Chapter 78
RAVEL
PRESENT TIME
I found myself compelled to make the journey back to New York, prompted by the abrupt departure I made to Seattle, which left numerous matters neglected in my wake. My intention is to diligently attend to these matters here in New York, meticulously arranging my schedule for the entirety of the upcoming week, with the primary goal of reuniting with my daughter and cherishing invaluable moments with her.
To attain this extended period of leisure and quality bonding, I’ve committed myself wholeheartedly to an unrelenting work ethic, dedicating countless hours both day and night. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to assert that I’ve pushed myself to the limit, surpassing the boundaries of mere exhaustion.
With my seventh cup of coffee in hand, I made my way into the dining room, laptop in tow, to tackle the night’s work. The home office had remained untouched throughout the day due to an ongoing fumigation process, aimed at eradicating pesky wood termites.
As I immersed myself in my tasks, the sudden and forceful intrusion of the front door went unnoticed. My confidence in my security measures assured me that no unwelcome guest could breach my home. However, my certainty was quickly shattered by the piercing scream of my name, uttered by June. It seemed that an unwanted presence had indeed infiltrated
my sanctuary.
Ignoring her frantic shouts, I focused on her footsteps, which echoed as she angrily ascended the staircase in search of me. When her pursuit led to fruitless results, she descended once more, her tone now more exasperated. “I know you’re here, Ravel! Your car is in the garage, for heaven’s sake!”
With a deliberate click, I hit the send button on my email page, then leaned back in my chair, propping both elbows on the table as I patiently awaited her arrival. It wasn’t long before she made her presence known.
“I went to great lengths to ensure you had the holiday I promised you with your friends,” I remarked lazily, my tone laced with a hint of curiosity. “Yet, upon your return, the thanks I receive is you shouting my name from the front door.”
Her glare intensified as she slammed her tablet onto the table with a force that seemed almost destructive. “What on earth is this news all about?” she demanded.
Reaching for her phone, I swiftly skimmed through the headlines detailing Hazel’s pregnancy. Suppressing my exasperation toward June, I placed the phone back on the table. “Do you require English lessons as well?” I quipped, my sarcasm only serving to further enrage her. “After all, English is your mother tongue, and you should be more than capable of reading and comprehending it.”
A scoff escaped her lips. “That’s not funny, Ravel.”
I shifted my shoulder with indifference, reclining in my chair. “I wasn’t attempting humor,” I retorted, my frustration mounting as I realized the precious time I was wasting on this ordeal. Shouldn’t I be working right now instead of entertaining this madness? “Is there something specific you want to discuss, June?”
She bit her lip, deliberating for a moment before yanking out one of the dining chairs, dropping onto it with a resounding thud as she crossed her arms. “What do you intend to do about this situation?” she finally inquired.
I tilted my head, incredulous. “You mean, what do I plan to do about the fact that I have a daughter?” I asked her, just to confirm the absurdity of her question. She had the audacity to nod. “Well,” I began, fully aware that my response wouldn’t align with her expectations, “I suppose I’ll have to update my will.”
“Update your will?” She furrowed her brow. “Of course you should. She’s your daughter and has a right to a share of your inheritance.” For the first time, her words resonated with reason.
However, June continued, her inquiry taking an unexpected turn. “All I’m asking is, I hope this isn’t some excuse to rekindle things with Hazel.”
It had always been Hazel, a fact I was sure June was well aware of. The presence of our wedding picture on display must have conveyed that I had no intentions of letting Hazel go. “I hope you this isn’t some ploy to extract a marriage promise from
me.”
Her frustration reached a breaking point, and she muttered curses under her breath, her agitation evident. “Why do you always make it so difficult to give a straight answer, Ravel?”
I blinked at her slowly, a sly smile gradually spreading across my lips. “I don’t need an excuse to return to Hazel,” I admitted nonchalantly. Her eyes narrowed in response. “Rose is just an unexpected bonus.”
*F*** you!” June erupted, her anger causing the veins in her neck to bulge. “F*** you, Ravel! You and your da mn family!” Yet, her vitriol failed to provoke any visible reaction from me; I maintained an air of indifference.
“So, you’ve been using me all this time?” she spat out, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and betrayal.
I calmly pointed out, “It was a mutual exploitation, June. When you agreed to share my bed, I never professed love to you. Don’t try to paint it as if you joined in on this because of some declaration of love from me.”
Her lips quivered as anger and frustration surged through her. “Why did you think I went along with this?!” She shouted, her voice echoing through the room. “Why do you think I betrayed my friend?! Why did I suppress my conscience and my principles to be with you?!”
With a sigh, I raised my left palm, beginning to list my reasons. “I can think of quite a few,” I said, lowering one finger with each point I made. “Greed, envy,” another finger down, “unbridled ambition, a taste for the materialistic lifestyle… Shall I continue? I have time.”
Tears welled up in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. “You only agreed to this because you wanted a taste of the riches and fame, and I gave you that in abundance.”
“That’s not true, Ravel!” She vehemently countered, her voice filled with desperation. “You’re saying this to ease your conscience! It’s a lie! I truly love you, and you know it!”
I tilted my head slightly, adopting a contemplative expression. “Do I?” I mused aloud, making her nervously lick her lips in
response.
“Bringing your boyfriend along on a vacation that I financed doesn’t exactly scream ‘love language,” I continued, my tone cool and composed.
Her eyes widened, and she stammered, “You know about-”
“Pascal? Your boyfriend?” I interjected, my patience wearing thin. The fact that she appeared surprised that I was privy to this information irritated me deeply. What did she take me for? A fool?
“I was well aware of your pre-existing relationship before that night,” I continued, my voice unwavering, “I also know you never ended things with him after that night. Moreover, it’s a fact that many of those ‘friends’ trips you’ve been going on weren’t exclusively with your friends. Some of them were intimate getaways with him, and I intentionally footed the bill, knowing that all you truly desired was to be f ucked on a five star bedsheet.”
Her face paled as my words sank in, “If you were close to me right now, I’d have slapped you hard across the cheek,” she retorted defiantly.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her boldness. “I’d love to see you try,” I replied, my amusement evident. With that, I turned my attention back to my laptop, signaling my intent to return to work.
“Honestly, June, we could call this a silent mutual agreement,” I began, my tone more serious. “I don’t want this arrangement to end just yet, as I haven’t achieved all that I aim to. If you’re willing to keep a low profile and continue these vacations with your boyfriend, I’ll ensure you’re well taken care of once it’s all over.”
She leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m only with Pascal because you won’t have a sex with me,” she confessed. “I’m a woman, Ravel, and sometimes, I need to feel desired too.”
“Don’t get me wrong June, I’m not against whatever you have going on with your boyfriend.”
2/3
She wiped her tears. “You’re only pretending not to care.” She argued. Astonished by her false assessment, I blinked up at her. “Don’t worry, I’ll end things with Pascal.”
“Don’t do that on my account.” I’m never sinking my di ck in her, with or without Pascal. “If you don’t mind, I’ll like to go back to work. I actually have a lot on my desk.”
Nodding, she stood up her feet and picked up her tablet. “I want us to work Ravel, and I’ll do everything within my power to make sure it happens.” With that, she walked out of the dining room.