A love to Last Ch. 03
Elena was coming down the stairs elegantly, walking like a model on the runway. Her tight animal print skirt was showing off her gorgeous curves which matched with her blouse and shoes. She had her hair curled and then loose with her face graced by makeup. She was holding a file and a phone to her ear and you couldn't miss the smile on her face.
"of course, only the best for you, Mr. Granchi." She laughed. "Doing business with you has always been fun. I told you that I will never disappoint you and will always serve you with the best."
She continued on her phone for a few minutes before she heard an angry voice shouting her name.
"Thanks, Mr. Granchi. I'mma have to call you back. Let me just solve a little issue."
She cut the call and rushed down the stairs. She found her husband coming in from the entrance with a frown on his face. He was a very handsome man in his mid-50s but barely looked a day above 30. He had well shaven short dark hair with small strands of gray, a cute round face with lips that Elena always found seductive, and most women.
He was tall, muscular and one of the sexiest men she had ever set her eyes on. He wore a black designer suit with a white shirt inside that was halfway buttoned, revealing his gorgeous muscular chest. His eyes, those eyes that she loved were piercing grey, just like Ben's. She hated that fact because they looked so much alike because of that.
"My love!" She giggled, opening her arms widely. "Is that any way to call your wife's name? I don't find it romantic. Come give me a hug and a long kiss. I am sure you have missed me so much like I have."
"Cut the crap Elena." He thundered, dismissing her rudely. "What kind of woman are you?"
"What are you talking about?" She didn't lose that smile on her face. "But to answer your question, I am a woman who loves you dearly. Is that wrong, my love?"
Jerome groaned, stamping his foot to the floor.
"We're playing dumb, aren't we? But that's why I am here to remind you." He got closer and threw some documents on the table. "Can you explain what that is?"
Elena still smiling picked up the documents and when she opened it, she found sketches of interior design Ben had presented to her a few days. She didn't lose the smile on her face.
"Our client called me this morning to say that he thinks the designs that were given to him don't match his home. He doesn't like them." He laughed angrily. "I was surprised because I know my son's designs are amazing and the client loved them when I pitched the idea. So I asked for a copy and guess what I had found... my precious wife had gone behind my back, invited my son to the company and not only insulted his designs but also convinced our client to have them changed."
Elena lost the smile on her face, gripping the designs in her hands. She was so mad she saw red.
"Do you know how bad that is for the reputation of my company." He yelled. "I built this company on blood and sweat so don't you dare mess it up for me, Elena. That client is very important to me."
"That little bastard." She screamed, throwing the papers on the floor. "He told you, didn't he? Trying to paint me black as the evil step mother, right? And you're listening to him?"
"No, Elena." He chuckled angrily. "Ben has never uttered a single word to me about what you did to him. I have talked to him each day and not once did he say a word against you. It's you, Elena." He pointed at her. "You're the only with a messed mind. All this hatred for a boy that has never done anything to you, it's ruining everything around you. And you can't see it because..."
"Don't insult me, Jerome." She snapped, her jaws shaking like there was an earthquake going on there. "I did what I thought was right for our client. Those designs weren't good compared to what I had sent to him. He agreed."
"You know you're lying, Elena." He angrily shook his head. "No one, not even the best interior designers at my empire can beat Ben's talent. He's a natural and his designs are always top notch. But you can't see past your hatred and give this boy a chance who loves you so much and always tries his best to impress you. He just wants a mother in you."
Elena hissed and clenched her hands at her sides.
"But guess what, you failed." He laughed in mock. "Because the client wants those designs you rejected and I have already sent them to him. So you can't stop what's destined to happen. And if you were so concerned about the welfare of our company, why didn't you do the same to Jim? You never asked him to present anything."
"My son is good at what he does and you know it."
"I am not doubting. But I am not favoring one son over another. I appreciate both my sons' talents and I try my possible best to make them feel good about that. But for you, it's a different story."
Elena's anger was overboiling. She felt her whole body get hot and tears built in her eyes.
"At least, I never cheated on you. I never brought home a bastard child." She said in between clenched teeth. "You expect me to appreciate that son of a whore? Never, Jerome. I will never do that. As far as I am concerned, there's only one legitimate Henandez and that is Jim."
Jerome laughed, shaking his head. "That's your theory, Elena and you're entitled to it. I know I messed up and I have been regretting that but hurt me, do anything bad to me. But leave that poor boy out of this. Hasn't he been through enough already in your hands? What ever you do, Ben is my flesh and blood and nothing is gonna change that. Whether you accept it or not, he is gonna run this empire together with Jim." He got closer and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I might burn in hell for cheating on you when I die, but I will make sure that my son lives a very comfortable life."
With those words, he rushed upstairs, leaving Elena standing there like a statue trembling in anger.
Elena's heart was racing and the blood in her veins felt like poison pumping her up. Her hatred had now moved to another level as each and every word Jerome had said to her played like there were on repeat.
"You've won this time, Ben." She said under her breath. "But as long as I live, you'll never be happy in this life. Wait and watch how I make you cry on an important day. Then you'll know that I am not to be messed with. You shall pay for every word that Jerome uttered here today."
An evil grin appeared on her face.
"I promise."
***
David was running fast, feeling his whole body working, his leg muscles running warm. Fresh air entered his lungs and blood flowed into all his limbs. His eyes were focused, staring straight but he knew damn well he couldn't see a thing. There were air pods in his ears as "Bad blood" played at full blast.
He kept on reliving each moment that he had encountered the boy. How nice he had seemed, the calmness with which he walked and that smile. Thinking about the smile got his heart racing a million miles and his breaths came out in gasps.
He pressed the button and slowed the treadmill until he stopped it. Sweat was dripping down his muscular body, making him look even sexier. He was shirtless with only a white short and some runners. David was at the gym that he had discovered. It was luxurious and he loved that there were only a few people. Guess that was the price of being expensive.
