Billionaire's Treasure

Chapter 10

HENRY

I smile inwardly after seeing how furious and restless the old man Tyler Wilson is.

Mother and father smile in satisfaction when I state that I'll be marrying none other than Beryl.

I stare back at him and notice his slightly tanned complexion steadily growing red and he's wearing a deep scowl.

Beryl is physically trembling with her head down as usual.

I can't stop asking myself some questions. Does she fear this man that much?

She visibly flinches and shrinks away from her father when he asks me if she seduced me, calling her a slut. Calling her that name makes me so mad at him such that I feel like squeezing the living daylights out of him.

Mum flinches and her jaw drops after hearing what the old man has to say about her future daughter in law.

I strictly state that she didn't seduce me and make it clear that I won't be marrying a drunkard, a drug addict, a p**n actor and a careless driver who'll end up bringing down the business and the family.

“I'll have you know that Brenda is twenty times better than this woman!” he challengingly growls at me. “Better think over your decision, boy! ”

He even had the audacity to point a finger at me calling me a boy!

All my life, dad has never spoken like that to me. Who is he? Who does he think he is to call me a boy?

I'd crash his empire with a few phone calls. After all he has many dirty deals ongoing in his business. Let him not dare me!

He keeps on spitting all kind of bullshit about the poor girl whose head is still down, not attempting to look up any bit, something which confirms how much she's scared of him.

“Brenda is someone you can show off to your friends unlike this fat slut who knows how to eat and get fat only!”

How dare he body shame her? Isn't she the one working her ass out to ensure his company stands? Isn't she the one covering up all his dirty dealings? Isn't she the one ensuring all his daughter's s*x tapes and careless and drunk driving doesn't reach the press? Isn't she?

One thing is for sure, this man is an ingrate and he only uses this poor girl for his own benefits. I'm sure he doesn't think twice before beating her up!

“Enough of this Mr. Wilson. I'm marrying Beryl or no deal!” I state bluntly.

I've just had enough of his whining. I knew he was cunning and manipulative but I never imagined he could be this petty!

If he thinks he can intimidate me, then he's in for a rude shock. I'm not one of his subjects therefore I won't let him walk all over me!

Mum huddles closer to dad. She doesn't like confrontations unless she's utterly enraged. I have to do something to help the situation.

Standing up, I state that the meeting is over and I remind Mr. Wilson that he has his copy of contract to go through and the deal is still the same....marrying Beryl!

He eyes me in disgust as he storms out, calling Beryl who seems more scared than ever.

She shakily scramble after him without even a goodbye to us.

We watch their retreating figures through the glass walls.

“What was that all about?” Mum breathes out, obviously relieved that the altercation is over. It's evident she has been holding her breathe for long. “My son will never marry that Brenda girl, never! Not when I'm alive!”

“Take it easy Leah, okay? He's not worth getting high blood pressure for.” dad interjects. “He has spoiled his daughter and he wants her to marry someone who will sustain her lifestyle not minding the reputation?” he states, shaking his head. “He doesn't even have the audacity to treat Beryl the same as the rest only because she's his niece!” Dad is physically disturbed.

I run my hands through my hair. I'm worn out already.

I didn't give him a choice so I'm sure he'll accept.

We pick our stuff and get into the elevator. As we walk away, my eyes meet Beryl's as she collects her stuff from her desk. She looks like she's winding up to go home.

Her eyes are red and she has a red tint on her cheek.

She looks exhausted.

“I don't understand why they treat her differently. She's such a good girl.” mum murmurs.

“I don't know.” dad says, drawing her closer and planting a kiss on her cheek. “Tyler hated Wade so much. By rights and everything, the businesses should have gone to Beryl because Wade had the hugest shares.” he adds.

So she's supposed to be there heiress to Wilsons corporation which is currently BlackBerry corporation? And here they are, treating her like a slave!

Now more than ever, I want to marry her and I want to make it sooner than anything else.

Mom is beyond herself with sadness. She can't help but feel sad about how she's treated. She makes it clear that Brenda will never be part of our family...never!

Upon stepping out to the parking lot, we say our goodbyes and I drive to my office which is just a few minutes away. I'm settling on my desk, thinking about that girl Beryl when Blake Wilson calls me.

“Let's meet this Friday to catch up Henry.” he says excitedly.

“I don't think I'll make it.” I state nonchalantly. I'm still disturbed by how his father treats Beryl, though it's evident Blake treats her differently.

“Please man, just say yes and I'll bring Beryl along. We need to catch up...seriously!” he pleads. I'm finding it hard to accept even after promising to tag Beryl along but I can't just say no to an old friend.

“Okay, just text me the address.” I say.

“Cool man!” Blake beams from the other side of the line.

I don't bother saying anything else therefore I hang up and concentrate on the paperwork on my desk. I have a deadline to meet.

BERYL

I sigh in relief as I open my laptop on my desk beside my bed and get working. I work till the sun starts going down then I finish and submit my work.

My stomach is literally empty and full of goosebumps. I don't know what awaits me when Mr. Wilson comes home from work.

As I contemplate on what to do next, there's a smooth knock on the door and Camilla gets in, bringing me food.

We chat as I eat.

I love her company because she and Andrew are the only people who care about me in this house. I almost forget the problem looming heavily over me.

When I finish the food, she takes the plates back to the kitchen. I stretch and c***k my aching bones and muscles. I'm really exhausted.

I walk to the closet and pull out some sweatpants to wear after showering.

I strip naked then walk to the mirror to study my old and new bruises.

I'm not comfortable with my body. I'm short and whenever I gain weight, everybody must notice.

I have curves at all the wrong places and the cuts and bruises makes me hate it all the more.

I feel ugly, plain and weak. The bruises are a constant reminder of how weak I am. I'm unable to defend myself. Worse still, I couldn't rescue my parents from the accident. Why did I have to survive all alone? I should have perished with them!

The only thing I'm proud of is my blonde hair. I love it to bits.

The bruise under my cheek hurts but the one on my neck is healing slowly. My abdomen area has some bruises too and I wonder who would want to marry me looking like that. I'm sure he'll be disgusted by the numerous scars all over my body.

I sigh and withdraw from the mirror. I don't want to see the broken girl staring back at me.

The shower relaxes me a little bit. The strawberry scented shampoo calms me down and the soothing body wash help loosen my muscles.

After rinsing myself, I walk out, dry my body and my hair then dress up for bed. It's already 9:30pm.

Feeling tired and worn-out, I slump on bed after switching off the lights. I turn and toss on bed for some minutes before I finally fall asleep.

*****

I scream when I'm dragged out of my bed by my tangled hair. I land on the tiled floor painfully.

The room is dark but I don't need rocket science to know that Mr. Wilson is around. I'm painfully kicked at the stomach and ribs. Any effort I make to shield or protect my body is in vain.

Pain follows each repeated hit and I cry. He hits me everywhere except my face. My legs, hands, thighs, buttocks, chest, neck and belly are not spared.

“You b***h!” he hisses slurry. “You've taken my Brenda's happiness...my opportunity!”

He grunts when he sends a hard punch to the side of my head.

“S—stop!” I cry. “Please!”

He bends down to my level and I can feel the alcohol in his breathe. “Don't you f*****g tell me what to do b***h!” he hisses then keeps on hurling insults at me.

“You should have died with your stupid father and your b***h of a mother. You waste of space! Fat piece of s**t. Useless bastard.”

His large hand grabs my arm and twists it around behind me. He pulls me easily and pins me on the bed.

“Should I show you how they treat sluts like you?” he grunts in my ear. His drunken hand harshly slides down my waist and grabs the waist band of my sweatpants.

My eyes widen and I struggle to ease myself from his grab.

“N...no. No please!” I scream.

My terrified voice echoes back to me in the room.

“Shut the f**k up!” He commands amid clenched teeth.

Using all his strength, he sends me flying over the bed across the room. My back hits the wall and I land on the floor, possibly cracking a few ribs. He stomps out of the room and slams the door behind him, murmuring to himself.

My whole body hurts. Pain shoots through me whenever I move or breathe.

I lie on the floor hugging my battered body and cry myself to sleep.

My alarm screeches at me to wake up. I groan and my eyes flutter open.

My room is in a mess. My beddings are scattered across the floor and the contents on my desk are knocked off. Thankfully, nothing seems to be broken...except my ribs of course.

I sit up from the floor and every moment hurts. I crawl up to my phone, sit on my messy bed and turn off the alarm.

I momentarily close my eyes, hoping that when I finally open them up, I'll be the ten year old that I was when my parents died.

I drag my hurting self towards the shower and run a hot one. I brush my teeth, dry myself, blowdry my hair, dress up, hide my bruises and black eyes in make up and tiptoe out of the house. I don't want Camilla or Andrew to see me in my current condition.