4

Hazel

It took me some time to register what was happening and when it did, I pushed him off me ready to lunge a slap on his face only my hand to be halted midair by him. The smirk that was once on his face wasn’t there. It was replaced by anger. And I couldn’t discard the shiver that ran down my spine. At that moment, I knew if I land the slap on his face, I wouldn’t only regret it, I would be left to pay more than the debt I have. Because the look in her eyes was dangerous. It showed no mercy.

“You have made a mistake of slapping me once. You won’t get the privileged of repeating that” My eyes went wide open when he tighten his hold on my wrist. I winced in pain.

I know my mouth will put me in trouble one day. Even with the situation I was in, my mouth wouldn’t keep shut. “If you don’t want to be washed with another embarrassment why the hell did you kiss me then?” I spitted throwing him daggers. Though my legs were almost shaking but my pride comes first before my fears.

He released his hold and I instantly held the wrist rubbing the area. I felt like the bones has been deformed.

“To remind you of how it tasted back then” He answered shortly going back to rest his back on the desk. An annoyed chuckle escaped me. What does the man take me for? He thought he’s some mighty Geek god that women will be throwing themselves at him anyhow. I’m not that type of woman. I came for a purpose and not to listen to his dirty little acts.

“See Mr. Damon, I’m not here to listen to how you sleep around with women or how they think you’re a great kisser. I’m here to clear out the accusations. And since you have no intention of doing that, I got to get hella out of here”

“If you want things done then you need to come to an agreement. But you aren’t doing that” I rolled my eyes in return. Him and his principles.

“What agreement? Last time I checked this is not a business meeting. So I don’t see any need for agreement” I said as calmly as I can. I have no strength to argue more.

“You caused it all”

“Wait… Are you trying to put the blame on me?” I asked moving forward. He can’t seriously blame me for what is currently cooking. The media are hungry for a hot topic. And they got one. Getting me involved on the accord.

“You know what messing up with the Lorenzo will cost you yet you went on and did that”

No matter how righteous I am, what he said is true. I thought much on that after the incident. First, I would be blamed for it without looking at the truth picture. Secondly, I would lose all opportunity. Money and job. And my debt will pile up. What will be left in the end? I will be back to square one.

“What do you want me to do now?” I asked heaving out a sigh folding my arms across my chest.

“Sit and we’ll talk” He said much like commanded. I didn’t miss the smirk that danced on his lips. His weird smirk. He does that whenever he’s having an upper hand on something.

I sank down on the visitor chair while he went ahead and took his seat with a hint of a bossy aura. “So…” I trailed off getting impatient.

“You’re not in a rush. Are you?”

“I just want to get this over with and get out of here. I don’t want anyone having a bad impression” I wasted enough time in his office. I don’t want anyone putting a name on something that is not there. They enjoy gossiping around.

“Why would you bother yourself with what they think? Unless you do want them to have a bad impression”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever”

“Okay so, as you know the media is currently on hot plate with the incident. They won’t back down unless they grasp another hot topic” I couldn’t help but raise my brows. What is he trying to say?

“You know your ways of solving things in a snap of finger. Do that then” I profound lunging my hands in the air.

“I know I can but I don’t want to do that. You have to take full responsibility” My eyes slightly widened.

“Why are you talking in riddles Mr. Damon? Say it straight to my face that you want to take revenge for what happened to you. I will gladly accept that” I ended hushing out a smile. If he’s not ready to back down, I’m not ready to back down also. I will see the level of his stubbornness.

“I see you don’t want to clear your name”

“That will be possible only if you do the needful” I answered almost immediately. And we went into a battle of throwing each other daggers with our eyes. That came to an end when a knock sounded from the door.

“Come in” He hoarse out. The person from the other end made their presence known. It was Mr. Damon’s secretary. Leah. For the first time I didn’t see the flirty look on her face rather a nervous expression was plastered across her face.

“What’s the matter Leah?” He asked his brows creasing. She passed him the tablet phone she held on her hand.

“Shit!” I heard him say. Next thing his fist were on the desk. Leah wasn’t the only one that flinched due to his action. I was also taken aback.

“Is everything okay?” I asked sensing the tension he was in.

“Just-” He started then stopped. “Shut the hell up! This is all your fault” The way he was clenching his jaw tells me something indeed went wrong. I fished out my phone. And I was attacked by the news. The block shares skyrocket from 78% to 50%.And the main shares is at 60% from 87%. That is a huge lose. I scrolled through the comment my eyes going wide. The investors are pulling out. I dropped my phone on my lap and turned to a pissed off Damon.

“Are you happy now?” He said making me to crease my brows at his question.

“What do you mean?” I asked

“If you didn’t raise your filthy hands on me, none of this would’ve happened. The company wouldn’t have experienced a huge loss. All the days and sleepless nights I stayed up to build the company has gone to the drain all because of you” He spitted pointing a finger at me. That build up anger in me. I lose every patience I’ve been keeping inside me.

“Look here Mr. Damon Lorenzo, I don’t care about the days and nights you stayed up. That’s your job not mine. I know a lot of people fend their selves and their families from this company. But you didn’t think of that when you engage in your dirty acts. So don’t blame me for whatever is happening to you right now”

“I’m warning you woman. Stay within your limits. Just because you’re working here doesn’t mean you will open your mouth and say rubbish”

“What will you do?” I asserted ignoring the spiteful look in his eyes. “You deserve whatever is going on with you now”

“Get out!” He seethe. The voice he used shaken me. “I don’t want to see your face anywhere near my this company!” He roared again. This time around his voice was loud enough to turn your ears deaf. A let out a small smile. “Do have a nice day Mr. Damon Lorenzo” I uttered turning on my heels. With my head held high, I made my way out of his office. Not forgetting to slap it shut.

Just as I was out of the office, my phone chimed with message. A smile curved up at my lips. A message from our group chat.

Girls I have a news!!!

Came Kylie message. I do have a good news too.

I typed away too. I have good news too.

Great! Let’s meet.

I was eager to gist them the good news. I hailed a taxi to the Le Caffe where we’d be meeting. It was a drive of thirty minutes. I kept hissing on the way. I don’t know why they had to choose a far place.

As soon as the car came to a halt in front of the coffee shop, I wasted no time in getting out. I paid him and sauntered inside. Kylie was the first I spotted waving at me. I was the only one they were waiting before Kylie break whatever good news she have.

“See you arriving late” Layla uttered. I passed her a glare in return.

“You know I’m a busy woman” I answered after a while proceeding to call out for an order.

“We’ve ordered already. Americano for you. Before you throw a tantrums. I didn’t know you have that feisty side to you. You didn’t go easy on Damon” Kylie said wearing a surprised expression.

“Are we here to talk about Damon or your good news?” I answered.

“Both” Sofia chirped in. just in time our coffee arrived. Americano was passed over to me and Kylie while normal coffee to Layla and Sofia.

I took a sip of mine. The sweetness getting in contact with my tongue. “So what’s the good news?” I break the silence. I was eager to hear what good news Kylie has up her sleeves.

“So girls…” She trailed off. Our attention was focused on her as we waited for her to reveal the good news.

“Nick proposed to me last night” She said in one breath wavering her fingers. The pair of ring come in view.

“Oh my god. Finally!” Layla exclaimed grabbing her hand.

“Congratulations dear. You’re finally off market” I said pinching her cheeks in a playful manner. I’m really happy for her. Kylie and Nick had been dating for quiet a while. They’ve been together for more than three years. I’m happy they’re taking things to the next level.

“Finally dear. Although I want to land a punch on his face for taking so long” Sofia fake anger. We all laugh in unison.

“Thank you girls. I love me and you. And pray the bound keeps getting stronger”

“Same dear” I blow an invisible kiss her way.

“So, Hazel tell us your good news” Layla profound. She won’t stop until she made sure I’m pissed right.

“I know you guys have already heard and saw what happened between me and Damon right?” I commenced.

“It’s practically all over the internet. Who wouldn’t get that hot topic” Well my friends are part of the gossipers. From celebrity gist to hot men gist.

“Why must you result to that though? You know he won’t let you be. A slap to a public figure. And most handsome, young and rich eligible bachelor in the whole New York.” Kylie shakes her head. “Hazel you’ve gone far than we imagined. What are you planning on doing? Resigning isn’t a good choice. You know you won’t be able to get a good well paid job anywhere else”

Only if they knew I have a green card to play. Not when I have an offer of promotion. I’ve thought a lot about it on my way. I didn’t do anything wrong. So I don’t see the need to resign. I know the shares plumping down is entirely not what we expected. And then one way or the other, it happened because of the incident. I’ve come to understand the company’s strategies all through my employment there. I’m in charge of the rise and fall of the shares.

“Are we talking to a human being?” Layla shake me off from my thinking.

“Get closer” I ushered. They stared at me with a confused expression on their face. I sunk in a sharp breath. Using a signal. We are not the only ones there. And with the current situation, I don’t want any more fire.

I made sure they leaned forward before dropping the bomb. “Damon Lorenzo will come looking for me in the next 24 hours” I uttered feeling some proudness engulfing me. He won’t be able to solve the problem without me. The look I received from them was that of warning. Yet, I don’t care. The last green card I have is up. And I know I will be on the winning side.