chapter 29

"You are lying." Charles snarled. "Why would I? Here is the report." Amara handsover a sheet of paper to Charles which says she is exactly thirteen weeks pregnant. Charles saw the report. It was from a reputed hospital in California and it could not be a manipulated report. He calculated the dates and yes the report says right. For a moment everything fell blank in his mind.Nonetheless he wondered how Amara could get pregnant? He always practiced protection whenever they were involved. The rubbers do not provide 100% security. A small voice inside him screamed and the intrusion of the dangerous thought raised chaos in his mind but he was a world mafia leader, famous business man and the richest billionaire of the country. He knew well how to conceal his emotions.Arianna who was present looked at her son with guilt filled eyes. She and her husband were solely responsible for their son's hapless state. Had they not coaxed him into a relationship he would have escaped all these complications. Charles was the most responsible child of all their children. He never let his parents low but today it was because of them somebody accuses him for a mistake he was forced to go subjugated. Allen looked sorry towards his son.Aliza succumbed to the floor with the aftermath of the shock from the news Amara exposed. Ari helped Aliza to her feet. "I'm sorry." She whispered soft and helped her through the stairs to their bed.That night Aliza did not want to sleep in the same bedroom as with Charles but they had guests and it is unparliamentary to fight a scene in front of them. Both of them couldn't leap an eye, busy in their own thoughts with their backs facing each other but refused to confront one another. Nateless the next step she was going to take was already decided by Aliza.The next day morning Charles's entire family left after having lunch. "I'm sorry son. We only wanted to see you happy but it backfired." Allen patted the shoulder of Charles before taking his leave. "I did not know so much of complications would arrive with my innocent thought of seeing you jubilant.""It is okay dad. I can handle it. I am not a baby." Charles waved off his father with a soft smile. Arianna hugged Charles with tears in her eyes. "Take care son..." She hicupped and walked to the entrance. "Everything will set alright." Charles assured his mom.Asher played with his grand parents and his aunt for some time and only a few minutes ago went to sleep. Half an hour later Edith also packed her bags for leaving. "Take care, I wish you get rid of this mess and stay happy." Allesandro gave a man hug to Charles after Edith hugged her brother.Since the morning Aliza was reticent. She only talked when required and soon after her in-laws left she rushed to their bedroom. Charles was irritated by her childish behavior. In spite of her short comings and her irresponsibility towards him Charles's parents never questioned her and accepted her with open arms. Can't she respond with some courtesy if not for going hospitable to their guests? Charles felt displeased by Aliza's attitude.Ten minutes had not passed Aliza came down with a shoulder bag and sleeping Asher in her arms. "I'm leaving Charles. Enjoy a great life with your so called 'beloved' who your parents chose for you with all their happiness." She stressed the word 'beloved' with bitterness in her speech when he was at the study."Where are you going?" Charles voices out ignoring the venom and attitude in her aura. He was burning inside like a fusillade but he keeps his voice checked. Least, one of them should act with maturity. "That is none of your business." Those last words of Aliza got him to see red but he believes in a saying all lime and salt has no tequila in it. He gingerly picks up sleeping Asher from Aliza's arms and puts him back on his bed situated in the first floor."What are you doing?" Aliza screeches going annoyed after the return of Charles but he had an expertise in camouflaging his emotions. "None of my business, right? Yes it was none of my business when I heard your fateful story from Charla and decide to give you a roof on your head under my shelter." He inserts his hands in his pant pockets and faces Aliza with fury. "It was none of my business to rescue you from your sick of a family."He pulls a cigarette from the drawer and lights it puffing out smoke. "It was entirely my fault to fall in love with a displaced middle class girl and planning to marry her when she cheats upon me by giving out my company's confidential information to some 'rank and file' who got acquainted to her just a few weeks before." He nips the ash of the cigarette in the ash tray and looks at Aliza in disapproval. "It is none of my business to still winnow a thought of a future with a disloyal woman like you who plans in hiding my son....my blood...away from me even when he was sick and about to lose his life." Aliza feels the air sweep away under her nose with Charles blatant accusations of truth. She did not know he was a man who could speak so cut and dry if time demands."But not anymore Ms Aliza Stelwart. This is my business." Leaning to his study desk he pokes his forefinger on it in establishing his point. "My son is very well my business and he is not coming with you." Aliza looks at Charles in alarm. "He is just a baby, Charles. How can you deprive a baby of his mother?" She yells hysterical but Charles was already prepared for her outburst. He did not simply become a business man. He claims an expertise in reading a person's mind before the words come out."Go to the highest court and establish your point there. Enough of shit I bore with you for trusting you. You can leave if you want but Asher will not return with you. This time I win, Ms Stelwart." He told her balanced and walks to the rack in front which had a stack of news papers. He knew Aliza wouldn't leave Asher and walk away out of the house.  Holding the papers which were circled in red stencil one by one he threw them at Aliza's feet."This is what your sweetheart friend did but you will trust him against your fiancee who fought tooth and nail and saved you from the clutches of poverty and your abusive family." Aliza gazes at the bold letters marked in red going surprised. "Yes, Larry was involved with women trafficking. He sold innocent young girls to foreign countries and made money. He was going to do the same with you too after winning the deal from me but I became obstruction in his passage because unfortunately... I still love you." He concluded his last words with remorse."Though you betrayed me I couldn't forget you. I dugged deep investigated into your case after you walked your way even though you left me insane and sick. I had to take treatment in the psychological ward." Aliza met Charles's eyes in astonishment. "My parents had to suffer it all along with me.""I'm so sorry for causing the havoc in your life." Aliza mumbled weekly looking to her feet but Charles ignored her guiltiness. It was too late for the realization. "They took care of me like a baby. But even after they suffered so much because of your unfaithfulness, they braced you, welcomed you into our family with open arms and today morning....." Charles raked his hand on his tired countenance. "My father even apologized to you when the fault was yours and not theirs but you still had the guts to square him." He roared in anger this time without a filter pointing to her face."You cheated upon me by involving with Amara and they supported you in this." Aliza accused. Charles temper went beyond control and the next second there was a slap on Aliza's cheek. "Cheated? Who cheated upon who Aliza? I thought you were dead. Why is marrying another woman wrong when your wife is dead and for that matter we were not even married.  Should I stay a sage all my life practicing celibacy because my love left me?" Charles asked Aliza detrimental. "You beat me?" Aliza spat the words on Charles. "Is this respecting women, the reputation you claim in the society?""You had no right to accuse me when you are not flawless." He spoke low but enough firm to make Aliza shiver under her feet. "I accepted you in spite of your betrayal, always remember that." His words were so sharp that it could pierce in her heart and get her wounded without a knife for life.  Charles believed the success of marriage lies in adjustment. Both of them had their own flaws and mistakes, some done knowingly and some unknowing.  "Aliza, I will solve my situation with Amara tomorrow first thing in the morning." He tells letting out a sigh."I decide to accept you as my wife in spite of your disloyality and in return you forget the fact that I was involved with another woman in my past. I promise to stay loyal to you through out my life and as long as we are married. Going through this adjustment is better for both of us or if not for us, it is for our son. Asher requires the care and love of both his parents. The rest is left for you to decide. You can leave if you want. I am not going to stop you."Charles knew he was indirectly forcing Aliza to stay but he was not the man to apologize and bring her back to his house. He believed what he did was right during the 'then' situation. Charles did not know Aliza was alive and even after he gets to meet her the story she projected to him was - she had already moved on. Then why is it wrong for him to marry another woman?He spoke to her without inhibition the words that came out of his heart.Aliza ignored his words and wiped her tear stained cheek. "Where is Larry?" Charles believed whatever he did was far better than a betrayal and spoke open. "I killed him because he hurt you and turned disloyal to your friendship for him.""Yeah you are better only for that. Kill people." Aliza replied with a smile that did not reach her face. "What did you just say?" Charles asked fueling with anger. Aliza did not reply but ignored him. She rushed through the stairs and bolted herself in Asher's room not wanting to face Charles anymore. The night was spent with Aliza silently sobbing in Asher's room and Charles drinking to the oblivion to forget his grief.Are Aliza and Charles ever going to unite after so much of hardship between them?What happens to the baby of Amara and how is Charles going to provide justice to the baby?