Chapter 2 Unspoken Truth

CHAPTER TWO

"You shouldn't have said you loved me if you didn't mean it," she asked, her eyes glistening with tears.

"But I meant it," he said, nodding.

"Besides, I didn't know this would happen... but I meant it," he added, holding her hands gently.

"When you were flirting with other ladies, I fell in love with you," she confessed.

He leaned forward, asking curiously, "Do you love me?"

She chuckled and replied, "I know nothing about love."

"Cut!!" the director screamed. "That was perfect acting! You guys did well."

Amelia Anthem is an actress, well known in the industry for years. Though successful, her background remained undisclosed, stirring constant talk among fans. Some criticized her for hiding her past, while others defended her, believing she simply wanted to protect her personal life.

"Amelia!" her manager called out angrily.

"What just happened over there?" she demanded, tapping furiously on her phone screen.

"C'mon, I think he likes you," Natasha continued, frustration in her voice. "You've gone on a date with him, taken walks together, and spent so much time side by side. I understand it was just acting, but I could feel his emotions. When are you going to accept him?"

Without hesitation, Amelia gave Natasha a profound look.

"I have nothing to say," she said, signaling her to be quiet. "We are business partners. He shouldn't let emotions overwhelm him."

"The food is delicious," Charles said, staring at Casser with a smile.

"Thanks," she replied calmly, continuing to eat without looking up.

"How about I do the cooking tomorrow?" he asked, hopeful.

"Not a problem," she answered simply.

He stared at her intensely, wondering what kind of person she really was.

Was she bullied in school? Does she have low self-esteem? Why does she act this way?

He knew almost nothing about her, apart from the information in their contract. Doesn't she ever speak? He kept asking himself, lost in his own thoughts until he felt a tap.

"Are you okay?" she asked, placing her hand lightly on his forehead and comparing it to hers.

"I'm good... sorry, a lot has been running through my mind," he said, offering a weak smile.

She smiled faintly, then carried her dish to the sink.

"Casser, I'll do the cleaning. Just sit and watch, okay?" he offered, hoping she might protest and maybe start a conversation. But she neither winked nor blinked, she simply returned to her seat and sat quietly.

"Wow," he muttered to himself, loud enough for her to hear.

"Any problem?" she asked, glancing at him.

"No, not at all," he quickly replied.

He couldn't hide his disappointment. She was nothing like his other clients, those who would argue playfully, and they would end up washing dishes together.

He couldn't believe his eyes when he reached the kitchen. Everywhere was sparkling. it was hard to imagine that someone had just finished cooking there.

How did she manage all this within two hours? he wondered, mouth agape.

He touched the countertops and utensils, confirming everything was spotless. I only called two hours ago that I would be visiting... and she finished cooking and cleaning already? he asked himself in amazement.

At home, he couldn't stop talking about her to Charlie.

"Charlie!" he screamed the moment he entered the door.

Charlie rushed out, wearing a pink towel wrapped around her body, the upper part slipping slightly to reveal the top of her chest. Alarmed, she gripped a kitchen knife tightly as she hurried toward him, checking if he was hurt.

"I'm okay," Charles said, smiling brightly.

"Casser is such a hardworking woman! Did you know that before I even got there, she had finished cooking, packed the refuse, and washed all the dishes?"

Charlie's face fell with disappointment. She had thought something serious had happened.

Her voice was tinged with irritation.

"Is that why you screamed my name? Is that why you woke me up?"

"I'm sorry," he snapped quickly.

"It's fine. I know you really love her, but next time, consider others," she said, shaking her head and turning away.

"C'mon, I didn't know you were sleeping."

"I'm so sorry... and besides, I don't love her. There's just something about her, she's so different," he said defensively.

"Admit it or not, you love her. But it's fine," Charlie said, walking back to her room, Charles trailing behind her.

"You need to see how sparkling her kitchen utensils looked," Charles said, still in awe.

"She made sure everything was spotless. She's so different. We've been married for five years and if you add up all the words she's spoken to me, it wouldn't even reach fifty."

Charlie fell silent, and the room grew heavy with the weight of her thoughts.

She stared at Charles, the same Charles who once never even glanced at another woman now talking, smiling, and even blushing like a teenager.

Unable to bear it, she shook him lightly.

"Are you sure nothing else happened?" she asked, leaning in to check his forehead.

"Wait," Charles said, grabbing her hand as if he had seen a ghost. Instinctively, she pulled away.

"Have I been acting awkward?" he asked, blinking.

"Yes," Charlie replied immediately. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, it's just that Miss Casser said I wasn't okay... and she even touched my forehead," he said, rubbing the spot tenderly. "Ohh... I can still feel her hand on me."

Charlie stared at him in disbelief, wondering what had truly come over him.

Mrs Casser decided against taking her car to work that morning. As she stepped outside her apartment, she noticed a commotion.

Curiously, she approached and saw a man hurling insults at the lady. The lady stood silently, ashamed, unable to defend herself.

Without hesitation, Miss Casser intervened.

"What's going on here?" she asked, her voice calm yet commanding.

Neither the man nor the lady responded, but a nearby student spoke up.

"He's violating her rights by insulting her."

The man sneered and approached the girl, saying, "Shut up, kid."

Miss Casser stepped in front of him, raising a hand.

"Stop!" she shouted firmly.

"Why? Are you a cop?" he mocked, moving closer.

"No," she replied flatly.

She stood her ground, narrowing her eyes as she addressed him:

"Do you realize you're violating the law?"

She took a step forward, her gaze steady.

"Aren't you aware that under universal human rights principles, every person is entitled to dignity, respect, and protection from harassment. Your actions constitute a violation of these rights," she said, her voice sharp and unwavering.

The man scoffed, dismissing her authority.

"What are you really going to do," he taunted.

Mrs Casser's tone shifted, cold and unwavering.

"One more word from you, and you will regret it."

Her voice was so firm that, for a moment, the man faltered.

He glared at her, then turned away, staring at the lady with disgust as he stormed off. The lady, still in tears, could only watch him leave.

Mrs Casser approached the girl gently and warned, "Cut ties with him. Don't let him hurt you anymore."

As she walked away, the lady's voice rang out from behind.

"I've tried everything, but he just keeps coming back."

Mrs Casser paused, her thoughts drifting. The lady's face seemed oddly familiar.

"Wait..." she murmured, trying to place her.

And then it hit her.

"At the court," she said quietly to herself.

But when she turned back to find the lady she was gone.

During her lunch break, Mrs Casser decided to call Charles to see if they could meet up. She wanted to spend some time with him, but he wasn't free.

His schedule was tight Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays were reserved for her, but the rest of the week was filled with other clients.

Eating at the cafeteria had become a routine for her, so today, she decided to eat out instead.

As she sat at a table, browsing through some recipes, the waitress noticed her and approached.

"Oh, I'll take that as a compliment," the waitress said, a playful tone in her voice.

Casser raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

The waitress smiled, pointing to the screen. "You're looking up how to prepare hanger steak, right?"

Casser smiled faintly, nodding. "Yes."

"I can teach you, if you would like," the waitress offered, though her tone was reluctant.

"Teach me?" Casser asked, surprised.

"Thanks, but I was just checking on how to cook it better. The seasoning's a little too much for my taste," Casser replied, returning to her phone.

The waitress, feeling a little embarrassed, nodded and walked away, clearly disappointed.

****

Charles had just sent five million dollars to Mrs. Jenny.

He felt a rush of excitement; after thirteen years, he was finally able to repay her. After all, she had been an asset to him.

Mrs. Jenny was a key stakeholder at Banin, having worked there for over 35 years before being suddenly dismissed by the president for failing to complete a task. Despite her departure, Banin continued to provide for her.

With a smile on his face, Charles stepped out of the bank. His phone buzzed in his hand, displaying a call from Madam Jenny.

"Madam Jenny, have you seen the money? Did you call to thank me? You could've just texted," he said, his tone filled with excitement.

"No," she replied shortly.

"I'm at Staten Island," she added, her voice calm.

Mrs. Jenny sat in a quiet corner at a bar in Staten Island, her black gown hugging her form as she sipped a glass of wine. When she saw Charles, she smiled faintly and poured him a glass of his favorite wine.

"You still remember my favorite," Charles said, gazing into his glass as if it might be poisoned.

Mrs. Jenny smiled back.

"I didn't come here just because you called. I have something to say," Charles continued, his excitement building.

"Let me go first," Mrs. Jenny said, her smile faint.

"I'm nothing without money. So stop sending me money," she said, sipping her wine slowly.

"Why?" Charles asked, his voice rising. "Do you have a new way for me to compensate you?"

"There's nothing more to say. I don't need the money anymore," she replied calmly, her smile wide and serene.

Charles, caught off guard, seethed with anger. He had planned to weaken her, to see her vulnerable, but she had turned the tables.

His thoughts were interrupted by her quiet voice.

"Are you angry because I said no?" she asked, her tone smooth and composed.

"You've been accepting money from a 30-year-old for 13 years without a second thought, and now you make me look inconsiderate?" he snapped, frustration seeping into his words.

Mrs. Jenny stared at him, silent, a knowing smile playing at her lips.

"People might mistake you for my savior," he added, his voice sharp.

They locked eyes for a long moment, the tension hanging thick between them.

Charles was disappointed his plan hadn't gone as expected. Instead of seeing her falter, she retaliated with quiet strength.

"I'll be rich now," he muttered, forcing a smile.

"I'm leaving," he said, turning to go, but Mrs. Jenny grabbed his wrist.

"You haven't touched your drink yet," she said with a sly smile. "Let's drink together."

"We have no reason to meet anymore, and besides, you don't look well," Mrs Jenny snapped.

Charles replied with a sigh, gently pulling her wrist from her grasp.

Mrs Jenny simply sat back, sipping her wine slowly, as though savoring the last moments of their exchange.

Charles lingered outside in his car, watching her through the window, his mind racing. What gave her the audacity to speak to him this way? Had Banin called her back? Which company was she working for now?

His thoughts were cut short when he saw Miss Casser, standing with a man, sharing an intimate kiss. Charles was stunned. His eyes welled with tears.

As their gazes met, he could only zoom away, the image of Casser kissing another man searing into his mind.

****