Chapter 14

The atmosphere was really tense in the living room. It seems like Attticus had no issue leaving me to deal with my uncle alone because he left as soon as the burial was done. He only held back to relay some information to Duke and then he was off. I was too bothered trying to think of ways to get rid of my uncle to bother asking Duke what Atticus had told him.

“What are you doing here Uncle, I thought you decided to cut all ties with us, so what are you doing here now?” I asked my uncle. He was sitting on the chair opposite me and was giving me a dirty look but I didn’t care and he knew it was not affecting me

“What do you mean by that question? Of course I would be here for my brother’s burial”

“Then you can leave now that it’s over since that was what you came here for” His Jaw tensed and he clenched his fists as though he was trying to prevent himself from doing something. I raised my brows at that and scoffed

“You should watch your mouth, young lady. I will have you know that I am a lot older than you are” he lifted his fingers to point them at me

“I don’t need to watch my tone because I am not speaking out of line. I just buried my father and I am not in the mood to entertain guests so you should leave because I would like to close the gates” something in my statement may have pissed him off because he stood up and came to stand in front of me.

“Guest? Me? A guest?” I didn’t like the way he was looming over me so I stood up and well so we were both looking each other in the eye

“What else would you be? Family? You gave up that title when you walked out the door and never look back”

“I know why you are doing this..you are trying to push me aside so you can inherit my brother’s company and all that wealth alone” bulls eye. I knew he didn’t just show up out of nowhere because he was sad his brother dearest died.

“And why can’t I do that?” i asked me

“You are a young girl, what do you know about managing such a large amount of wealth?” He practically spat in my face. I moved back a little to avoid being bathed in saliva

“My dad doesn’t think so. I’m sure you aren’t aware that his will says everything is mine so there is nothing for you here, uncle dearest” I taunted him. I loved putting people in their place, pulling the rug from under their feet and also humiliating them, especially people like my uncle. It made me feel good.

“What do you mean by that? Your dad can’t possibly leave everything to you. He knows better than that. You must be lying.” He began to sweat and started pacing the room and I frowned in confusion as I watched him. He looked scared.

“Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you but it’s true. You can ask the lawyer”

“I will go to court for this. There is no way you are having sole ownership of the company.” His behavior was weird. I don’t understand why he was acting like he was in deep trouble but that ain't my business. I just needed him to get out

“That would all be a waste of time because there is no way the court is going to remove the management of the company from Atticus and hand it over to you” I told him and there was a lot of satisfaction as I watched his face scrunch up in confusion as he tried to think about who Atticus was.

“Who is that” he paused his pacing and came to stand in front of me again

“My husband and the CEO of AXIS” I said smugly. Oh how satisfying it was to watch the color drain from his awful face.

“Husband….you are married? How? When?” he stuttered and he was about to grip me but I stepped back so his hands dropped limply to the side

“ yes. My dad, your brother arranged the marriage and gave Atticus full management control of the company” I should deny how it felt good to brag with his name but I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

“I…. it's not possible…i’m in trouble…what do i do now?”

“What do you mean by that? Are you in trouble Uncle Jason? Is that why you want to put your filthy fingers in dad’s company?” I practically screeched as realization dawned on me

“Heyyy… don’t insult me?” He shouted at me and I cannot deny it, my heart almost leaped out of my heart in fear because I thought he was going to hit me and I wasn’t the only one. One of the guards we had stationed outside calmed in to assess the situation.

“You are gambling again, aren’t you? And you wanted to pay the debts with my father’s money. You are such a scum” looking at him irritated me. I was so close to crying. I may suspected that he came for the money but it still hurt to know that he didn’t show up because he missed his brother but because he wanted the money

“It’s just a small amount, Hazel. I stopped, I promise. It was just one time and I didn’t expect to lose.” He tried to explain. He wanted to touch me and once again, I stepped away from his touch

“You can’t lie to me. I know you never stopped.”

“Okay fine, I never stopped. What’s it to you?” He began yelling again and this time he looked like a rabid dog with hands thrown in the air, wide eyes and harsh pants escaping from between his lips.

“It’s nothing to me, that’s why I want you to leave. Please leave before I am forced to kick you out” I gestured to the door

“Okay, please help me this one time. I promise I won’t come back for help and I also won’t gamble again” he pleaded. He clasped his hands together as though he was about to say a prayer

“How much is it?”

“Seven million dollars” he muttered. If he wasn’t standing so close and the house wasn’t so quiet I wouldn’t have heard him

“Seven million dollars!!! Uncle Jason, how did you manage to owe such a large amount of money? Jesus Christ” I exclaimed. I was expecting a lot but not this much. Sure, the money was not that big, but to be lost in gamble, it was too much

“It’s not that expensive. I am sure you wouldn’t feel a dent in your account if you paid it” he said and I lost it.

“How dare you? Is it your money? Did you work for it? I am not paying a dime”

“Please Hazel, you can’t do this to me”

“I’m sorry but there is no way I am paying that money. You are an addict uncle, If I pay the money, you’ll come back for more.” Paying the money would be like egging him on. If I pay this time, he would also come back looking more pitiful than before and giving the same excuse. Then, I would also have to pay since I already did and I don’t want him coming back here for anything else

“Hazel, Please.. Help your uncle just this once”

“I can’t. Leave uncle or I would have to call security to escort you out and it would be embarrassing for you. Please leave” I turned and walked out of the living room to my bedroom. I don’t want to listen to any more excuses. The day was still starting but it felt way too long already.

I wanted to shut the door behind me when a hand held it, preventing it from closing.

“Excuse me, Miss Hazel, Mr Atticus left a message for you before he left” Duke said. I stepped aside so he could enter the room

“What did he say?”

“He wants you to know that he would give you two weeks to properly mourn your dad before asking you to move into his house” I don’t know why but I burst out laughing. It was so sudden and so uncontrollable so I could not stop myself.

“Why are you laughing?” Duke asked me. I’m sure he was also startled by my sudden reaction. I could feel tears streaming down my face from how hard I was laughing

“I don’t even know, Duke. I don’t even know” I sat on my bed and placed my head in my hands

“Talk to me Miss,” Duke urged. It was quiet for a while before I lifted my head to look at him in the eyes

“This day is so funny. I have an Uncle asking me to pay his gamble debt and a husband who doesn’t love me or want anything to do with me but feels he is considerate by giving me two weeks to mourn my dad before becoming his side piece” My life was becoming pathetic in the blink of an eye

“Don’t say that. He probably didn’t think of it this way” He tried to convince me but there was no way I was going to believe otherwise

“Please leave me alone, Duke. I am exhausted and I want to be alone” I told him

“Of course”