Locked Room

[ Trigger warning ⚠️ Readers discretion is advised ]

~ Outside Lá Cafe ~

" Secretary! Drive me to the office", He yells at his secretary.

Benedict's sudden outburst startled his secretary, who obediently nodded and followed his boss into the car. The secretary trembled, thinking, "I'm done for today."

As they drove, Benedict's stern expression remained, and he thought to himself, "I'm not feeling like myself today."

~ Magnificent Entertainment ~

Upon reaching the office, Benedict stormed into his office, his steps full of purpose.

He sharply instructed his secretary, "Fetch me some antacid."

The secretary, concerned, questioned, "Boss, do you have indigestion?"

Benedict pointed to his chest and replied, "Yes, right here. It feels like a burning sensation. Get it quickly."

The secretary rushed to the office's medical supplies section to procure the antacid tablets and syrups. On his way there, Timmy, the Vice President of the company, intercepted him, curious about Benedict's unusual behavior.

" Hey, Mr. Secretary, it's been a while since I have seen you so tense. Where are you running off to? "

The secretary, trying to catch his breath, replied, "Boss needs antacid urgently."

Timmy, taken aback, responded, "Antacid? I've never heard of him having such issues. Where is he now?"

The secretary replied, "Boss is in his office on the 25th floor. If you don't mind, I'll continue."

" Yes you do your work. "

Timmy decided to visit Benedict to check on his friend's well-being. Along the way, he overheard Benedict shouting at a new intern who had fled from his office in tears.

Knocking on the door, Timmy entered and asked, "Can I come in, Chairman?"

Benedict, his tone strained, permitted him, "Yes, enter."

Timmy expressed concern, "Ben, what's going on? Why did you shout at the new intern? This isn't like you."

Benedict grumbled, "I'm irritated. Where's that secretary? He's been gone for six minutes!"

Timmy tried to calm him, saying, "Ben, this is the office, not your villa."

Benedict retorted, "So what? I'm not feeling well, and she wants to take leave right after joining? I've got heartburn."

"Bro calm down, tell me what happened? "

" That dumb Peony! " , He yells and suddenly softens his tone, " That girl is getting dumber! She got cheated and now she goes with him? She wasn't like that! "

Timmy, now understanding the source of Benedict's irritation, laughed heartily.

" What? Are you mocking me right now? "

Timmy clarified, "Not mocking, just amused. Antacid for heartburn? That's quite dramatic."

He laughs and thinks in his head " That's fcking jealousy bro! ".

Benedict, still agitated, responded, "Yeah?"

Timmy, ready to leave, said, "You figure it out. I'm heading out."

Benedict sighed, "Wait, Tim, I need your help."

Timmy agreed, "Sure, Ben, what do you need?"

Benedict explained, "Find and send me profiles of people in the company who studied at our high school. Arrange them by the year they graduated."

" I will get it done. Before that apologize to the intern and all others whom you poured your anger on."

" Are you the boss or me? "

" I'm your best bro, what's the use if you don't listen to me? "

Benedict, feeling remorseful, finally relented, "Fine! I'm in the wrong here. Just go."

Timmy leaves his room.

As Timmy exited, Benedict's secretary returned with the antacid tablets and syrups.

" Secretary, send this to the intern. I have signed her leave and tell her I'm sorry. And I'm sorry to you as well. ", Benedict finally cools down.

" I will let her know. It's not a big deal Boss. I know you think about all of us and that is the reason we all work for you. I have also reminded Mr. Lee about sending the divorce proceedings to Mr. Garret. "

" Thank you for your hard work. "

" My pleasure Boss. " The secretary takes his leave.

He gulps the syrup like an apple juice and rubs his chest saying, " Sour. "

~ Gonzalez Residence ~

" Welcome my daughter in law. What a pleasant surprise! ", Mrs. Gonzalez welcomed Peony with exaggerated enthusiasm as soon as Garret and Peony enter the residence.

Peony, however, responded with a forced smile, saying, "The pleasure is all mine, Mother-in-law."

"Peony, you will not leave me right?", Garret continues telling her that.

"Oh my poor son. What did you do to him? ", Mrs Gonzalez comes forward and hugs them and whispers in Peony's ears, " Quite the shameless one aren't you? Still came here sniffing the rich!"

Peony in return whispers, "Mother-in-law you're quite mistaken, unlike a certain someone who separates a complete family to snatch her position, my reputation is not up to the mark. I'm even surprised that someone has the guts to greet me after that shameful video or was it your doing?"

Mrs. Gonzalez fumes in anger. She always hated Peony. Ever since Peony started going out with Garret, he improved himself bit by bit.

He gave up on his alcohol addiction. He started taking counselling sessions and went against his step mother's wishes to score in the top 10 in his academy during graduation. Mr. Gonzalez was so impressed that he gifted him a Jaguar in his name.

Every time she tried to manipulate Garret, Peony had a way to thwart her actions. But this time she played so meticulously that even Peony doesn't have the heart to support anymore. She thought he could be dumb, easily manipulated but can never hurt her. But she was mistaken.

No matter what, a person should have a spine to understand a basic right from wrong and act accordingly. But this time after forgiving and forgetting many of his actions he finally broke her trust.

The poison that is being created in his mind everyday is much greater than her love for him that he couldn't control his desires. She finally failed after all these challenges.

She fakes her smile and speaks in an extra sweet tone, " What are you saying my daughter? You missed me so much dear. "

" Mom, will you even let us in? ", Garret smiles at her.

" Oh my look at me. Come inside. Dear new bride, this is your home from now on. ", Mrs Gonzalez greets.

" Thank you so much for doing so much Mother-in-law. I really missed your sweet voice. ", She is insinuating her.

She turns to Garret and says, " Are you taking your meds? "

"I will not take any meds. You will leave me as soon as I have it right?"

"Just take your meds, otherwise I will leave you."

Garret goes to his room. In the meantime Mrs Gonzalez asks Peony roughly, " What do you mean by done by me? "

"Not even a minute and you're back to your old self? Don't tell me you don't know! Didn't you want the video to be played?"

"Why would I do that? Why will I ruin my family's reputation for your stupid marriage?"

"Don't act smart Mrs Gonzalez. I know you very well, you didn't want us to get married and also wanted to humiliate me."

"Why would I do that to just humiliate you huh? I don't have enough time. See, whatever happened is for your own good. And don't try to search the past.", Mrs Gonzalez' expression darkens as she threatens her.

"You have your reasons. You wanted to kill 2 birds with one stone. One, the board will never want Garret to take over Gonzalez family business and Two for me to not marry him so that I don't expose you right?"

"You shouldn't underestimate your nemesis, Dear Peony. I'm clean. What do you want to expose about finding what's gone 26 years ago? No one will believe you Peony, no one.", She laughs wildly.

"Well, looking at how you aren't even denying outright and instead asking me the reasons, I'm pretty sure it was you who played the video at the venue. But why didn't you play it earlier?"

"Didn't I say you're too young to plot against me? Even if you're correct in your first reason, you're off about the second. Just think, why would I let someone go who collects evidence against me?", Her face darkens as her grin broadens.

Peony trembled, "Wh..what do you mean?" Her vulnerability was evident as the conversation took a sinister turn.

At the same time Garret asks rudely, "Peony! You signed the divorce papers? You agreed to divorce me? I just received a call from Mr. Lee. Did you come with me just to give me the news of your divorce and run away with that man! I will lock you up. You will never escape me."

"Well, well. Isn't it the day you fulfil your marital duties? How about you both staying together?", Mrs. Gonzalez smirks, smiling at her.

Garret grins , "Yes mom, you're right! Today is the day isn't it! We should perform our marital rights."

Peony screams loud, "What are you saying? Snap out of it Garret! You're out of your mind!"

Mrs Gonzalez pushes her into Garret's arms, "She is all yours son."

"Yes, she can only be mine." He grabs her waist and drags her to his room.

Peony screams and cries, "No...No! Don't come near me! I need to go home."

While, Mrs. Gonzalez locks the door from the outside and laughs as she says , "Moth also flaps its wings until the flame burns it whole. You're just like a moth and I lit the fire."