Chapter 7

• RICHARD
• "And what's with that stupid smile you have on your face!" Amelia snapped when she didn't get the response she had anticipated.
• "Oh that. I discovered that I've begun smiling a lot lately. Maybe it's because I'm happy."
• "Happy," she sneered and haughtily tossed her long, black hair over her shoulder. "You have no money, no home to come back to, and don't think for a moment that I'm going to take you back after that stunt you pulled the last time you were here. Even if you beg-"
• "Beg?" I infused the right amount of surprise in my voice. "Whatever gave you the impression that I'm here to beg you to take me in?"
• She looked completely nonplussed at the idea that I hadn't returned to grovel at her feet. The same look was mirrored on the faces of her family members.
• "Well, isn't that why you're here?" she asked.
• I shook my head slowly. "No. I just came to take my things. That's all."
• Amelia sucked in a breath. Her mother slowly rose from her chair.
• "That is the best news I have heard in ages," she said with a sneer. She looked around at everyone. "Finally, this burden will be out of our lives for good."
• "Yes. Yes," I said airily. "Thank you, Mrs White for once again stating the obvious." The old crone gave an outraged gasp. "Now, Amelia, the sooner you step out of my way, the sooner I'll be out of this place."
• "And where will you go?" Amelia let out a short, bitter laugh. "Wait. Don't tell me. You have found another woman to take you in, feed you and clothe you, haven't you? My goodness! How did you manage to do that so fast? Is this woman, whoever she is, so miserable and lonely that she will stoop so low to settle for the likes of you?"
• I sighed and rolled my eyes at the ceiling. "If I were to stand here answering all of your questions, I'll end up staying here, something I definitely have no intention of doing."
• I stepped around her and walked towards the bedroom, thinking I would enjoy some minutes of respite before I left the house that held only painful memories for me. I had no such luck. I had scarcely gotten into the bedroom when I heard Amelia's approaching footsteps. A moment later, she pushed the door wide open and stood there for a moment, fuming. Ignoring her, I dragged my suitcase from the wardrobe and quickly began to throw my clothes into it.
• "Answer me, you sorry excuse for a man," she shouted. "You can't fool me. You're just bluffing. I bet you don't even have a woman to take you in. You're dying inside. You really want me to take you back in, but I'm not going to do it, you hear me? I've had enough of you to last me a lifetime."
• I briefly considered reiterating the fact that I wasn't coming back to her, but I decided to save my breath and continue with my packing. Finally, all my worldly items were packed in two suitcases. I grabbed them and hurried out with Amelia on my tail. The Whites were all looking in the direction from which I would come, murmuring amongst themselves.
• I was almost at the door when Amelia called me back. She fumbled in her handbag, grabbed some documents.
• "Here." She flung the papers in my face. I grabbed them before they could hit the floor.
• "And what is this supposed to be?" I asked.
• "You can read, can't you?" she returned.
• I flipped through the documents. They were divorce papers and Amelia had already signed them. With hesitation, I pulled out a pen from my pocket, and while still standing quickly signed the papers. I then flung them in the general direction of the sofa.
• "Trust me, you will regret this decision, Amelia," I warned.
• "The only decision I will ever regret is getting married to you in the first place. I don't know what the hell I was thinking." She ran her hands through her hair. "I must have been mad."
• "It's fine, dear," Mrs White said to her daughter. "Thank goodness you have rectified your mistake."
• "Yes, mum. You're right, and I'm happier with James who takes care of my every need."
• Just then, that front door opened. James stormed in. He stopped short at the sight of me. He first went red, then purple and pointed a shaky finger at me.
• "You- you-" he stuttered, apoplectic with rage.
• "Careful now, James. You don't want to get a stroke, do you?" I drawled.
• "Shut the hell up!" he screamed. "You dare to show your face here after what you did?" He looked around the room wildly. "What the hell is he doing here?"
• "James, please calm down," said Amelia’s brother, Michael. Amelia hurried over to her lover, placing a hand on his back.
• "It's okay, love," she murmured. "Just calm down and tell us what happened. Please."
• James nodded, took several calming breaths and turned on me with a murderous glare. "Just this afternoon, I met this scum making enquiries about the cost of a condo in Royal Homes."
• "Royal Homes?" exclaimed Mrs White.
• "Isn't that the top real estate firm in this city?" asked one of the women.
• James went on. "I made a bet, knowing how dirt poor he is, that he couldn't afford to pay for the condo, but then-"
• James hung his head in shame. It looked as though he was already regretting his outburst.
• "And then I paid a million dollars for the place. James here kindly fulfilled the terms of the bet by groveling at my feet and getting kicked out by the security." I told them.
• There were gasps and ejaculations of surprise when I mentioned the amount I had paid. The Whites all looked frozen in their seats.
• "Is this true?" Mrs White demanded of James who hesitated and nodded his head sullenly.
• I chuckled at their facial expressions as I grabbed the handles of my suitcases again.
• "This is just the beginning," I said before walking out.