Chapter 118: 118 Because I was the one left behind 1

Alecia Maria Lee let out a soft sarcastic chuckle saying ''if I were to be afraid, this business would have shut down a long time ago. I started this business and have being in it for the past 25 years already"

''Did you think I will get scared just because of the power you have? I also have power. We are both powerful people who belong to different worlds. Mr. Denarius, can you tell me why you are here telling me all this bullshit?'' Alecia asked.

''8 years ago, you made a group of five girls fight and almost got themselves killed. One of those girls is someone special to me. Do you know the number of lives you have destroyed already?''

''Oh, so it turns out one of those girls are related to you? What to do? I don't even remember any of them anymore because they are insignificant to me. I only care about those who bring me money. Those girls cut their hymens and made me look like a fool in front of very important people. now, that I am thinking about it, my anger is still burning within me. They used banana to de-virgin themselves. What bravery!!!''

Max looked at the woman in front of him. Her words cut into him like a knife but she didn't seem to care about her words and their effect. How could such a person be related to his sister in law who was so kind and compassionate?

''Mr. Denarius, I believe you came to me because my daughter doesn't know about this right? And you don't intend to let her know. I will pretend this never happen. Don't try to destroy my business because if you do, I will make you pay for it. I am not a weak woman who succumbs to people with power. Those girls did what they thought was best for them. I also did what I thought was best for me. They are not dead, so there is no big deal''.

Alecia Maria Lee was never someone who empathised with other from the beginning. She was simply a heartless and selfish woman who could even sacrifice her own daughter for her happiness. She was someone who didn't care for the feelings of others and would only get close to people who could help her in one way or the other.

''You are an unrepentant sinner. Miss Lee, don't say I didn't warn you'' Max stood up from the chair and walked to the door when he heard her saying.

''Mr. Denarius, let's not blow this out of proportion since we both have someone we want to protect. Do you think Maria will still be with your brother if she finds out you want to send her mother to jail? Do you want to separate them apart again now that they are finally happy after being apart for 8 years?''

''I will protect them in my own way. But, people like you don't deserve to be in the society. also, do you think Maria will choose the woman who abandoned her because of a man or her husband? Maria isn't as shallow as you think'' Max said and left the office.

Alecia Maria Lee banged her fist on the table angrily and called her secretary through the intercom. The secretary entered immediately and she issued a command.

''Arrange a meeting with the vice President for me immediately''

''Yes, Madam Lee'' the secretary nodded and left the office immediately.

...…..

Lunch time came all too soon and Maria went to the cafeteria with Monroe. They took their food from the counter and walked to a quite table at the corner to eat.

''So, how is life like being in the same house with your husband?'' Monroe asked as they ate.

''Do you even have to ask? Can't you see that my skin had become especially smooth and pleasing to the eye?'' Maria teased and Monroe shook his head.

''Is indeed through that when you stay with a narcissistic person for too long, you begin to pick up their traits. Look at you bragging about yourself?''

''Are you saying my husband is narcissistic or I am narcissistic?'' Maria asked.

''Both of you are narcissistic " Monroe said and his phone buzzed. He removed it and saw the caller ID ''that's my friend. The one I asked to look for your mother'' Monroe said.

''Quick, answer it'' Maria hastened him up.

''Hello, Emma. Really? So fast? Okay, send it to my email. Thank you'' Monroe hung up and Maria looked at him curiously.

''What did he say?'' Maria asked.

''Yes. He has sent the file to my email. We can check it out at my office after lunch'' Monroe didn't even finish his sentence when Maria gulped down all her food and looked at him saying.

''I'm done eating, let's go''

''Miss, can you slow down? I just returned from a court hearing and feeling hungry'' Monroe said.

''Fine, take your time and eat, Mr. Lawyer'' Maria sat back and pulled the paper milk in front of her and starting drinking it.

Monroe's firm.

Office.

Monroe turned on his laptop and opened his email. He downloaded the file that was sent and Maria sat on a chair close to him. The file fully loaded and he clicked on it revealing a couple of pictures of a woman in her fifties but still looked quiet young.

Maria clutched her fist under the chair and stared at the pictures with a complicated gaze. She was the one in a hurry to see those pictures but right at that moment she didn't know what kind of feelings she was having. It seemed she was worried for nothing. the woman in the pictures looked happy and seemed to be doing well. She even looked young. It felt like she didn't age at all.

Monroe looked at the pictures and turned to look at Maria again saying ''wow, the resemblance is really striking. She doesn't look old at all. One would think she is your elder sister and not your mother. You really take after her a lot. Now I know where you got your pretty face from''.

''I know, right? We look so alike but nothing alike. I was worried for nothing'' Maria said gloomily and Monroe noticed the change in her attitude. She was excited just a while ago but now she looked a little out of it.

''Maria, is there something wrong? Did I say something wrong?'' Monroe asked.

''You know, I just realised that I was being stupid and expectant again. she abandoned me when I could barely look after myself. She just got divorced to my father and then one day I got home and she was gone. I never saw her again. it had been so long yet anytime I think about her, I still have this useless hope that maybe, just maybe she still thinks about me. what am I saying? I'm already 30 but I'm still acting like a child'' Maria said and leaned against the chair.

''Because you didn't get closure from it. Because you were the one who was abandoned. The young you that still lives inside you still yearns for maternal love even if you deny it': Monroe said.

''Do you think I am stupid?'' Maria asked.

''No, you are not. She was the one who left first and you were the one left behind. The one who left can never understand the pain of the one who was left behind. I grew up with my adopted parents. I told you that, right? My birth parents left me with a note by a cathedral and reverend sisters found me and I was later adopted by my current family. Usually the people who left don't have any idea how painful it is to be left behind" Monroe said as he thought about himself.

''You are right. Only the one who was left behind knows how it feels to be left all alone with no one to turn to'' Maria murmured.

''Should I send this to you?'' Monroe asked.

''No. if you send them to me, I will only get curious to find out about her. now that I know she is doing well and all that, I am fine. I don't have to worry about her anymore. I am going to completely let go of any hopes I still harboured for her'' Maria sighed and a tear dropped from her eyes.

''Don't you want to know? What kind of person she is now? My friend sent her entire profile to me'' Monroe said and Maria stood up and shook her head.

''No, I don't want to know. Delete them and forget I asked you for something like that. I should get back to the office. I still have something to do'' Maria said and stood up.

Monroe looked at the information on the laptop and murmured 'but I think this information is rather important to you, Maria. Your mother isn't exactly a good person' Monroe sighed and closed the email. He didn't delete the file because he had a feeling that Maria would ask for them someday, when the need arose.