Billionaire's Treasure

Chapter 16

HENRY

As I drive off back to work from the BlackBerry corporation, I can't seem to get Very out of my mind. She looked so empty and blank today.

Everybody has left the office to their homes except my Personal Assistant Carla. I release her to go because her many and endless questions are quite annoying.

She's always asking me about Beryl and our progress concerning the marriage.

If you ask me, she's nosey and a gossip. All these are none of her business. If you ask me, she's overstepping boundaries. Anything I do out of my office, apart from business of course is none of her concern.

After she leaves, I settle behind my huge table and start going through my emails, read contracts and go through files.

I'm so engrossed into my work such that I don't notice how the time flies.

Before I know it, it's already 9:30pm and I was supposed to pick Beryl at 9pm.

Oh gosh!

I stop whatever I'm doing and rush outside to my car. I drive like a maniac towards BlackBerry corporation and upon parking at the basement parking, I rush to the door and find an intercom.

“Yes?” A male voice comes through.

“I'm here to see miss Beryl. I'm Henry smith.” I explain.

After a long pause, the intercom buzzes again.

“Miss Wilson is still in the building. I'll send someone to confirm your ID and let you in!”

After three minutes of waiting, an older man opens the door and let's me in. He doesn't even bother to ask for my ID and I assume he already knows who I am.

After greeting him, I assure him that I'll be fine by myself. I get into the elevator and press the tenth floor button.

I'm startled to find Beryl still struggling to finish her work.

She looks gaunt and absolutely exhausted.

She doesn't notice my presence therefore I study her for a little while. Before I make my presence known, her cellphone rings, startling her. She presses it on her ears and speaks for sometime. Her facial expression says it all...she's angry.

After hanging up, she bangs her head on the table.

“Long day huh?” I smirk.

Beryl gasps and clutches her chest. She looks at me, her eyes wide open and mouth agape.

“You need to stop sneaking on people!” she says breathlessly. She's visibly petrified.

I just chuckle and smirk.

I sit on one of the chairs across her.

“When did you get here?” she asks, her lips pursed in mischief.

“About ten minutes ago.” I reply. “Is there any problem?” I ask.

She raises her eyebrows in surprise.

“Not at all but I still have a lot of work left to do.” she tells me.

“No problem then. I'll wait till you finish.” I offer. I'm not in a hurry to leave. All I need right now is to ensure the safety of my future wife.

She purses her lips but nods anyway. She seems too tired to argue or maybe she knows arguing with Henry Smith is pointless. She won't win against me. No one does anyway.

“How does Mr. Wilson treat you?” I ask curiously. It is a question which has been in my mind for long. It's obvious she's ill treated but I just want to confirm. He certainly doesn't treat her like he treats Brenda.

She freezes and drops her pen. Her eyes are wide in horror as she looks up at me.

She regains her composure and finally shrugs.

“He treats me well!” she says.

I nod my head but I can tell she's lying.

Silence falls between us and she starts writing again, occasionally tapping her fingers away on her laptop.

I look behind her, deep in thoughts and watch as the rain pours down the window.

Who in their right minds let's their daughter, even if adopted work till late in the night or worse still, till morning and they don't have a car in their name?

BERYL

“Can I help you Beryl?” Henry asks, making me to blink a few times before looking up.

It takes a few seconds to register what he has just said in my exhausted state.

I feel so self conscious as he sits across me in silence. He's staring at the pouring rain with a blank and distant look.

The pouring rain makes it harder for my eyes to remain open.

“No.” I reply as I smile tiredly. “I'm almost done here.”

“If you say so.” he nods and continues staring outside, sometimes scrolling through his mobile phone.

I'm done by midnight and I lean back on my seat as I sigh heavily. I'm too tired, sleepy and hungry. Damn!

This life sucks.

“Thank you for keeping me company and waiting for me!” I thank him sincerely.

I can't imagine getting a sober cab guy under this weather.

Henry nods and stands up. I pick my stuff and we both walk to the elevator. I'm pretty sure in I'm disheveled. I might be looking like a walking corpse.

Within no time, we make it to the basement parking and I'm taken aback by the sight in front of me. A sparkling Lamborghini is in front of me. I stop myself in time not to gasp out loudly.

Henry unlock the doors and I gingerly climb into the expensive machine and smile within myself. I'd love to have this kind of a car but I can't imagine spending that huge amount of money, besides, I don't even have enough savings.

The sound of the engine sends shivers down my spine.

“Do you know much about cars?” Henry asks as he drives off.

“Yes...no.. though I'm the one who does most of the car orders for my family except Blake.”

*It's quite unfortunate I don't own one*

“Why don't you have a car? Do you have a driving licence?” he enquires, concern etched all over his face.

Do I have an answer to that? How do I answer him?

“I have a licence but...”

Henry sighs heavily as he cruises through the rainy weather. “Something is going on Beryl.” he observes. “You don't want to say it. Though it's none of my business, it will eventually come out.”

I freeze. My heart is throbbing hard against my chest. I feel all the colour drain from my face.

“For my sake, don't. Don't pry, it won't end well Herny.” I look over to him pleadingly. How I wish I can tell him everything that has been happening from the very beginning. I wish I can pour all my heart to him, tell him all my sorrows, my tribulations, my everything!

He nods and continues to drive. I begin to doze off and when I feel the car stop, I open my eyes. I'm glad we're already home.

“Once again, thank you very much for waiting for me and dropping me home.” I murmur in appreciation. “You're my guardian angel.”

“If only you let me in your life Beryl, I'll be able to protect you fully.” he insists, his eyes prying on mine. “Trust me only once, will you?”

“Thank you Henry, I've got to go.” I say and reluctantly leave the warm and luxurious car and head towards the house. I really feel so bad after refusing to tell him what has been going on in my life but I believe it's for the better.

I walk into the house and as I manoeuvre through the darkness, I'm gripped by the hair and I let out a shriek.

“Where were you?” Mr. Wilson asks. His breathe reeks of alcohol and his grip tightens painfully. He becomes more ruthless towards me whenever he is intoxicated.

I wince and cower. “I was working.” My voice is weak and trembling. “Please let me go!”

A knee finds it's way to my gut. I cough and feel the bile rise up my throat but I swallow it down.

“So who was that?” be screams in my face.

“H-Henry S-Smith sir!” as soon as those words leave my mouth, he slaps me hard across the face and I suddenly regret mentioning Henry's name.

I accidentally bite my cheek and the metallic taste of blood fills my mouth.

“It didn't take you long, did it!?” he asks as he give me another punch on the belly.

“Sir please....” I squeak out while crouching. He's hellbent in killing me!

“So you've decided to rub it in your mother and sister's face, huh? You're disgusting.” he sneers.

I receive more blows to my torso and when he finally let's go of me, I slump on the hard tiled floor and whimper quietly.

“You're just lucky we have the stupid gala to go to, else I'd have made it much worse.” he growls then spits at me.

He trudges up the stairs and I hear a soft click of his bedroom door.

I grimace when I try to move and shakily stand. I groan silently when Brenda pads down the stairs.

She sniggers and waltzes up to me.

“My, my, my! You know you'll receive much worse for stealing my husband, do you?” she mocks then brushes a piece of hair away from my face. “I'll make sure it's me but not you Beryl, mark my word!” Her voice is soft and gentle and that makes me fear even more. I've never felt scared of her like this before. She's quite menacing.

She smirks as she walks towards the kitchen.

I release the breathe I've been holding for long and I stumble up the stairs to collapse on my bed. I don't even bother to change or shower, nor eat anything. I feel tears well up my eyes and I fight the urge to cry my heart out.

The beatings are becoming too much and I'm doing nothing to stop them despite Henry wanting to help! The worse thing is that I can't bring myself to open up to him despite him being my fiancee in a few days time.