(JARED’S POV)
I scribbled my signature on the last document, relieved that I had finally tended to the last of the paperwork stacked on my table for weeks. Just as I was about to put the papers away, a knock sounded on the door.
“Who is it?” I called out.
“It’s Cristina, sir,” my secretary replied.
“Come in.”
Cristina entered, looking a little flustered. “Apologies for disturbing your work, sir, but I’m having some trouble accessing the company’s database.”
I nodded in understanding. Cristina is new, barely two days at the company. My previous secretary had resigned as she was relocating abroad with her fiance.
“Take a seat, and let me show you,” I motioned to the vacant chair.
Patiently, I showed her how to navigate the database. And a few minutes later, she had gotten a hang of it.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, rising to her feet. “I really appreciate your patience.”
“You’re welcome.”
As she turned to leave, I called out, “Cristina?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Are you active on social media? You know, F******k, I*******m?” I asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
She nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Alright, I need a little favor to ask.”
“What is it, sir? I’d be willing to help.”
“I want you to help me check out someone on both F******k and I*******m.”
Cristina’s expression narrowed slightly. “Sure, can I get a name?”
I paused, hesitating. What was I thinking? Am I really doing this? But I said the name anyway. “Arielle Smith, but you can check Arielle Meyers too,” I added, just in case she had changed her surname to her father’s. “I’ll check it out.”
“It’s nothing serious, I just want to know what the person has been up to lately,” I added.
“Alright, sir.”
With that, Cristina left, leaving me wondering about what I just did. I reclined back on the swiveling chair, my mind wandering. Why was I doing this? Arielle and I are divorced, I shouldn’t be concerned about her life anymore.
But with the embarrassment Sofia caused her a few days back at the conference, I felt the need to apologize to her, but I realized she had blocked all my numbers and blocked me on all social media platforms.
I don’t care about her life, I just wanted to be sure she was doing fine, I thought, before returning to work.
Minutes later, a knock sounded on the door amidst what sounded like a scuffle.
“Who’s it?”
“Cristiana, Sir. I-” her voice trailed off.
I looked up from my laptop, expectation lurching into my heart. She was back with the information I needed, I thought. But just as I was about to ask her in, the door forcefully went open and Sofia matched in, Cristina hot on her tail. I cocked my brows, surprised at the sight. “What’s going on here?” I inquired.
Cristina’s face wore an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, sir. I tried to stop her and advised her to book an appointment, but she wouldn’t listen. Instead, she kept yelling she was your wife and would have me fired.”
Sofia turned to Cristina, her eyes blazing hot as coal. “That still hasn’t changed. I’m still going to have you fired. You dare lay your pathetic hands on me? Who told you I need an appointment to see my husband?” I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Cristina, I apologize for the inconvenience. “You may go.”
Cristina nodded. “Yes, sir. Sorry again.”
After Cristina made a hasty retreat, Sofia slammed the door shut behind her and faced me. “Jared -“
“What was that for?” I cut her off, trying to rein my anger in.
“Your secretary disrespected me, that was what that was about,” she retorted.
“You asked for it,” I fired and I watched her face pale.
“I asked for it? Are you being serious, Jared?”
“Yes, you did. You should have called me before visiting. Cristina did what any sensible secretary would do. You do not visit any organization without an appointment.”
“Really? I, Jared, book an appointment before I see you? What are you talking about? I’ve visited a couple of times and I never faced this sort of treatment.”
“That’s because Cristina is new, didn’t you notice that? She doesn’t know you, unlike the previous secretary.”
Sofia was momentarily silent, as her mistake dawned on her. But it was only fleeting as the defensive look was back on her face. “Still, it doesn’t justify the way she treated a pregnant woman. I want her fired. I scoffed. Was she kidding? “On the contrary, you owe her an apology.”
“An apology? I’m sorry, but that’s never gonna happen.”
“Alright, you may see yourself out then. I have work to return to,” I said, looking back to my laptop.
“Really? Because I refused to apologize to some lowlife secretary of yours? Come on, Jared.” “Why are you here, Sofia?”
She made to say something but
stopped as she approached me, a smile suddenly appearing on her face. She stopped in front of me and placed a hand on my shoulder know you’re mad. Fine, I’m sorry.
I
can only apologize to you, but not
your secretary.
I exhaled tiredly. “Alright, why are you here?”
Her eyes lit up as she began to speak. “There’s a charity event coming up, and I’d love to attend and donate too. Also, I need new outfits and accessories to attend.”
I was stunned, angry, and amused at the same time. “So you left the house to come here, create a scene, humiliate my secretary, all because of what you just said now?”
“What’s wrong with that?” She asked, looking offended. “Are you now ashamed of me that you don’t want to be seen with me in public? Wait, is it because I’m pregnant with another man’s child?”
I threw up my hands. “That’s enough, Sofia. Let’s talk later at home. I need to return to work.”
But she wouldn’t budge. “No, we’re going to talk here and now.”
I puffed out air, overwhelmed by her persistence. I don’t need this distraction. I have work to do. I tried thinking of a way to convince her to leave, but none was forthcoming.
Just then, a knock sounded on the door, and Cristina announced, “Sir, you have a meeting. It’s impromptu, and the foreign investors are already waiting.”
I silently heaved a sigh of relief, grateful for the distraction. I turned to Sofia. “You heard her, I have a meeting.” Without waiting for a response, I stood up, grabbed the stuff I thought I needed, and made for the door.
I reached for the door handle and turned to face her. “Go home, Sofia. We’ll talk when I return.”
*************
I went for the meeting, trying to concentrate and not dwell on Sofia and how unbearable she can be. I was being patient with her because I loved her, and she was pregnant. know pregnancy messes with a lot of women’s hormones, which ultimately affects their attitude. But still, I wish she could be less demanding.
An hour later, the meeting ended, and I returned to my office, but to my surprise, Sofia was still inside dozing off on my chair.
Her eyes snapped open when I walked in. “Oh, you’re back. I guess you were not expecting to see me when you returned.
“Why are you still here, Sofia? You’re stressing yourself and the child,” I said, ignoring her sarcasm.
“I was waiting for you,” she replied, stretching.
“Why? I said we’ll talk when I return home.”
“I didn’t agree to that, did I?” I insist that we talk now.”
I sighed and lowered myself on the vacant chair. Since she was not willing to leave, I might as well indulge her. “So tell me, why do you need new accessories and clothes for a charity event? Christ, it’s not a beauty pageant, Sofia.”
“I know, I know, but wealthy and really influential people would be there, and I don’t want to look insignificant. Hence, I want new accessories.”
I thought that was a mundane reason, but I didn’t push further. “How much do you need?”
“$300,000,” she responded casually.
My jaw dropped at the outrageous sum she mentioned. “$300, 000?” I shot her an incredulous look. “You’re kidding, aren’t you? What do you need that much money for?”
“I’m not kidding. Alright, I’ll give you a breakdown of how I intend to spend the money.” As she said the last words, her voice took on an excited tone.
“I intend to donate $50,000, and then use $250,000 for my clothes and stuff. I’m ordering a Monique Lhuillier couture dress, and her dresses are damn expensive. She’s a celebrity fashion designer, you know-“
“Enough, please,” I cut her short, my patience wearing thin. “Can you hear yourself?” I shook my head in disappointment.
“I’m sorry, but you’re getting only $100,000.”
Her face instantly contorted in a
scowl. “What do you take me for? What do I need such a paltry sum of money for? No, you’ll give me the exact amount I asked for. I mean, it’s no big deal. You’re worth billions of dollars; you shouldn’t make a fuss
about the sum I demanded.”
I went silent, weighing her words. She was right; the money was not a big deal for me, it was only a big deal for what she intended to use it for.
“Fine. I’ll make the transfer when I’m back from work,” I said, finally giving in.
Her eyes grew round in excitement. “You will? Oh, thank you!” She leaned down and kissed me on the lips.
“Can I get back to work now?” I asked, exhausted.
“Oh, yes, you can. Bye, boo. See you at home,” she blew me a kiss and sauntered off, leaving me wondering how I always give in to her demands.