Deceitful Desires: A Billionaire's Betrayal

Chapter Five

She sat in her living room, where quietness lay heavy with intense thoughts directed towards things like hell’s polaroid, as she focused on the intricately designed ceiling above her heads.

A single elegant couch served as her throne of reflection in the simplicity that surrounded her while below her feet, the pristine white milk-colored tiles matched with curtains of soft hues.

Overhead, remnants from years gone by on the rubber ceiling were gradually coming apart at its edges as well as being covered by dust particles, hence indicating about time's essence.

While concentrating on what she could do to repair it timely before rains come pouring down, resulting in potential leaks and further damaging the place, determination engulfed Marianna, looking at the topmost layer of her house.

Her house may have been small and showing signs of wear, but Marianna devoted every bit of herself to it, as it was forever kept clean and perfumed enough to create a warm environment for both her and the guests.

In the family as a whole, their rooms tower like an oasis of humanity, similar to a conventional living space.

This very sanctuary stands out in sharp contrast to the rest of the house and has thus caused many of the other lady citizens to feel jealousy and envy.

This is exacerbated by ostentatious displays of wealth and privilege, which to them appear as flaunting ill-gotten gains that lead to simmering resentment and jealousy from other women.

Internal discord between family members is set up through mutterings about why they are showing their riches.

Although she was unconsciously deep in her thoughts, she could not even hear the sound of someone entering the room; no sound reached his ears.

In a lost world, the outside world faded into the background like a distant echo in her vast mind. She danced complex movements.

The sudden, gentle tap on her feet brought her back to reality, making the loneliness surrounding her unbearable.

She looked up slowly, as if trying to tear the veil of mystery surrounding the intruder who had dared to interrupt her sacred hours of meditation, with a look of curiosity in her eyes.

From the depth of her wisdom and experience, it was clear to her that just a while ago they were at home together—mother and sister, Sadie.

This left an empty space around, which would last for many more minutes—sixty minutes or more.

Looking at this figure who had trespassed into her space made her realize something within herself—something brightened up within her—that light was radiated through her whole body.

When she recognized who invaded her solitude, there was no way for her not to show how happy she was; one corner of her mouth moved upwards, revealing some teeth, while another corner lowered down, forming a smile like no other until it became all across her face.

As she gazed at Rihanna, happiness filled her mind, causing her to let out a squeal of joy that could be heard in the room as she gracefully rose from the couch.

With a heart full of love and gratitude, she deliberately took steps towards her beloved companion, the one person who held the high position of being her greatest confidant in this wide world.

"Rihanna, it's great to meet you."

However, her sympathetic desire to hug her friend turned into an all-at-once interruption when she saw the subtle trade of expression on her girl's face.

"Don't try and control my feelings now, because you recognize thoroughly that nothing can get you away from this situation," Rihanna said with an extreme and respectful expression on her face, insisting that this conversation has turned crucial.

Marianna was surprised and confused, and she could not understand the sudden change in her friend's behavior in words.

She could not imagine what had caused the person she thought she trusted the most to behave in such an unexpected way.

What should a friend who usually likes jokes do when faced with such indifferent and alienated treatment?

Mariana's demeanor, exuding a serious air, fueled her immense anger, which only made Rihanna even more angry.

How could she have known to say something like this, leaving an innocent person unaware of the consequences of her actions?

"Given that we returned from our enchanting trip to the wonderful Maldives with turquoise waters and white beaches full of sounds that seem like they come from elsewhere, it has been two weeks now. However, throughout this long time, there was no single visit to my little home, where old memories are replayed and laughter reverberates on the walls. I had sent you a letter through which I longed for our reunion; however, my message never got replied to, hence leaving me confused and sad. And now, when we see each other eye to eye, you prefer to act as if you do not know anything about my coming back.”

These were her words, full of sorrow.

It was like a burden being lifted off her shoulders. She sighed deeply, placing her hand over her heart and reading a loud catalog name.

For a moment, she felt tranquil waters after violent storms, believing they were coming from her friend’s actions.

Thus, she said, “To be more precise, I would like to apologize for the specific incident that happened, consequently, having damaged my phone and, thus, needed a professional help in order to have it restored; it was not so long three days ago when I got my device back, however, all my material that has been kept in my phone was deleted unfortunately.”

As if in a dialogue, Rihanna continues with, ‘In the context of things, it is clear that not asking how I am during any of those instances remains an erased interaction, a simple act of borrowing my mother’s phone to make a call would have done.’

Well, I suppose I would plead guilty if that "

Looking back, she feels a certain level of duty and wrongdoing. She sounds as though if she were to be punished, she would not deny it, as she gets down and apologizes by covering her ears.

The once familiar space suddenly became a calm, hushed cocoon surrounding them. Even this tiny instance, a baby of silence, skimmed past them like a feather, giving the unspoken words a chance to hover and revolve between the two of them.

“Alright, I will forgive you for now, but you owe me a debt.”

With softness in her voice and kindness in her heart, she offered the other person her grace as well as her understanding, thus opening up any feelings that had made her feel bitter or hurt towards him.

Glowing with joy and peace inside Marianna, walking lightheartedly, took one step forward, reaching out to embrace the radiant bundle of joy who was a bouncing baby boy inside Rihanna’s arms for what seemed like an eternity.

As she embraced him, there was surprise and love in the woman’s voice when she said

"Oh, my dear boy, goodness!”

“You seem to have gained more weight than I previously thought.” She truly seemed surprised at how much extra weight he had put on.

“Now Milo has put on about 2 kg total, but you would never know since you hardly come to see him.”

Meanwhile, Rihanna raised a hint of disappointment in her tone as she mentioned that indeed, Milo, this boy had gained for real an additional 2 kilograms, all told, but this fact probably escaped notice by anybody else because of how seldom they would pay him a visit.

Rihanna pokes Jest to highlight her conflicting emotions.

She focused on her problems rather than keeping them inside because it was sitting down that made it easier for her to make a point.

"I am not going to hear the end of this now, am I?"

Marianna asks, looking expectant, for the funny conversations that she knows are coming from that discussion.

She gently sinks down into the soft cushions of a sofa as if it were an old friend, ready to engage in a playful war of words that is coming next.

"Nope," is all that Rihanna says as she sits there with a sly look in my eye.

The syllable ‘nope’ at that point carries both finality and comfort.

"Well then, I guess I shouldn't even bother trying,” Marianna says, looking resigned and resigned because she simply acknowledged this case where putting forth any effort would probably not be worth either time or energy.

This decision was made almost without a fight from her, which suggests a certain degree of surrender within her. She understood and agreed with the fact that, whether it is right or wrong, if she were to enter into any sort of confrontation or fight with Rihanna, she would lose, for Rihanna is known for such persistent and irritating complaints and criticisms.

This time, Marianna quickly realized that Rihanna’s gift of tirelessly harassing and finding something wrong with everything was rather an invincible power that she could neither defeat nor confront.

When she heard these words, Rihanna calmly stood up from the chair, and with equally elegant steps, she moved towards where her adorable child was standing.

That's exactly how it went down: “Give me my child back; I’m getting out of here.”

She was polite yet forceful in her tone when she demanded that her child be given over to her before she left the current situation.

Several emotions flooded her, and she had to express how she felt as the moment came bearing some pressure.

"Hey! Why are you doing this? You know I would make up for this for the rest of my life.

To this, Marianna, her voice rising barely controlling the desperation, satiated the pop icon’s plea and yelled,

"Why Rihanna? Why? I can reverse it all, fix everything."

"How so?"

Wishing to know the measure of the promises of Marianna and receiving an offer of employment, Rihanna curiously and, maybe, defiantly, looked for details and started asking questions, having her hands on her hips due to confusion and emotions.

In a few seconds, a tidal wave of thinking crossed Marianna’s mind, and what she saw on Rihanna’s face revealed that she couldn’t afford the time to think and had to make the decision right now.

Perceiving the sadistic undertone of their play, Marianna felt a new fear propelling defiance running through her veins. She declared stiffly after a moment or so, “That is why, starting from now and from this very instant, I promise that I will be able to provide for anything you may need or want from me, promising myself to be your constant and obedient companion for all the eternity of the infinite universe.”

Joy and a hint of mischief were painted all across Rihanna's face as she gave probably the most famous smile of all time, and as she adjusted herself in the seat and folded her arms, the secrecy in her eyes only added to the charm.

Suddenly, Marianna was overwhelmed by insight—the powerful and devastating thought that gave her goosebumps—the thought that brought the imminent death to her attention like the shadow over her head.

"Oh, dear me! Alas, I find myself in a most dreadful situation,” she cried out, her voice shaking with a hint of desperation and acceptance of her fate throughout.

"You have no idea."

It was then that Rihanna, with a calculated casual look and an obvious glint of fun in her eyes, said something that set Marianna’s spine down—a warning in coded language that marked the severity of the trouble that Marianna was heading for—the trouble that made her friend wonder how deep it was.

"Baby Milo, please help me apologize to your mother, or else she will send me to prison soon." Marianna was seated on the floor of a small room, where the rays of the setting sun shone gently on her body as she pleaded with the little boy.

Her innocent eyes reflected an unshakeable sense of apprehension mixed with desperation. In those circumstances, she needed someone who could help her extend a sincere apology to his dearest mother for fear of the dark consequences awaiting her, maybe leading her to prison.

Too bad for her, though, that while trying to make him understand the gravity of the situation, she had already taken hold of his shoulders.

But when she turned around only to find him laughing at her, at that stage it seemed like everything was falling apart for her—how can one be so happy at such times?

Besides, his laughter echoed throughout the place like some kind of malicious music, making everything more uncomfortable.

She could not believe how easily he made light of something so serious as losing faith in others because, even when he knew better, the boy found pleasure in tearing apart people’s lives.

“Oh my,” she asked incredulously with forced mirthless laugh lines in her eyes. “Please tell me, Milo, why are you so happy to see me suffering?”

The situation only made it worse for her to put up a semblance of composure. As she sadly shook her head and resigned herself, Marianna thought that this boy acted like his mother almost all the time.

And regrettably, I realized that an unkind fate might have kept this apple tree from growing far from the stem anyway.

“Goodness! He’s just like you,” she said with a grim combination of truth and humor while looking at him in disbelief. Her mind ran back to the illustrations from childhood books about naughty boys perpetually being punished by their parents in bed, as was Geoffrey’s case; thoughts that floored Marianna more than anything else ever could make her laugh or cry at once in such discordant note forever before them now consigned together individual human experiences.