CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

Lia entered the cafe and searched for Mary. She saw her sitting on a table by the corner. There was no one else with her.
"Mary," Lia said.
"Lia" Mary said and got up to hug Lia. After a few seconds, they parted and sat directly opposite each other.
"It's been like forever since we last met," Mary said.
"I know right. But anyway, that isn't important right now, I'm so curious how did you meet him? "
" Who?" Mary asked cluelessly.
" Your boyfriend"
" Oh yeah. So, I got a job at a fast-food restaurant, I'm working as a food delivery guy. And then I got this huge gig, to deliver fifty packs to a company. I gladly accepted it because more food, more pay. Oh boy, if I knew how stressful it was going to be, then I wouldn't have taken it"
" So how did you guys meet?" Lia asked again, to make sure Mary heard her question the first time.
" Shh, I'm getting there. So I went into the company Carrying the packs, It was so damn heavy. I felt as if my arms were going to rip off, however, I stayed strong until I finally gave in and I fell on the floor right in front of him"
"That must have been so embarrassing," Lia said putting herself in Mary's shoes.
"It was. Well at least the food didn't spill, That would have been a waste of good food" Mary said.
"I agree, now continue"
"Ok. He helped me stand up and examined me for any form of injury, He offered to help me carry the bags and then sparks flew and things just happened"
" He sounds lovely"
" He is"
" Well I can't wait to meet him," Lia said.
" You don't have to wait any longer, he is already here"
" Hey love," someone said from behind Lia.
Lia found the voice to be too familiar.
She turned around to see who it was and just as she suspected it was Josiah.
"Josiah?" Lia said.
"Ah, Lia. What a pleasant surprise" Josiah said and flashed a smile at her.
"You guys know each other?" Mary asked.
"Yes, we do. We are friends" Josiah replied.
"If only I knew you know him, I would have persuaded you to introduce me to him sooner," Mary said and the trio laughed.

SOMEWHERE ELSE,
Mr. Griffon entered his new home and shut the door. Feeling tired and a bit tipsy, he went to his room to get some rest.
As soon as he entered, the door was shut closed but he wasn't the one who closed it. He was about to turn around but the sound of something clicking and the feeling of cold metal that touched the back of his head stopped him.
"How did you get in?" Mr. Griffon asked the person as if he already knew who it was.
"Well, hello father," Jack said.
"What do you want?" Mr. Griffon asked unfazed that he was at gunpoint.
"I came to settle some scores between us" Jack replied.
"You stink," Mr. Griffon said.
The smell of sweat, cigarettes, and alcohol lingered around the room.
"Oh, and whose fault is that?" Jack said.
"I will ask you again, what do you want?" Mr. Griffon said and turned around to face Jack.
"I came here today to avenge my mother," Jack said.
"By murdering me?" Mr. Griffon asked and turned around.
"It's fair enough, isn't it?"
" Go home boy," Mr. Griffon said.
" I will as soon as I finish you off"
" Then hurry up" Hearing this come out of Mr. Griffon's mouth only made Jack angry.
He punched his father in the face, intending to make him know that he wasn't playing.
However, Mr. Griffon only laughed and said, " You punch like a girl"
Jack punched him over and over again and tackled him to the ground. Mr. Griffon did nothing to defend himself.
" My mother suffered for many years because of you," Jack said.
" Is that what she told you?"
" She didn't have to tell me, you treated her like she was nothing. I witnessed how pained she was when you never came home to your wife and son. Tell me where you screwing that bitch?" Jack said.
" Watch your damn mouth boy. She knew what she was getting herself into the day she forced herself into my life"
"You were having an affair with another woman when you were supposed to be faithful to my mother" Jack yelled.
Mr. Griffon only laughed.
" Tell me, is that fucker you call your son my age, or is he younger"
" I had my son before I got married to your mother" Mr. Griffon stated.
" Then why? Why did you marry her? Was it to make her suffer or you married her just because you wanted more power?"
" I never wanted to marry your mother. Your mother manipulated her way into marrying me, I never wanted to be a part of a meaningless and loveless marriage"
" Liar. Tell me did you have fun sleeping with both women?"
" I have only touched your mother once, She drugged me and had her way with me, and unfortunately for me, she conceived you." Mr. Griffon sighed.
" Bastard" Jack said and gave his father another blow.
" My mother would never do such a thing, she was a sweet and caring woman" Jack defended his mother.
" If only you truly knew who you are defending right now," Mr. Griffon said and shook his head.
" Why did you leave her? If only you didn't divorce her, then she would still be alive right now"
" And what about you? You left her too"
" That's not the fucking point, my mother loved you with all of her heart" Jack yelled.
" You know what Jack? Today you made me proud, you have finally grown some balls. But, the only reason I haven't fought back is that I feel pity for you. Look at yourself, you can't even hold a gun properly. One moved from your opponent and that gun is out of your hand." Mr. Griffon said.
" No, it's because you are weak" Jack said.
" Sigh" " Well, I guess it's time you end it. Hurry up now, I want to be reunited with the woman I love. I have nothing left to do here, and I hope you will finally be happy." Mr. Griffon said with a wide smile on his face.
" You won't be the only one I send to hell. I will send Mabel with you and yes, I will be happy because I won't stop until I am reunited with my love, Lia."
" Do what makes you happy, but be careful not to anger people that are stronger than you. I'm saying that because of your so-called love." Mr. Griffon advised Jack.
" Enough, Goodbye father," Jack said and pulled the trigger.
Mr. Griffon's lifeless body fell to the floor.
...
***A little explanation of Mr. Griffon and Mrs. Griffon's marriage***
Mr. Griffon's father's company was going to go bankrupt if careful measures weren't taken.
Mrs. Griffon's father who was a powerful person then offered to help only on the condition that Mr. Griffon married his daughter.
This made his father very happy, he forced Mr. Griffon to go out with Mrs. Griffon occasionally but Mr. Griffon never took a liking to her because he already loved someone and she was pregnant.
His father never approved of his relationship with Josiah's mother. They always had to go out in secret. Mrs. Griffon already knew that because she was friends with Josiah's mother.
Although that was the condition, the choice was still hers to make. Her father loved her so much, that he wouldn't want to force her into doing something she didn't want. But she was the one who insisted on getting married to Mr. Griffon.
Mr. Griffon had no other choice but to comply because his father used his child and the mother to threaten him. So, he eventually married Mrs. Griffon, and the two companies combined forces and it is where it is now.