Billionaire's Treasure

Chapter 8

BERYL

Getting a cab at this ungodly hour is quite hard but when I finally get one, I sigh heavily as I rest my head on the passenger seat.

The drive ain't that long and within no time, I'm at the Wilsons huge gate. As I approach the large gate, headlights illuminate the driveway from behind me.

I turn only to be blinded by the bright lights.

I can hear the loud music which is being played from the stereo and the loud obnoxious laughter from the occupants.

I figure out it might be Brenda coming home from partying on a Monday night.

Who in their right minds does that?

I'm so pissed off right now!

Not after spending my precious time clearing her mess! Not that she'd care anyway. She's the most thankless person I've ever met. She can never appreciate anything done for her, together with her monster parents!

I stumble out of the way to avoid being ran over and make my way into the inclining driveway. When I reach the house, Brenda's Sedan is haphazardly parked in the front and laughter echoes over the large yard.

She and her girlfriends stumble out and they keep laughing until she sees me.

“What do you want slut?” she slurs in her drunken manner and her friends keep on giggling.

“Did you drive drunk again Brenda?” I ask in irritation. “Didn't you learn from the last time you crashed?”

I conclude still angered. I'm so mad at her right now since I'll always be the one to clear her mess! Brenda is so stubborn, she doesn't learn at all.

“Don't tell me what to do b***h!” she bellows. “Open the f*****g door!” she commands, throwing an empty bottle at me but it misses me by a whisker. Damn, does she want to finish me off?

I clench my jaw in irritation and open the door faster, wishing to be out of their way soon.

What irritates me the most is the fact that I risked my life out there today as I worked my ass out tirelessly trying to clear her mess so as not to soil the family's name and yet here she is trying to fight me!

“If you wish to be married to the Smiths, then you need to grow up!” I mumble tiredly as I walk up the stairs. My stomach rumbles and I remember I only had fries and a sausage for lunch.

As I ascend the stairs, Brenda grabs me and yanks me by my hair and I roll down the stairs. She giggles alongside her friends.

“Brenda!” one of her friends yells. “That must be painful!” she adds pitifully.

“Just leave her there!” Brenda says dryly.

I pull myself up and take her friend's hand.

“Oh my gosh!” she gasps. “You've got some blood dripping from your nose!” she panics then runs to grab a tissue before I stop her.

“I'll be fine....really.” I smile at her. “Thanks for your help.”

“If you're okay...” Her voice is worried though she's slurring a little.

I head straight to my room, remove my makeup, clean the minor trickle of blood, brush my teeth and then set my alarm. As soon as I lay my head on the pillow, I'm out like a light, adding to the nights I have to sleep hungry.

*****

My alarm goes off at exactly 5am as usual. My muscles are stiff and sore probably from the tumble. I wonder why I've never broken a bone from the various beatings and manhandling I've been experiencing.

I hesitantly walk to the bathroom and a moan escapes my lips as the hot water from the shower embraces my muscles and soothes my cold skin.

I leave the shower to dry myself up, blowdry my hair and tie it into a high ponytail as usual.

I do my makeup as usual to hide the bruises and begin to dress up. I pick up a cream white knee length skater dress, tights, high heel ankle boots, a bright coloured scarf and a black blazer.

After I'm done dressing up, I pick my bag and then walk down the stairs towards the kitchen and I'm glad to find Andrew waiting for me with ready coffee and sausages.

We exchange pleasantries then munch my breakfast as fast as I can. I don't want to delay here then be late for work because the consequences will be dire.

It's almost 7:30am when I arrive at the office. I immediately prepare the meeting room as instructed after putting my things away. I put the materials in their place and the water bottles for the meeting. The Smiths will soon be here for the scheduled meeting.

“You're busy as always.” I hear a deep voice behind me and I turn to meet a staring Blake.

I smile broadly as I pounce on him for a hug. He welcomes me into his warm arms and I'm glad he's back.

He stands back up to his tall height with my arms still wrapped around his neck. My short legs dangle below me and he secures me with his arms wrapped around my waist.

“I missed you.. ” Blake chuckles.

“I missed you too bro... ”

I say as I smile against his shoulder.

A throat is cleared behind us and I'm lowered to the ground. I fix my clothes and turn around to see Mr. Wilson wearing a frown and Mr. Smith and his team gathered behind him.

“Dad.. ” Blake shakes his father's hand with a bright smile. “It feels great to be back.”

“Mr Smith, it's a great pleasure to meet you again.”

I shake his hand briefly.

“Likewise Miss Wilson.”

“Please, just call me Beryl.”

I smile and move on after receiving a curt nod.

We make it to the meeting room where Blake introduces himself and apologises for his absence during the previous meeting.

Through out the meeting, I'm struggling to stay awake and I find myself stiffling a yawn.

I'm glad when the meeting ends and we say our goodbyes as we go to our respective offices.

The Smiths will be back for the meeting which I guess is about the marriage contract.

***

I'm busy in my office when Blake shows up.

“How have you been Beryl?” He asks appearing at the doorway of my office.

“I've been fine, just a little bit tired.” I smile weakly.

“At the meeting, you looked as if you were going to fall asleep any minute.” he states.

“I was up half of the night yesterday trying to fix Brenda's mess.” I sigh heavily as I explain. I'm damn tired and sleepy as well.

“What has she done this time round?” he frowns, then his jaws clench.

“She was caught with a strange man, aimlessly drunk and ended up in a hotel room till morning.” I explain further.

He passes his fingers through his brown hair and slumps on the seat in front of my desk. His grey eyes are studying me.

“You've lost a lot of weight Beryl!” His tone is serious, not complementary at all.

“Thanks for noticing.”

I chuckle humourlessly.

“Seriously munchkin, you're too thin and pale. What has been happening in my absence?” he enquires then sighs heavily.

“I've been busy in the office and also skipping some meals of late. When everything calms down I'll be able to pay attention.” I reassure him.

“You better do it soon or I

do it for you! ” He threatens.

“Yes sir!” I mock. “Have you heard about Brenda and Henry's marriage?”

Blake roars in laughter and wipes a tear from his eye.

“That marriage will be a disaster. Henry is an impatient man!”

“Do you know him from somewhere?” I ask curiously.

“We went to college together. He lived a carefree life and I bet he still is.” He says while still chuckling.

“Beryl!” Mr. Wilson's voice cuts through the air. “My office, now!” he bellows. Oh no, I hope I'm not in trouble!

“You should get back to work too Blake.” I smile as I make my way towards my boss's office.

“Sir..” I utter after I get into his office, closing the door behind me.

“Your report is shoddy. It needs to be redone. It was supposed to be done before 9am!” His angry voice roars through the room. The papers are strewn all over the office. “You fool can't do anything right!” he adds angrily. I'm sure I'm in deep s**t.

He continues to yell at me about how unsatisfactory my job is and hurls at me all manner of insults he comes up with.

Standing up from his seat, he gives me a punch on the stomach and warm tears well up my eyes. My body is still sore from the fall I had down the stairs caused by his daughter earlier today.

“Did you at least get rid of that f*****g paparazzi?” He spits at me. “Or you screw that up too?”

“N—no sir!" I cough. “I took care of it!”

“Finally you did something right!” he mumbles. “Hurry up and clean this mess. We have to meet with the Smiths.”

Does he mean that I've never done anything right? Of all the messes I've cleared for Brenda, all the cover ups for his shoddy dealings and all? Oh no, he can't even appreciate anything!

I do as I'm instructed then stand up on unsteady legs, feeling dizzy all over a sudden but I shake it off. I go back to my desk to pick my pens and notebook. I make sure I retouch my makeup and recheck myself in the mirror. I don't want anybody to notice the cry baby that I am.

This life sucks....it sure does!