Once, my paranoid love

“Mrs. D’Souza, could you kindly come with me?” Obin said as he came back.

“Yes,” Anne said with a nod. Robert was going to follow her, but Obin stopped.

“Mr. D’Souza, I just asked for Mrs. D’Souza, not you,” Obin said.

“Babe, let me handle it,” Anne murmured while holding Robert’s hands. ‘If he goes with me, I will not be able to do what I want. So, it’s better if he stays here.’ Anne thought. Obin led Anne to a private room and handed her the phone.

She grabbed his phone and stammered, “Hello!” in a shaky voice.

“Yes, Mrs. D’Souza.” Anne heard a stern voice from the other side of the phone.

“Mr….” Anne said.

“Houston. You may call me Huston,” he added.

‘Huston! It reminds me of something I’ve heard before.’ Anne thought as she nervously nibbled her nails.

“It reminds me of something I’ve already heard,” out of curiosity, Anne stated.

“Mrs. D’Souza, do you want to speak with me to tell me that you are familiar with my name?” He unexpectedly asked.

“No, Mr. Huston,” Anne replied in a rush. “I didn’t mean that.”

Anne heard his sarcastic chuckle. “Ha-ha! I heard you and your husband are trying to break out of our agreement,” he said.

“No, Mr. Huston, it isn’t like that,” Anne said. ‘He was only making fun of us.’ As Anne thought, she stated, “We just asked for more time.”

“That is not my concern,” he said.

“Please, Mr. Huston, listen. Actually, it is my husband’s daughter who owns all of this, not my husband. So we are not able to return your money, but we cannot do it for her.” Anne expressed her displeasure.

“However, I don’t think she will sign everything,” she added.

“Mrs. D’Souza, why are you telling me this?” He asked.

‘Finally, you come to the crux of the matter.’ Anne took a deep breath and thought. “I have a proposal for you, Mr. Huston,” she said.

“Go ahead,” he said.

Anne urged as she exhaled. “Marry her.”

‘If he marries Elena, I’ll be able to handle my son with ease. He might also be able to help us. It makes no difference to me whether or not he is married or an old man,’ Anne thought.

“Mr. Huston, I’m talking about business. If you marry his daughter, you can inherit her entire estate,” Anne declared.

Derek was listening attentively to her.

“It’s an excellent suggestion. But, Mrs. D’Souza, what’s the benefit to you?” He asked abruptly.

“I’m not getting anything out of it, Mr. Huston. I don’t want to disappoint you, especially after you’ve invested so much in us,” Anne told him.

“Oh, really,” he said.

“Yes, Mr. Huston,” she said with a smile, “so, will I take it as a yes?”

“Ask your husband, Mrs. D’Souza, if he’d be willing to hand over his daughter to a complete stranger?” He asked.

“Thank you, Mr. Huston… I’ll persuade him,” Anne said. Derek hung up the phone and looked at the screen.

“Thank God,” Anne signed.

‘But I still have a problem. If he marries her, he will acquire all of her property. He appears to be an old man, but who knows how many days he has left? Whatever the case, I will think about it later. But first, I need to convince Robert.’ Anne thought.

[After an hour later]

Obin was looking forward to Derek’s arrival. Derek’s car came after a few minutes, and he got into it.

“Boss,” Obin said, “she appeared very happy.”

Derek gave a sly grin. “If it is true? Then just let her be. I’m curious to see what she’s capable of.”

Suddenly, Derek noticed a car parked in the middle of the road with two boys harassing a girl. “Stop the car,” he told the driver.

“Boss, do you need anything?” Obin asked.

“Wait here; I’ll be here in a minute,” he said as he stepped out of the car.

“Are you guys finished yet?” Derek asked as he stood behind them. Two boys turned back to Derek after hearing him. For the first time, Derek and Elena exchanged glances. She was lying in the back seat of the car, pitifully staring at him.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

[Flashback ends]

**

[Recent]

“Honey, we made a mistake. At least I should have met Mr. Huston,” Robert said.

Anne said, “Robert, I spoke with him,” raising her voice to him. She was simply attempting to persuade him. Anne sighed and took his hand in mine. “Listen up, honey, he’s a really nice guy. But I think he is a little older than Elena. But it doesn’t matter if he takes good care of our child; then what’s the big problem?”

Robert’s eyes widened in shock as he asked, “What?”

“Are you okay, Anne? Do you know what you’re saying? And what do you mean by a little older?” Robert had approached her with the question.

“I didn’t mean too old. Just say yes, babe,” Anne said. “Believe me, Elena will be happy.”

‘Who knows how old he is? I don’t care if he’s too old. I just want to kick Elena out of this house.’ Anne thought as she rolled her eyes. ‘Robert, I have to convince you at any cost.’

Anne began emotionally to blackmail him. She said, “Please, babe.”

Robert stopped for a moment before asking, “What if she doesn’t want to marry?”

‘Thank you, God! Robert eventually agreed.’ Anne sighed with relief.

“Make an effort to convince her. Even if it doesn’t work, you must be strict with her,” Anne exclaimed joyfully.

Robert rubbed his forehead. Anne was ecstatic to see him in that state. She was sure from his appearance that he would talk to Elena.

**

Paul walked toward Elena’s classroom, but he did not find her there either. He looked for her on campus. Paul narrowed his eyes as he entered; every student looked at him because they knew for what purpose he had come there.

They did not have the courage to ask or say anything to him. Paul could not find Eva there either. In a foul mood, he went out of the room.

“Where are you, Elena?” Paul murmured.

‘Ron is not here as well.’ Suddenly, Paul clenched his teeth while thinking, ‘Does it mean they are together?’

“Elena!”

“You better not be with him. I do not trust Pom. I know she knows where Elena is.” Paul murmured as he walked from there.

**

Lucy drove Elena back to her home. “So, this is your home?” Lucy asked.

I got out of the car and responded, “Yes, please come in.”

“Not today, honey. I have to get to the airport right now,” Lucy stated.

“Why?” I asked.

“I have some work to complete in Paris,” Lucy said.

I nodded and responded, “I see.”

“Lucy, can you give me his phone number?” I asked.

Lucy asked, “His?” with an arched eyebrow on her face.

“I’m talking about Derek,” I said, a smile on my face.

She guffawed as she taunted, “Why?”

“Don’t put too much thought into things. I only want to thank him for everything he has done for me,” I expressed myself.

“It’s all right, honey. But I’m extremely sorry that I won’t be able to give you his phone number. He doesn’t like it, so I’m sorry. He is an introvert who avoids talking with strangers,” Lucy stated.

‘Oh! Yes, he is unfamiliar to me. Why should he wait for a token of gratitude? Perhaps he’s already forgotten about me.’ I thought.

“But,” Lucy remarked, winking, “you’re different.” She snatched up a pen and scribbled his phone number down on a piece of paper. She handed me the note and said, “Here it is.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I said pleasantly, “but he is also unfamiliar with me.”

“Oh, really,” she said, smiling, “but I can see your future with Derek.”

I said, “Lucy.” She’s merely trying to pair me up with Derek.

“Ha-ha! Don’t worry; after returning from Paris, I’ll take him to your place. If you’re lucky, he may pick up your call,” Lucy expressed her thought.

“Then I’ll choose to wait for you guys.” I nodded.

“But I’d like to give him a lesson. He chastised me several times. It’s now my turn,” Lucy said.

“Like how?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“Because I know he’ll call me to ask about you, but I’m not going to give it to him,” Lucy proudly stated.

“Lucy, you’re such a teaser,” I chuckled.

Lucy gave me a friendly smile. “I admire your beauty, angel. But I have to leave now,” she said, driving away after saying.

I bid her farewell and was about to enter the house.

When Lucy’s car went away, I spotted Paul’s car rushing toward me. It stopped in front of me at such a speed. I narrowed my eyes as I spotted him coming out of the car. I exhaled heavily and turned my face away from him to enter the mansion, but suddenly Paul grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him.

“Paul!”

He grabbed my waist tightly, and I put my palms on his chest, trying to push him away. “What are you doing?”

“Elena!”

“Where have you been?” He shouted at me.