[ Rain ]
Loud gasps leave everyone's mouth as Nicholas stumbles on his feet and before he can balance himself, another punch lands on his other cheek and then third. His nose started bleeding but when my brother, yes my furious brother was about to launch another blow on his guts, Nicholas grabs his hand and tackles him down with ease. It comes more like a shock for everyone as Rainard is trained for special military programs and his fighting skills must be way better than a comman man.
"How dare you?" Nicholas grabs his collar and raise his hand to punch Rainard but my brother quickly tackle him down and kicks him in the guts.
"How dare you to mistreat my sister who is now your wife? Do not pretend to be a lovely caring husband because you're nothing but a monster, you son of a bitch!" Rainard shoutes on him. His blood shot eyes are the proofs of his anger's extent.
"You are on no place to judge my actions when your other whore of a sister eloped with her lover on the day of our wedding. I and my family could be a laughing stock. Hell! People are still talking about us and all thanks to your money leeching family who wants to suck on our wealth." Nicholas finally looses his temper and said something way more hurtful that he had been saying to me since our wedding. The only difference is, this time he said it on their faces.
"Nathan, you must teach some ethics to your son. It would be appreciative from our side because he's accusing us of something very offensive and unacceptable." My Dad says to my father-in-law in a rude tone and poor Mr. Nathan looks ashamed of his son's deeds.
Mr. Nathan pulls Nicholas away from Rainard and slapped him hard against his bruised cheek. I feel bad for my husband, I know I shouldn't as he brought it upon himself but still it pains me to see him getting all the punishment alone.
Rose, you caused us so much pain.
"Dad!" Nicholas glares his own father with clenched jaws.
"You deserve all of it, Nick. I didn't raise you to become like this, a cold hearted bastard. Is it true that you're abusing your wife behind our backs?" Mr. Nathan asks him in a warning tone.
"No, I am only treating her as another member living at my house." Nicholas partially lies but it's true, he treats me like a furniture piece lying in a corner of his gigantic house.
Mrs. Sophia rushes to her son's side and stand between the father and the son.
"Enough both of you. This isn't the time or place to discuss our family issues. There are a lot of people, many working under us and we're only giving them a chance to gossip behind our backs. It returns in the rumors trending in news." She tries to knock some senses in hot headed men.
"She's right, Nicholas and Rainard you,"My Mom glares my brother, " We'll talk at home. You hit your sister's husband and it's infuriating for him. Anyone would have reacted same if someone just bargs in and started punching him for no reason."
Seriously Mom?
She still thinks of Nicholas as a prince charming who treats me like his queen. Her ignorance hurts me but I can't just show it and give Nicholas his satisfaction of seeing me in pain.
"Dad, we can't just let him go without paying him for what he did to Nick. Just look at him." Nicole, the caring elder sister shots daggers in our direction while she cleans the blood from his bruises.
"I warned you that these Andersons are bad news but you didn't listen to me and now you got your reward. Mom Dad are blinded by their excuse of a friendship but what about you?" Nicole continues spitting venom from her words at us.
"Nichole, mind your words." Mr. Nathan warns his daughter who rolls her eyes in response.
"C'mon Dad. I never knew that you can be this naive to ignore these facts sitting in front of you. These people only wants our name to expand themselves in our region. Remember my words, Dad. They'll ruin us." Nicole says and without waiting for another scold, she marches out of the room.
"I will be waiting in the conference room." Nicholas says, his eyes darting on me like he wants to warn me about the upcoming storm waiting for me once we'd be back at his house, my own prison.
"I ask for your forgiveness in my son's behalf. I hope you understand our situation." Mr. Nathan joins his hand in front of us.
Dad holds his hand and pulls him for a hug," Don't insult us by apologizing, Nathan. We're old friends and Nicholas is like a son to us. My own son is equally at fault and we are sorry for his impulsive act." Dad throws a glare at Rainard whose anger is simmering with defeat.
"Any brother would have reacted in the same way. If you remember correctly, Nick broke Nicole's boyfriend's bones when he dumped her after getting her pregnant. We're not mad at Rainard." Mr. Nathan smiles widely.
"Please everyone let's move to the conference room before Nicholas turns the whole office upside down." Sophia interruptes and her assumptions aren't lame but he's capable of destroying everything around him and currently, his anger has no extent.
My parents and parents in law move outside and when I was about to leave, Rainard grabs my hand.
"Rain will join you in five minutes." Raindard tells them.
"No, Rainard. She's coming with us but not you, okay. You have already created a scene and we do not want you to make things more difficult for your sister." Mom objects.
"Mom, please, I also want to have a word with him. I won't take long. I promise." I request her.
She looks between us but eventually nods her head," Okay, but no more than five minutes or I'll come back to take you with me. Rain, how many times should I have to remind you that your husband is your first priority now and you must stand by his side." Mom reminds me of my spousal duties. I wish she could teach the same morals to my husband.
No doubt, she is another reason why Rose took such huge step. She kept bugging my elder sister to groom herself to become an ideal wife and daughter-in-law while my sister is poles opposite of her expectations. She's a free bird with rebellious dreams.
Raindard closes the door behind us and next, I was in his arms. The last thread of my patience breaks and I find myself crying in my brother's arms.
"Shh...don't cry my little sunshine, don't cry. I am here for you. Your brother is always with you." He strokes my hairs and it makes me feel like his younger sister though we are only five minutes apart.
"I didn't want this to happen in this way but Roselie left us with no other option. Our parents' reputation was on stake so I had to do it." I tell him.
He breaks the hug and wipes my tears using his thumbs.
"Still I can't agree with you, Rain. You could have refused and trust me, our Dad loves you the most and he would have understood your perspective. Nicholas is a heartless man if he hates someone, he hates them with all the passion and today I saw the deepest shade of hatred in his eyes for you. He will torment you, I fear he'd abuse you physically and if he does something horrible, you're going to tell me ASAP, do you hear me, Rain?" He looks deeply into my eyes for my answer.
"I will, I promise you." I try my best to reassure my brother who loves me unconditionally but his words imprinted on my subconscious mind.
'If he hates someone, he hates them with all the passion.'
"Let's go to the conference before our Mom drag me there and I don't want another scandal attatch to my name." I turn open the door and peeps out only to find two guards waiting for me at the door. They are Nicholas' person bodyguards but why are they keeping a watch on me?
"Mrs. Blackwood, your presence is mandatory in the conference room in next five minutes." One of them says.
"Okay, I'm coming." I nod my head and gives a last glance at my brother. My eyes immediately welled up but I feel helpless. I doubt if Nicholas ever let me meet Rainard.
"Don't worry, Sunshine. Your husband can't stop me from seeing you whenver we want to meet each other. That's your brother's promise to you." He says and take his exit from the company office. My vision gets blurry seeing his retreating figure.
"Mrs. Blackwood, please let's go." They request me again which force me to turn my direction in the conference room.
I dab away my tears and hold my head up with confidence.
Nicholas can't crush my family's pride whenver he wishes. No matter how deeply I love him, I can't give him the leverage to play with our dignity.