“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 18

Chapter 17: Lies Exposed.

***\-Thomas’ POV:***

I was almost at the Crests estate when I decided to call Rabena, as expected I received a generic message. Clearly she had blocked me. I could feel my irritation starting to rise. Why had Danielle lied about that business deal? If I had known it was Rabena I would have treated our marriage better.

What was really troubling Thomas was HOW Rabena managed to pull it off. That proposal was immaculate, was she really that business savvy and talented? How was it that nobody ever knew? Suddenly, it dawned on Thomas that someone DID in fact know, his grandmother.

*“Thomas you fool, that girl you’re sniffing around is nothing but a spoiled brat. She holds no value, all she does is cry. Rabena will be the one to elevate you! Think about your future!”*

The words of his grandmother rung heavy in his ears. For past few weeks he had managed to keep his divorce from Rabena a secret. His original plan was to reveal the news AFTER he secured the MGT deal. He would give the proper credit to Danielle and prove his grandmother wrong, turns out, she was right all along. A heavy feeling began to seep into his chest, if he didn’t secure this deal, he would lose to Tyler.

Thomas arrived at the estate and headed straight into the home, as he made his way to the grand room, he could see Danielle’s mother Amber along with her brother Daniel sitting on a couch. Across from them in a recliner was Danielle, she was curled up with a blanket over her legs and scrolling through her phone. Amber was the first to notice Thomas.

*“Thomas! What a pleasure to see you! How’d the meeting go, well I trust?”*

Thomas cut his eyes over to Amber and then glared at Danielle, the memories of that morning came flooding back along with the feelings of humiliation. Danielle suddenly leaped up from her seat and pranced over to him. He never noticed before how immature she was, had she always been this way? His irritation began to grow.

*“Tommy! How did everything go! When will the project start? Tell me everything!”*

Thomas could hardly get any words in; Danielle had her arms tight around his neck while asking a slew of questions. Then, she said something that made Thomas’ anger resurge.

*“I hope you praised me as well!”*

That morning, Danielle had bragged to her family about how her business proposal landed Thomas an interview with the Chairman Michaels of MGT Corp. Naturally her family believed her without hesitation.

*“Well, of course you did! You’re my brilliant daughter, much more beautiful and smarter than that other thing.”*

Amber beamed with joy as her daughter twirled in a circle being praised for Rabena’s work. Daniel chimed in next.

*“That’s my amazing little sister! I wish Rabena could be as poised and intelligent as you.”*

As everyone praised Danielle, Darius stood back in silence. Something was troubling him. He may not have cared much for Rabena, but he was aware of how intelligent she was and how often Danielle struggled. Darius was two years older than Rabena and Danielle. The youngest of the three brothers, he spent the most time with them in school and knew how much Rabena overshadowed her. When they applied to the University, Rabena was able to get in on a full scholarship while Danielle had to use her family’s connections as Alma Maters. She’d decided to take up an easy subject by choosing a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature while Rabena studied international business and economics.

It didn’t make sense that she was the one that wrote this amazing business proposal enough to catch the attention of Aaron Michaels. It also didn’t make any sense how she would be able to connect with him. Aaron Michales was most certainly known throughout the world, even in Banton, he was well known even without having any resorts here. That being said, he stayed mainly in the western and southern continents, when did she have the chance to meet him much less create an entire proposal. Something wasn’t adding up.

Now, Thomas was looking at Danielle with complete disgust, no one noticed his expression except Darius. Pulling her from around his neck, Thomas shoved Danielle back. Startled, she walked slowly towards Thomas.

*“Tommy, why’d you push me away?”*

Danielle had tears in her eyes as her voice cracked. The same tears she’d had whenever she would accuse Rabena of being mean or bullying her. The same tears and cracked voiced that worked so many times on him, yet at this moment, he felt nothing but contempt. In a menacing tone, he Thoams began to speak.

*“Don’t you have anything to say to me?”*

Thomas’ eyes were dark, all that kept replaying in his mind was how Danielle lied to him about the proposal. Danielle’s eyes began to bulk, she had no idea what he was referring too. Her voice began to rise as she panicked catching everyone’s attention.

*“Tommy! What are you talking about? Why are you looking at me like that?”*

Both Amber and Davis stood up, Daniel also began to walk in their direction. Darius however continued to lean in the corner and watch not saying one word. Daniel walked over to Thomas demanding to know what was going on.

*“Thomas! What’s the meaning of this? Why are you being mean to Dani? After all she’s done for you, how could you treat her like this?”*

Thomas looked over at Daniel and scoffed.

*“Why don’t you ask your sister?”*

Suddenly, the room went quiet, all eyes on Danielle. She began to sob louder.

*“T-Tommy, I don’t know what you mean. What did I do?”*

Amber immediately jumped to her defense.

*“Thomas! What the hell do you think you’re doing! How could you talk to my daughter like this! If it wasn’t for her you-”*

Thomas cut Amber off yelling, he’d heard enough.

*“If it wasn’t for her I would not have blown the biggest deal my firm has ever had!”*

Everyone stared at Thomas in shock. What did he mean by this? What had Danielle done? Finally, Davis spoke up.

*“Thoams, explain yourself! This is unbecoming. Against my better judgement I allowed you to enter into a relationship with my daughter DESPITE what happened with Rabena, and this is how you repay that kindness!”*

In that instant, everything became clear to Thomas. He realized just how much this family as well as himself saw Rabena. She was ALWAYS going to be an outsider. Davis went out his way to refer to Danielle as his daughter while referring to Rabena by name. That was not unintentional, the message was clear.

Thoams let out a sarcastic laugh, how long had he been a fool? Perhaps his grandmother was right after all.

*“Your ‘daughter’ may have ruined my entire career with her lies.”*

Danielle began to panic, what lies was he referring too?

*“Tommy I don’t know wha-”*

*“Stop lying! Danielle, I know! I know you weren’t the one that created that proposal and setup the meeting between me and Chairman Michaels!”*

Danielle’s face began to pale, she hadn’t expected for Thomas to learn the truth. When she originally heard about the meeting, they referred to the person as Ms. Crest, she naturally assumed they never knew Rabena’s first name. Panicking, she decided to feign ignorance.

*“T-Tommy why would you say that? You know I set that up for you. You even said-”*

Exhausted, Thomas cut Danielle off again.

*“Dani, just stop. Stop with the lies. Did you really not think they would tell me who set everything up?”*

Getting angry with Thomas bullying his sister, Daniel intervened before Danielle could answer.

*“That’s enough Thomas! If Dani didn’t setup your meeting and proposal then who did!”*

Thomas eyes cut over and glared at Daniel. Was that answer not obvious? With a sarcastic chuckle, he answered.

*“Your sister…Rabena”*