Chapter 5

“Babe, please” Rebecca pleaded

She was with Alex in his office. It was a new day and a few hours after Damien’s arrest. At first, she let Damien be arrested as that might teach him a lesson not to interfere in her matters again. However, she thought his arrest would only last for the night.

When morning came, she asked Alex if he had released Damien but he replied that he had not. Alex had said he would release him later but after a few hours, he told Rebecca he changed his mind.

He wanted Damien to rot in jail for all he did so he was moving Damien from detention to prison. He deserved it. But Rebecca kept on pleading with him to change his mind. “Please, baby. You know how his poor people behave. They always feel entitled” she said

“And that’s why he needs to stay in there. Prison is the best place for him”

“No, Baby. Please, just release him. I promise he will not bother us again. I’ll make sure of that” she said playing with her index finger on his chest

Alex thought for a little while. “I’ll give it to you very well, today. As much as you want” she said

“Fine but if he dares me again. I’ll make sure he does not see the light of day for the rest of his life” he said and picked up his phone

He dialled a number. “Release the brat,” he said

“Thanks, baby” she placed a kiss on his lips “I’ll be back” she said and rushed out

She got in the car and drove off to the police station and waited for Damien in the parking lot. Thirty minutes after waiting, Damien stepped out and she got out of the car. He spotted her and thought maybe, there was a change.

She was here after all. What else if not to make amends? There was almost a skip in his movement as he walked to the lady in sunglasses. “Re-” she raised her hand shutting him up

“What don’t you get by we cannot work? I’ve moved on. Alex would get married to me soon. I don’t need you ruining things for me”

“Rebecca but you are my wife”

“Ex-wife. You signed the divorce papers and I did too. I’ve sent it to the lawyer and it has been stamped so we are no longer married, Damien. You are my past. Alex is my present and my future”

“Think this through Rebecca, please. I had money. I just-”

Rebecca took out the ring from her purse and threw it at his face. “That’s your cheap ring. I don’t want to hear your lies. This is a warning to you. Do not pester Alex and I again or you will not be going into detention but jail, do you get it?”

Damien did not look at her. His gaze remained on the ring on the ground. Rebecca got into the car and drove off leaving Damien standing in the middle of the compound contemplating his life and what next to do.

He picked up the ring and walked out of the police station. He thought of selling off the ring but it was not worth anything. They were in college when he got the ring. He had run out of pocket money after he helped her with a few things so he could only get a cheap ring from a local market nearby for the wedding.

The only solution now was to go to his family. He had nothing to sustain him. If he stayed out in the streets, he doubted he would survive. Like the prodigal son, he went back to his family house, the Alfredo mansion.

He went on foot and it was a distance away from where he was. It took him a few hours to get to the mansion. The gateman knowing who he was opened the gate for him but did not lead him to the door.

Damien with his entire countenance of remorse and regret walked up to the door and reluctantly knocked on the door. It took a few minutes for the door to fling open. “Young master?” the butler said

“Is… Is dad home?” Damien asked

The butler nodded and stepped aside for him to come in. The moment Damien got in, the sense of home hit him. It had been more than a year since he was disowned and had to stay with Rebecca and her family.

“I’ll go and inform your father of your return,” the butler said and Damien nodded

The butler quickly went up the stairs and when he got back, Damien’s parents were behind him. The butler excused himself and left them alone. Damien’s mother wanted to hug her son but her husband, held her back.

“Did you miss your way, young man?” his father asked

“Dad, em… I… I’m sorry, Dad. I was wrong, you were right. Rebecca divorced me and her family sent me out of the house. I have nowhere to go right now and-”

“And how is that our problem?”

“Dad, please, I know you are mad at me but I’m sorry. I did not mean to go against your order. I was in love so-”

“Then you should still be in love”

“Dad-”

“Stop daddying me. You chose your path and you went for it despite my warnings. You went ahead to get married to a low-class girl. I have warned you several times about your decision. What did I tell you the day you walked out of this house to get married to that girl?”

Damien remembered it quite well. “Damien! If you step out of this house and get married to that girl, forget that you are ever the son of this family!”

But Damien could not say it. “Good, now leave,” his father said

“I’m sorry” he knelt down

His mother took a step forward to go to him but her husband spoke, “Touch that boy and be ready for a divorce” and he went up the stairs

Reluctantly, his mother joined him