It was our maid whom we sacked a year ago. I knew there was another lady but I didn't once think that it could be the maid. “Sara?” I called unbelievably.
“Oh please! Don't act so naive. My name is Emma” She rolled her eyes and looked away.
“Babe, what are you doing here? I told you to wait for me in the room” Brad held her waist and kissed her.
“I just wanted to make sure I talk some sense into her if she's not yielding to leave you” She eyed me.
I chuckled and turned to Brad. “Seriously? A maid”
“Hold it! I'm not a maid. Well, he loved me first but you had to force marriage on him after managing to convince his mother. I just had to act as a maid and be with my man and you believed like the fool that you are” She sneered.
Yes, I was a fool. I agree but not anymore. I removed the ring that has stayed on my fingers for four straight years and threw it on him. “Have a good life” I walked out of the room for them.
“Baby! We are finally free” Emma squealed.
I heard them jam palms together. They both planned the murder of my baby. “It's not the time to be weak” I wiped the tear traces on my cheeks.
★
That night, as I packed my bags, I could hear their voices everywhere in the mansion. They played loud music and shouted at the top of their voices, something Brandon has never done with me. In fact, anytime I play music that is too loud, he told me that I am inelegant and not sophisticated.
I managed to block the deafening sound from my ears as I continued packing. I made sure to leave all the dresses he bought for me. The wedding anniversary gifts that he grudgingly brings home and throws at me while I catch it, thinking it was fun not knowing I was at the receiving end of degradation. I finished packing my things and zipped up my mini travelling bag.
The music has stopped now but I could hear heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. “Baby, take me right now” I heard Sara's sultry and drunken voice. They must have been so happy to get rid of me.
“Yes darling. You want me, don't you?” My eyes widened as I listened to his sweet, deep and seductive voice. He has never acted like this with me. My matrimonial bed is a tug of seriousness and starts to finish with no sort of kinky romance to spice anything up. I thought that was the norm. Their loud moans and groans intruded my thoughts. Tears welled in my eyes once more. Brandon never makes any sound when he's with me and when I moan he says I sound like a dragon so I stopped making any sound too.
I picked up the phone I had abandoned inside my suitcase and switched it on. My finger lingered on the screen for a while. “What are you doing? Press the button!” My subconscious yelled at me. I went to the call log and dialed a number that I didn't know I would dial in years to come. The call got picked on the first ring. “I'm coming home tomorrow”
“This has always been your home, ma'am. You're welcome anytime” The receiver replied. With that being said, I ended the call. Few minutes later, a flight ticket was sent to my phone. I stared at it and for some reason, I cried for my baby.
★
“Welcome boss…welcome milady…welcome ma'am” The guards and maids who were lined up on different rows in the compound all chanted and bowed when they saw me get down from the Rolls-Royce that was sent to pick me up from the airport. “Thank you everyone” I beamed. “Big sister” A tall lanky girl engulfed me in a bone crushing hug. “Amelia?” I called in surprise. “Yes, it is me” She tightened her hold. The Amelia I left four years ago was chubby. How come she's as light as a feather now. I can even carry her and twirl around now. “I miss you” She whimpered, still holding onto me.
“I'm here now” I assured her and broke the hug. She circled her arms around mine and led me to where mum and dad were standing. These people definitely did not age. At that moment, I felt like a prodigal daughter. I know I'm always welcome here but will they really forgive me? I left them to be with a man who doesn't know my worth. “Mum, dad, I'm so…” Before I could finish apologizing, they both engulfed me in a hug at the same time. “You silly child. What have you been through?” Mum sobbed. “Welcome daughter” My dad patted my back calmly. He was trying to hold his tears from falling behind his glasses. Mum's hug lingered on and on. “Maria, let the poor girl breathe in fresh air. She just came back from a long journey” Father opined.
“Well, you weren't there with me when I was pumping her out in the labour room so how would you know how it feels” Mother hugged me tighter. They haven't stopped their childish tantrums. “Well, I was in the toilet pumping out my intestines because I couldn't stand the sight” Father pressed on.
“Well, I went through what you couldn't stand to see” Mother stuck out her tongue. She always wins. Father said nothing and turned to me. “Come on in’ He ushered and turned towards the entrance. “I made your favorite meal” Mother held onto my right arm while Amelia held onto the left one. We all followed dad inside the house while the maids dragged my suitcase behind. Yes, I was loved and pampered at home.
★
During lunch, mother made sure to give me extra servings by herself. “Eat more”
“Come on, mum. She is married to a billionaire, do you think she has been starving?” Amelia rolled her eyes. She's right. I've gone through all sorts of maltreatment and emotional abuse from Brandon but starvation and domestic assault are not included. “You don't look like you feed well” Mother muttered. “I'm fine, mum” I flashed her a reassuring smile. “So, how is your husband? He didn't follow you?” Mum asked.
They didn't know that I got divorced. “I got a divorce”
“Good” Father interjected. He was never in support of our marriage and he tried everything in his capacity to not make it happen but I was hell bent on marrying him. Father was right after all. “Your position in the office is always available” He added. “I will start on Monday, father” I announced. “Eat up” Mum said hurriedly and continued dishing larger portions of food. I felt guilty. I couldn't tell them I had a miscarriage. I felt ashamed too that I had lost in marriage.
