Chapter Two

"Hope there's no problem? You sound like it's something serious." Mandy adjusted, genuinely concerned. 

"I'm fine, trust me. Like I said, it's for my ex, May."

"Hmmm. What about May? Never knew you updated your status yet. You hinted it earlier but thought I simply heard wrongly ."

"No, you did not. May and I are separated.... since this afternoon but that's not the point now. I need you to see that Lucien Enterprise keep their part of the deal and  quit stressing May out already" He sounded a bit too serious in his own ears and hated it. Maybe he was becoming  too desperate for things to work out.

"Relax. I will see to that right away, trust me and quit stressing" Mandy cleared her throat, a known act when she wants to pry. 

"But why do you care so badly? I mean— she's your ex now"

"We're exes not enemies, Mandy. Maybe I should get back to work now. Ttyl!" Declan was about to hang up. 

"Wait... One more thing. My grandpa's illness has persisted.I need your help." Mandy's voice dropped in a low worrisome tone.

Her grandfather's constant illness despite every effort to cure him was weighing heavily on her shoulders. She doesn't want to loose him and this time, his life seemed to be hanging on a thin thread. 

"Alright. I will be on my way right now.

" Declan crooned, taking hint of the critical situation. 

"Thank you so much, Declan. " Mandy's voice had a glimpse of her affectionate self. Her face lit up in a sudden remind and Declan could tell from the light chuckle that escaped her throat. 

"Out with it, Mandy. I can tell there's something else."

"Oh you know me so well don't you. My head decided to save the best part for the last."

"I'm all ears"

She cleared her throat in the most dramatic way that made Declan's chin lift in a light smile. 

"Well? I found it!"

"What did you find?" Declan's voice was thick with oblivion. 

"The herbs, dumb. Now we can guarantee we're one step ahead."

"Really, Mandy? This is great news! Definitely the best thing I have heard today. I should be on my way already."

 "See you in a jiffy."  Mandy was smiling so hard that her cheeks turned red. 

 Declan was excited too. He had waited forever for that moment. That was the First herb anyway but it was proof his plan will pull through. He couldn't wait for everything to finally work out and for him to get his life back. 

Hanging up the phone, Declan laid staring at the ceiling for a moment. He did a mental calculation on how things were going and was pleased so far.

He finally got up and was out of his hotel room. Going down to the basement and about to enter his car, something he saw struck him.

"Wait a minute. Is that not the lady from earlier? Don't tell me this— No way this woman set me up" 

He stood stunned and watched his mother-in-law, Clara hand an envelope to the same lady she had accused him of sleeping with. It dawned on him at that moment that Clara may have planned it all from the beginning .

"Poor May" He looked around and she was nowhere to be found. He could swear May knew nothing about her mother's plotting.

"I knew about  your corny ass but never imagined you could go this low."

Declan matched up to Clara just in time before she could enter her car. 

"And what's that supposed to mean, Declan? What are you doing down her" Embarrassed, Clara glanced around hoping no one was at earshot.

"You and I know what I mean. I just saw you hand an envelope to the slut you accused me of sleeping with!"

"I beg your pardon. I won't stand and watch you slander my name and integrity. I'm nothing like your low ass!" She continued to glance around in obvious discomfort.

"Oh really? You're also a pathetic liar. Not in the slightest surprised though."

"How dare you? You don't stand before me and utter such degrading words. How can I blame you? I blame my daughter for settling for a lowlife."

"I wonder each day how of everyone in the world, the universe chose you as her mother. She would have been better off motherless."

Declan's words stung Clara and she grew furious.

"How dare you—!" She raised her hand to slap him but he held her hand before she could land it.

"Don't go too far!" He said coldly,staring at her emotionlessly. 

"Did you just—" Clara was furious and lost of words. Somehow,his cold aura made her feel scared. She glared at Declan's hand gripping hers tightly and felt helpless. She looked up at Declan in a scowl. 

"You will regret this day all your life!" 

She turned and began to scream. "HELP! Somebody help me! This man is a stalker and wants to harm me!"

Tears instantly began to roll down her cheeks to Declan's amazement.