Daytime Nightmare

"Sorry Deborah, I have to go now. It's urgent" her last words to her best friend, Deborah rings in her eyes as she returns back to Blake's mansion.

She earlier got a call from Shirley, asking her to come back home as soon as possible because Christine ended up having cold feet. On the phone, she sounded so serious and furious which gave her more reason to rush back.

Emerald entered into the mansion and the welcome back she got was a slap on her face, by furious Shirley. She was not even allowed to settle or even speak.

"How dare you leave this house without my consent?!" Shirley's words followed, hitting her like a hard rock on her chest.

"Ma'am, I was given permission by your husband and besides that is what the contract stated" she defended herself outrightly with her hand on her cheek.

"Oh? And don't you think it's ethical that you tell me before leaving this house? Who are you to do whatever you want to do as it pleases you?!" Shirley queried angrily.

"I'm sorry ma'am. It won't happen again" she said sadly after thinking about the punishment that may be given to her if she ever offends Shirley.

"Get out of here and never show your face in front of me!" Shirley shouted.

"Yes ma'am" with her hand still on her cheek, she left the living room.

In B Group, Blake quietly glanced through the file in his hand. Across him was his right hand man, Jason. The office was properly arranged and designed, it has unique furniture of high standard. On the long brown desk holds a nameplate that has his name on it, "CEO: Mr. Hampton Blake".

"What is the latest?" he asked with his eyes fixed on the file.

"Successfully, we got the top deal with Rush company in Shanghai, China" Jason informed confidently in a polite tone and he nodded.

"That's good" he lifted his gaze from the file.

"And what is going on with my in-laws lately?" he asked anxiously.

"Nothing much. It's already been three years of marriage, they are now convinced of your relationship with their daughter" Jason paused.

"Last I heard, they contracted us for some deal with their Turkey investors," Jason informed him.

"Great! Great! This is exactly what I want from them" he stands from the leather seat with a smile on his face.

Mr. Blake is a highly ambitious man that doesn't go for anything without benefits. The reason he agreed to marry Shirley is because of the benefits he derives from her family and once he attains his goal, she will surely be nothing to him.

He stared at the panoramic view of the city through his large framed window in his office, in silence. He seems to be reminiscing on something.

"She is poor.. what exactly can I gain from her? And for the record, she is extremely pretty" he muttered in a low tone to himself but somehow, it got to Jason's hearing.

"Did you say something, boss?" Jason asked.

"Yeah" he sighed in relief.

"I want you to do something for me," he said.

"What is it, sir?" Jason asked.

"Look into someone for me. I want to know everything about her, including her background until her current status" he walks back to his seat.

"Who is she, sir?" Jason asked, clueless.

He knew Blake to be one who doesn't fall for women quickly or keep any in heart. Who could be this new toy that attracted his boss's attention?

Christine entered the living room looking very angry. This family takes turns in their attitude, either they are offended or not just happy. It's ridiculous how one will become angry all of a sudden without being offended by anyone.

"Mum!" Christine shouted her mother's name, as she approached Shirley who was reading a fashion magazine with her leg crossed.

"I'm calling you, Mrs. Shirley" Christine made a comeback facing her mother gallantly with little or no fear.

"What do you want, little Blake?" Shirley slowly drifts her eyes away from the magazine back to her daughter.

The most alarming fact of it all is that none of them care for each other. They all have times when they will act loving, especially during general family meetings with both parents. Shirley acts nicely to Christine when Blake is present, Blake does no one at all and as for Christine, she could become loving when she needs something from them.

One weird family that encircles around benefits. Shirley benefits fame, popularity and title among women while Blake benefits exclusive deals with top famous companies from different nations.

"Why didn't you come pick me up from school yesterday and refuse to take me to school today. Do you know the amount of lectures I have missed?" Christine questioned curtly and Shirley smirked, closing the magazine.

"Calm your nerves down, arrogant bitch. You are rich, so no teacher has the right to question you" Shirley said.

"Is it wealth you care about? You don't even care about your daughter's future. All you care about is fame, wealth and rank, are you even my mum?" Christine cried out sadly and at that moment, she walked into the living room to watch the scenario between mother and child.

Shirley grabbed Christine holding her arms strongly, Shirley's facial expression became desperate and angry.

"Don't. Don't you dare say those words ever again" Shirley said.

"I'm your mother. I bore you from my womb. You are my child!" Shirley exclaimed desperately.

"Then act like my mother and not some random stranger, a child needs care and attention from their parents!" Christine pulled her mother's hands angrily and ran back into her room.

"Christine! Christine!" Shirley followed her child in high pace without paying attention to her maid, Emerald.

Emerald sighed after keeping silent for a very long time.

"I feel bad for Christy, it is rare to see her speak out her feelings without hesitation" she muttered sadly.

"And truth be told, she lacks care and attention. The only way to survive for her, is being arrogant and rude" she shook her head, strolling back to the kitchen.

It was the argument between Shirley and Christine that made her rush into the living room, yet she wasn't able to help save the day.

Two days wrapped off uneventfully and neither did Blake return home, not sure of other people's feelings but it was obvious that Emerald yearned to see her boss, Blake again. She could not figure out if it was emotional yearning or platonic.

She used the Peggot 360 car to drive Christine to school. It almost seemed like a quiet ride until Christine cleared her throat.

After what Christine caused last time, she deprives herself of being the bigger person to forgive Christine. She concluded that Christine is only a spoiled child and doesn't deserve to be treated nicely thus she didn't try to start up any conversation as she usually does.

"I'm sorry" Christine said nervously with her face lowered to the ground.

She looked through the inner mirror and back to the road, a small smile escaped from her lips.

"What did you say?" she intentionally asked politely, she couldn't believe these words were coming out from the mouth of arrogant Christine.

"I'm sorry for my obnoxious manners and also for what I did last time" Christine paused.

"I really mean it this time. Though I'm not too good with words, I'm sorry. Miss. Emerald" Christine added apologetically and she smiled.

"Thank you so much, Christy. I never took your past words nor actions to heart" she said.

"Thanks for accepting my apology" Christine said sadly, and fortunately she noticed it.

"Is there any more thing?" she asked anxiously.

"Not really, my parents won't make it to my school Parents Tour Meeting today" Christine frowned slightly before lifting her gaze from the ground.

"That's not an issue. I can stand in as your guardian" she paused.

"That's if it is okay by you" she added in an enthusiastic tone, Christine smiled.

"Why are you so nice to me? People like you are hard to come by" Christine said in a rhetorical tone.

"Let's just say, it's fate that we meet and I'm  lucky to be a part of your life" her words lightened up Christine's heart.

It has been years since she last heard calm words filled with warmth.

"Then, am I permitted to request something from you?" Christine asked after a brief silence.

She curb the car into the school lane, smoothly riding into the school tiled path through the giant gate.

Other students were already walking around the school and participating in different activities, it was not yet time for morning classes.

Surprisingly, she turned out to be a professional driver entering each route perfectly before getting to the general parking lot.

"I'm listening to you, Christy. What is your request?" she asked again after getting silence from Christine.

The request seems difficult for her to speak out.

"It won't be about your Parents Tour Meeting heads-up, right?" she inquired politely.

It's better safe than sorry.

"No, it isn't," Christine shook her head.

By this time, she had already stopped the engine.

"Then, what is it?" she asked anxiously.