She smiles. The other day she asked what meals she should cook when she finally celebrates her divorce. He joked and told her to cook a grand banquet. Now he’s changed his answer.
“You don’t want a grand banquet anymore?”
He puts his hands in the pocket of his coat, tilts his head and smiles sadly, “No, I am very single-minded and spaghetti is my favorite.”
Leilani returns his smile, “Wait for it.”
Charles is enchanted by her smile. Gently, he kisses her cheek goodbye and watches her walk away. Robert gets out of the front car and opens the door for her. She gets in and the cars speed off onto the main road.
When the cars pull up to the mansion, a large group of maids and bodyguards are waiting. Maureen Fletcher, Mrs. Bamford’s private housekeeper, stands in the lead.
Maureen raises her hand and orders, “Tie her up and take her away!”
Leilani stumbles back nervously, but the maids and bodyguards surround her.
“What gives you the right to take me away?” Leilani demands, “Aren’t you afraid that Mr. Bamford will punish you?”
Maureen looks at Robert who is standing by Leilani’s side.
“Indeed, Mr. Bamford wants to see his wife,” Robert says.
Maureen seems to hesitate for a moment, but then she decides.
“I’m acting on Mrs. Bamford’s orders,” she says, “I must take her.”
Without clearer instructions from Waylen, Robert doesn’t dare to disobey Mrs. Bamford’s direct orders. With a shrug, he steps aside and allows the servants to grab Leilani.
The servants are quick and beat Leilani with their hands and feet. She’s outnumbered and weak from the aphrodisiac and the cold bath, so she lets them take her. They drag her through the house and into Mrs. Florence Bamford’s sitting room. Someone pushes her from behind and she falls to her knees at Mrs. Bamford’s feet. The tastefully patterned wool carpet rubs against her bare legs.
She turns around and glares ferociously at Maureen Fletcher. Over the years, Mrs. Florence Bamford has disciplined Leilani many times. Indifferent, Waylen always turned a blind eye to his grandmother’s beatings. Mrs. Bamford’s housekeeper, Maureen, has always been more than eager to help with Leilani’s punishments.
“Mrs. Bamford, Miss Summer, Leilani is here,” Maureen announces.
“Get the whip,” Florence Bamford orders.
The tightly tied ropes around her arms and legs prevent Leilani from breaking free. Defeated, she stops struggling and kneels on the floor.
“I had no idea you liked me so much, Mrs. Bamford,” she sasses, “You just saw me this morning, but you missed me so much you wanted to see me again.”
“Miss you? Don’t be ridiculous,” Florence Bamford scoffs, “Don’t you dare think that I can’t discipline you just because Waylen has suddenly gone soft.”
Mrs. Florence Bamford rises and begins to pace the room. Leonie hurries to follow her, sneaking gloating looks at Leilani.
“Leilani, apologize before Granny gets serious. She may show you some leniency that way.”
“Apologize?” Leilani sneers, “I’m not the one who should be punished for what happened last night and this morning.”
Mrs. Bamford takes the whip offered to her by Maureen.
“You think you’re here because of this morning?” she says, “No. I heard that you dared to fight against Waylen when he tried to punish you.”
“Why shouldn’t I fight back?” Leilani demands, “It’s ridiculous. I’m alive human being, not some dog you all can kick.”
“You stabbed a needle into his heart and made him blackout!” Florence Bamford rages.
“It was self-defense.”
“Who taught you to use self-defense against your husband? You disgusting, rude thing. God forbid anything ever happens to Waylen, you wouldn’t be able to afford the consequences even if you had ten lives!”
As she speaks she becomes even more enraged and she begins to whip Leilani.
“Mrs. Bamford!” Leonie raises her hand to stop her, “Let Maureen do it. Whipping is tiring.”
Leonie flashes a wicked smile at Leilani, and Leilani understands her intentions perfectly. Though she’s strong for her age, Mrs. Bamford can’t hit her hard. Maureen, on the other hand, is strong from years of laboring in the Bamford house. Leilani can see Leonie’s desire for revenge.
Although Leilani is fastened with ropes, she writhes like a flexible mermaid and turns to look at Maureen.
“Mrs. Fletcher, I’d appreciate it if you whip me in the back,” she says, “I have interviews with journalists from two newspapers. I’m to meet them in a halter top, and I already promised to pose for some photos.”
Maureen pauses, with the whip half-raised. She looks to Mrs. Bamford for guidance. Mrs. Bamford looks questioningly at Leonie.
Leonie glares at Leilani ferociously and lowers her voice, “Mrs. Bamford, I know nothing about any interviews.”
Mrs. Bamford regards Leilani warily, “What game are you playing now?”
“When did Leilani become so unpredictable?” Florence Bamford thinks, “She’s so different from the woman who meekly accepted every punishment in the past. Did her seaside suicide attempt somehow shock her into a personality change?”
“I don’t have the nerve to play any games. I’m only negotiating with Maureen,” Leilani says, “I guess she could slap me in the face if she wants to. Makeup won’t cover it, but that’s alright. It’ll make for an interesting interview, no? How’s this for a headline: Inside Mrs. Florence Bamford’s Sitting Room—The Old Sword is Still Sharp.”
Maureen lowers the whip in confusion. The housekeeper certainly wants to whack Leilani, but she has to wait for her boss’ orders.
Frustrated, Leonie lowers her voice and offers to help, “I can send someone to look into Leilani’s story.”
Mrs. Bamford brightens, “Do it quickly, child!”
“It’s a pity Miss Summer isn’t all that bright,” Leilani sighs dramatically, “Whether I’ve already scheduled an interview or not is irrelevant. Every journalist in this city would love an interview with Waylen Bamford’s wife. All I have to do is invite them and they’ll be lining up all around the house to get a chance to talk to me.”
Leonie stares at Leilani in a stunning defeat. Leilani has utilized the Bamfords’ greatest weakness against them: their prized reputation. Leilani can afford to be publicly shameless, but they can’t. If Leilani appears before the press with bruises and claims that Waylen and Mrs. Bamford beat her it would create a terrible scandal.
Leonie gnashes her teeth in frustration. She wants Leilani to suffer the same humiliation she felt this morning. Mrs. Bamford is equally furious; she wants nothing more than to whip and curse Leilani. Mrs. Bamford tries to swallow her rage, but she’s so mad her eyes roll.
“Untie her then,” she hisses, “And get her out of my sight. I can’t bear to look at her face for another second.”
Regretfully, Maureen drops the whip. With quick fingers, she unties Leilani and pulls her to her feet.
“You’ll let go of me so easily?” Leilani asks lightly.
“Get. Out,” Mrs. Bamford roars.
“This might be your last chance, Mrs. Bamford. You have to know, I won’t come so easily the next time you ask me here.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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