Beauty And The Beast – Episode 26
INSERT 26
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DENISHA
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I arrived at work and the first thing my eyes caught wasn’t what I expected to see at all.
My husband was in a conversation who the very woman who tried to frame me for what I didn’t do and from the looks of it, it was really obvious that they were enjoying whatever conversation they were having.
I don’t know why I’m feeling jealous about a woman who’s already married with a child.
Maybe it’s because she looks exactly like Amber or because my husband was madly in love with Amber.
Whichever was the case then it’s not favourable to me at all.
I shook my head in disappointment.
All this while, I actually thought that he misses me or would probably call me to ask how I was faring or maybe to apologize so that we could get back together but no, it’s the complete opposite.
I wish I could fall out of love with this guy but sadly I can’t.
I love him way too much to let go or I thought I did.
What was I thinking?
I approached them but he didn’t seem to notice cause he was enjoying his little chit chat.
“So this is it right!” I asked when I finally got closer and that’s when he noticed me.
“No calls, no text, no form of communication and I come here to find you having a great time with Amber’s lookalike?” I continued and shot her a cold stare but she remained calm like she didn’t have the slightest idea of what I was talking about. “I never asked you to leave. you did that out of your own free will. you’re old enough to make decisions Denisha and if walking out of our daughter’s life because of some silly assumptions is the best thing to do then so be it” he fired back and I scoff
“And who caused that huh? Answer me? how was I supposed to react when you chose her over me? Whatever happened to us was because of your silly decisions” I spat.
“You’re just being jealous Denisha. get over yourself. You caused whatever happened. don’t pin it on me”
“You know what? mother was right, I made a mistake falling in love with you and don’t ever bother about me cause I’m safe in mom’s house. Just bring Ivy to see me when she wants to” I spat
“I think I should leave” Bella announced and I gagged
“oh wow. why not leave till after the show is over. you started it in the first place” “Aren’t you a little old for all this drama? please don’t be jealous of me director or one day, you might kill yourself” she Said I found myself getting angry. “What did you say?”
she rolled her eyes at me “Nothing you should bother about.”
.
She responds rudely and turns to face Chad.
“I’ll be inside my office. I organized a board meeting today for a new design so I should go get ready”
“Sure Bella. we’ll talk later” He tells her, both of them completely ignoring me like I didn’t exist.
She marched out of our sight swaying her hips in the process.
she’s doing this on purpose. she’s trying to seduce my husband.
“And where do you think you’re going?” I ask Chad when I noticed him trying to
walk out on me.
“My office”
“Your office or your whore’s office?” I replied bluntly “At least it’s better than standing here with you” “I hate you Chad” I yell
“I’m glad. the feeling is mutual” he said and stormed off.
I quickly brought out my phone to make a call.
.
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AMBER
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“Hello”
“Hey you. how are you?” he asked at the other end of the line. “Good. I’m getting ready for my meeting” I announced “You’ll do great”
I smile “I called for a different reason though”
“Which is”
I sigh, audible enough for him to hear “I need your help. I want us to go
somewhere” I add.
“But where?”
“I’ll text you the address immediately I’m done with the call.”
“OK. I’ll be waiting” he said and I disconnected the call.
.
I arranged my stuff and was accompanied by the my co workers for the meeting.
Tasha wasn’t there but Miguel and Denisha were present.
I introduced my design and went further with the presentations.
“I’m Bella and I’m the New design team’s leader. The design I’m introducing to you was inspired by my daughter so I’d love to call this line WISHES” I said and everyone clapped.
I shared the paper with the drawing to everyone so that they could get a closer look.
“It’s remarkable. we haven’t had anything like this in years” someone commented “Thank you. This design will be delicate and will be sourced with locally produced materials”
“Sorry to say but here at MYERS PRESTIGE, we’re known for using the best kind of materials which are usually produced internationally. Are you trying to help the company loose funds and values? What’s the use of producing a design that doesn’t reflect who we are and what we’re built for in the first place?” Denisha countered but I only smile.
“Sorry to say this Director but we’re equally capable of producing such materials here at a better quality and a cheaper price. Going for materials produced internationally might be of great risk to us cause for starters, the company is loosing money and we can’t afford it” I paused at looked at my listeners who were engrossed and nodding their heads to show approval so I continued “And if we can source this materials locally then we are bringing the labour market close to us so in a way we’re making money and also creating jobs for the people as well” I add “Ride on Bella” Chad remarked and I nod while Denisha frowned at the comment. “thank you sir. And the major reason I came up with this decision was because it’ll bring us more closer to local buyers since anyone and everyone can buy or earn a living with this design. So we’ll trend internationally and we’ll be recognized locally. And MYERS PRESTIGE wasn’t built to be recognized by a selected few but the world at large ranging from the rich to the middle class or average people and also the poor. thank you” I said and they applauded my speech.
I took my seat afterwards while they came up with a decision.
“I believe i speak in everyone’s favour when I say that the presentation was nice and also the purpose of the design so the board has given you the approval to commence work on your new project”
I heaved in relief “thank you everyone. I won’t let you down”
.
“Congratulations Bella”
“Thank you” I replied for the umpteenth time.
“Great Job” Chad tells me
“Thank you”
“Chad honey” someone called and I turned to see the person.
She froze the minute her eyes landed on mine.
I tried not to act surprised or affected.
“A-Amber?” she stuttered and I noticed Denisha’s eyes on me the entire time.
“Hi mom” Chad greeted, pecking her cheeks
“Amber is here?” she asked like someone who just saw a ghost.
“Mom this is Bella Ramirez. she works here and Bella, this is my mother” he introduced us.
I extended my hands to her “Hello. I’m Bella, nice to meet you”
She hesitated before taking it.
I slowly removed my hands from hers since she doesn’t want to let go.
“I’m sorry about that. you have a striking resemblance with Amber so that’s why she called you her name” he explained but I nod with a smile.
“I better get going now” I say and started walking to the direction of my office.
“Amber” I heard her call again but I simply ignored and walked away.
.
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CHAD
.
“She’s not Amber mother please get over it” I tell my mother who has been acting off after her encounter with Bella.
“Is it even possible for two people to look exactly alike?”
“Mother please—”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell him but no one wants to pay any attention to me.” Denisha chips in “I agree that she’s like the renovated model of Amber but still”
“That’s enough Denisha. just admit that you’ve been jealous ever since she got here” I say and she rolls her eye.
“Anyways, why are you here?” I asked and her face brightens up a little.
“I got a call from Denisha saying that you’ve both been having problems and you’ve been avoiding her. even when she tried to reach out to you” “What?”
“Chad please, I know you both got married under different circumstances but that doesn’t mean you should treat like like trash. she’s not only the mother of your child but also your wife as well. you have a bond whether you accept it or not” “But mother that’s not even what happened” I protest
“I don’t care what happened, when it happened or how it happened but I refuse to let my grandchild grow up without a mother. you think marriage is easy?” she asked “Do you think there was never a time when your dad and I had problems and I just felt like walking away, well I didn’t and not because I couldn’t but because I didn’t. I didn’t want you growing up without a mother so I stayed. do you understand?’
‘yes mother” I reply
“Thank you mom” Denisha said and I gave her a evil stare “I’m glad you came to talk some sense into him”
“Glad I could be of help. Anyways I should take my leave” she announced “Great. I’ll call you”
“Chad, aren’t you going to tell your mother goodbye?”
“Bye mom”
“Bye” she said and walked out of the office leaving me with the devil.
“You should listen to your mother. she’s obviously the only person who reasons among us”
“Just because she scolded me because of you doesn’t mean that things will be fine
and settled between us”
“Chad”
“everything I’ve done till today is to please my mother and sadly because of you
she almost got mad at me. Denisha I don’t care if you come back home or not but
just bear it in mind that we are through”
she gasped
“Chad!”
“The only relationship you have in that house is with our little girl so from today, annulment or not, I seize to be your husband. now get the fuck out of my office” “But Chad—”
“Now” I yelled and she gave me one last look before rushing out and slamming the door while I sighed and fell back on my chair. .