Broken Angel (3 page)

Chapter 4

                 "Coffee?" Clifford asked as I took my seat in front of his desk. His office was spacious and sparkling. Only a desk occupied a corner of it and a couch. Apart from that, nothing more. The office was made of glass so I could see the parking lot from where I sat. The view was just magnificent.

                 "Sure."

                 He pushed a button on the telephone on his desk. "Umm, Mary. Coffee, please. No sugar." He smiled at me. I nodded in approval. "That's all." He turned his gaze to me now. "I still can't place my fingers on what you want to discuss so urgently with me. You know I kept on thinking and thinking about it, but I just can't seem to figure it out." He added. Right about that moment, his secretary entered with the coffee. She placed it on the desk and within a second disappeared again.

                 "Well, I want to become a partner."

                 Clifford laughed out loud. "That's a joke right?"

                 "No, on the contrary. Listen, I studied business administration in college and I really want to partner with you guys."

                 "I never knew you had interest in the company."

                 "Well, yes I do."

                 "Okay, I am going to be totally honest with you. You can't just partner up with this shipping company overnight. It takes a while. It has its processes."

                 "Help me, Clifford."

                 "It's not about me. We have other shareholders in this company. You have to go through the board of directors, for example. And trust me, it is very difficult to convince them."

                 "You and Matthew own the largest shares in this company. Above all you have the biggest say in this matter. I am sure if you and your brother talk to them about this, they'd have no choice but to say, yes."

                  "Kayla this is the biggest shipping company in LA. If there is anything we need now, it is an investor. Not a partner. I am sorry, but we can't help you."

                 "If I bring you an investor, Clifford? Would I qualify?"

                 I looked at the expression on his face for a second. He still wasn't convinced

                 "I can help this shipping company grow economically and globally. I have a few connections that can help us. Clifford, I can do this."

                 "It's not about what you can or cannot do, Kayla."

                 "Give me a chance. Talk to the board of directors about me. In two weeks, I'll have this company flowing with investors."

                 He raised an eyebrow, like he doubted that was possible. "Two weeks? You're kidding, right?"

                 "No. So is that a deal?"

                 He got up and stretched out his hand for a shake. "Deal."

                 I took them gladly into mine with a smile. I left his office and headed straight for my mom's place. She asked me to always keep her posted and I was sure this news she would love to hear. At least, I was making some progress. It was noon already by the time I got to her place. I went straight up to her room where I knew she usually stays 24/7.

                  As I entered through her bedroom doorway, she turned her head to look at me then smiled.

                  "What now, Mom?" I asked, resting on her bed. She was taking out some of her clothes and folding them neatly one by one. She did that a lot nowadays.

                  "We wait. We don't want to raise any suspicion."

                  "I promised to get them investors in exchange for becoming a partner."

                  "I'll make a few calls today. Don't worry about that."

                  I looked at her. "Do you need help, Mom?"

                  She smirked. "I've been folding and arranging clothes even before you were born, my child."

                  "Well, that was 26 years ago. You're getting old now, Mom. You should be resting more."

                  "I am not even 50 yet, my child."

                  I sighed then suddenly remembered about Elizabeth. "What's wrong with Elizabeth, Mom?"

                  She stopped to look at me for a second. "Thought I told you."

                  "You said heart disease. But I think there is more to this."

                  "A brain tumor. She has just few more months to live."

                  "My goodness, Mom. That's sad."

                  "What? She killed your father for crying out loud. She took his company and even his house. We were left on the streets like dogs. No, I think this is God putting her in her place for all she did to us."

                  "Then what's the use?"

                  "What do you mean?"

                  "The drug you gave me. What's the use? She'll die anyway."

                  "Oh, no. I want to see her suffer. I want to see her begging for her life."

                  "But, Mom..."

                  "Don't ‘But, Mom’ me. You already started giving her the drugs? Right?"

                  I didn't answer her.

                  "Right?"

                  "Yes, Mom. I gave it to her this morning."

                  "The next dosage is at night."

                  "If she dies and they do an autopsy on her body, they'd discover the drugs in her system."

                  "They won't."

                  "Mom..."

                  "ENOUGH! Not another word on this topic. Got it?" She stormed out of her room. That's my mom for you. She never once appreciated the fact that I keep mentioning, Elizabeth. It was like they’d been enemies since forever. If I didn't know better, I'd have said they probably hated each other since childhood. Besides, I can only recall some short memories of when I actually saw Elizabeth and my mom together when dad was still alive. Their relationship probably grew worse after my dad's death.

I got up from the bed and stood by her wardrobe. So many old clothes she never wore but still keeps them. Strange. I touch a brown silk gown amongst the dresses in the wardrobe and, curious, I took it off the hanger. It looked old like from the 80's or something. I stood by the mirror and held the dress up to my body. Regardless of how old it was, it still looked beautiful. I chuckled, then swiftly returned it back to where I found it. I was about to shut the wardrobe close when a box under the rack caught my eye. I took it out and placed it on the bed, then sat beside it.

                 Dusting the top, I pulled off the cover lid on it. I coughed a bit after sniffing in the dust that came up when I opened the lid. Then I looked inside. Some old dusty files sat atop, so I took it out and dropped them on the bed. Underneath it were some old pictures. That's weird. I always asked my mom if she had pictures of my dad, and she always said, no. I took one of the pictures and stared at it. My dad and my mom together holding hands. They were still young there, though. I smiled, then took another picture. My dad and the Morero clan. They all looked happy. I saw Angel. Although, he was still young. I took another picture out and dusted it. My mom and Angel's father holding hands. I never knew Angel's father too well apart from the pictures I've seen of him, but from what I can see from the picture, he must have been really handsome. Just like Angel.

                  "What are you doing?"

                  My mom startled me.

                 "Give me that!" She rushed to where I sat and collected the pictures from me. She immediately put them back into the box and returned it to her wardrobe. I kept on looking at her surprised at her reaction. "Don't just go around touching stuff. That's rude."

                  "Mom, why are you acting that way over some old meaningless pictures?"

                  "I think you've said quite enough for today."

                  "Are you throwing me out?" I got up from the bed

                  "No... But I think you should start going. You're a married woman now and you have your responsibilities as a wife. You shouldn't even be here, except I called you."

                  "Seriously? Mom?"

                  "Leave, Kayla. Now!"

                  I walked out of her room now and headed straight for the door without saying another word. Why the hell was she acting so freaked out over some old pictures? Or is she hiding something?

Chapter 5

                  I couldn't still get what happened at my mom's place out of my mind so maybe that explains why I was still up at 10 at night when everyone else had gone to bed. I sat on a stool in the kitchen, slowly sipping some juice. It all felt strange. Was there something my mom was hiding and didn't want me to know about? But why? I yawned and stretched my hands up now till
they
eased, then got up. Time for bed.

                  "You too?"

                  I jumped up shocked when I heard Elizabeth's voice. She went to the fridge and took out the juice jug then poured some into a glass.

                  "Sorry I startled you."

                  "I thought I was the only one awake. Did I wake you?"

                  "Oh, no. Not at all. I just find it difficult to sleep tonight. I wonder why though, because I took some sleeping pills hours ago."

                  "Oh." I cast my gaze down to my cup.

                  "How about you? Why are you up?"

                 "I couldn't sleep."

                 "Hmm, I see. How is it going with you and my son?"

                 "Huh?" I looked up at her now.

                 "I mean are you guys getting along?"

                 I sighed, then covered my face with my hands. "I think I blew it big time."

                 "What do you mean?"

                 "I said something I shouldn't have at the wrong time."

                  She looked at me, a smile on her makeup free face.

                 "He hasn't said anything about it since then, but I know he is hurt. I can feel it."

                  "You shouldn't blame yourself. These things happen."

                  "No, not this kind. I totally fucked up." I sipped my juice.

                  "He loves you."

                  I smiled at her. "I am really a lucky girl, huh?" I sighed. "I wish..." I quieted immediately.

                 "You can make it up to him though."

                 "But how?"

                 "I don't know. Figure it out," she said in a hush tone. She patted the back of my hand now. "You're a good girl. You know that?"

                  I smiled, a part of me wishing it were true.

                 "I'm sorry about your father," she added.

                 Our eyes met. Did she really mean that? Wait, what was she apologizing for? For killing him or for snatching his company from us?

                 "I should be going now," I said walking away. I wiped away the tears that were already building up underneath my eyes as I climbed the stairs to my room. Angel was asleep and I didn't want to wake him, so I stealthily entered into the room and shut the door quietly. The lights were off, but regardless I could see him curled up on the bed and even though the room was dark, I knew he looked like an angel even while sleeping. I tiptoed to his side of the bed now to take a closer look at his face. I was right. He sure did look cute, even in bed. I bent down a bit to touch his smooth face with a finger. He moved his face almost as soon as I did. I sat down on the bed still looking at his face. I pulled the blanket over his body up a bit more, like it wasn't perfectly done before, and then took my gaze up to his lips. I wanted to kiss him again. I wanted him to touch me again and make love to me. I wanted him to forgive me. I brought my face closer now and kissed his forehead.

                  "I'm sorry," I murmured then got up and went to my side of the bed. And as if he was still awake, he turned over on the bed and continued sleeping. I quickly lay in the bed and covered my body with the blanket, like I was scared he'd heard me and would open his eyes and look at me, which of course I didn't want. I shut my eyes, forcing the sleep to come to me. I was still doing so when Angel's hands suddenly fell on my body. I froze at first. Was he awake? I slowly turned to look at his face. His eyes were still closed. So why did I suddenly feel strange inside. I moved closer to him and then allowed my hands to rest on his body as well. It felt strange, but I liked it. I liked it very much. I closed my eyes and it was like I didn't need to force myself to sleep anymore, because in no time I was deeply asleep.

Chapter 6

                 I woke up early again the next day to give Elizabeth her breakfast, and then at 7 AM the rest of the family gathered in the dining room for breakfast. After silence for a while, Clifford and Matthew got up and excused themselves again. As they left through the front door, I just couldn't get the surprised look off my face.

                  "What?" Angel chuckled waving his hands across my face.

                  "Don't they ever take a break? I mean, it's Saturday for crying out loud. They work like robots."

                  Angel laughed. "Dad left that company in their care, Kayla. They promised him they'd never let it go down and I think they are only just trying to keep that promise."

                 "Oh..." I cast my gaze down.

                 "But the good news is that I don't have to go to work on Saturdays. So we have today to ourselves," Angel announced happily.

                 I raised an eye to look at Alex, then looked away when I saw he wasn't even watching.

                 "How about we go out today?"

                 "Like a date?"

                 "Yeah... We're married now right? It'd be fun."

                 I was about to say, yes, when Alex suddenly got up.

                 "I am leaving today," he finally said. Still not looking at me

                 "You should say bye to Mom first. You know how she gets when you don't," Angel commented with a smile.

Wait, was I the only one who totally thinks he shouldn't leave?

                  "I might not meet be here when you get back from your date," Alex said. But I wasn't sure if he was saying it to Angel or if he was directing it to me. I looked up at him sadly.

                  "You're a man now, Alex. You're old enough to make your own decisions. And you know our home is always open for you and Zee," Angel added then got up. He stretched his hand out for a shake. Alex shook it and nodded.

                  "Kayla? Won't you say bye to Alex?" Angel asked looking at me.

                  "Oh, yes. Umm..." I got up swiftly and moved to his side. I slowly stretched out my hand for a shake and then Alex accepted it. I faked a smile now and withdrew my hand. "We'll miss you." I added. I think I meant I'll miss you, but I rather just leave that in my head.

                  Alex nodded and left the dining room. Angel and I exchanged glances for a second.

                 "So where are you taking me out to?" I asked coming closer.

                 "That's a secret." He pulled me close now till our chests were against each other. "I love you," he added, then kissed me. I kissed him back, wrapping my hands around his neck till I was standing on my toes. I didn't know how much I'd missed his kisses until that moment. And if there was anything I wanted more, it was for things to remain that way between us forever. We stopped then. I opened my eyes slowly wondering why he'd stopped.

                  "Someone might see us," Angel said as if he'd read my mind. Or maybe my face expression said it all. I smiled and then pulled him with me towards the stairs, then straight up to our room. As soon as we entered and shut the door, we started kissing again. Hungrily this time around. And in no time he stripped me of my clothes. Pushing me on the bed almost immediately, he slowly came closer, his hands walking up my legs. I moaned when he finally reached his destination, burning more with desire and want. He kissed me again like he was afraid I would surrender too quickly. His hands like that of a magician toiled with my naked breast cupping them, and then he started sucking. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I moaned again louder. My whole body feeling suddenly sensational. He kept on sucking and sucking hungrily. But when I couldn't take it anymore I pulled his hair till his face came up to me and then we started kissing again. After what seemed like another thirty minutes, his body slowly fell on the bed. He was panting heavily and so was I. We looked at each other again and then chuckled. And then I rested my head on his chest to feel his heartbeat. I might still not want to admit it yet, but I am absolutely in love with this man.