.KATE
I slumped on my bed after dropping my phone on the bedside table. Liam's words were replaying in my head. Why is he being so difficult? He couldn't even appreciate my effort for trying to cover up for him but he's blaming me for not informing him of dad's presence at the meeting instead. How was it supposed to be my fault that he was nowhere to be found on such an important day.
I felt angry and hurt and it was making me feel hot inside which prompted me to sit up straight on the bed as I took off my blazer.
Liam has always been hot tempered but I didn't expect him to be this unreasonable. We've always been cool with each other but today, he spoke to me like I betrayed him or something
I sighed, glossing over our conversation again. I just want to be appreciated, is that too much to ask? My thoughts are distracted by a knock on the door. My mum peeps in.
"Hey muffin, what's up?" She asked as she waltzed in with a tray of my favorite banana smoothie.
"Hi mum," I replied with sunken shoulders.
"Well, how did it go today?" She asked, handing me the smoothie.
"It was successful, mom. It turned out better than I expected." I said with a dull tone.
"I heard you totally smashed the meeting today. I got reports of how great you did. And what's better? Your dad was present too!" She chattered excitedly.
I sighed as I took a sip of my smoothie.
"What's the matter, Muffin? Why do you look so down?" She asked, noticing my dullness.
"Nothing mom, it's just..." I set my cup of smoothie on the table and got up. "Never mind."
She got and pulled me into a motherly embrace.
"Muffin you can always share what's bothering you."
I looked through the glass window, into the busy city street, observing the traffic from my room on the top floor. She pulled me into a chair and sat on the table, facing me.
"It's just Liam. We had an argument." I said. "He spoke to me in a very hurtful way. He was supposed to preside over the meeting but he didn't show up. And he just called me and was accusing me of being insincere. He didn't even appreciate my effort, he just..."
She adjusted herself on the table and held my shoulders.
"Muffin, who cares about Liam?" She said with a serious face.
I gave her a quizzical look and she nodded in confirmation of her statement.
"You need to understand that this is a game. You can't let him outshine you. Whenever you get any opportunity, you snatch it and you don't feel sorry for it." Her voice was firm and intimidating.
"Mum, I'm not competing with Liam. I don't want to go down that line." I said, feeling quite defensive.
"Oh muffin, don't be naive. Do you think he has your interest at heart? Think about yourself, it's a competition!"
"That's not how I want to live."
"Grow up Muffin!" She snapped. "Business is cutthroat, family or not. And you must fight your way to the top. Show your father what you can do and in no time, he'll be eating out of your hand."
I knew there was no running from this. I knew I wanted to be at the top so bad, so why was I hesitating?
"So...what do I do?" I asked nervously.
"Even if it means hurting Liam?" I said as if I needed to hear it to be sure.
"Especially if it means securing your place." She said, resolutely.
I had never seen my mother so determined, she had always been a sweet and innocent woman. Well, I guess I was wrong.
Nonetheless, I would do what it takes, even if it means kicking that ungrateful lout out of the way.
I sat alone with my thoughts and my smoothie, letting the tension seep out of my body.
AUTHOR'S POV
Patrick strolls down the busy street. The night is cold and the streetlights cast a warm glow, illuminating the road. Cars are going to and fro, honking at each other and their lights beam from their ends at the passers by.
As he approached the Savory delights, he felt an aura of familiarity. He pushed the door open and the scent of roasted vegetables greeted his nose, stirring hunger in him.
"Hello there!" He greeted, sitting at his favorite spot beside the window.
"Hi Mr Patrick! It's been quite a while." Susan said,clearing out another customer's table.
"Who do we have here?" Mr Ken, the owner of the restaurant said in his usual cheerful voice.
"Good evening Mr Ken, it's been a minute right?" Patrick said with a chuckle. "Ah... not much has changed since I was here last. I should come here more often."
"Of course you should! We've missed you a lot." Susan squealed.
"Don't just stand there dear, take the man's order." Mr Ken beckoned to his daughter.
"Right after I put these away dad." Susan replied and walked away with the plates.
"How has work been? How's your boss? You should come here with your teammates again." Mr Ken said as he took a seat opposite Patrick.
"Ah... really should. It has been a crazy few months for us at the company so all hands have to be on deck. But, we're picking up." Patrick said as he took note of the changes in the place, engaging in small talk in the process.
"Here's the menu sir, we've made a few improvements on it." Susan said as she slid the menu to him.
"Thanks Susan. How's Jane and Amelia? I haven't seen any of them since I entered here." Patrick said, flipping through the pages as if he hadn't already made up his mind on what to order.
"Jane is doing okay. She went on a date." Susan said with a wide grin. "And Amelia, what happened to her is just unfortunate."
"Unfortunate?" He asked, looking up from the menu he was reading.
Sandra looked at her father, as if asking for permission before speaking.
"We had to lay her off." Mr Ken said.
"Lay her off, why?"
"Well..." Susan trailed off.
"There was an issue with Liam Henderson." Mr Ken cut in.
"Is it the same Liam Henderson we all know?" Patrick asked in surprise. He wasn't expecting such news.
"It seems Liam was gunning for her head because what happened that night was not Amelia's fault but the guy just kept insisting that we had to fire her."
"Hmmm", Patrick said, rubbing his chin.
"He said something was wrong with the food, and it was Amelia's fault." Susan added.
"Well, that's just sad. I hope she's doing okay. Some of these rich people just like to be bullies because they can be." He said, handing her the menu.
She took it from him and walked away.
After his meal of grilled salmon arrived, he ate delightfully, also thinking about Amelia's issue. He knew there was more to the whole thing and that Liam was the one making life harder for Amelia.
HELA
I walked out of the busy mall with my assistant tailing me behind. A shopping spree would always be my therapy and I just finished one of such sessions. With my sunglasses hanging on my forehead and a cup of iced coffee in my hand, I stride majestically along the walkway. I can spot several eyes fawning over my perfect body, both men and women. I can't wait to take off these heels though. Gosh, they're ruining my pretty feet. Honestly if not because my boss is going to give me an earful if I don't look flawless in public, I would have flung these heels and given my feet some freedom.
"Ginny, what are we doing next?" I asked, turning to her.
"Um we have lunch with Miss Dawn at Jasmine's diner." She answered as she struggled with the several bags I gave her to carry.
"Ugh, why do I have to force myself on that old hag." I muttered as I turned to face my front.
My eyes caught someone approaching, someone familiar. I squinted my eyes to see who it was and a scowl formed on my face upon remembering. A mischievous idea formed in my head as she came closer.
Pretending to be busy on my phone, I began to walk fast and bumped into her, spilling all the contents of my iced coffee on her fake hand me down designer dress.
"Ow, what where you're going." I groaned.
An inner joy filled my heart as she stood in front of me, dazed and obviously messy. It is a pity I had to waste such an expensive brew of coffee on someone this filthy but the result is satisfying.
"You should watch where you're going. Look at my body!" She whined, trying to access the damage done to her dress.
"When you saw that I wasn't looking, couldn't you move yourself?" I said with irritation.
She took one step back, probably not expecting to bump into me like this.
"Oh, it's you. I'm not surprised at the attitude. Same nasty attitude."She said with indifference. She looks calmer than the last time at the hotel when she slapped me. Anyway, I don't want a repeat of that night. I'm happy with this little win and I'd better be on my way, before things escalate.
"You should watch where you're going." I said, trying to hide my nervousness.
She just gave an annoying snot.
"I don't have the strength for any trouble with you, seeing how your boyfriend is doing his best to make me miserable. Just be on your way." She said and looked both ways before crossing to the other side of the road.
"He's not..."
She was already out of earshot. Ah, just forget it! At least I won this time. Besides, I don't want to give my secretary an idea of what transpired between us. Till another time.
"Let's go Ginny." I said and with that, we increased our pace.
.