Chapter Eight- Arrested Development

It wasn’t unusual for Ares to be missing during the day. The man was busy and Lenora knew this. What struck her by surprise, much to her misfortune, was to see him unexpectedly marching through the front door the very same day just as the sun was about to set. The woman was wise to have stayed in her own room. It didn’t take long for the hurried man to enter his office, only to come out seething after smashing every object that came within reach. James stood diligently at the door, already knowing that this was in connection to the little stunt that Lenora accidentally pulled earlier on in the day. Loyal to his new boss, the butler scurried to the young woman's room; frantic. Lenora was roused from her afternoon nap, eyes thick with sleep when she heard the rapid sound of knocking from her door. With slow movements, the young girl opened the door only to come face to face with a worried butler. “He’s angry, isn’t he?” “He’s angry,” The man confirmed. “I want to ask what you did but…” “It was nothing I swear,” Lenora was frantic now. “I accidentally clicked on something but I crossed it without looking; I promise.” Lenora knew that no amount of pleading would save her now. One simply couldn't bargain or reason with Ares Levine. She was as dead as a doornail in a coffin. She would be silenced forever and there were no ifs ands or buts about it. That all encompassing anxiety bubbled in her stomach once more. Pure dread seeping into her as she was stumped on what to do next. “I shall explain to Mr Levine. I will try to make him understand.” James wasn’t in any better off condition. The man was terrified but Lenora was selfish, she couldn’t ask him not to go because she was terrified about what to do.  Sometimes people who are terrified rise up against those who use brutality. Others side with the perpetrator but the worst of them stay neutral, not bothering to speak up against others and not having the guts to side with them either. She was pathetic. No. She could do better. “It’s fine. You go down to the living quarters. I’ll speak to him.” James tried to protest but soon went after Lenora insisted. She closed the door and waited with bated breath for a few minutes. What Lenora didn’t expect was to come face to face with Ares Levine. The man was angry beyond words. Rage came off of him in waves and he practically trembled with unrestrained fury. “What did you touch on my laptop?” His voice was barely controlled. Muscles flexing with each movement all while Lenora gawped at him.   Lenora knew that wife or not, she had transcended many boundaries. She was surprised she was still standing and not on the floor. The woman was stuck. Ares knew she had used his laptop and he knew she had seen something she wasn’t supposed to see. How could she answer him? Anything could set him off and that terrified Lenora deeply. She couldn't choose denial. “I’m sorry. I swear! I was sending a file to a colleague and instead I clicked on something else. But I swear, I don’t remember anything. I couldn’t tell you what I clicked on.” All the man heard was excuse after excuse. “Pathetic and a liar! You could at least care to come up with a proper lie. I can’t have you around any longer. Not someone as careless as you. Stay in your room. The next time you’ll see me is when a divorce lawyer is in the room.”   Lenora froze on the spot as the man took off in his wheelchair. This is what she wanted. Wasn’t it? She wanted this. But then why was her heart sinking in her chest? Why did she want to call out to him to ask for forgiveness again? Lenora opted to go back to her room, trying her hardest to drown out Ares' words. “No one is allowed to go near Lenora. Understood?” Lenora knew she was stuck. A direct order like that, not even James could protest.  She was all alone in a house full of people. Just like old times. …   Luna was eager to leave the hospital. She wanted to see her baby boy again. No matter how ruthless and cold he got, Ares Levine was her son and she had a soft spot for him. Reaching the manor, Luna eagerly allowed herself to be guided to her son who sat in his study chair.  “How have you been? The doctor said you’re healing marvelously. You’ll be out of that wheelchair in no time,” Luna cooed as she was guided into the study. Ares Levine was a cold man but a little less colder to his mother. He talked to her with respect but that wasn’t enough for the older woman to realize something was out of the ordinary. “Where’s Lenora? I don’t think I saw her around? She’s a delight isn’t she? The woman is smart and witty. You haven’t gotten rid of her, have you?” The older woman was equally smart and knew there was something amiss.   The mere thought of Lenora agitated the man. Ares didn’t want to dwell on the matter of Lenora but he knew his mother wouldn’t let it go. Divorce would be tricky. “No, I have not gotten rid of her. She’s in her room.” Luna knew this wasn’t as innocent as her son made it out to be and so she hurried to where Lenora was staying. The woman was floored at the state of her daughter-in-law. Concern flooded through her as she saw Lenora cooped up in bed. Luna hurried into the room only to stop in shock. Lenora was a mess.   The young girl looked older. As if she had caught a serious illness. “Lenora!” Luna had expected her son to lash out in some way but never like this. James was quick to inform Luna that Lenora had not eaten or drank anything in two days. Restricted to her room and nowhere else. “This is all my fault. I had no idea…” Luna trailed off, worry gnawing at her. Lenora was unable to speak, throat dry from lack of water and no energy from any food. Water was brought to Lenora’s attention and although James instructed her to take sips, she gulped it down like the ambrosia of the gods itself. “Mrs Levine is here now. You’re safe,” James tried to soothe her. “How could Ares do this? Is he trying to kill you?” Luna was furious now. Sure, the Levine Family wasn’t the nicest but to do this to one's own wife? “James, take care of Lenora please. I have some matters to attend to.” James did as he was told, aware of the havoc Luna was about to unyield onto Ares. The older woman marched down the stairs and it was shocking how anger made her move. One wouldn’t have suspected that she had just been let out of the hospital. It was only a pity the man concerned didn’t give a care in the world.