Edna pulled up to the office building in her roll-royce la rose notre droptail car, and the valet attendants faces lit up with warm smiles as they recognized her. "Good morning, ma'am!" Mike's personal valet greeted her…his eyes lighting up with familiarity. He stepped forward, opening the door for her. "Welcome back ma!" he said, beaming.
As Edna stepped out of her car, she slipped a bundle of $10 notes into the valet's hand, her gesture met with grateful smiles.
"Thank you, ma'am. You're too kind," the valet said, pocketing the money with a pleased nod.
"Be careful with my baby," she said.
"Yes, ma'am, I'll drive it carefully to the garage." The valet responded
As she approached the glass door entrance of the building, the security team noticed her. They not only welcomed her warmly but also escorted her to the elevator. In a gesture of appreciation, she handed each of them a bundle, and their faces lit up with gratitude.
Edna made her way into the main building.
The chief security team assigned one of his men to carry her bag and escort her to Mike's office, he nodded and smiled, paving the way for her entry.
"Ma'am, right this way," He said, opening the door for her as she settled in, and gave him a bundle too.
The security guard thanked her and left the office.
Edna carried herself with assurance, her stature alone commanding respect and intimidating men around her. Her confident stride and poised demeanor exuded power, leaving a lasting impression on those she encountered.
It was already 8:30 AM, and the office was buzzing with employees reporting to work. Rachel arrived shortly after, accompanied by Annabelle and other colleagues. A few minutes later, Mike walked in, flashing a warm smile and wave to the welcoming workers around him. As he approached, he coincidentally encountered the chief engineer, and the two paused to discuss pressing matters. Engrossed in the conversation, Mike didn't respond to Anabel's greeting.
As the discussion concluded, Mike and the chief engineer parted ways, each heading in different directions. Just as Mike was about to enter his office, his phone rang. He inserted his earphone and answered, expecting a discussion. However, as he stepped into his office, his eyes widened in surprise at what he saw. For a moment, he forgot about the call, his attention completely absorbed by the unexpected sight before him.
"Hello?" a voice prompted, but Mike remained silent, his gaze fixed.
Meanwhile, in her office, Anabel urgently searched for an important document she needed to submit that day. After searching through her files and desk drawers, she slumped into her chair, hitting her forehead in frustration.
"Where could it be?" she muttered to herself.
Suddenly, a memory flashed – she had left the document on her kitchen counter at home. Anabel quickly grabbed her phone and dialed Lolo's number...
The phone rang repeatedly without an answer. She tried again, muttering under her breath, "Pick up, pick up, pick up!" Finally, Lolo answered. "Lolo, please, I need a favor," Annabelle said urgently. "Can you please fetch a document from my house? I left it on the kitchen counter." She waited anxiously for Lolo's response, hoping against hope that the document would arrive on time.
"Oh no, what a morning already!" Lolo exclaimed. "Anabel, can you just come back and pick up the document yourself? I'm in a session with a client right now and I really can't leave," Lolo said, trying to reason with her.
Anabel persisted, her voice laced with desperation. "Lolo, please, please help me out! You can talk to your client for a minute, can't you? Or rather speak with your client while coming. Just take a ride to the office, I'll cover the fare. Please, just this once, help me out!"
"Okay, okay, okay... I've heard you," Lolo replied, slightly amused. "Are you alright, roommate? Where exactly did you leave the documents?" Annabelle repeated herself, "On the kitchen counter." Lolo headed to the kitchen, spotting the documents immediately. "Yeah, I've got it. I'll be right there. Don't forget, you're covering my fare," Lolo said before hanging up.
He found Edna sitting with flowers and he saw mealbox on his desk. Edna said to him, "Come on, babe, not this again. I know yesterday was rough, and I brought you flowers and breakfast to show my apologies so please brighten up your face."
Mike's anger grew, and he told her, "Don't you know your space? Don't you have something to do? You brought the matter from my house to my office."
Edna replied…"No babe, I came on a friendly visit to see my man.
Mike's anger intensified, and he said, "There is no man here. The day you terminated the child was the day it was over between us." Edna showed him the ring on her finger, implying their relationship was still intact. Mike warned her that if she didn't leave his office, he would call security to take her out.
Edna's anger flared up as she retorted, "Just because of one little mistake, you're acting like I mean nothing to you. You're willing to throw away everything we've been through, all the years we've spent together?" Her voice cracked as she declared, "I'm done begging," and tears began to flow.
Mike's expression remained firm as he said, "I don't want to argue with you, but I want you to leave my office." Edna's response was defiant: "Go ahead, call security to throw me out. I'm not leaving."
Meanwhile, Anabel had received the documents delivered by Lolo, the papers neatly arranged in a crisp folder. She went to Rachel's office, who sat behind her cozy desk, typing away on her computer. "Good morning," Anabel greeted her warmly, but Rachel's gaze remained fixed on the screen, her expression unreadable. Without acknowledging Anabel, Rachel snatched the documents from Anabel and burst into Mike's office without knocking, the door swinging open with a gentle creak.
Edna's eyes followed Rachel, and her expression darkened as she recognized Mike's assistant. Rachel's sudden entrance was followed by a hesitant apology as she awkwardly dropped the documents on Mike's desk. However, Mike's voice halted her retreat, "Rachel, please sit and explain these documents." Rachel's demeanor shifted, and she obediently took a seat, smoothing her dress. Edna's surprise was palpable as she observed the familiarity and warmth in Mike's interaction with Rachel, a stark contrast to the tension between him and Edna.
Edna chose to remain wordless, her pride and hurt simmering just below the surface. With a quiet dignity, she picked up her bag. Without a glance at Mike or the thoughtful gestures he had made – the flowers that now seemed like a hollow gesture, the breakfast that lay untouched – Edna walked out of the office angrily.
The atmosphere was not bright at all...
Rachel's instincts picked up on the charged atmosphere, the unspoken words and unresolved emotions hanging like a fog in the room. Without missing a beat, she tactfully sidestepped the tension, her voice neutral and professional as she decided to mind her business and summarize the documents…
"Sir, these contracts require your signature on pages 2, 7, and 12. I've highlighted the key points and marked the relevant sections." Her focus on the task at hand was a welcome respite, and Mike's gaze shifted to the documents, his expression gradually smoothing into a mask of detachment. Mike was lost in thought.
As Rachel wrapped up her explanation, she noticed Mike's gaze drifting, his attention still caught in the lingering tension maybe. Her perceptive eyes locked onto his distant expression, and she somehow adjusted her approach…"I'll be coming back later, sir," she said softly, gathering her things. "Take your time to review the documents thoroughly. I'll ensure everything is in order when you're ready."
Just as Rachel reached the door, Mike's voice stopped her. "Rachel, before you go, could you call Anabel for me?" His tone was calm, a return to his professional demeanor, and Rachel nodded, her fingers moving swiftly over her phone's keypad. "I'll get her on the line for you, sir," she replied, her voice efficient. But Rachel wasn't happy at all.
Anabel's fingers flew across her keyboard as she worked on her tasks, her focus solely on the screen. Suddenly, her phone buzzed softly on her desk, signaling an incoming message. She glanced down, her eyes scanning the screen, and saw Rachel's name flashing. Her brow furrowed slightly as she read the message: "Report to Mr Mike's office immediately."
Anable's heart skipped a beat as she wondered what the urgency was about. "Was there an issue with the documents? Had Mike found something amiss?"...Her mind racing with possibilities, her hands moving with a mix of efficiency and tension. With a deep breath, she stood up, smoothing her dress, and headed to Mike's office, her steps purposeful.
Anabel walked down to Mike's office, her heels clicking softly on the floor. She knocked briefly, then pushed open the door, her eyes scanning the room. Her expression was tinged with worry, her brow furrowed in concern. As she caught sight of Mike's face, her gaze locked onto his, searching for cues. Mike's expression was unreadable, but he gestured for her to sit, his voice firm. "Anabel, come in. Have a seat." His words were a gentle command, and Anabel obeyed, her movements precise as she settled into the chair, her eyes never leaving Mike's face.
Mike's silence was obvious, his eyes avoiding hers. Anabel's instincts kicked in, and she sensed that something was off. This wasn't about work; the tension in the room was personal. Her mind flashed to the previous night, and she wondered if Mike's presence at her place had somehow triggered this. "What happened?" she asked softly, her voice laced with concern. Mike's gaze drifted up to hers, his eyes brimming with emotion. He looked like he was on the verge of tears, and Anabel's heart went out to him. She stood up, moving closer to Mike's side of the desk, her footsteps quiet. As she reached him, she gently took his hands in hers, her touch warm and reassuring. "You can tell me anything," she said, her voice was calm like a whisper. "What's going on?" Mike's grip on her waist tightened, and he looked up at her, his eyes searching for solace.
Anabel's discomfort grew, she leaned in slightly. "Come on, Mike, you can tell me anything," she urged him, her voice soft and encouraging. "What is it? Is it your mother? Or does it have something to do with the contract?" Her questions were gentle probes, trying to help Mike open up, and her eyes searched his face for any glimmer of emotion.
Mike stood up and made her sit on his desk, without a chance; he kissed her deeply. Anabel sensed that he was emotionally pained, she kissed him passionately, his fingers ran through her thighs, a moan escaped her lips…
He reached for his belt, unfastened it but Anabel stopped him in the process…
"We can't do this Mike, I'm sorry"
"Why can't we, Anabel, tell me you don't enjoy it?"...He said to her angrily.
Anabel got pissed at his sudden reaction and question.
Her voice trembled as she shot back, "You know what? You think it's all about you all the time. You don't think about someone else. You don't care how I feel or what I feel,"
He didn't bat an eye but kept quiet as she continued…
"For whatever reason you came to my place last night, I welcomed you with open arms," she said, her voice rising in indignation. "And this is how you repay me? What do you take me for? Do you think I'm just some fool who'll let you walk all over me?" Her words were laced with hurt and anger, each sentence punctuated by her growing frustration.
He sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance. "You're acting like I owe you something. Newsflash: I don't owe you a thing. You think you're so special just because we both help each other?
She got furious hearing that… .
"Really, helping each other, What do you think I am?" she demanded, her voice trembling with rage. "Some kind of doormat for you to wipe your feet on? Her eyes flashed with anger, and she took a step closer to him, her fists clenched at her sides… " I don't blame you Mike".
She turned on her heel, her heels clicking on the floor as she said, "Yeah, you don't owe me anything? You're right," her voice dripped with sarcasm. With that, she spun around and walked out of his office.
Anabel, wait! Anabel!" he called out, his voice growing fainter as she disappeared from view. "Anabel, come back!" But she was already gone, leaving him standing alone in the office, his words lost in the silence.
The door closed behind her with a decisive thud.
In a fit of rage, he slammed his fist on the desk, making the documents jump. Then, with a sweep of his arm, he scattered the papers everywhere, sending them fluttering to the floor in a mess.