"You're unbelievable…"
He finally muttered, voice tight with irritation.
"Why didn't you call the driver?"
And that's when it all came back.
The phone.... Right... The small back one he handed to me in passing this morning while listing five other things at once.
The one I shoved into my drawer and completely forgot about two minutes later.
Shit!
"I….." I started but he cut me off immediately.
"I gave you a phone this morning, a dedicated line for your driver. How did that even slip your mind?" He yelled angrily.
"I... didn't think."
"Are you that forgetful or just...… never mind." He sighs irritated
"I just... I've been running around all day doing a hundred things. You didn't exactly give me breathing space." I yelled back.
"Because you wasted time chit chatting... Leaving without telling me.... Coming back late." He retorted.
"Seriously? You think I wanted to stay that long? You kept piling things on. You turned me into your errand machine!" I screeched back.
"Watch your tone." He cut back voice calmer but more terrifying.
"No!" I bit back
"I'm not going to let you keep talking to me like I'm some idiot!"
The tires squealed slightly as he turned abruptly into a quieter side street and slammed the brakes.
He shifted in his seat slowly facing me his expression stoic.
"Don't forget who's wife you are... you belong to me now. Every minute of your day, your job, your life.... Mine."
"So I suggest you bring that tone down when talking to me or you'll find out just how dangerous I could be."
And he added so casually like a slap.
"Remember the family you're trying so hard to protect. I'm sure they wouldn't want any trouble."
Tears welled up before I could even stop them... my lips trembled and I cursed my weakness, biting down on the urge to cry. I always cried when overwhelmed and I hated it.
I turned my face toward the window, blinking fast.
I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing my tears.
...…..
The bar... dim.... Warm.... Happy empty.
I sat across Tobi in a corner booth nursing a drink I've barely touched.
His expression is tight, jaw clenched, eyes watching me like I'll break in seconds
"How are things now? Have you gotten any lead so far on the issue? What your family did? What this is all about?"
"He's so discreet, I still have no idea what's going on. But I know he has something to do with the business crumbling." I whispered sadly.
"What?" Tobi gasped face in shock.
"He didn't admit it but the timing....the sudden fall, the fact that he owns the building our company had dealt with….. it's too perfect. He wanted control, and now he has it." I added.
"Then why the hell marry you?" Tobi whisper yelled.
"He's a billionaire, handsome, famous, every woman's wet dream even if he's the devil under all that Armani."he continued
"He could destroy your family with a phone call... turn your lives to dust. Why this long game? What's the logic?"
"Exactly..... that's what's been driving me insane. If he wanted to ruin us he could've done it and moved on but he married me, and he looks at me like I'm the reason he can't sleep at night, like I owe him something I can't remember giving." I sighed
"You think there's more to it?" He asked
"There has to be, I just don't know what. Something is missing." I replied
He didn't respond for a beat..... just studied me.
"If you want to leave Li...the offers still on the table."
The thought of escape was tempting but reality hit me like a wall.
"What happens to my parents if I run? I know they're not perfect and had made choices that hurt me but they still took me in.... Raised me, gave me this beautiful life I have now." I whispered
"You're talking like you owe them your entire life."
"Sometimes it feels like I do" I whispered back.
"You've been repaying them your whole damn life. You gave up opportunities, bent over backwards to be easy. Tried to shrink yourself so no one would have to deal with you." Tobi whispered holding my hand
"You act like ADHD makes you a burden. Like you're lucky anyone's even putting up with you."
"You are not a burden, you are not broken. And you sure as hell don't deserve to be thrown into another mess just because they need saving again." He added bitterly.
"You can't keep doing this to yourself."
"You've not even recovered from the first one now this." Tobi sighed sadly.
...
TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.
We stood inside the expensive lingerie store in our high school uniforms.
Bianca was getting a lingerie, and got one for me, she says in case I'm ready to explore I can wear one. I was panicking as dad and mom were out of town and we are supposed to be home by now. I actually blame myself for all this because if I didn't agree to Come with her to the lingerie shop just to prove to her that I can be the fun, mature, classy sister she wants, and now I'm in this mess.
Dad will be home soon and Bianca is still trying different lingerie options.
"We'll get in trouble if we don't call robin" I whispered fearfully.
"He's supposed to take us home and you can't drive properly" I added
"They aren't even home...…." She yelled angrily.
"Why are you such a klll joy? You should be happy you'll finally own something sexy for once in your life." She added bitterly
"I….." I kept quiet not wanting to anger her more.
....
"Sis you're driving too fast...…" I panicked again, clutching my hands with the seatbelt.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? Where did they even pick you from?"
"Sis….. I"
"Stop calling me that.... I'm not your sister and we are not your family. So just shut the F up and don't distract me."
"I'm sorry...." I whispered.
After some minutes of driving we both knew it. We've lost our way.