Talk To Me

48. War And Peace

The last few weeks had been an absolute whirlwind for everyone. Wale had relocated to his childhood home, as Todo was deep in managing her case with her uncle,. At the same time, Todo was also showing Kind the ropes at her company. She felt honored that Kind wanted to work for her, especially given their history, it made the decision easy. Plus, Todo understood why Kind was suddenly passionate about helping others find their way after his own ordeal. Todo's company had saved him, after all.

For Kind, though, the workload Todo kept piling on was a shock. He couldn't believe how she managed to fit in a private life with such a schedule! It was exhausting, but Todo seemed almost relieved to have someone she trusted lending a hand. Yet Kind sometimes felt he was slowing Todo down. He soon learned quickly that Todo was hardly ever at her mansion unless she was sleeping or eating. The woman practically lived at her company. And that company wasn't just about missing persons; they handled private investigations, VVIP escorts, bodyguard services, and even cold cases. Todo's mother, on the other hand, managed public relations with the government and the police with a finesse that Kind could only admire. He'd seen her power firsthand when Todo took him to one of her meetings. She might not be a general, but she could pull military strings like one. Kind realized that, as tough as Todo was, her mother was on another level entirely; decisive, calculating, and quick as a whip.

All of this fueled his determination to keep up. He barely had a moment to check on Wale and the baby, as staying at Todo's mansion was the fastest way to learn the job. Although Wale wasn't exactly thrilled with this arrangement, Kind didn't want to feel like a burden. People had been taking care of him enough lately, and he wanted to pull his own weight.

Meanwhile, Swalha was taking on fewer clients to spend more time with Cherry, who was gearing up to leave the country with his lover. At this point, the two were not hiding it anymore. Thankfully, Cherry's parents hadn't discovered the payout Wale had given Cherry and his lover to take over custody. They already had their suspicions about Cherry especially when he displayed disinterest throughout the pregnancy ordeal, so there was no need to worry them further.

"Are you sure you're ready to travel? It's only been three weeks since your surgery," Swalha asked the lady when they were alone, while Cherry busied himself with packing both their luggages.

"I'm fine, really. I'm barely producing any milk now, so I can finally leave and start over somewhere else. Besides, I'm idle here, just like I was for the past nine months," she replied.

"I'm more worried about the wound on your abdomen... we all are. Cherry's parents will worry too."

"I've got my clearance to travel, so there's no reason to stay. If I'd seen that baby, held it even once, I might not have been able to leave. I don't want any ties to it. Don't you all want that too?"

Swalha sighed. "Honestly, I do think some time away would do you good. A change of scenery might help your mental health. If the doctor says you're fit to go, then who am I to stop you?"

"Thanks for being honest, Swalha. I wish Cherry was as kind to me as you are. Keeping my distance is what's best for everyone, especially me. I still can't stand Kind or that child."

"Why, Cherry? Even as a psychologist, I can't understand why you're so open about hating him when he's done nothing but try to help you." Swalha sighed again, "This is exactly why I avoid having friends as clients."

"That's precisely why I wanted that child named after him. It's my revenge to Cherry for never being honest about us to Wale."

"I hate to break it to you, but that's not how Kind took it. He was genuinely honored, even though he suspected your intentions, he doesn't hold grudges. He finds his peace and lets things go. Maybe you should try that too, for your own sake. You're the only one hurting yourself by holding onto all this anger."

"I have tried hating him less upon our encounter at the hospital. Maybe Cherry lied to me about him being an evil person because the moment I saw him at first, my mind was flooded with thoughts I don't even want to admit."

"Oh, enough with your drivel, Swalha! Stop brainwashing my girlfriend." Cherry appeared, then pulled the lady towards him and warned her to ignore everything Swalha had said to her.

"Honestly, Cherry, sometimes I wonder if it's even you talking, or your sister. Have you forgotten everything she did to Kind? She nearly scarred him for life, maybe even killed him!"

Cherry's eyes hardened. "And so what, Swalha? Why didn't he die? Why is he still here, happily waltzing around with my fiancé?"

"Oh, not this again, Cherry! You and Wale ended ages ago. The moment you accepted his money, that was it!" Swalha's patience snapped. "And if you ever do anything to hurt Kind, you'll answer to me."

Cherry's face twisted into a scowl. "And what if I was behind it? What would you do, Swalha? There's no evidence against me. Your precious Kind forgives so easily he'd probably let it slide anyway. Who knows? Maybe next time, I'll make sure he's gone for good!"

In one quick movement, Swalha's hand connected with Cherry's cheek. Cherry's lover retaliated, sending Swalha sprawling onto the bed. After a moment, Swalha sat up, ready to face their wrath. As it seems, the two were one and the same from Swalha's point of view.

"How dare you slap Cherry, Swalha?" Cherry's lover asked, seeming extremely furious.

"And over Kind of all people?" Cheery joined in. "This is exactly why I despise him! He's got you all wrapped around his finger, making fools of you! Poor Swalha, still holding out hope he'll come around, even though he rejected you eight years ago. If only you could magically become Wale, maybe he'd finally pay you some attention..."

"Enough!" Cherry's mother's voice cut through the room, everyone freezing. "Haven't you and your sister done enough to disgrace us? We could hear everything from the next room, Cherry. I'm ashamed of you! You will apologize to Swalha right now, or I swear, you're not leaving this house!"

Swalha was just as shocked as Cherry. It had been a long time since they'd seen this side of Cherry's mother, who turned to her with a gentle touch. "Oh, darling, look what they've done to your face! You're supposed to meet Freddy this afternoon."

"Mom, you always take her side! She'll never be my sister!"

"Grow up, Cherry. Swalha has brought more pride to this family than you or your sister ever have. We're ashamed of both of you! You and your sister spend your time tearing down the people who've only tried to help you." Turning to Cherry's lover, she asked, "How dare you lay a hand on her?"

"She slapped Cherry first!"

"And I bet he deserved it! I won't force you to apologize, but I promise you'll regret it if you don't. As for you Cherry, you're staying here, and your father and I will see to it that you're investigated for any involvement in Kind's kidnapping!"

"Mom, I only said that in the heat of the moment! I wasn't involved."

"Oh, hush. I know you weren't involved, but your beloved sister certainly was. I refuse to have two children that are a disgrace!"

"Mother!"

"Don't raise your voice at me!" Cherry's mother's tone was ice-cold, filling the room with tension. Even as she held Swalha close, her anger was palpable.

"Maybe I should've seen this coming. I blame myself for missing the signs. You're not fit to be a father, Cherry, or to have any relationship with others. You're a danger to yourself and everyone around you. Look at what you've made of this woman beside you child... You need help."