Chapter 7 – The Night She Got Drunk

• TILDA
• I tossed and turned on the bed as his hands reached for me.
• “I don’t deserve this,” I cried. “I don’t deserve any of this.”
• I gripped his collar and pulled him closer, searching through his blurred face, hoping to see James.
• “You are drunk, Tilda, by morning you will be fine.”
• He tried to resist but didn’t do a thing to stop me. Perhaps he felt my pain too.
• “It has always been James and no one else. They had no right to do this to me,” I sobbed.
• I sat on the bed and grabbed his neck, and as he made to draw back, I took his lips into mine, kissing him desperately, unleashing the pain and anger that I bore.
• “Tilda,” he moaned, caught in my web of revenge.
• “Shhh...” I placed my fingers on his lips, giggling. “I don’t know how, but I will make them pay someday,” I vowed in my drunkenness.
• “You can remain here, Tilda. You can stay for as long as you want,” he offered.
• I laughed out loud this time, my voice sounding strange to me. It was as if some other force had taken over, a spirit I never knew was living inside me.
• “Of course I can stay wherever I chose to. And I will pay them in their own coin.”
• I pushed him back a little, and dragged his shirt ripping out every one of the buttons.
• Soon he was shirtless, and staring helplessly at me.
• “Come to me,” I called seductively, my hungry eyes fixed on his perfectly built abs and biceps.
• Something else was in control of me and it was supposed to make me scared but somehow I wasn’t.
• “You are not allowed to drink again, Tilda. See what it is making you do,” he said.
• “Shhh... no one can tell me what to do again,” I laughed, and pulled him to me. “Hold on a while,” I started to sob again.
• “Mommy, mommy, you are having your nightmare again. Wake up,” Diamond called out, shaking me.
• I opened my eyes slowly. “My Diamond,” I called with hoarse voice.
• It was the same dream, but this time it was with more details. Unlike the previous times, he had spoken to me.
• I still couldn’t see his face, but it felt more real.
• The night I caught James and Kristie. It was the same man who had taken me home, yet I was so drunk that I didn’t make out his face.
• What had happened on that night? Why do I keep having the same dream? How did the dream end?
• “Mom, you’ve started work, remember. You don’t want to be late,” Diamond reminded me.
• I sprung up from the bed, and looked at the time. “Oh it’s almost seven. Has Miranda arrived?” I asked.
• “No, mom. However my brothers have gotten everything set. You only have to clean up and come downstairs for breakfast,” she replied.
• I sighed.
• Diamond grabbed my wrist. “Don’t worry, mom. You have a good job now and your nightmare will stop soon. You were going to register us in school today.”
• “Oh!” I exclaimed.
• “It is okay if you forgot, mom. We can always resume another day,” she tried to pacify me.
• “It is okay, baby. You will resume on Monday. I will stop by the school after work today for their requirements,” I assured her.
• She jumped happily. “That is great, mom. I can't wait to meet new friends in Houston.”
• I rushed into the bathroom for a quick bath. I had less than an hour to be in the office. Mr. Gray mustn’t arrive before me on my second day at work.
• On my way out, Miranda arrived.
• “Hello, Tilda, sorry I was caught in traffic,” she explained.
• “Don’t worry, Miranda, you are right on time. I will leave now, hopefully you will move in soon,” I replied.
• “I will do so on Sunday,” she revealed.
• Miranda has always been a friend, and was the only one who knew about my return and the my kids. Back then, her daughter was one of my beneficiaries, and Miranda had always come over to assist me.
• Due to the suddenness of this trip, Miranda needed time to put things in order before moving in from Houston Heights. Moreso, I am grateful to her for agreeing to watch over the kids for very considerate fee. With her, I know they are in great hands.
• Lucky for me, Oscar Gray arrived the office a few minutes later when I was trying to get things in order.
• “Good morning, Mr. Gray,” I greeted.
• With his gaze ahead, he nodded and entered his office. I wonder why he always had to be cold with all the great things he had going on in his life. If I had my life as perfectly outlined as his, I will be the happiest in the world.
• There wasn’t much for me to do today again, and when I made sure that nothing was out of place, I returned to my desk.
• Slowly, my mind wandered to my dreams. What was it about that night? Why does it keep taunting me? I had run away from the Boss five years ago, yet he kept tormenting me in the dreams.
• I left long ago without taking a thing from him or ever bothering him with my pregnancy or the quadruplet.
• But then, what was his business with my pregnancy? Why did he send those thugs after me to kill me?
• The only person with answers would have been Steven. I could find him and ask for explanations but sadly, I am not sure if I should trust him. He was good to me, but would pick his loyalty to the Boss anytime. Moreover, I don’t want him to find out about the existence of the quadruplet.
• “Miss, Tilda,” a voice called me.
• I looked up and saw Chloe, the HR team leader. “Good afternoon, Chloe,” I greeted.
• She smiled at me. “I do hope you like your job here. You should keep your full concentration closer,” she warned subtly.
• I nodded. “I will.” It was just my second day, and I was already getting queried.
• “I’m here to see Mr. Gray,” she requested.
• “Hold on,” I collected the intercom. “Hello sir, Mrs. Chloe is here to see you. Okay, sir.” I returned the phone.
• “Alright Chloe, you can go in.”