So instead, John took a deep breath and addressed Roland directly. “Actually, Roland, I think I do know what I’m talking about. I’ve done my research and analyzed the data. I know this market inside and out.” Roland sneered. “Oh, please. You’re just making it up as you go along.” But I refused to be baited. So I calmly laid out my plan, citing statistics and examples to back up my claims. Malia and all the investors listened with interest, realizing that I had indeed done my homework and had valuable insights to offer. Roland, realizing he had been outmatched, began to get angry. He could see that the others were impressed with my knowledge, and it was making him look bad. “Okay, okay, fine,” he said, his tone defensive. “But let’s not forget who’s in charge here. I’m the one calling the shots.” I raised an eyebrow, taking the high road. “Of course, Roland. We defer to your authority. But I think it’s important to consider all viewpoints before making a decisio
Ah, you mean his Finder's Fee?" Cecelia finally realized what was certainly going on. Then she moved out of her desk and slid next to me. "We called it here as Finder's Fee. And yeah. He got his referral commission earlier. Why? Is there something wrong?" Roland glanced at me, embarrassed. But I guess he was having a hard time responding to Cecelia's inquiry, so I replied on his behalf, "Nothing." then I smiled at him. "Nothing's wrong, Ms. Spencer, right, Mr. Roland?" He nodded and volunteered to go out of my office at the speed of light before his humiliation extended. The next day, Malia and Roland were scheduled to meet one of the most successful and influential CEO in Europe. This time, he forbade me to come with them when they believe that my presence is no longer necessary. The person they are going to meet knows how to speak English. And it will be the last meeting scheduled for us before we took our flight back to New York City. But because Roland forbade me t
I was about to run back to our room but Malia grabbed my hands and pulled me back closer to her. She then wrapped her arms around me and said, "There's no need, John. It's all my fault." "Why? What did you do this time?" I asked her, my voice low and sad, and acted clueless even if I already know what happened back at the meeting earlier. Malia burst out crying because of her answer to my associate's personal question about giving me three things she hated the most about Roland. And I was surprised by her answer. Three hours ago. "Then, I'm gonna ask her then." says my associate. "Can you give me three things you don't like about Roland?" Malia slowly dragged her eyes to Roland, who was currently stunned and dumbfounded while looking at her. He was caught up by surprise, I can tell. He found the meeting a bit personal when it was completely unrelated to the business they were offering. Then he adjusted his body away from Malia, preparing himself for the pos
So, I slowly switched off the coffee maker and lifted my feet closer to his spot with caution, and put everything by the book before he could finish talking to the person over the phone. As soon as I have enough of his evil plan, I went to his office and acted cool, while waiting for him to come back. "Good morning, Mr. Robin," I greeted him with a smile on my face and bent half of my body. "Someone had a good time after the Europe tour, huh?" he said. "I heard you did something big at the meetings. Good job!" then he dropped his butt on his desk. I guess someone also had a good time at the pantry when it was a miracle he did not begin my day with a task. Never in my one month working with him as his secretary, right-hand man, or whatever my position in his office that I got relaxed for a long time like this. He always gave me unnecessary workloads which were not part of my resume like making him coffee, cleaning the storage room, filing the company's financial
I'm so sorry, John." says Uncle Rustom in an awkward tone. "I tried to call you to call to inform you about Ms. Anderson, but she refused because she wanted to surprise you." "No, it's all right, Uncle Rustom," I said. "Could you prepare us something to eat?" Uncle Rustom flashed back inside while Malia and I remained our arms tied to each other. "Thank you for coming, Malia. I'm feeling good now." "Aren't you supposed to invite me inside our house first?" She asked and smiled while wiping the tears from her cheeks. I helped her shortly. While waiting for the food, Malia and I talked in the dining area. I began to feel a sense of peace in her presence. I know that no matter what happened, she would always be there for me. Then we decided to spend the night together, watching movies and eating our favorite takeout. Right after the meal, Malia and I ascended to our room, to begin our night plan. She and I cuddled up on the couch, laughing together as we snacked on popcorn and sipped
Staying inside the house suffocates me so I paced around the house, trying to calm my racing thoughts until I stopped at the picture of us on our first-ever vacation together on their private island, the one I cherished the most. We were both happy and carefree. I felt a pang of sadness, mourning the loss of that happiness. "Is everything all right, John?" Uncle Romnick asked the second he stopped in front of me. "Not that I am trying to meddle in your life with Ms. Malia, but what you did earlier... I find it, worrisome. Want to tell me about it?" He reached out to the photo in front of us and took a closer look at it. "She loves you, John," he added. "I can see it from her eyes while looking at you." "That's the thing, Uncle Robin. I love her too..." I said in a cold and sad tone. Uncle Robin cut in. "Why am I getting the thought of having a 'but' at the end of your sentence?" "I just found out she was the one who framed me for the crime I did not do five
As they continued walking through the mall, I couldn't help but notice how happy Malia seemed. She can laugh and joke with Roland's parents as though they were most likely similar to a real family. A twinge of jealousy resides in my heart while looking at them. I had always been attracted to her, and I know that she feels the same way about me. But what is Malia planning? Why can she just announce it to John and his parents about us being engaged? Didn't Malia realize that she was making it hard for me to believe that her love for me is sincere and real? After I few walks, they stopped at a clothing store, and Malia started fitting on clothes. I sat down on a bench, watching them with a bored expression. And I could not help but feel like I was being used, just there to carry their shopping bags. Three hours later, they finally finished their shopping trip and headed back to the parking lot. Malia turned to me and smiled. "Thanks for coming with us, John. It
Roland and his parents did not hesitate to tell Don Lucas about the incident earlier in the mall. All of them pointed the blame at me Malia got kidnapped by those men in masks. With their combined false accusations, Don Lucas did not think things through as he slapped me straight in the face. I could even feel the handmarks that were left on my face. Of course, Malia getting kidnapped was a huge incident all of us could barely imagine. So before Don Lucas blames any one of them, they pointed it on me because they fucking believe that I am just a mere employee of the Andersons. That my life was not even worth a dime. What else would I expect from those people who only cared about money, fame, and name? Roland doesn't want to ruin his reputation in front of Don Lucas, considering he and Malia were going to get married soon. "For God's sake! Aren't you supposed to be the one keeping an eye on your wife, huh, John?" Don Lucas furiously announced right after slappin