"Your 48 hours ultimatum is up."
Dave says from where he is leaning against the wall.
"Is that what you came all the way here to tell me? You couldn't call or text?"
He casts me a look of disdain before asking, "You're trying to tell me that you didn't see my text?"
"If I've seen it, I wouldn't be so surprised to see you."
"Since when did you start lying?"
I inhale deep air, while flexing my fingers. An attempt to calm my nerves down which didn't work. It's one thing for Dave to show his stupid face at my house, unannounced. I could deal with that, considering the fact that it is technically not my house. But for him to practically call me a liar is where I draw the line.
"Have I ever told you that you're a moron?"
"Watch your tone Sarah Darlington."
"Have I?"
"Watch your tone, I'm still your boss."
"Her boss? How come we have never met?"
We both turn to see Micheal casually coming down the stairs. The sight of him in just his pajamas, trousers, and sleepy eyes, makes my heart skip two beats. The way the hard muscles on his abs tightens with each step he takes, enthralling me. We can call Micheal all the names we want, but we can't take his attractiveness away from him.
"He was my former boss. The one you know replaced him." I quickly say, swallowing hard.
Micheal's head tilts to the side, "Is that so?"
Both men shake hands. But the contemptment in Dave's eyes is undeniable. If looks could kill, Micheal would be strangled under Dave's gaze.
"I want to see you at the office in exactly 3 hours from now." Dave says before storming out of the mansion.
"There's something strange about that man," Micheal says in between popping some fluffy pancakes in his mouth to chew, "What's his name again?"
"Erm, St-stanley?"
"Is it just me, or did I hear him call you Sarah?"
My hand tightens around my fork. What else did he hear?
"What's wrong Samantha?" There's an uncertainty in his voice when he says my fake name.
"He always calls me that. He's that dumb."
He shrugs nonchalantly, "Sarah. Samantha. All sounds the same."
"I know right?" I chuckle.
That exciting feeling that accompanies new car owners, especially when it's gifted, slips into my body as I slip into the car. The new leather wrinkles under my butt as I adjust my weight under it and roar the car to life.
Whatever Dave wants to say can wait. I decide as I speed through the busy New York streets that leads to the apartment I share with George.
After the passion we shared the last time, which Vanessa abruptly cut short, I needed to know where things are with us. Are we back together? Or was that a goodbye kiss?
I sigh on remembering Natasha's words last night. Is there still even an us? Or has she succeeded in taking my spot in George's heart?
On getting to the apartment building, I climb down and embrace the warmness of the sun. If only my life would magically become as beautiful as the weather; I would literally thank the universe for sparing me some peace in my chaotic life.
I get to the front door before I remember that I didn't bring my own set of keys. But before pressing the doorbell, I adjust the tiny straps of the red chiffon top I had paired with matching red cargo pants.
If I'm to win George's attention back, then I'll have to ooze out all the sensual energy I've got.
"Who's there?" a catty voice asks from the inside.
Who is she? And what is she doing in my man's apartment?
"Who are you?" I retort, the whole of my inside already simmering with jealousy.
"Excuse—"
Natasha swallows back her words on seeing it was me.
"What are you…?" I trail off as I take in her dressing.
"What do you want?" she asks, folding her hands across her chest and giving me a mean look.
"You now live here?"
"Uhmm. That's right."
The mischievous smirk she flashes to me makes my hands curl into a ball as I try to resist the urge to punch her hard on the face.
She continues, "That should be your cue to leave. Not just here, but George's life as well."
Too speechless to form the right words. I stare back at her in awe. My hands are already trembling. I clench my fists tighter, however, the rage overpowers me. But before I could land the punch right where I wanted, which is on her nose, she had already moved quicker by slamming the door right on my face.
I end up punching hard on the door. Screaming harder at her. Calling her all the vile words that I could think of.
Then I find myself sliding down the door after I have exhausted my voice, hot tears sliding down my face.
"You can't do this to me Natty. You can't take away the only thing that matters to me."
"Are you okay Miss?"
I slowly blink my eyes open on hearing a concerned voice.
"Ms Sarah?"
I immediately recognize the cleaner's voice.
"Erm… I…" I try to stand, but my knees give up on me. She ends up dragging me up and helping me to the car.
I pass out in the car again. This time from nauseation, after vomiting the whole breakfast I just had in the leather of my brand new car.
On getting to the office three hours later, they led me to the conference room where a board meeting is currently ongoing. The glare Dave throws to my direction tells me that he has already reported me to his bosses and I had been summoned to be sanctioned.
"Hello sirs." I say nervously when eight pairs of eyes turn to me.
"Ms. Sarah Darlington, for breaking the code of conduct, you are hereby…"
I shut my eyes tight as I wait for the next words.