Chapter 59
**James POV**
James felt an unease that was similar to the one he felt when Agatha was needing help. Could it be that she is in trouble again?
James checked the time to see if she would be awake right now. It's 8 pm, which means she will be taking a nap or the nurse must be coercing to do that and Agatha must be doing her own thing. Anyways, she will be awake, so he called her phone, uncaring it might disturb her routine.
"Mr. McKenzie, You don't usually call during this time. Is everything alright?" Asked the nurse who is caring for Agatha.
"Yes. Put Agatha online. I want to speak with her", James said distractedly.
"James?" Agatha asked worriedly. It's not like him to call at this time.
"Are you alright Agatha? Do you need anything? Are you in pain?" James bombarded his questions
"I'm perfectly alright. The staff is taking very good care of me. I can hear you are worried, Mr. McKenzie. Is everything alright with you?" Agatha asked in her calm soothing voice, knowing from her experience that he is worried about something.
"Fine. I just... feel agitated Agatha. As if something bad is about to happen or someone is in trouble", James shared his thoughts.
"Dear James, it's all in your head. You worry about the people you care about. This quality is what I admire about you. Rest assured, everything is fine. Now stop worrying and get some sleep", Agatha placates him.
"Yes Mam", James replied feeling chastised.
However, James couldn't get sleep. Filled with restlessness, he started to pace the hotel room he is staying in.
What could be the cause? Did something happen to someone...Bella!
James quickly typed the mail and sent it.
[mail from James to Bella]
To: iamfifibel@gmail.com
From: james.aonal@gmail.com
Subject: checking
Bella,
Are you well? Has something happened to you? Even if it is a small thing, tell me.
James.
[end of the mail]
[mail from Bella to James]
To: james.aonal@gmail.com
From: iamfifibel@gmail.com
Subject: Re: checking
Dear Invisible man,
I'm fine. However, I couldn't help but doubt myself that you haven't liked what you saw and made a vanishing act before me.
Where have you been?
Bella.
[end of the mail]
[mail from James to Bella]
To: iamfifibel@gmail.com
From: james.aonal@gmail.com
Subject: chuck those insecurities
Little red,
What did I tell you about your insecurities? I wish I was near you. Then I could show you what I thought about what I saw!
I can picture a red hue tingling your cheeks reading this mail, Bella moi. Keep that color up. I will meet you soon.
Lastly, to your question, someone I used to know passed away recently. I'm here to clean that mess. Once it is done, I'm coming after you.
Prepare yourself Bella moi, I won't hear a no again. We will meet.
James.
[end of the mail]
[mail from Bella to James]
To: james.aonal@gmail.com
From: iamfifibel@gmail.com
Subject: Re: chuck those insecurities
Lord James,
It's easy to say 'chuck those insecurities' for you. I had lived with them for 23 years. It takes time.
I'm sorry to hear that someone you knew passed away. You must be missing him/her a lot. Do you want to talk about it?
Prepare yourself Bella moi, I won't hear a no again. We will meet. <- do we have to? I don't see any problem with chatting here.
Bella.
[end of the mail]
[mail from James to Bella]
To: iamfifibel@gmail.com
From: james.aonal@gmail.com
Subject: I like the sound of Lord James
I will hear you saying that to my face soon. And no, I'm not satisfied with these chats any longer. After watching you, this is not enough. I want more Bella moi.
Do you want to talk about it? <- no, I don't. He was in my past. I want to keep him there. Does that answer your question?
I see you have not commented on what I might show you. Keep that up, Bella moi. I will enjoy it very much when I peel those layers you surround yourself with.
James.
[end of the mail]
Just as he sent the mail, a knock on the front door disturbed the reverie. James tucked the phone back in his pocket and strode towards the door.
It must be Tank. He is due on his report. James called "Tank", as he opened the door.
It's not Tank but David, his other bodyguard. Generally, Tank used to be the buffer between them but since he went to spy on that chameleon, David took the role of his chief security.
"What is it, David?" James sounded curtly to David. David thought to himself that James was not used to sharing the camaraderie he had with Tank so he must be sounding like that.
"Mrs. McKenzie is waiting for you downstairs sir", David said in his robotic voice.
James sucked his breath. Jacqueline! Did she dare to approach him?
"Jacqueline?" James asked David to be sure.
"No sir. Mrs. Eleanor McKenzie, your stepmother", David said in the form of clarification.
Eleanor approaching him? What is she up to now? This must be interesting.
"Send her in", James said and closed the door.
Within seconds there was a knock on the door and Eleanor sauntered inside. As she perched on the couch, James took in the sight of her relaxed posture and said his jaw clenched,
"Let me guess, your daughter and my wife put you up to this. What are they planning?"
"Wha...what are you talking about? Your wife? I didn't know she came back. How would I meet her then?" Eleanor looked flustered. She thought she would get the chance to butter him up before launching into the plan.
"Stop your dramatics woman. I saw her at your husband's funeral and you are saying you never met her!" James snapped at her as a muscle in his jaw twitched at her blatant lie.
"Just as you said, it was my husband's funeral. I was mourning, crying my eyes out. How would I know who came or gone!" Eleanor tried to make excuses.
"I'm not dumb nor am I blind Eleanor. Stop your antics and come clear. I may spare you", his lips drew back in a snarl.
"I... I really don't know what you are going on about. I'm here to ask you about my home. My home. That's all", she forced a smile as she said that.
"Your home? Just because I allowed you to live there it became yours now?" James glared at her
"I stayed there for 23 years. Almost half of my life there. I have a right to fight for it. I must have a right on that house", Eleanor gnashes her teeth in worry.
"By the way you are going, I take it your new boy toy threw you?" James asked observably
Recognition dawned on her face after a minute of deep thinking. To cover her delay, Eleanor quickly said, "Richard and I are going strong. He cares about me"
"Then what is this about Eleanor? You want to have your cake and eat it too?"
She stuck her nose in the air and said proudly, "You can say whatever you want James. But I lived in that house for 23 years of my life. There are lots of memories of me and your father in there. You may not believe it but I loved him in my own way. Our marriage may look unconventional but we cared about each other. When you spend that many years of your life with a man, you get attached to them. He is gone now, please don't take this last piece of him away from me"
He lifted his eyebrow at her and asked, "Hmm...why does this doesn't ring true Eleanor? What must be the reason? What do you think?"
"What...I'm begging you to give my home back for your father's sake. And you mock me? How cruel can you be?" Eleanor gave a sniffle as tears filled her eyes.
"Very much. And taking my father's name will not do any favors to you Eleanor", his eyes gleamed with suppressed anger.
"James...", she tried to placate him
He raised his hand to cut her off.
"I heard what you said. My sympathies are with you. However, I couldn't give one of my properties to you. If I do that then every sycophant will approach me with a cock-and-bull story. Now, I can't give my properties to all of them. Better to cut it at the root"
"Cock-and-bull story! You shove me in the same box as that money-grabbing leeches? How dare you?", Eleanor questioned as her cheeks flushed at his disregard.
"Uh-Uh... careful Eleanor, you are losing your plot"
She turned scarlet at his sarcastic reply. Eleanor swiftly composed herself before she could reveal her true purpose. She has to be careful. One slips up and she will face the wrath from James and Jacqueline.
"James, forget about what I said. But don't you think I deserve something after being married to your father for 23 years?"
"Uh...now you are getting to the point. You see Eleanor, I don't think I will give you my house just because you deserve it"
"I don't mean like that. Marriage with your father was not easy. You knew how he was. Yet I endured. I sacrificed my prime life for that man. In the end, what do I get? A boot in my ass for being obedient to him!"
"Eleanor...Eleanor...Eleanor. I like how you twist the facts to suit your needs. Yes, you married him but don't forget the fact that it was you who emptied the coffers. You and your unscrupulous daughter. If we are sharing about grievances then don't you think I too shall demand something from you for creating this mess?"
"What mess?" Eleanor scrunched her nose.
