to open the door for Rachel.
However, he didn't know that she wasn't deserving of such courtesy. So, I asked him to wait there while the unpleasant Rachel and I entered the residence. The mansion I lived in was exquisite and luxurious, and I had paid a high price for the privilege of being well-located and close to the headquarters of my company, which I considered essential.
However, it was all worth it for the most important person in my life, my mother. It was just the two of us, and I was willing to do anything to be by her side and provide her with the best that money could buy.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Graham," greeted Marilda, the housekeeper, a Mexican lady who had been with us for several years, as we arrived at the main hall of the mansion. "Is this the visitor you promised to bring to see Mrs. Graham?"
"Yes, Marilda," I confirmed. "Please bring her in."
"Certainly, sir. She was very eager for your arrival," Marilda replied.
Marilda left the room to fulfill my request, and I indicated for Rachel to sit on one of the sofas in the huge living room, elegantly decorated by the best professionals in Seattle, something I made sure to arrange.
The ambiance was all in light tones, with walls and curtains in different shades of beige, white sofas with dark brown cushions, and a lighter brown carpet. The glass coffee table displayed various decorative items, while some paintings adorned the wall facing the entrance hall.
"Beautiful house, Kael," Rachel commented, looking around. "I can't accuse you of having bad taste."
Before I could respond to her comment, my mother entered the room, closely accompanied by one of her nurses. I felt the familiar tightness in my chest as I looked at her and no longer recognized the vibrant and joyful woman Mary used to be.
I gestured to the nurse, authorizing her departure, as I wanted to be alone with my mother, and her presence was no longer necessary. That was the actual role of the nurses hired to take care of Mary.
"Rachel!" The expression on my mother's face completely changed upon seeing Rachel, becoming full of life, and I immediately felt a sense of dismay at the transformation.
Rachel was not worthy of such a warm gesture from someone as kind as my mother, and I couldn't understand why she had waited so long for this moment.
"Hello!" Rachel said with enthusiasm. "I feel immensely delighted to meet you, Mary Graham."
Rachel approached my mother, and to my total consternation, she embraced her as if genuinely thrilled to meet her. It was yet another proof of how good an actress she could be.
Although I knew all that excitement displayed by Rachel was completely fake, I now admired her as an adversary because she played her part in this scene impressively.
Once again, I questioned myself on how I didn't immediately realize that she wasn't the same person I was with on the yacht. I never genuinely felt displeasure being with Sarah, even as I tried to remain immune to what I believed was her feigned innocence. Simply being in the same space as Rachel and hearing her voice already made me uncomfortable.
"Thank you for coming, Rachel," my mother expressed her gratitude, unaware of the high cost it bore for me. "I've been looking forward to this meeting for a long time."
"The important thing is that I'm here now, isn't it, Mary?" Rachel responded.
I noticed an intriguing look exchanged between them, sparking suspicions that they shared something I was unaware of. This only heightened the discomfort I already felt witnessing that scene.
"Can you leave us alone, son?" My mother asked.
I could sense that she seemed different, displaying confidence I hadn't seen in her for a long time. This attitude further fueled my curiosity about the real reason she had always insisted on speaking with Rachel.
"Alright, Mom. I'll be in the hallway if you need me," I reluctantly agreed.
Leaving them alone, I concluded that I needed to investigate the true relationship between Rachel and my mother. It was evident that my mother had lied to me, and this discovery opened a floodgate of questions in my mind.
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