Chapter 414 - Four Hundred And Fourteen: Be With His Wife
The third point of view:
Only a few people who attended the burial knew Reina was Maya and the reason she was active in the services. The other curious guests were fed with the lie that she was a friend mistaken for their dead daughter - Maya- because of their similarities hence the reason they had gotten so close. In one word, they took her as a daughter and sister.
The lie worked pretty well because she could assume her role as a daughter without suspicious looks or probing from gossipy guests.
And at that moment Reina was receiving condolences from visitors and well-wishers, someone also made his debut.
"Excuse me," She paste a fake smile at the woman occupying her time for a while now, and strode over to Alfred who paused as soon as their gaze met.
"What do you think you're doing here?" She spoke through gritted teeth.
"I'm here to pay my last respect," He said to her, holding her gaze.
"No, you're not going to do that because I'm sure as hell Angela wouldn't want you here anyway," Reina spoke through a hushed tone, she didn't want to cause a commotion.
"I admit that I made a mistake but do not deny me the chance of saying goodbye to her one last time,"
"Exactly, that's it. I'm denying you the chance because you did so to her too," she was furious, "I admit that Angela did pretty horrible things, but everything she did was for you! She loved you!"
"She loved my money!" he hollered.
"If she loved your money, why would she leave Mr moneybags aka Valentino for you! Get your eyes fixed, she slept with my father to save your business. What woman in her right mind would do that if not for the one she loves. But yet, what did you pay her back with? You abandoned her in the time she needed you most,"
"How dare you come here?!"
Reina heard a roar behind her and didn't need a prophet to tell her that it belonged to Kim. Her eyes met with Alfred's and she smirked at him with a look that says, "Deal with her,"
Knowing how volatile Kim could be, Reina didn't bother to stop her, rather she took her leave and left father and daughter to settle their business. This was out of her jurisdiction, she claimed.
The instant Kim walked over to Alfred, she pushed her father on the chest, "Who do the hell gave you the permission to step in here?!" She yelled at him, attracting a crowd.
"Kimberly, calm down!" the man said, steadying himself from falling from stumbling.
"Calm down?" she threw her head back and laughed hysterically, "I'm far from the word 'calm down'.?What do you come here to do? Laugh at my mother's face?" She pointed at the huge framed picture of Angela on the memorial stand.
"She begged you! I begged you! I asked you to see her just once? But what do you say? You snubbed me, told me you were busy? Busy with what? your mistress? Money?!" She shouted in his face.
"I admit it, I was selfish. I never took your words seriously, thinking it was one of her acts to get me to come to see her," was his excuse.
Kim smirked, "Well, as you can see, her death is not an act, so kindly take your..." she looked down at the bouquet in his grasp, "damned flowers and shove it up to your ass. I don't ever want to set my eyes on you again,"
"Kim -" the man tried to touch her but she shrugged him off with a deep warning,
"Don't you touch me If you don't want to get it from me," Kim threatened him, took hold of her son's hand - Tommy had appeared in the middle of the quarrel - and left.
"Kimberly, wait -"
"I think it's best you left sir," Niklaus came out to take control of the situation. The family had washed enough of their dirty laundry in the public already.
"No, I want to talk to her," Alfred insisted.
"Trust me," Niklaus lowered his voice, saying, "If your daughter shares half the gene as my wife, then I'm sure as hell you're not getting anything from her today - she's so damn stubborn,"
Alfred must have realized Niklaus was not kidding even though his words were amusing, he gave in immediately.
"Come on, I'll lead you out," Niklaus walked the man out from the church.
Once they were out, Alfred looked up at the sky with a tired exhale, "I messed up big time, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did,"
The man sighed. It
"But the point is that you're willing to atone for your sins. I would have given my father a second chance -after he paid for his crimes -?if he had repented sincerely, blood is still blood. There is no night I don't stay awake visualizing how things would have gone if he had taken that step. So you still have hope mister, they just need time and sincerity, "
Alfred stared at Niklaus, "You're Maya's husband, aren't you?"
"Yes," He answered yet questioned him, "Why do you ask? You don't approve of me?" he lips kinked to the side amused.
Alfred looked him over and shook his head, "No, you're decent. Just don't commit the same mistake I did and," He placed his hand on Niklaus' shoulder as if about to vest upon him a great responsibility, "Give her the love I never gave her,"
"You don't need to tell me that twice. Reina is a very special woman, I did not come all this way only to give up on her,"
"Keep up the good work, while I work on amending my ways. See you later," he added, "Son-in-law"
Niklaus grinned, looking down at his shoe.
Alfred stared at the flower, "I'll give this to Angela when I've gotten her daughter's approval," He finally said and left.
With a deep breath, Niklaus went back to the church but this time, there was emotion swirling in his gaze.
Gratitude.
He just realized it wasn't easy to have a happy and contented family. Every family has its owns problems and it's left for them to solve them or let them escalate. So Niklaus located his wife where she was talking to one of the guests and hugged her from behind.
"Niklaus, what are you doing?" Reina gasped, surprised at the sudden hug, and spoke in a hushed tone, "We're in -"
"I don't care," He didn't even let her finish, instead he tightened his hold on her.
Reina flashed the older woman an apologetic smile who sure understood by saying, "You two are so adorable," and left.
"Okay, what is it?" She turned around in his arms.
"Let's go home," He said to her
"Sure," she nodded, relaxing in his arms.
Niklaus was tired of all these dramas. Angela's death has not only stressed but tested their will, stand, and faith. Right now, he only wanted to be with his wife. Intentionally refusing to bring up the issue of her vengeance, because there was no way in hell he'd be letting her out of his sight.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om