[23]
A bad mood indeed affects a person’s performance. Usually, it’s best to step away for a while to restore the already damaged spirit when it’s like that. Sit down with a cup of warm coffee, hot chocolate, and a few pieces of low-sugar toast. Remember the music playing softly in the background to soothe oneself and bring the mood back to a reasonable level.
However, when someone has already done that but still hasn’t regained their mood, the mood damage in their heart is too significant. That’s what Ester is experiencing today.
Since Sofi picked her up from Leonel’s house, Ester has sighed deeply multiple times. Not to mention her tightly clenched fists, causing her palms to hurt from her nails digging into them. The glare in her eyes shows she doesn’t want to be disturbed. There have also been murmurs from her mouth, indicating that her teeth are grinding against each other to hold back her emotions.
Sofi knows that her employer’s mood is terrible and has tried a few things to alleviate Ester’s anger. But everything has been in vain. Ester refuses and scolds Sofi for her actions, considering them excessive.
“You know, don’t you, that I don’t like tea with lemon?”
Despite that, Ester has drunk what Sofi prepared for her several times to help the model relax. “Yes, Miss. I’m sorry. What would you like me to bring you to drink?”
“Whatever!” Ester said dismissively, waving her hand. She still can’t get rid of the distasteful breakfast she had earlier. She wants to scream in protest at Leonel, who is happily engaged with his disabled wife. And the atmosphere in the house is closing in on Ester, making her feel like an intruder. Ah, no. Ester would never admit that she’s an intruder in a sacred relationship. In her eyes, Chloe is the one at fault. The one who took Leonel away from her life. The one who came and became the center of attention for the Grisham family, even though there’s nothing special about Chloe. But why did the Grishams accept Chloe so readily while disregarding her?
“ARGH!” she yelled loudly. Sofi, who was tidying up the clothes Ester had worn, was startled by the beautiful woman’s scream. She approached cautiously, still hesitant and afraid of being scolded again, but Sofi had to ensure Ester was okay.
“What’s wrong, Miss?” Sofi asked, her eyes filled with concern. Not only did Sofi witness the scream this time, but she also saw Ester messing up her hair. It’s like she’s losing control over herself for whatever reason. Sofi wanted to ask further, but seeing Ester’s worsening expression and mood, she refrained from asking too many questions.
“You’d better leave,” Ester commanded. She leaned back in the chair she was sitting on. Closing her eyes tightly, Ester hoped her frustration would disappear when Ester opened them. But even in darkness, she could still imagine Chloe and Leonel at the dining table.
“But, Miss,” Sofi tried to prevent herself from being expelled. At the very least, she needed to know the condition of Ester in this room. Who knows what she might do outside of control, and Sofi couldn’t stop it. Who knows, right? Sofi was genuinely afraid that something terrible might happen to the beautiful woman. The woman from whom her source of income came.
“Go, Sofi,” Ester spoke with a somewhat commanding tone. Her eyes also stared fiercely at Sofi. It made Sofi take a few steps back before finally leaving after obtaining permission from Ester. The woman didn’t say much in the room designated explicitly for her. The photoshoot session ended well, although there were several retakes due to Ester’s lack of focus.
Usually, matters like this don’t bother Ester, but why does Chloe’s presence constantly irritate her?
Ester can still vividly remember how Leonel treated his wife. There’s nothing wrong with it, considering Chloe’s disability. It’s beneficial, right? It strengthens the divorce process between Leonel and Chloe. But why does that self-unaware woman think she doesn’t need Leonel’s help? It’s so frustrating. That’s also what keeps Leonel from losing his determination to help Chloe.
What a foolish man!
“If I don’t help you, Chloe, you’ll have trouble with your breakfast.”
Even Leonel’s impatient tone disturbed Ester. There was no pleasure with each bite she took from the elegant and luxurious swan-patterned plate. Maybe because she was forced to eat where she couldn’t taste any of the flavors that were supposed to be enjoyable. And there, in front of her, who knows what play Leonel was engaging in this time?
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“Don’t worry, Leonel. You know everything about me. How can a husband not know his wife, right? Especially when his wife is no longer perfect.” Chloe spoke without even looking at Leonel. Her eyes only occasionally moved slowly. Ester could observe it because she was sitting across from her.
No one spoke after that, which made Ester smile cynically. She found Chloe’s words amusing. Or she should add.
“It seems that what’s perfect can be discarded just like that, right, Leo?” Chloe adjusted her posture. “We can see now you choose to sit next to me rather than Ester. What does that mean? Is your imperfect wife becoming your priority?”
“Chloe,” Leonel warned. “What are you talking about?”
Chloe smiled again, much more comprehended than when she invited Ester to sit at this dining table. Ester had initially wanted to add words to silence the woman forever, just as she remained silent when she was frequently caught alone with her husband. She never uttered a word, appearing resigned to everything that happened, which made Ester feel superior for the past few years.
But now? Ester gripped her fork and spoon tightly, afraid of losing control and not believing in the current Chloe. She must immediately urge Leonel to divorce that woman. Ester must. Especially when she heard Chloe say, “Do I have to become disabled before I get your attention, Mas Leonel? Leaving behind a beautiful woman who captivated my husband’s world for five years?”
“Chloe!!!” Ester couldn’t stand it anymore. “Watch your words.”
“You should be the one to maintain decorum, Ester,” Agatha spoke up. “What my niece said is true. I know a hundred percent how my niece behaves. Not by shouting like someone without manners at the dining table.” The woman coughed briefly.
“Forgive me, Mom, Leonel, and you too, Ester,” Chloe spoke with a smile that now disgusted Ester. “I caused a disturbance. Continue with your breakfast. Don’t leave this house on an empty stomach.” Afterward, the blind woman enjoyed the sliced toast that Leonel had prepared for her. Ester could taste the bitterness because Chloe occasionally smiled in her direction. Although those eyes couldn’t see Ester, Chloe’s smile was enough for her. That smile was filled with mockery.
“Damn you, Chloe!!!”
***
A man sat engrossed with a pen he deliberately played with between his fingers. The reports on his desk had been momentarily set aside. It’s not that he didn’t want to deal with the overwhelming workload, but one folder brought by Emir, his trusted assistant, made him choose to savor the victory that was beginning to emerge in his life.
A grin was visible on his face. His eyes, framed by thick prescription glasses, gazed at the report containing a photo of someone. Wearing a knee-length white dress with a violet cardigan, although he couldn’t shake off his annoyance with the glasses-wearing figure in the portrait, at least he could still admire the beauty that captivated his eyes. Beside her was another woman he also recognized.
They knew each other, but due to circumstances and numerous obligations that required him to leave New York City for a while, he was sure there were many gaps between them. However, that didn’t mean he would stay silent and ignore that woman.
“We’ll meet soon, Chloe,” he said. He used his thumb to caress the figure in the white dress. Most had stayed the same since the last time they met. Still the same, except he felt the joy on that face starting to fade. And he knew who was responsible for it all.
Leonel Grisham.
So in the mind of this bespectacled man, the response should be equal. But he wasn’t someone who enjoyed confrontation. He chose a structured way to obtain what he should have.
“Sir,” Emir greeted without knocking on the door of his office first. This earned him a sarcastic glance from the room’s owner. “I’m sorry, sir.” Emir knew his boss was only particularly fond of him entering with knocking first. “This is urgent, sir.”
“How urgent?”
“It’s about the developments regarding Mrs. Chloe.”
The back of the bespectacled man straightened. “What do you mean?”
Emir handed him a new file with the hospital logo. He was amazed by his boss’s extensive connections, allowing him to obtain what he wanted quickly. Including this report, which Emir knew was confidential and not something just anyone could get their hands on. “You can check it yourself, sir.”
The man took some time to examine the report Emir gave him. There was a satisfied smile on his face now. Then he leaned back in his oversized chair. “Ah… so that’s how it is. Good. I knew Chloe wasn’t a weak woman.”
“But… it’s hazardous, sir.”
He slowly removed his glasses, revealing his eyes that were still adjusting since the mirrors gave him a slightly different appearance, but that was only temporary. However, removing the glasses made his gaze even sharper. It made Emir slightly lower his head.
“I know my limits, Emir.” He then rose from his seat. “If it weren’t for that accident, Ester would never have been able to enter the Grisham house.” His steps didn’t lead toward his assistant but to the large glass window behind his chair. “Everyone gets what they deserve, right? Ester gets Leonel, and I will reclaim Chloe.”
Emir chose not to say anything as a knock on the door diverted their attention.
“Sir, Mrs. Ester would like to meet with you.”
The man’s smile widened even more. “Please, Emir, let her in.”