Chapter 2

LIAM

“ Mom, I already left the house. Calm down!! “ I said through the phone while I rolled my eyes as though she could see me right now. Here she was again scolding me about going to work late which wasn't my fault.

“ You better stop this stupid character of going late to work even though you are the CEO you should show good leadership. You know how you struggled to build the company, “ she said as her voice came out sternly through the phone.

“ Yes mom I'm driving right now and you know it's bad to talk while driving, “ I said making an excuse to end the call which I did immediately and heaved a sigh of relief. I accelerated my speed as my car roared and sped off.

I got to my company and as usual, it was already bustling even though it was just 8 am. Models were taking their shoots, while those in charge of cosmetics were busy too attending to our customers.

I headed to my office while some of my employees greeted me and of course, I just answered with a nod. Yeah, I own a modeling and cosmetic company.

I had a notion that if I laughed or chatted with my employees, they wouldn't respect me the way they ought to, so I always stuck to my working ethics.

When I got into my office, I hadn't even gotten the chance to sit on my chair yet when Lydia opened the door and locked the door behind her.

From the way she walked closer to me in a seductive way, I knew she was attempting to turn me on. Doesn't she get enough? She was the reason I came late to work today.

We had sex all through last night that I thought she wouldn't even be able to walk, but here she was wanting more.

Lydia and I were in a no strings attached relationship. When we began the no strings attached relationship, I told her that whenever we were at work we should keep it business-like but seeing her do this annoyed me the most.

Also, it helped me to make a decision to end whatever it was that we had because she had been disrespecting me and defiling my orders even in the presence of my employees which I tried to tolerate at first but I'm fed up now.

Before we started the no strings attached relationship I told her if she ever did anything inappropriate at work I would immediately end everything between us and today is that day.

“ What is the meaning of this, “ I asked her while pointing at her as she was now unbuttoning her chiffon shirt and licking her lips trying to look seductive which didn't affect me today.

“ I thought we should pick up from where we stopped last night because I can't get enough of you. '' She answered as her gaze darkened with lust and she placed her hands on my chest in an attempt to unbutton my shirt too but I shoved her off me.

I was really angry at this stupid behavior of hers because those in security department might probably be watching this through the CCTV camera and my office wasn’t an exception either. I knew the security personnel were definitely watching and listening to us right now.

What even annoyed me the most is they would think my talks about work ethics were all bullshit because Lydia and I fucked. I felt like squeezing the life out of her because of this single foolish act of hers.

“ Whatever we were doing has to stop because I have no name for it and I deeply regret it. From now on Lydia Mills, you are hereby relieved of your job here as a model, and all the endorsements we offered you are now off the table “ I said with a cold facial expression and finality, not giving her the chance to argue any further.

She was taken aback when I said it and I could see the shocked expression on her face as she looked at me and laughed nervously.

“ You're joking, right? “ She asked and moved close to me but my words made her halt instantly.

“ If you take one more step close to me, so help me God Lydia I will show you how serious I am, now get out of my office “ I yelled at her and saw her flinch with fear. She wanted to say something but I didn't let her.

“ Get the hell out of here Miss Lydia Mills, “ I said through gritted teeth, and she finally left after that.

I slumped on my office chair feeling tired already because Lydia had already ruined my day. The rest of my day went by with annoying things happening to me.

The company that signed Lydia terminated the contract when they heard I fired her. I couldn’t afford to loose the deal so I had to call Lydia back and give her strict warning to be in her best behavior.

When I closed from work it was already 4 pm even though normal closing hours was supposed to be by 2 pm.

I had to stay back after work to see if I could persuade them to give my company the contract telling them that Lydia was back in the company but I didn’t get a response from them.

This would have been a big deal for me if it pulled through. I blamed Lydia for everything.

Feeling frustrated and angry when I got home I decided to go to my bar and relax a bit. Being the owner of the bar, I just went there sometimes to relax and see if people were frequenting it.

When I got there it was already about 7 pm. As usual, there were a lot of people in my bar. Some were dancing while others were seated and chatting while drinking.

So I decided to sit at my usual spot at the counter, where I wanted to ask the bartender, Julian, who was my childhood friend, how the business and turn-up were doing.

“ Hey man, is everything good? “ I asked him when I sat on the stool at the counter as we fist bumped. He was behind the counter mixing drinks for customers and he nodded.

“ This place has been bustling for a long time now “ he answered with his usual cheerful smile as he dropped a glass of cocktail drink for me on the counter.

I wanted to ask him how things was going with the girl he was asking to be his girlfriend, but just then, a petite slender girl with a round butt and porcelain skin sat down next to me.

Her sharp pointed nose, oval-shaped face, and small pouty lips complimented her beauty, She looked really beautiful even without makeup I must confess and she also had the features of a hot model.

Had she come to my company looking for a job, I would have offered her the job without a second thought.

I used to think Lydia was our most beautiful model but today seeing this beautiful lady erased that thought because to me this lady was born to be a model.

I kept my usual stoic facial expression staring at the cocktail Julian gave me, while Julian asked what she would like to drink, when I didn't hear the lady answer him, I turned to look at her, and to my surprise, she was looking at me.

I was confused as to why her eyes look red and puffy as though she had been crying. She looked away feeling embarrassed and I looked away from her too, minding my business.

When Julian asked her again what she would like to drink, to my surprise she ordered two bottles of Vodka. I just focused on my drink like I wasn't concerned with what they were saying but I was.

He became busy attending to other people so we didn't have the time to chat. I just sat and was sipping my cocktail drink but through the corner of my eyes, I saw that the lady had finished one bottle of the vodka Julian served her. I had been observing her.

She looked like she would pass out at any moment but she still wanted to take the second bottle which got me wondering what pushed her to drink this much because she didn't look like someone who drinks.

I couldn't just sit there and watch her kill herself, so I grasped her hands when she wanted to open the second bottle. She lazily raised her head to look at me while pouting which I found cute.

“ I think you’ve had enough, “ I said to her and watched as her breath hitched, and then boom she threw up on my hand. Could today get any worse?

My eyes nearly popped out of its socket, No girl had ever gotten the chance to come this close to me, aside from Lydia and my sister Lucy, and here this is one throwing up on me, Argh! I should have minded my business.

Julian immediately gave me some tissue paper to clean my hands while he cleaned the lady's mouth himself. Eww!!! I guess it comes with the job description.

“ I'm… sorry…. “ She slurily said and began to wail and cry.

Wow, where was this coming from? people around me began looking our way and since the lady was now holding my hands and crying I'm sure they thought I was the cause.

Feeling very uncomfortable I got up and carried the lady in a bridal style which surprised Julian. I knew this was unlike me, but I couldn’t just leave her like this. I couldn’t wait for this night to be over.

I bid Julian goodnight and headed for my car still carrying the lady in my arms, but when I got to the door to exit the bar, someone blocked my way.