Classless

Chapter 69: Race

Chapter 69: Race

*Fedor’s POV*

You know how sometimes you imagine and have fantasies of living in money, yeah those imaginations did not come with feelings of anxiety and paranoid notions that everyone knows what you have in your account and want to steal from you. It is not fun having sleepless nights dreaming of random armed men attacking you, it was crazy; how the hell do wealthy people just go about their day having so much. I knew deep inside somewhere in my mind that the money was not exactly mine but it did give me feeling of confidence, I went to restaurants that I would usually never bother with but never going overboard because I knew that I would certainly have to face Queen. Mr.Charles did not bother me as usual which meant that I had a lot of free time to think about the money that wasn’t mine. To be honest, the money did not bother me as much as Queen’s kindness. If she had wanted me indebted to her, she would have ensured that my debtors told me exactly who had paid my debts but it was almost like she went out of her way to keep this fact hidden until she wanted something from me.

Today was a fast one, I was out and wasn’t completely surprised to find a spotless white car waiting for me, the door opened, and with a whiff of expensive perfume; I could tell who was in it. Another topic for the week, I entered and went face-to-face with the woman responsible for my sleepless nights, I preferred it when it was Chief that occupied my mind.

Without a note of greeting, I glared and Queen and said; “You are a cruel woman.”

“Most people would not say that to their benefactor, I did send you a million Khurs.” She smirked as the car zoomed off and not flying; I told myself that she wasn’t flying because she was being considerate of me but everything that I had believed about this woman was shaken to its core. “You don’t look to happy about it.”

“It is because I am not. I am going to say something I never thought would come from my mouth,” I paused and continued; “I want to return the money.”

Queen eyes widened and made me notice her white suit for some reason, I wondered if she slept in one of those suits, it would not surprise me. “You are right; those are words that would never come from your lips. I can see and hear you but it doesn’t quite match with what I know of you.”

“Well, People change and I have matured.”

She chuckled, I don’t think I have heard that sound from her lips. Sounded foreign and why was she so relaxed with me; “You have always had a good sense of humor.” She took a bit and took me in carefully, “This is because I told you about settling your parent’s debt. Now, you think it would be too much of a big deal to take my money as well.”

Queen was spot on about her inferences but I was not keen on answering her, “It could be because people evolve, I have come to understand that money isn’t everything and certainly not worth my pride and dignity. You do realize that even if I took your money, it would not change my mind about your son.”

She smirked, “I have always appreciated that sense of loyalty you have and you have no pride and dignity. I don’t believe a man can change you up to the point you think that money is not everything, it isn’t but you don’t have the luxury to even discover that for yourself. Do you think me so simple that I thought I could buy you with money, don’t disappoint me now Fedor. Use your imagination.”

Queen was right about me not having pride but I was disconcerted by how much she knew about me, did I make that much of an impression? “Why did you send the money to me then?”

“An apology.” She answered.

I took a moment to stare at her because she was literally destroying the foundation of who I thought she was, “An apology?”

“Yes, for how I treated you. Believe me or not, I am not doing this for Kurt but for my conscience.”

“You have a conscience?” I asked expecting her to glower at me and throw me out into the streets but she smiled instead, who was this woman?

She relaxed into her chair and stared into space, “Call me old and sentimental but I have come to regret some of my actions. I haven’t been a good mother to Kurt and a good person to you; even if you did come into my home with ulterior motives, you were always kind and good to me, to Kurt and I did not understand how rare that was until now. This is me trying to mend my ways.”

“I thought this was you trying to get me married into your family.”

“Both statements can be true.”

I sighed, “I don’t want to play games.”

“Neither do I but I will not lose you to a man who cannot take care of you.”

I did not know or understand why this family had taken an unusual interest in me all of a sudden, “What is happening? You do not even know the man in question.”

“Chief Song. Brilliant man but idealistic, I do not know him personally but his reputation tells me that he does not have the consistence you need and deserve but I can understand the appeal in such a dangerous man. I made the mistake of sending you out once and it cost me my son.”

It dawned on me, “Apart from the government’s interference in ensuring you do not merge with another powerful family, you want to use me as a means to mend the relationship you have with your son. It doesn’t matter what reason, all I am to you is a tool to be used.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. I think you would thrive in our family, it would be fun to see you use that charming personality of yours at family dinners. You would not believe the passive aggressiveness that happens at a single meal, someone with your straightforwardness might be an added experience.” She laughed sadly, I did not notice before but she had gotten older, the lines on her face were more visible and up close, I could see how tired she was and for the first time, I pitied her. Who was I to pity anyone?

I had my own issues and … I sighed, “Queen, I’ll ignore that you also want me to use me at family functions but what is it? Why do you think you need me to mend fences with Kurt? When all you have to is apologize. You did to me; weird apology but I got the sentiment and I cannot say I did not deserve it considering what I did.”

“You remember one night I had come home and you had sneaked into the kitchen to steal food, and I started throwing everything in the room in anger until I broke down crying. Usually, everyone would stay away because they were afraid of me; but there you were with a mouth full of food and eyes filled with concern. You had more to lose yet you held me when I was at my lowest and never talked about it. That is why I paid your debts because I felt like I owed you. In full disclosure, Kurt was not the only person hurt by what you did, I had grown fond of you and had plans to even adopt you.” She laughed drily, “When I discovered your intentions, I was blinded with rage and lied against you to Kurt because I wanted to protect him even though it ended up doing more harm than good. I acted immaturely because I had never considered what it felt like to live in your shoes, I never stopped thinking of you and what you were doing but my own stubbornness stopped me from reaching out. Until you reunited with Kurt and I saw my chance. You want the truth, that is the truth. The whole truth.” The car had stopped sometime and she avoided looking at me.

I did not know what to say to that; there had never been any inclination that she felt like that towards me, I always admired her and the way she carried herself and did not even let myself get delusional except with Kurt. It was funny how we could hurt the same people we had deemed untouchable, I alone had managed to traumatize two members of a family because I had a plan. It never occurred to me how they would feel, in my head; I had only thought of myself. “I…I honestly don’t quite remember that day, I was so terrified that I would lose my job because I had been caught stealing. Also, I did not think I was capable of hurting you, you seemed so untouchable. I am sorry, truly sorry that my actions caused to feel that way and you can mend your relationship with Kurt without me. I…”

She came down from the car before I could continue, apparently, manners are meant for people like me, when I came down and saw where we were; “Queen” I whispered but she did not answer but ensured that I was directly behind her. My work uniform contrasted the ambiance of this I would have called it a store but it was too mundane a name for what it was; Chiere; home of luxury goods. I had heard about the place where wealthy people liked to shop, Queen was treated with respect, and as a result, so was I with many curious glances thrown my way. It was like she was a kid on a mission, when she finally came to a stop, I tried to get her attention. “For the last time, I am not a …”

“Give her the latest piece of Adeline and Cous, the green one,” She said dismissively to an attendant who hurried at her words and dragged me to a changing room. Before I knew it, I was undressed and dressed. The women the changing room gasped and I turned to the mirror I wore the most beautiful dress I had ever seen, the green matched my eyes and its floor length exaggerated my curves. The slit at the back made it easy to walk and the plunge at my neckline was not so bad that it bordered on racy. I walked towards Queen who had become comfortable and was sipping wine, her eyes lighted up when she saw me.

“Your parents’ genes are magnificent.”

“Or you could say that I’m beautiful. I know, there’s a mirror; I am the finest woman to ever walk the surface of the earth.” She scoffed at that then pointed to the tag at the side of the dress and when I saw the price, I gulped. “A million khurs for a dress? A dress!!!!!” I hissed.

She grinned and she was glorious, Queen walked behind me and whispered, “A million khurs is the least I spend on a dress. It is not worth you getting guilty over and if you feel so bad for keeping it; then you can use it on the dress.”

I swallowed, this woman was good; she managed to get me emotional and even sorry, she trapped me and like a fish, I fell hook, line, and sinker. “You’re good,” I admitted.

She shrugged proudly, “You remember one of those family functions I mentioned earlier.”

“Yes.” I answered suspiciously.

“We have one of them tonight.”

“Yes…” I swallowed.

“Come with me as my plus one. No strings attached.”

“No…”

“I’ll receive the million Khurs back.”

“Woman, you are good.”

“It’s a deal then. Package this dress and the Alexander earrings.” She ordered and I paused. The woman was getting me the dress anyway, She played me and the worst part was that I was not offended but impressed. I think I might be in love with this woman and I don’t know what that says about me.