Chapter 239 POISON 3
"It's not me, I'm as a victim as you are in this. Mother said we'd eventually fall in love along the line." Claire said sitting next to Damien in the garden, he was still too young to rebel against his father's wish plus he's never done that before.
"You know I've always liked you since second grade." Claire blurted out. If they were going to get married just as she planned, then she was ready to be open with him, to tell him about how she felt for him. "So?" Came his cold reply. Claire felt bad but quickly brushed it off, she was with him now, and no one can take him away anymore.
"Sir, it's time for your training." An advanced man appeared in the garden, his hair was arranged backward so were his hands which were kept backward. He's the same butler that welcomed Florence and Claire when they arrived earlier. All through her stay in the Rival's mansion, the workers she's met have been nothing but so polite and respectful. She felt like she already belonged in this mansion.
"Oh, thanks portifer." Damien got up and left the girl in the garden without a word. He wanted it to be obvious he didn't like her and would never, but Claire didn't get the information he was passing out. This is just the start, he'd eventually end up liking her, she thought to herself as she watched him walk away. "Young miss." The butler drew her attention to himself, "Madam wants you in for tea." Portifer announced and walked away.
While at the tea party, Claire sat next to her mother-in-law to be, Agnes liked the girl already being that she's a beautiful girl with special jade green eyes which appeared to be so rare in their city. Claire has always been that beautiful girl with sharp features, one look at her and you're already attached to her, unlike Elsa whose features were simple yet so attractive.
Agnes knew her son would warm up to the girl eventually and they'd be happy together, Damien is one stubborn child that rejects people at first but warms up to them along the line. She was positive Claire was the right girl for her son. "You're such a beautiful girl, I know I'd have wonderful grandkids considering how beautiful their mother is." She complemented to see the girl blush.
Such innocence, "Why did you skip your graduation no one saw you there?" Agnes asked meaningfully. "I asked her to, what's the point in attending that party when you're only going there to get your certificate and party afterward?" Florence cut in sipping from her tea. "Yes you're right, that's useless, but considering your profession, don't you think you need to be social?" Agnes asked again.
"Yes, aunty I'm already a social bird wherever I go," Claire responded proudly to earn a chuckle from both women. "You should call me mother sweetheart, in two weeks that's what we'd be, mother and daughter," Agnes stated, she's craved for a daughter and now she's been blessed with one. "In two weeks?" Shocked Claire asked agape. "Yes love, since you both will be going to college soon and into the outside world, it's best you get married as quickly as possible so he doesn't or you don't find someone else," Florence explained.
All she wanted was for her girl to be happy, from the little view she got of them, it was clear Damien doesn't like her. The last thing she wants is for her little girl to go through the same pain she went through at the hands of Antonio. He knew she liked him but decided to pick her step sister rather.
First love is something that never dies, she still feels the same way about him till this date, even while married to George, she felt the same, now she's married to Harbetto, she still feels the same way. She's tried to kill her stupid feelings for him, but she couldn't, that is why she wouldn't want her child to go through the same thing she went through. To be unecceserily bitter for nothing, you'd have hate in your heart and crave their death.
"I and your mother have already decided you'd stay here from now on, starting from today," Agnes stated.
.
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Stepping into the study room, Elsa and Jesse greeted everyone in the room with head gestures including Maisha who didn't spare them a glance. She just recovered from the shock of life, she was almost caught by them but it's a good thing she was quick to blame a maid who's been set as an example for others to follow.
Her eyes were glued to the floor, not cause she didn't want to lift them, but cause of the pair of black eyes staring intently at her. She couldn't understand why he was staring at her in that manner, but she couldn't keep up with his intimidating eyes. Staring at his stepmother, he recalled Raf's mother who has become almost forgotten, he wondered if she was doing okay, maybe he could visit before he leaves.
While in his thoughts he noticed his wife step in, Elsa will never let him go especially after learning about what had happened. He'd definitely kill Carlos for spilling, he didn't know why that man couldn't keep his mouth shut when it came to her. All Elsa wanted to do was hug the man before her and tell him everything would be fine. She wanted to comfort him in any way she could just as he did for her.
She knew the feelings of losing a parent, she knew how hurt she felt when she thought she lost both her parents. She could only imagine the pain Liam was going through at his father's death, "I'm sorry for your father." She whispered and hugged him placing her head on his chest. She cared less about the people in the room at that moment, Liam meant more to her than anyone else.
"Who told you about this." He spoke so softly arranging the hair that got to her face, "Carlos did and mum confirmed. I'm so sorry, how are you feeling Liam? This must be hurtful. Father was a good man." She sobbed, "He's not dead love." She was the only one he saw in the room at the moment, the only thing that mattered at that point. The only person he wanted to see. "He's not dead?" Her question came in almost a whisper and her lips curled into a smile.
Maisha finally found the freedom to move a little, she stared at her daughter-in-law, the last they all saw her is different from now. She's grown now, fitting her stepson perfectly, it's no news of Liam's likeness towards her she meant a lot to him as he was to her. It made her recall her little self, only that the man she loved died.
"Our car broke down on our way here, and Rafael gave us a ride." She said escorting him to their room, she missed this mansion so much but they had to move out the moment she got comfortable. "Hmm." He hummed pushing the door open, "The letter came in yesterday to my daddy, I've been accepted by the school." "And Jesse?" He asked stepping into his study room and she followed suit.
"She got in too, we'll be leaving in like a month," Elsa added. She still hasn't understood why Liam had to take her far away, though Antonio said he asked for it, Elsa still didn't like the idea. "That calls for a celebration then." He took out a wine poured it into two different glasses and headed one over to her. He saw her hesitate a bit, "Go on, you're with me." Elsa smiled taking a sip. The wine was so sweet that had her drinking more, going for the next glass, and the next, and the next, till he eventually stopped her.
She turned a bit tipsy, but sane enough to make decisions. "Do you want to stay here tonight? I can still take you home if that's what you want?" He asked to see her shake her head, "No, I'll stay anywhere you are." He smiled. As if recalling something, Liam deeped his hands into his pocket and brought out a gold necklace, sitting next to her, and placed it around her neck before tying her hair.
Picking shiny things for her has become a habit for him now, she gets a present from him daily, it was either he was the one presenting the gifts or his assistant was. There were so many she was yet to wear but she's kept them for the right occasions.
He made sure she was comfortable before heading out of the mansion. As he thought before, it was time to talk to Raf's mother and know who she is to his father.
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"I'm sorry Madam, but master Liam has instructed that no member of the family present the day Master got poisoned are allowed to serve him anymore till he gets better," Wadsworth said most politely ever with a bow. "That's nonsense, how can Liam suspect us? Why would we want to kill my husband?" She asked getting furious even if she knew the truth.
"I'm so sorry Madam, but I cannot go against master's wish," Wadsworth stated. The person who tried to poison Donovan was still roaming around the mansion, which he was sure of, so it was better they entrusted all of Donovan's meals to a trusted person than risk things again.
At this point, even the members of the family were not to be trusted especially his ranting madam. She's forgotten she could be a major suspect especially after she single-handedly prepared his tea herself that morning. Luckily his master was recovering fast.