HIS SWEET REVENGE

Bryan’s POV

I was restless throughout the night. I kept tossing and tossing till sleep overtook me but I had a nightmare again, making me wake up with sweats all over me. It took a while before I could go back to sleep but with a faint image of my nightmare, I was trying so hard to shut it off as I closed my eyes tightly.

I saw Helena. She was trying to say something to me in the dream but no words were coming out before she was shot right before my eyes. I screamed and screamed for her to wake up because she is a strong woman.

My superwoman but she did not wake up. I cried for her not to leave me but she was long gone. I wailed, forgetting about my intention to go after the killers. I was mourning her till they left, never to be found again.

The nightmare was similar to what happened in real life. But Helena was never shot. It was an accident that claimed her life and that of my child.

Before I got there, it was too late. I cried. I was devastated and broken. But then, it felt unreal when it happened. I thought it was all a joke for me to value her more and rectify my mistakes.

Even when people came to mourn with me, I was hoping she would walk in like she used to and everything would be back to normal again. But she never did.

I told myself that Helena would never walk in when there are so many people in the mansion coming to pay their condolences thinking she is dead. She doesn’t like crowds and she knew her presence might cause an uproar.

I left everyone and locked myself up in my room, waiting patiently for her to appear at the window or by the door. I was waiting for a knock but it never came.

I cried harder, begging her to please come back to me and forgive me for all I have done. The reality hit me really hard and I almost lost my mind.

When Helena was alive, she was my alarm clock. She was punctual and she always woke me up by 5:30 am to prepare for work. I didn’t need an alarm clock.

Helena was always awake by that time no matter how late she slept or how tired she was the night before. Even if I ask her to wake me up by 4 am, Helena would still be awake and it amazes me.

Learning to wake up on my own was hard and I let the reality sink deeper into my head that Helena was gone, never to be seen again. I cried every night and cried every morning.

It was so hard to let go of that I decided to bury my head into working more so I wouldn’t think of her absence. But there was still a hint of hope.

I was still waiting to be proved wrong.

Today is one of those days. When I felt a tap on my shoulder, my heart swelled in joy that Helena was back. She was only gone for a little while all along but she is back.

My body was stiff and when I turned to stare at her beautiful face after she called my name and told me to wake up or I would be late for work, I was amazed to see her looking more beautiful than ever.

Her hair was in a bun as usual and I wanted to claim her immediately, tell her how much I missed her, ask her to forgive me, ask her questions about where she has been all along, kiss her lips and make passionate love to her but I was shocked to my bone to realize this is not Helena but Celine.

Anger fills me up as I squeeze my eyes shut, ignoring the temptation of shouting at her and transferring all my frustrations on her. Since Helena died, I have never felt any desire for any woman.

But today, I felt something because I thought it was my Helena and she was back to stay. I am filled with a pang of disappointment.

With my eyes still closed, I try to be as calm as possible. “Celine, what are you doing here?”

She rises up and climbs down immediately. She is trembling in fear and her mouth is shaking. I sit upright and move backward to lean on the headboard.

Why do I keep having this feeling? Why do I keep thinking Helena isn’t dead? Why do I feel Helena is somewhere around here, watching me and waiting for the right time to show up?

If she isn’t dead, then where is she? Is she hiding? Is she still mad at me? Did she find out about my secret? Is she waiting for the right time to come see me?

I realize what I am doing and I shut my eyes again to wave the thoughts away. I should have this hope buried. Helena is dead, isn’t she?

If she isn’t dead, then whose body was lowered 6 feet below the ground? If she isn’t dead, why has no one seen her? If she survived it, does it mean my unborn kid survived it too?

“I shouldn’t have woken you up, Bryan. I am deeply sorry”, I hear Celine’s shaky voice and I flicker my eyelids.

I watch her face, wondering why I thought she was Helena. They don’t even look alike. My Helena is more beautiful.

The only similarities between them is the hair, Helena’s hair is always in a bun just like Celine’s even though I love it when she lets her hair down, especially when we are going out on a date.

“Bryan, I’m sorry. Please don’t send me away”, she pleads, jerking me out of my reverie.

When she opens her mouth to plead again, I shut her up.

“Shut up”, I grit my teeth. She shut her mouth and stare at me, shifting her gaze from the floor to me at intervals.

“Don’t you dare call me Bryan again”, I snap at her, pointing an index finger at her in warning. I was mistaken because of that. The way she called my name made me feel Helena’s presence.

She looks puzzled.

“I am your boss, aren’t I?” I glare at her harshly. She swallows a lump and nods repeatedly.

“Good. Don’t you ever call me Bryan again, I am back to being your boss, ok?” She nods again.

I let out a sigh and look straight ahead. I am thinking she will leave but she is still standing in the same spot with her head bent, trembling. I shake my head.

“What are you still waiting for?” I shout, making her jolt up.

“I… I… fi”, she trails off, pointing to the dress she has sorted out for the day’s work. I don’t think I can go to work in this state. I am troubled and restless.

Going to work won’t help matters because I will be distracted. I will rather stay indoors today and work from home when the energy comes.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Thank you for your time, Celine. You can go now”, I speak, forcing myself to be calm.

Her presence is irritating and embarrassing me at the same time. I feel embarrassed for pulling her to the bed with me.

I don’t want her to get the wrong idea and I also do not think she deserves an apology or any explanation. It was a misunderstanding and we should pretend it never happened.

She walks to the door sluggishly, looking back at me like she has something to say. When she gets to the door, I see her gaze shifting to the wall clock. It is past the time I usually stand up to prepare for work.

Now I know she is concerned that I am going to be late for work. But I don’t intend to tell her I am not going to work. I just want to be alone. The energy to go to work might be back soon and I might end up going to work later in the day.

“Bry… un.. sorry… boss, You are going to be late for work”, she voices out her thoughts like I know she will.

I fume in anger that she isn’t getting the whole idea. She doesn’t know why I am sending her out.

How can she be so daft and stupid?

“Celine”, I yell. “Get out!”