Chapter 3

The persistent ringing of the phone sliced through the silence of the room, causing a loud his to escape her small plump lips, as she glanced at the caller with irritation written all over her face.

"Blaine? This had better be good," Mrs. Greta spewed angrily at the caller when she finally answered the phone.

"I hope so too," Blaine Declan responded after a brief silence. He hated her guts.

"Go on," She said flatly.

"The proposal has been submitted. Hopefully, we should get a response in two weeks," He explained.

"Why do we have to wait that long? Come on, can't you make it any faster?"

"You already know this is the very best I can do. He's not one to be pressured, you know this, don't you?" He suppressed his rage, trying his hardest not to yell at her.

Mrs. Greta is overly controlling. She wants every damn thing done her way. She doesn't give a damn about what anyone feels, as long as she gets what she wants, she's good to go. She had no iota of respect for anyone, not even her supposed soon-to-be son-in-law, and it pisses the hell out of Blaine.

"Can you arrange for a meeting with him? Perhaps, Laura might do a great job convincing him to make it faster, and even more, getting the assurance that the proposal would be granted, you know?" She suggested, and it sounded like a perfect plan already.

"Quit dreaming. It's almost impossible getting him to meet just anyone. He only meets people of his caliber, and only when he permits. I have work to attend to." He dropped the call immediately, his eyes turning red with anger.

"Such a greedy bitch! No wonder she never hesitated to hand over her loose daughter to me for marriage." He let out a smirk. "Let's see who turns out the best player." A devilish grin spread across his face.

***

Delaney snapped out of her sadness as she took a quick glance at the time. "Oh my God," she gasped, quickly rushing into the bathroom.

She had dozed off while wallowing in her pain. She was already running late. This was an opportunity she didn't want to miss.

She wasted no time in the bathroom today - there was no time for her normal bath routine. It was time she took the bull by the horn. She was done being a liability to anyone, not even Blaine nor Greta.

Delaney had always dreamed of the day she'd become an independent woman. A woman who could afford whatever kind of luxury and life she wanted, not having to live at the mercy of what others wanted. A lot had been taken away from her over the years, including a lot of her rights.

She hardly ever had the right to even her personal feelings. She lost the right to make choices, to be happy, to love and be loved, to dream, wish, feel or even ask! A lot of that was going to change soon.

She hurried to the closet, scanning through the few clothes she had. She picked the best out of the very few she had - a simple but beautiful red gown that hugged her body, outlining her perfect curves. It was slightly above knee length, a little bit provocative, but it was great.

Her man hated seeing her in such outfits, for reasons best known to him, but right now, she dared to displease him. She missed looking beautiful. She wanted to remember how it felt to look beautiful.

Blaine... She paused briefly at the thought of the man she loves with all of her heart. She loved him from the depths of her heart that it hurts.

Blaine is actually a good man... Sometimes he gets very angry and makes her life a little bit unbearable. But as long as he is happy without anything or anyone bothering or annoying him, she enjoys some moment of peace.

He was the only person she had, aside from her stepmother, Greta, and her daughters Velda and Laura who despised her so much and made sure they made her life unbearable at every opportunity they had, for reasons best known to them.

She always prayed for Blaine to stay happy always, so she could also stay at peace. And even though he doesn't show her affection, it's fine, as long as she had the peace she desires.

Delaney heaved a heavy sigh, staring at her reflection in the mirror, not knowing what to feel - ugly or beautiful. She felt she was losing her confidence as a woman. Blaine never admires her. She couldn’t recall the last time she got compliments.

She applied some makeup on her face, determined to restore her confidence by trying her best to look beautiful. And in a few minutes, she was done dressing up.

A smile of satisfaction played across her face as she stared at her reflection with more admiration this time around.

Her long curly chestnut brown hair was styled in a decent braided bun, allowing a few loose strands to dangle lazily on both sides of her face. The silky baby hairs behind her ears, down to the back of her neck gave her an irresistible look.

Putting on matching red heels and a little black clutch, she was good to go. And with one final glance at the mirror, she wished herself luck, as that was all she actually needed at that moment.

***

Seated in Adonis' office, Blaine Declan struggled to conceal the mounting fear that threatened to consume him. His heart raced with a frenzied beat, his forehead slick with beads of sweat, causing his hands to tremble.

His eyes reflected all the emotions he felt at that point, hinting at the fear that he desperately tried to conceal.

Adonis' piercing gaze was fixed upon him, unyielding and unwavering. When he looked at you, it was like he was seeing straight into your soul.

He issued his command in a voice that was devoid of emotion. "Blaine, I need those documents on this table immediately," he stated flatly, his tone brooking no argument or delay.

Blaine had been running late for work that morning, and in his haste, he had inadvertently left the crucial documents lying on his couch, completely unaware. He was thankful he didn't pull through with the plans he had earlier.

Blaine holds a very vital position in Adonis' company, giving him the privilege to handle a part of the company's finances, but of course, he couldn't help but take a Dollar or two sometimes... Who'd realize it anyway? He's a professional when it comes to carefully altering reports, and so far, so good, he has never been caught nor suspected to have been embezzling some money for the company.

When he found out he had very little time to alter the document he had taken home yesterday to enable him to steal a little more money, he abandoned the quest, knowing that if he had started the process, it would have taken him a minimum of two days to get it done. He decided to wait for another window of opportunity... The opportunities are always there. It's a very huge company.

He inwardly gave himself a smile of victory and appreciation to the heavens. He would have been caught red-handed today.

"I'll go get it immediately, sir. My apartment is just a 10 minutes drive from here," He hastily suggested, not wanting to stay in there any longer. He might not survive another minute under such an atmosphere.

"Make a call. Get someone to bring it over to you now. It's office hours, you are not permitted to leave the premises until you are done for the day." Adonis stated in a low but commanding tone, without sparing Blaine a glance. His attention had shifted to the picture he'd been looking at before he got interrupted by a call from his private investigator.

Without hesitation, Blaine brought out his phone and dialed Delaney's line. He waited impatiently for her to pick up the phone, but she didn't. He felt his anger rising. 'That bitch!' he cursed inwardly.