CHAPTER TWO

My heart sank the moment I heard the new news that bustled around the house. News of pain and torture because they saw my mother in her bedroom crying her heart out. I was no different, I did my usual; sink myself in the bathtub while searching for words to say and the questions to ask. Plus a usual dull dress.

I will do my best to win the battle this time.

'Remember, don't eat anything he offers. Its either a drug or poison. Be cautious of who is in the room with him lest they beat your strength and put you down...…' I reminded myself.

I entered the car he had sent to fetch me and was wide awake the whole journey towards his mansion. I would let him speak what he wants then get out and head to my meeting. This time round, it was a dinner night with the dreaded man my world has ever known.

Tan wanted me to be present in his family dinner. Wasn't that great? Whatever lies he throws at me in the presence of his family, I will throw back with comebacks thrice the price of his.

The lights had been dimmed and the dining room graced with bright coloured candles and a dimmed chandelier low above the centre of the table. Four people were seated at the table; two women and two men. I thought we had no guests today.

"Welcome dear, come sit beside me," Tan said.

"You are out of your mind," I spoke then smiled, "oh how wonderful to have guests today. Sellah, Esther you may as well go to your homes now, theres no dinner here for you."

"Do you have to make all their decisions," he said all the while Isaiah was quiet in his chair, "lets talk like the future leaders of the next generation would."

"What do you know about the next generation. You are the demon here, how would the next generation survive?" its not even a question.

"So you know so much about the next generation, huh,"

"Give me the topic of discussion or else I will turn and leave. I am truly wasting my precious time here,"

"If you don't sit down," he paused, am sure ready to put another threat across, "you will lose your contract with Branc Enterprises." I slowly took a seat near my sisters, at least it was further away from him.

There were maids around who brought in food when Tan rang a bell. They served it, luscious sweet smelling food, that I pushed away from me with a finger, took a clean empty plate and covered it.

"Why wont you eat?" he cooed as if concerned.

"Smells like rotten eggs and dead swine," I answered back.

"You have a deadly ego young woman," he said.

"And it has been of use to me more than you ever were," wasn't that nice"

"Ezna please eat, and also listen to what he has to say," Esther said looking at me, her hands trembling. I did not listen to her.

"Esther dear, don't entertain men who want to use you and damp you out just because they have money and authority to use at their own bidding," I turned to address Tan, "unless you give me the respect I deserve Mr McCreed, I wont give you mine."

"Don't do this Ez you will lose your contract and you know what it really means to you. Please," Sellah begged.

"I cant because I don't know if there is a drug in that food, there might be weed. Plus I care so much in the health of my sisters and mine than money," I told her, "and I am not leaving this place without the two of you."

"We cant...... we will lose our jobs Ez," Esther cried. She never hides it, her face was soaked in tears. And Sellah started a second later.

I almost cried too, it hurts to see them cry.

"Ok, its alright, I will eat," I saw the beam on Tan's face, "only if I go back to the kitchen and make my own food." He frowned.

I did well, didn't I? It is good to see a man who humiliates women of every age fall. Ok, really that's the far I could go.

"So this is how you treat all your friends, force them into dinners to threaten them," Isaiah's voice was heard as he stood up from his seat, "You kill people Tan. You are living our father's life.....no.....your father's. And you are transforming into the worst version of him. You are letting these innocent women walk away and they will reach their homes safely." He was really angry, I could tell.

"Hey Isaiah, we were playing a game. Its not serious," Tan said, he sounded so submissive.

"You know what, I am leaving with them and I will leave them to their homes....unharmed," he said and left the room but Tan followed him.

I don't really see the need to wait for him, I do not trust any of them. My instincts tell me that Isaiah is the very worst version of his father. This was a run, and he provided the right distraction. I cant stand the face of Tan and I cant let my sister fall into some trouble I don't understand.

Whatever happened to Tan in his early days does not mean he has to put us through more pain. He is the worst billionaire I have ever met in my entire life.

A maid had accompanied us out and asked the driver to drop us at home safe as per the master's command. That was not true at all. And I did not trust that but had no choice since my sisters had pulled me in and the car moved with ease to the gate. For your information, the gate was as far as a ten minute drive. He was this rich since he had a forest of pine planted around the home with guards in. No one can manage to break into the house.