Thirteen Years And Still Counting

  The struggle outside my door continued and I was getting impatient about it. I hate my morning to be disturbed like this.

  "Let me go, I need to see him right away"

"Ma'am, like I said before, you can't. He instructed that he doesn't want to be disturbed. Please, come back later"

  She was really giving Spike trouble and I am sure he is fed up too.

 I heard a sound of a slap and I could not be wrong about who was slapped.

  "You are so stupid, if try me again, you will have it hot with me"

   She said furiously and before I could take a breath, my door burst open. The lady at the door was looking so furious that I had to chuckle. 

  "What now? Don't you understand a simple instruction, Lora?"

  I asked annoyed and her eyes softened.

"I am sorry Zain but what you are doing to me is so unfair. Did I go wrong in anyway?" She replied teary eyed and the look in her face made me angry.

  "Lora, I ask again, why don't you listen. Does it look like I want to see you this morning?"

My voice was stern as I demanded an answer from her and she looked even more upset.

"Really Zain? you left here yesterday to be in the arms of another woman and this is what you are saying?"

   Her words were full of hurt and disbelief but I did not care one bit. What I do with my life is entirely nobody 's business. 

"Do I look like a man who cares, Lora? What I do is not your business. I can have tons of women and you wouldn't do anything about it. Should I remind you who you are again?"

I snapped as the pain on her face was replaced by anger. 

"Zain, what you have done to me is unforgivable." She hissed between gritted teeth.

"And why is that? You are not married to me and you are free to do what you want yet you chose to stick with me for so long"

   "Zain, so thirteen years means nothing to you?" She spat out indignantly and I felt so angry.

  What is she thinking, that the longer she stays here, the chance of we both ending up together? She is a fool then.

  "If you are not cool with just being my mistress then take a walk. A lot of women will kill to be on that position.  You got yours on platter of gold and you are misbehaving. Now get out of my room"

    I growled as her lips trembled but she still did not move until she saw Spike entering. Her features changed completely into a mask of indifference and she turned around leaving without a word. As soon as the door closed behind her, Spike approached me and bowed,"Good morning, boss"

"Morning Spike, can I help you?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"Yes sir, Mr. O'Sullivan wants to see you immediately. He's on the phone, I'm sorry but if you can't make it, he would like to speak to you himself. He said he can also come to your office later if that's what you want."

I narrowed my eyes on Spike,"Set a meeting for us"

I replied picking my phone,"but not today"

I added and he nodded before leaving. He was already at the door when my voice came again, "Tell Owen to see me immediately"

He bowed and finally left.

   I got down from the bed and walked towards the bathroom.

Writer's point of view….

  Claire stirred and found her mom staring at her.

  "Mom, do you have to do this every morning?"

She whined unhappily.

  "Morning to you my darling. Of course I have to. You are my baby"

Mercy replied, smiling at her. Claire huffed and turned her back towards her.

  "You don't have to do that. It creeps me out"

Mercy felt hurt by Claire's words and sighed, trying to keep herself from tearing up. No matter how she tries to bond with Claire, she can't. The girl keeps drifting further. For the past thirteen years, it's been like this. She calls her mother but has no feelings attached to it.

  Though Claire has no idea Mercy is not her biological mother but for the fact that she has Susan's heart, it somehow made her one.

  She has done nothing but to show Claire that she can be a better mom for her but all her effort proves nothing.

  After finding out how come about her new heart, thirteen years back and the wish of the dead Susan, Mercy agreed and married Owen. Francis had understood that the matters of the heart can't be toy with so he went for Kulture instead and everything has worked out fine.

  When Owen heard of Jenny and Zain's break up, he told Zain about Claire and he was asked to return home. They have lived in Reben Castle for thirteen years and are still counting.