THE DEBT

"The theme of the park—" There was a long pause, a deep breath followed. "Oh!" A nervous sigh escaped the woman's lips. "I'm sorry, Mr Kent," her voice shook.

Robert leaned towards Irwin, who was already losing his patience in the meeting. "She's a new employee,"

Irwin blinked, looking away from his phone and around. A lady stood at the other end of the table, shaking as if she held a pee. He looked away and continued with his phone.

"What is she so busy with? Why won't she reply if she read my text?"

"Who?" Robert peeped into his phone, but he locked it, pushing it into his pocket.

"Who's she?" Irwin asked, staring at the nervous lady who had gone into deep panic.

"Oh, she's your newly appointed secretary, Esther Lee,"

"Fire her, I think she needs some time at home," He adjusted his suit and got up. The lights in the conference room changed. Irwin stormed out of the room, dialling Morgan.

"Is something wrong, Mr Kent?'

"Robert, have you heard anything from Morgan, I can't reach him,"

"Is this about Miss Mercer? Morgan asked me to inform you that she was going shopping," Irwin paused, brows raised. He looked at Robert, and a small smile craned his lips.

"Is she?"

"Yes, she was attending a birthday party. Morgan didn't specify as Miss Mercer didn't let him know either,"

"Then it's good," Irwin said and looked around. "Where's Magnus? Shouldn't he be at his desk?"

"Ah, he took a leave today. His mother's 60th birthday," Robert's eyes widened at the realisation.

"I want Morgan on the phone. Right now!"

AT JANE'S BIRTHDAY.

Eisley walked closer to her, gawking at her. "That goes for you, you sly!" Darcy's gaze pointed downwards. "I have a very interesting story to tell you. Why don't you sit, we can discuss, and celebrate a happy birthday together," her gaze narrowed to Cecily by the corner.

"What do you think you're doing?" Magnus glowered, his eyes shooting bullets.

"What do you think I am doing?" Eisley turned to him, "I'm letting them know about my engagement and wedding, or don't you want them to know? Especially how you lied about our wedding!" Eisley said in a rush.

"Eisley!" Magnus yelled bitterly.

"You underestimate me, Magnus! I've changed, can't you see that!"

"Magnus, what do you mean the marriage is fake?"

"Mother, let me help you, let me explain. According to my lawyer, Magnus never registered our marriage, so legally, I am not his. So, currently, I'm getting married soon, you can if you want. I'm sorry I didn't come with an invitation,"

"You brat! After everything he has done for you! Is this how to treat him?" Darcy said, glaring at Eisley.

"He has done for me? Oh my, Darcy, I think I am short of memory. Could you remind me?"

"He paid off your mother's debt!" Darcy scoffed. "He paid out a sum of twenty million dollars! Isn't that enough to be loyal to him? Ungrateful—"

"My mother's debt," her eyes lit, "Then he should have married my mother. Besides, I never heard anything about debt or saw anything. He never proved it to me, and my mother never did," Eisley's voice went low, "My mother just disappeared, away like she was dead. There's no trace of her," Eisley blinked slowly, glancing at them. They couldn't keep their gaze at each other and were awfully silent.

"Miss Mercer?" Morgan called from behind.

Her gaze shifted to Morgan, but the silence was something. It's like they knew something she didn't.

"Mr Kent wants you home, now," Morgan whispered. Eisley's side glanced at him, while the Sawyers were. Still quiet, including Magnus.

"Well, I guess this is the last time we would ever meet."

Cecily dashed out from her hiding spot, following Eisley as she walked out of the house.

Cecily grabbed her wrist, "What do you mean you're getting married, huh? Eisley, you promised to come home," her eyes filled with tears as she pleaded to Eisley. Her eyes wandered around, avoiding Eisley. "Who are you marrying? You're lying!"

Eisley looked at Magnus and his family. "Irwin Kent, I'm sure you know him since he is Magnus's boss," Eisley replied, her eyes locked on Magnus's piercing gaze. She chuckled, looking at Cecily.

"Eisley! Don't you think you've gone too far? Irwin Kent? You seduced your husband's boss?"

"Husband?" Eisley's brows furrowed, and disgust flashed on her face.

"Doesn't matter if he wasn't your husband! He is—"

"Just because I have been keeping quiet doesn't mean I can't have you back. Trust me, Eisley," Magnus cut in, saying.

"Eisley! You can't do this to me!" Cecily begged.

"I'm sure you'd pass off as his wife, right? Magnus, don't forget to register your marriage this time,"

Eisley looked at her hands gripped tightly in Cecily's palms. She struggled, and finally, Cecily let go. Eisley sighed heavily, trying to catch her breath.

"Why should I help you now you're getting beaten? You never helped me. I thought you loved Magnus. Was it just because of his money? You're a better wife than me, since you..." Eisley deliberately leaned closer. "Fucked him so much better than I could,"

Eisley moved away and continued walking out of the compound, leaving them in awe. As they have always ruined her birthdays, it was finally some time for revenge.

Morgan opened the car door, and she got in. She took out her phone and gasped at Irwin's several missed calls and text messages.

"Morgan?" She called. "Can you not tell Irwin where I went today?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Mercer, Mr Kent already knows, he called me ten minutes ago,"

"You're going to prove it, and I want to know how much you can do anything if I find out you still love him. I won't hesitate to end your life, Eisley Mercer,"

Eisley arrived at the mansion and headed straight to her room. As soon as the door opened, the cold breeze blew against her face, and she took a deep breath, turning on the light.

Eisley gasped, holding on to her chest. Her eyes gaped, staring at Irwin, who sat on the couch, sleeping.

Her feet moved closer, and she paused, taking a look at him while his eyes were closed. As she moved closer to take a look at his face, his sea-green eyes held hers. Eisley yelped, moving away.

Irwin leaned further, staring at her and sizing her. His eyes turned warm, and he stared at her lovingly.

"You're late," he said. Eisley's side glanced at him.

"Are you going to restrict me from going out now?" Eisley said, panting and holding her chest while her breath calmed.

"Not really, but I think I'll have to when you look this way," he said, gazing up and down lustfully.

He cleared his throat. "I see you went to a birthday party. You look highly magnificent for a birthday party. Robert told me you spent a few dollars, a thousand? Five? Ten?"

"What! Ten!" Eisley yelled. "Oh shit, I promise to give it back," her imploring gaze fixed on his.

"How?" He asked hotly. Eisley blinked thrice, glancing around the room. Irwin got up, walking closer to her.

Eisley's chest began to pound, and every step caused her to melt inside. "Uh? Oh— uh— I— the dishes," his hands caught her wrist, and pulled her gently to his body.

"Can you be truthful to me?"

Eisley's gaze wandered around the room. Her body was too close to his, making it difficult for her to breathe well. Irwin held her jaw, focusing her gaze on him.

"Why did you go see Magnus? Blackmail?"

"No!" Eisley said in a pitched voice. She struggled out of his hands. "I don't know, I wanted to pay Jane back," she walked towards the bed, sitting at the edge. "Magnus's mother, I wanted her to see a new me, the confident girl. I wanted her to know I was not that weak girl anymore. I think it felt so good,"

"Revenge? Getting back at her. I can help you, Eisley. Should I help you get proper revenge?"

"No, this is about me and Magnus, and I don't want to drag anyone into it. Besides, how are you going to get me revenge?"

"It's easy, torture them, make their lives a living hell, kill them, killing would be an easy punishment, I can make them suffer unbearably,"

Eisley frowned, her ears tweaked, and she shook her head. "That's not necessary. Nobody would be killing anyone,"

Silence engulfed the room, and Irwin nodded. "We have to book a wedding hall tomorrow. It's best not to be late,"

"Alright—" Eisley froze as Irwin held her head gently, kissing her forehead.

"Goodnight," he said, waking away. The door shut, and he was out of sight.

"The door shut, Eisley stood there, stupefied, she wasn't giving time to process the kiss when a call came in. She searched her purse for her phone and brought it out.

It stopped ringing, and an email came in. "Magnus had been lying to you all this while, I can tell you the truth about your mother,"