“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 19

Chapter 18: The Truth Revealed.

***\-Thomas POV:***

Everyone stood in shock. That was impossible. There was no way Rabena was able to setup a business proposal savvy enough to catch the attention of Aaron Michales. This had to be a mistake. Amber shook her head refusing to believe it.

*“That’s a lie! There is no way that useless brat was able to set something like that up!”*

Thomas couldn’t help but laugh, was it always this three ring circus regarding Rabena?

*“So, you’re accusing Chairman Michaels of lying? What would be the reason?”*

Amber’s eyes bulked, she didn’t know how to respond. Davis suddenly spoke up.

*“Thomas, maybe you misheard someone, there’s no way Rabena would be able to do something like that. Maybe the Chairman did lie to see how you would react.”*

Thomas was beyond annoyed; these people truly were delusional. A sharp pain stung in his chest; he thought about all the times everyone including himself would gang up on Rabena like this.

*“What would be the reason Davis? What would he have possibly gained by lying? How would he even know to lie. Neither one of our families are significant enough.”*

Davis’s eyes darkened, he didn’t like hearing how insignificant he was compared to Aaron Michales. Daniel chimed in.

*“Did Rabena tell you this in an attempt to discredit Dani?”*

*“I haven’t spoken to Rabena in over two weeks.”*

Danielle, still sobbing loudly, finally spoke.

*“Tommy, I don’t know what’s going on but why would I lie? You know I wrote that proposal for you. Did Rabena put you up to this in attempt to get back at me?”*

Amber chimed in again.

*“That’s exactly what happened! That little runt is trying to ruin my beautiful daughter because she’s jealous!”*

Darius began to look at his family with pure disgust. Is this what we have been doing the past five years? Allowing Rabena to be the punching bag for all of Dani’s failures? Growing irritated, he finally spoke.

*“There’s a simple way to resolve this and verify who’s lying.”*

All eyes went on Dairus as he leaned against the wall. Looking at his family with disdain, his thoughts kept going back to Rabena. ‘Is this how we all look to you in your eyes Rabena?’ Daniel looked at his brother irritated.

*“So, what’s your bright idea Darius?”*

Darius looked over at Thomas who was now staring at Danielle as if he hated her.

*“Thomas, do you have a copy of the proposal?”*

Thomas looked over at Darius with a puzzled expression.

*“Yes. I have it right here.”*

*“Good.”* Darius looked over at Danielle who was still crying.

*“Dani, tell us all what’s in the proposal.”*

The room grew quiet. Danielle’s tears and sobs instantly stopping. She had a look of shock on her face as her color began to drain. She hadn’t expected Darius to say that. He was always the first to defend her. Thomas was now smiling, he should have thought of that.

*“Go ahead Danielle. Since you wrote this proposal for me, you should know everything in it.”*

Amber spoke up again.

*“There’s no way she could remember all of that junk! Darius, stop this!”*

Thomas looked at Amber with disgust in his eyes.

*“Mrs. Crest, this proposal was done immaculately, it was so thoroughly detailed that Crest Realty Development would have been able to benefit from this deal as well.”*

Suddenly Davis lifted his face, the possibility of him partnering with MGT sparked him up.

*“What do you mean by that? Do Chaiman Michaels also want to do a development deal for real estate with Crest? What was in the proposal?”*

Thomas looked over at Danielle, her face was flushed with fear.

*“Ask your daughter.”*

Everyone turned towards Danielle. Amber and Davis moved towards her speaking in soft tones.

*“Dani dear, why don’t you tell your father and I what your proposal was about. If it can get us a contract with MGT we can clear all of this mess up. I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding caused by your sister.”*

Now it was Daniel who stared at his mother with slight disgust, he wasn’t sure what was going on, but why was she so hellbent on blaming Rabena. Guilt suddenly began to creep into him, it was he that blamed her first. Darius decided to speak, this whole situation was beginning to piss him off, no way his family was THIS blind when it came to Danielle.

*“Danielle why don’t you just stop lying. This is dragging out longer than it has too.”*

Amber cut in trying to stop Dairus from speaking but he kept going.

*“Do all of you suffer from amnesia? Danielle barley made it to college. If it wasn’t for her being a legacy child she would have never gotten into the university. It was Rabena that had the perfect GPA, and high-test scores. She’s also the one that studied business and economics. She wrote the proposal.”*

Amber interjected again.

*“That’s impossible! There’s no way she could have written something that thorough.”*

Darius gave a sarcastic laugh.

*“Really mom? Are you so blinded by hatred towards Rabena that you would think it’s impossible for her, an economic and international business major with a perfect GPA to draft a business proposal. BUT the daughter who barley made it to college and majored in literature could? You think that makes sense?”*

But before Amber could answer, Thomas spoke up again.

*“Mrs. Crest, whether you believe it or not, Rabena wrote that proposal. So, if you all want to be apart of that development deal, I suggest you help me find Rabena by Friday.”*

Daniel looked over at Thomas in confusion.

*“Why? What will happen by Friday?”*

Thomas let out a deep sigh.

*“In order to salvage the mess Danielle made, I had to tell Chairman Michaels I was still married to Rabena. He’s hosting his annual charity ball in Banton this year and we’re all invited. The invitations will be here this evening.”*

The room was once again quiet. What should have been a joyous moment soon turned into a nightmare. If Rabena didn’t show up at that ball, not only would a lucrative business deal be destroyed, but word could also get out around Banton’s social society. Amber let out a loud yell.

*“That little brat is always making our lives miserable!! I don’t see why she has to be there!”*

Thomas was growing tired of this act.

*“Unless you want your family to be the laughingstock of Banton, I suggest you get off your high horse and help me find her!”*

Fresh out of tears, Danielle finally spoke.

*“What if we say she was too ill to show up at the ball?”*

Thomas looked at Danielle with complete exasperation. Although he was irritated with her, her suggestion wasn’t a complete waste. They would have to think of something in the event they could not find Rabena. Gritting his teeth, he agreed to the plan only as a backup.

*“Fine. If by Thursday we can’t locate her, we’ll tell them she’s sick. Danielle, you’re good at lying so I’m sure you’ll put on a fantastic show.”*

With that, Thomas left the estate and began his search for Rabena.