Chapter 28: MEETING THE IN-LAWS

For Audrey, the weekend came sooner than imagined.
Dmitri visited the Blaydes" mansion to meet Audrey's parents regarding his marriage proposal.
"We live in a society in which the criteria for the selection of the perfect partner can turn out very differently," Mr. Blaydes commented while interacting with Dmitri at his home- his den.
"You're right, Mr. Blaydes. Our world is driven by consumerism that often prevents us from seeing the things that really matter," Dmitri replied politely.
"While some are looking for a better half with a great personality, others may choose their partner by economic factors. But is it the definition of love ?" Audrey asked, looking at her Dad dead in the eye, silently asking him to be lenient with her lover.
However, her father chose to ignore her and listened to what Dmitri had to say.
"It's all about reaching a sigh-worthy equilibrium," Dmitri answered.
By this time, Dmitri knew this discussion was neither going to be easy nor going to be comfortable. So he cleared his throat, sat straight and started answering the marathon of questions that Mr Blaydes posed to him.
"Whose responsibility will be household chores ? Audrey was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She's the heiress to our multi million dollar diamond business," Mrs Blaydes asked as she was more keen on knowing about the situation regarding the domestic issues. "She's trying to build up her career in modeling. So would you understand her work schedule ? Do you still expect Audrey to come back home and help with household chores and kids?" Mrs. Lucy Blaydes added.
"I assure you, Ma"am that we'll both chip in and finish the household work. I have no shame in doing work as I feel both of us should contribute to household chores equally !" Dmitri replied.
"Will you support her in her career ? What if Audrey gets an onsite opportunity ? What if she has to travel for work ?" Mr. Blaydes interrogated.
"I can't comment on the onsite opportunity. Because it's something that as a couple and parent we would decide at that time," Dmitri said. "But as far as your concern about Audrey"s career aspirations is concerned, I want to give you 100% assurance that I'll support her in her career as much as possible," he added.
"Hmph," Mr. Blaydes grunted.
"I'll never ask her to compromise on her aspirations just because she's married and has kids. I won"t let marriage be a burden on her ever !
I feel everyone has a right to pursue their dreams at any cost !" Dmitri said.
With every answer, Audrey felt more confident about Dmitri and, she secretly thanked her mom and dad for raising those questions. It was not like she hadn't asked those questions but his response to Mr. Blaydes" direct questions sounded much more convincing and honest.
"Will you be able to live with a woman who lives life on her own terms ?" Mr. Blaydes continued with the questioning session. Dmitri was surely in for a toast.
"Like many youngsters, you want to live with a confident independent woman. But do you know many men find it so difficult to live with such ambitious partners ?" Mrs. Lucy Blaydes queried.
"Audrey uses her own brains, she lives life on her own terms and if someone tries to use her as a doormat, she can take a stand for herself. Our daughter is a real fighter," Mr. Blaydes coldly said.
"Do you think you can live with such a person ? And, if my words scare you, it"s better you find someone else. Because I know my daughter, she can be anything but a poor suppressed woman !" Mrs. Lucy Blaydes build a strong case.
Audrey"s heart was in her mouth by now.
"Mrs Blaydes, your words don"t scare me. In fact, I'm very happy that you had this direct conversation with me. I hope my answers so far may have given you an insight into how I feel about Audrey and her aspirations," Dmitri said. "I'm happy that Audrey is so strong. Somewhere, it gives me comfort that any day when I feel weak, she could be strong for the both of us," he added and smiled warmly at Audrey who returned it back with equal fondness.
Dmitri was so sincere with his answers, Audrey thought it would have satisfied her mom and dad. But she was so damn wrong as this was all a veil for something big that her mom and dad were planning.
As Audrey went with Dmitri for an evening outing after his meeting with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Blaydes decided to plan their next move to get rid of Dmitri and his baby from their daughter"s life in private.
"What we really want is to tell her to Run Now ! Fast !! Out of this relationship," Mrs. Blaydes spoke through clenched teeth.
"Marriage has set my alarm bells ringing, from the very beginning and increasingly so over time, he's not the one I want for my daughter," Mr. Blaydes determinedly said.
"She's a bit of a control freak and there"s nothing wrong with that, but when she"s slated to become the CEO of our family"s business while still trying to manage her own modeling career, Audrey will need a little help," Mrs. Lucy Blaydes said.
"That's why, I want to marry her to a son of our equivalent business competitor, so as to strengthen our financial ties and safeguard our daughter"s future," Mr. Blaydes replied.
"Do you have a plan in place to stop this marriage and get rid of this unwanted baby," inquired Mrs. Lucy Blaydes.
"Of course, I have ! You just need to trust me that whatever I'll do, will be for our daughter"s good," said Mr. Blaydes.
As Audrey entered into her third trimester of pregnancy, Dmitri took her out for dinner outside to her favourite restaurant for celebration.
But the very next day, he received a panic call from Dr. Hazel from the hospital to reach there as soon as possible.
Dmitri asked about the urgent call but Dr. Hazel just hung up the phone as she repeated her words to rush to the hospital.
"What happened, Hazel ?" Dr Dmitri inquired.
"Audrey has been rushed to the hospital for having some complications," Hazel revealed as they walked towards her ward.
"I can"t bear this excruciating pain, Dmitri," Audrey cried as she was rushed into the hospital by her mom and dad.
"Calm down, Audrey ! We have given you the painkillers," Hazel comforted but Audrey was too worried something else.
"I hope our baby is fine. I'm not worried about myself, Dmitri. Save our baby !" Audrey pleaded, feeling frantic about her sudden condition.
Dmitri had always been careful with her diet plan and exercises.
Then what had gone wrong ?
"We have just run a few tests and scans on you. I'll have the reports shortly and will start the medication. Just keep faith in me, my strong lady. We will get through this," Dmitri promised as he went outside to instruct his medical staff with the proceedings of treatment.
Dmitri stayed around Audrey while she was in distress. Under the spell of medications she fell asleep after some time.
"Dr. Dmitri, I need to talk to you," Hazel softly said as she gestured to him to come outside of the ward.
"Have you received the reports of Audrey ?" asked Dr Dmitri.
"Yes ! I have them with me. Let's go into your cabin to discuss them," she suggested.
"Your suspicions were right, Dmitri," Hazel quickly said as soon as they were in the safety of his room.
"So it was the administration of medicine to trigger a miscarriage ?" Dmitri asked, his palms turning into tight fists.
"Yes," Hazel whispered. "How insensitive a person can be ? Someone deliberately tried to kill Audrey and the baby !" she added.
"No, Hazel ! Not kill ! But sort of threatened to kill or scare," Dmitri replied with knitted eyebrows.
"How ? Why ? And who will do such a heinous act ?" Hazel asked aghast.
"The dosage was enough to scare but not enough to result in damage. As for your second and third question, we both are quite intelligent to know why and who," Dmitri spoke coldly. Too coldly. Even Hazel shuddered.
"Be prepared ! Lightning of reality will soon strike you but always remember I have your back, buddy," Hazel said as she went outside to check on Audrey.
As soon as Hazel left, Mr Blaydes entered the cabin of Dmitri who was still going through Audrey's reports.
"When it comes to class differences in romances, at least in a monetary sense and in a position of power, it is better for the poor guy to take money and leave the girl's life for good," suggested Mr. Blaydes while entering Dmitri"s hospital cabin.
"So, Mr Blaydes you are behind what the reports suggest." Dmitri"s knuckles turned white with how hard his fingers clenched the reports. This man had tried to kill his baby !
"You're quite smart ! I can do anything and I mean anything. This hospitalization is just a sample, a trailer of all the levels I can stoop to, to rid of that baby from my daughter's life," Mr. Blaydes darkly warned in a threatening tone.
"You can't risk the life of your daughter and our child, Mr. Blaydes," Dmitri gritted out.
"Try me," Mr. Blaydes smirked.
"This isn't fair ! You're playing with your daughter"s trust that she has bestowed upon you !!"
"Who knows better than you that nothing in life is fair and it never will be. You know that, because you're one of those unfortunate few who wasn't graced with wealth, family or luck," Mr. Blaydes taunted.
"But I've made this far more than anyone can imagine with the set of my given circumstances. Given most rich men are self-made, they strongly don't believe in entitlement. Give me time to prove my worth, Mr Blaydes," Dmitri replied.
"Nothing is deserved which isn't earned. And you'll get old by the time you'll earn enough to ask my daughter's hand in marriage and even that, I'm not sure of," Mr. Blaydes skeptically said.
"Inheriting substantial wealth is neither an unadulterated good nor a catastrophe. Problems do come with it also. With love and hardwork, we can change our life to be more creative, and fulfilled," Dmitri said.
"Well, remember and never forget that I can change your life forever, that too for the worst. I can manipulate things my way in infinite ways in your career, baby and love but are you ready for that ?" Mr. Blaydes played his ultimate card. He knew Dmitri"s weakness and played on it !
"Don't hurt Audrey or our baby. I'll do as you wish," Dmitri forced out while having a face off against an evil villain, who happened to be in the guise of Audrey"s father.