Chapter 3. My ex-crush is My Brother-in-law?

"I thought you'd be hungry so I made breakfast and bought takeouts as well, feel free to eat as much as you want." Alone in an empty room, I proceed to unboxen the lunch box and unwrap the takeouts. I couldn't look Joe in the eyes but I was aware he was watching me so I couldn't afford to show him any side of weakness that would make him react. 

     

         "Are you mad at me?" Joe said. My hands feel weak. I bit back my tongue to avoid scolding this man. 

       I raise my face and look him in the eyes, I grab onto the wraps, tightly clenching them till they become all wrinkled and rumpled.  "You promised to come home, I've been waiting for you but you never came." With a stern face I reply to Joe. 

   

         "I did, I just don't know when." Joe patted the back of his head, laughing nonchalantly with a disguise of being alright. In an instant one could read his expression, he didn't want me to worry about him. His hand reaches out to my fist and rubs them. "Don't clench too hard, you'll end up injuring yourself. Don't worry, I'll get out of here as soon as possible, my lawyer is doing everything he can to speed up the process." 

In ten seconds of silence, I carefully examine Joe. I've never met his lawyer not because I didn't want to but because we couldn't meet, he was always giving excuses or needed to meet with me. I haven't been able to find out what the reason for Joe's arrest was either, I feel like he's hiding something from me. Perhaps his absence also had something to do with the reports in his office. But I can't be too sure, however what's a marriage without trust. 

       "I don't know if you know this or not but, I suspect your family has been embezzling funds." I reached for my bag and brought out a bunch of files, placing them on the table for him to see. "It might or might not be your fault but I do know that you can get sued and put behind bars for good if these get into the wrong hands.'' I want to ask him about the file, and know if the records have anything to do with his arrest. Although I knew too well that Joe had nothing to do with it otherwise he wouldn't have put me in that position but I don't think I should ask him about it now. It's better to do a proper cleaning first. 

        

        "Did anyone give you a hard time?"

    

         "Not at all, they weren't much of a bother." I tell him, assuring him to be okay as I try to remain as strong as possible for the both of us. I check my watch and see that I have only ten minutes left. The time isn't enough to comfort me from the pains of seeing him this way for an unknown crime. I couldn't break because I had to push on for the both of us. "I'll be on my way, I have to prepare for my first meeting tomorrow."

    

        I pack my bags and get ready to leave, "Chloe." He calls out my name. "Take care." My eyes began to water and tears dropped down my eyes forcefully. I see Joe stand up and rush towards me. He always falls from pushing the chair backwards. His warm hands embrace me as he pays my head. 

  

         "Don't cry, I'll be back soon, just hold on a bit for me." I spent the rest of the ten minutes weeping and gathering courage before I left. I couldn't help it in the end.  

The next morning was the day of my first meeting. I knew it would be tough but I never expected it to be this tough. The morning began with me receiving criticisms and rumours concerning how I got my position. 

        "She must have tricked her husband."

         "She must have betrayed him to have company for herself.'' There were more but these were less harsh. 

In my head I had blocked out all rumours by following the sacred rules of see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil to avoid doing anything that might give them more gossip and so we began our meeting. 

        "I can't believe this. A woman with zero experience was nominated as CEO??? A journalist as of that. As hilarious as it sounds, we'd like to know what you're going to be doing while running for election." One of the Shareholders said. 

  

        These people were dissing me not because I was new and inexperienced but because I was a woman, they were being biassed. "I'm well aware that Joe's cousin who is also a nominee will be my opponent but, I'd like to trust my husband's decision, I may be a journalist but several CEO's of new and existing companies started out as nothing. With proper coaching and assistance I'm sure I'll be able to handle the position. I can assure you that I was nominated because I possess these qualities." 

         "Tch." One of them frowned. "You can save the stories for later when you've managed to convince us before and during the election." There was a lot of hate from his voice, he was trying as much as possible to not avoid looking at me. 

         "My sister in-law's right. I can offer my assistance to her. I want this to be a fair election and not one of favouritism." A familiar figure walks right in. Staring at me from afar, my eyes widen and I'm speechless. Mark was my opponent. Oh right, this company was a family company run by the Anderson's. Mark as well was 'Mark Anderson', how could I make such a mistake.

          "That's for you too to decide, if there's nothing else then can we end this meeting now." With a tiresome beginning and a shocking ending, the meeting finally ends, leaving Mark and I alone. 

  

         "You're an Anderson. You're Joe's cousin." I tell him to try to maintain my composure. Mark smirks, his hand in his pocket, slowly he starts walking towards me, the more he approaches the more I feel intimidated by his height. 

         "That doesn't matter, we're now opponents but, a promise is a promise, I'm going to tutor you for one month. The election will be held in four months, I look forward to working with you." He takes out his hand and extends it towards me for a shake. "I hope we get along well."

I felt threatened by his presence, Mark who was a close friend way back was now my opponent, but contrary to what I had expected, Mark proved me wrong by spending a whole week and overtime trying to assist me to have a foundation on what I was to do. Maybe I was overreacting, I guess you can't really judge a book by it's cover.