Broken Angel Read online

  Chapter 2

  Everyone was surprised to see us arrive home early, but they welcomed us in anyway. Then after a while, I headed upstairs to Angel's room. The maid had already put our stuff there, so obviously they expected us to sleep together. The rest of the family was still downstairs in the living room questioning Angel when I excused myself. I pulled out my cell phone as soon as I shut the door to the room and dialed my mom. She picked almost immediately.

  "I'm back, Mom."

  "Finally. I thought you had already forgot about our plan."

  "How can I?"

  "Good. Now our first target is Elizabeth. Like I told you."

  "Are you coming over?"

  "No... Drop by my place in an hour. I'll get the bottle ready."

  Angel entered the room.

  "I have to go now, Mom. Talk to you in a bit," I hurried in saying, then hung up. "That was my mom. I called her to let her know we are back."

  Angel nodded then went over to the wardrobe to take off his clothes.

  "I have to go see her."

  "Now?"

  "Yes. She wants to see me."

  "It's late. You'll never make it back in time for dinner."

  "I am not asking for permission, Angel. I am going to see my mom." I raised my voice now to show how serious I was. He looked at me for a second, then looked back into the wardrobe pulling out his pajamas.

  "Then why are you telling me? Suit yourself."

  I sighed and left through the door. He was obviously still upset over what happened, but why was I suddenly concerned about how he felt? Wasn't all this just a show?

  I asked the driver to take me to my mom's place and in no time we were on our way there. I knew our home was far, so if I wanted to make it to her place in time, I'd have to leave immediately. It took over an hour to get there. It was already past seven by the time the car came to a halt at the curb.

  My mom pulled me inside almost immediately and hugged me like she'd feared for a second that I was in danger. Ever since the night my dad had that car accident and died, my mom never trusted the Moreroes again. It was like a veil had been lifted from her face allowing her to see them for who they truly were.

  "Did he hurt you?"

  "No, Mom. Angel is not like that." I snapped and pulled away from her.

  "Do you know that family better than I do? Child..."

  "Mom, stop it okay? Angel is different. And he loves me."

  My mom scoffed, discarding what I just said. "Listen, you'll be making a huge mistake if you fall for him. It's only a matter of time, I tell you."

  "Mom, I'll be careful."

  "Here." She placed something into my hands. "Drop this into her tea or coffee every morning."

  I looked down at the bottle in my hands. It contained a liquid substance. "What's this, Mom?"

  "Prednisone."

  "What does it do?"

  "Prednisone is a corticosteroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. It also suppresses the immune system. Prednisone is used as an anti-inflammatory or an immunosuppressant medication. Prednisone treats many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders."

  "How is this helping, Mom?"

  "But not just anyone can take it. Elizabeth has a heart disease and taking this can worsen her case slowly. No one would suspect you or anyone."

  "Mom, no. This could kill her," I said while quickly pushing it back into her hands.

  "No, it won't. If you give it to her bit by bit."

  "What would this do to her then?"

  She pulled out a note from her pocket and opened it: "According to what is written on the warning side effects: ‘hives; difficult breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights; swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; severe depression, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness, changes in personality or behaviour, seizure (convulsions); bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood; pancreatitis (severe pain in the upper stomach spreading to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate); low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure). Other common prednisone side effects may include; sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes; increased appetite, gradual weight gain; acne, increased sweating, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discolouration; slow wound healing; headache, dizziness, spinning sensation; nausea, stomach pain, bloating; or

  changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).’” She looked up from the paper. "See? This won't kill her."

  "No, Mom. I am not so sure about this."

  "Child, for your father."

  I looked at her, then at the bottle. She had stretched it out to me.

  "Take it. And be very judicious about the dosage. An overdose might kill her."

  I grabbed it out of her hands and hid it away into my purse.

  "In a week, we should start seeing some changes."

  I nodded, then quickly hugged her and kissed her cheeks. Leaving almost immediately, I hurried into the backseat and shut the door. I couldn't look my mom in the face anymore. I was heaving heavily. What if someone sees me? This has to work as planned, or else I am doomed. But this was only just Phase Two.

  Chapter 3

  I got up early before anyone else and made my way to the kitchen. Although, the maids were up already making breakfast.

  "Good morning," I said strolling into the kitchen.

  "Good morning, ma’am," they all said in unison.

  I nodded and smiled then opened the fridge. Taking out the jug of juice, I poured some into a cup and drank from it.

  "Is Elizabeth up already?" I asked still drinking from the cup.

  "No, ma'am. We take her breakfast up to her every day."

  "Oh, I see." I came closer to the lady putting together the tray. "Is this hers?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Let me take it up to her. Okay?"

  The maid look at me for a second confused.

  "I just want her to like me. Okay?" I smiled at the lady now and she smiled back like she understood even more than I'd said. I picked the tray up from the table almost immediately and walked away out of the kitchen, then straight upstairs to her room. Stopping along the way, I slowly placed the tray on the table in the corridor then went back to see if anyone was coming. After clarifying that the road was clear, I slipped the bottle out of where I'd hidden it and quickly dropped some into her teapot. Hiding it almost immediately, I took the pot and shook it stirring the tea well. Clearing my throat, I picked up the tray again and continued walking.

  I knocked on her door and waited for her to say something. When she didn't, I knocked again.

  "Come in dummy!" she yelled and coughed. I opened the door and dipped my head inside. "Oh my goodness, Kayla. Please do come in. I'm sorry. I didn't know it was you."

  I nodded then entered with her tray. She was sitting on a stool looking into the mirror.

  "You really shouldn't have bothered. The maids could have done that."

  "I volunteered to help, Elizabeth." I dropped the tray off on a stool now and quickly turned to take my leave

  "Wait."

  I froze to that spot.

  "Do I look lean to you?"

  I turned my head back to look at her now. She really did look thinner than I knew her to be years back. I just never paid attention.

  "I know, right." She answered herself looking back into the mirror. She coughed again then quickly took out her pills from inside the drawer. "Could you help me with the water?" She added stretching her hands to take the bottle of water on the tray. I moved swiftly to her side and handed it to her instead. She
smiled, pouring some into a cup. I just stood there looking at her. She looked really sick.

  "Are you okay?" I found myself asking after a while

  "I'll be fine. Did you make the tea yourself?"

  I hesitated for a second. "No. No the maid did. I just brought it up since I was in the kitchen to get some juice. Besides, I needed an excuse to come see you."

  "Really?"

  "Yes. I wanted to thank you for accepting me into the family."

  She smiled generously now as though I'd just cracked a joke. She took the teapot and served herself some tea. I couldn't watch her. I'd probably throw up or scream. So instead of just standing there looking at her, I excused myself and left. Or maybe I left because I feared she'd ask me to join her. As I left out of her room, Alex’s door opened almost immediately and he came out. We stood looking at each other for a second.

  "Hi," I said faking a smile.

  "Hi," he replied, then walked away.

  "Are you going somewhere?" I asked following quickly behind him.

  "What do you care?" He kept on walking.

  "Please stop." My voice came out in more of a whisper now.

  He did, but still didn't look back at me. I was going to say something when suddenly Angel's bedroom door opened as well and he came outside. He stopped to look at both of us for a second.

  "Good morning?" he said feeling awkward

  "Good morning," Alex replied then went down the stairs. I followed him with my eyes for a second then sighed.

  "What's going on between you two?" Angel asked coming closer. He kissed me on the forehead now.

  "I don't know what you mean."

  He smiled now and held my hands. "Let go downstairs for breakfast then." He added and then walked me down. We took our seat in the dining room. Clifford and Matthew were at the dining table already, so we just joined them. We ate in silence the whole time and only the crunches from our mouth intruded into the silence in the room.

  "We're leaving for work." Clifford and Matthew finally broke the silence getting up.

  "The shipping company seems to be doing very well," I commented while eating my meal.

  "Yes. Quite well. Why?" Matthew replied.

  "Well, I was wondering if I could drop by sometime to say hi."

  "Of course, sister in-law. You can."

  "Besides, I'd like to discuss business with you."

  "Anytime," Clifford replied. "We really have to get going now though."

  "How about I drop by today?" I said again, even though I knew Angel's eyes were fixed on me.

  "Sure. You can meet with Clifford. I on the other hand have a lot of clients to take care of."

  "I understand." I smiled.

  "Oh, well. I guess we'll be on our way now." Clifford added walking away. Matthew followed suit almost immediately.

  "Umm, honey. What was that about?"

  I looked at Angel and smiled. "Nothing, honey. Remember, I studied business administration in college. I might be able to offer some of my ideas to help the shipping company."

  "You really don't have to."

  I sighed, "I don't just want to be lying around all day doing nothing. I want to work. I am thinking of becoming a partner at the shipping company."

  Angel suddenly choked on his food. "What?"

  "Yes, I want to help the family the best way I can. As your wife I have the right to."

  "Become a partner? Isn't it too early for such things?"

  "That's why I want to discuss it first with your brothers. We should be able to strike an agreement."

  I raised an eye to look at Alex now. I noticed he hadn't said a word.

  "I haven't seen Zee today. Have you Alex?" I asked.

  He looked distracted, like he was nowhere around us to even listen to our conversation.

  "Alex?" Angel called, tapping the table.

  "Yeah?" Alex looked up at Angel, now startled.

  "I was asking after Zee. Where is she?"

  "She moved out. You know how she is." Alex snorted discarding that topic.

  "Why? Did she say where to?"

  Alex scoffed. "What do you care? Not as if you guys were best friends or something."

  "Well, I care very much, okay?" And at a point, I was actually beginning to believe so myself.

  "I'll leave you two alone to talk for a bit, okay? I need to leave for work as well," Angel interrupted, and then got up. In no time, I was left alone with Alex. I just stared into my plate not knowing what next to say.

  "Happy?"

  "Huh?" I looked up as though I didn't hear what he said

  "I said are you happy with my brother? You seem happy."

  "Yes, very much. I really am."

  "I just hope it last long," he said, still indifferent.

  "I heard you're moving too."

  "Yes. I have no interest in being a part of the family business, so I have decided to move. It'd be convenient for everyone."

  "But... But this is your home Alex. You just can't leave."

  "Watch me." He bluffed, then got up agitated

  "Is it because of me? Are you leaving because you can't stand being in the same house with me?"

  He stared at me, then smiled.

  "What?"

  "You still have feelings for me," he said, and then sat down back.

  "No, I don't." I replied quickly, although I was afraid I didn't sound so convincing.

  "Yes, you do. You're even still wearing the perfume I got for you. I can smell it from here, you know." He smiled again.

  I looked down, as if I wasn't sure anymore if I should keep on denying it. Alex and I dated secretly in college for two years. Well after I knew he was a Morero, and then my mom's plan for revenge came up. He knew me better than anyone I've been with. He knows what I like and what I don't. He knows how I sleep. He knows the exact size of my underwear. He even knows how I style my hair and when I don't. He know when I have my periods, and the medicines I take.

  "You're never going to be happy with my brother."

  "I wish there was a way to convince you that I feel absolutely nothing towards you anymore," I said in a baritone then got up and left. I couldn't keep thinking about the past. Alex is my past. I got a future I need to secure and Alex is definitely not a part of it. I needed to go see Clifford, if possible. I needed to partner with them as soon as possible. Mom's orders. She is still yet to tell me why, but I know she has a pretty good plan so I trust her judgement.

  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 th
e 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."