20. Standing up against him

MIRABEL

"Mr Bolton."

"Mr Jameson." 

Both men said simultaneously as they shook hands.

"I'm glad that you could spare us some time for me. I sincerely appreciate it." Mr Bolton said to Giveon as we all sat down on the table for three.

"This is my assistant and she will be jotting down our conversation today making it easy for me to get back to your needs and reach out to you if I'm pleased," Giveon informed Mr Bolton.

A smile formed on Mr Bolton's face. "Thank you."

He looked young but older than the both of us. 

"I'm glad that you took your time out here to listen to me. I would never take this for granted." Mr Bolton said. 

Giveon told him to go ahead and tell him what it was that he had on his plate. As he began to speak about his business, I jotted down things that needed to although I felt that way I wasn't certain and I hoped Giveon wouldn't have any complaints later on.

Giveon listened to him attentively while I played my part. He gave several reasons why Giveon should invest in his business and the benefits. 

The company had a young entrepreneur sponsor program and it turned out that Giveon would be meeting more people to hear about their new business and the reason why they thought that he should invest in their business.

"Alright then. I will get back to you after I have decided on your email." Giveon said to him. 

"I…."

"One second," Giveon said as his phone began to ring in his pocket. 

Giveon excused himself to go answer his phone. I sat back a little wanting to feel a little relief because I had been stressed.

"Is that a friendship bracelet?" Mr Bolton spoke, pointing at the bracelet that I was wearing.

I nodded my head. "Yes."

"My sister has one with her best friend. It's bc it's though." He said and I smiled.

"Thank you," I replied.

"What's your name?" He asked making me a little concerned as to why she wanted to know my name but I didn't want to look rude so I answered.

"Mira for short. It's Mirabel." 

"I'm Jake." He stretched his hand for a handshake. 

I took his hand and smiled pulled back, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Please don't think I'm so kind of pervert. I'm just nervous and I’m trying to speak to you so I am able to control them. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," he apologized.

"I just felt a little surprised though," I told him honestly because why was he interested in knowing me?

"I'm not trying to her on your good side so that you can speak on my behalf to Mr Jameson," he said and I shook my head looking at him frantically.

"Are you always like that?"

"No. Not at all. I just…"

"It's fine. Relax. You sound nervous," I told him.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled. "There. Nice to meet you, Mirabel."

Just then Giveon returned to the table giving me some kind of weird look as usual as he glanced back and forth between Jake and me.

"Let's go, Mirabel," Giveon said, his tone steel and firm.

"Mr Jameson I…"

Giveon cut Jake off. "I assume my meeting is done with you, isn't it? So why are you flirting with my assistant!"

I gasped in shock. Once again Giveon was accusing another person of flirting without knowing what was happening. 

"That's not true. We were just…"

"What? Talking? Because that's far from it  if you took her hand in yours." He chided.

"I'm sorry I think you've gotten it all mistaken. I never did that and we were just speaking." Jake tried to explain.

"And I will make this clear to you. Forget trying to get the investment because I already made up my mind. You are not capable and you…" Giveon was now looking at me making my heart beat faster than normal from fear.

"We are leaving now. I assume you don't have any more business when him!" 

I felt sorry for Jake. He didn't do anything but somehow Giveon had cancelled him because of me. I felt bad. He did have a good business idea and plan and honestly needed the investment. 

"Mr Jameson please forgive me if I've done anything to offend you. It was never my plan to and I wasn't flirting with her. I wouldn't dare do that." He pleaded.

"Let's go," Giveon ordered and I followed him as he walked after hastily packing my books and pen in my bag.

"Please, Mr Jameson. Please don't do this to me. Consider me. I never…"

"If you put your filthy hands on me, I promise to cut them off so don't waste your time convincing me because my mind is made up and that's it." His tone was stern.

I didn't fail to notice how Jake withdrew and stood frozen in the spot with hurt in his face.

I gave him a pitiful look, feeling guilty because he wouldn’t have gotten into any trouble if he didn’t speak to me.

Just why does Giveon hate me this much that he would make sure to hurt anyone I’m associated with? That’s how back in high school he beat up one of his friends for trying to be my friend.

I quickly went toward to open the door of his car for him not wanting him to scold me. I entered the car shortly after and the driver began to drive. 

He said nothing to me all through the drive. The ride was painfully silent and I couldn’t help but feel worried and guilty.

We finally arrived at the company.

“Leave us,” Giveon ordered for the driver to leave and I fear for the words that were to come out of his mouth. 

“You always make a scene whenever you go. I brought you out one time for a meeting and you ended up flirting with that man. Are you always like that?” He accused.

“You were being unfair.” I voiced out for the first time.

He scoffed. “I was being unfair? He was flirting with you and that’s enough reason not to consider him because a serious-minded businessman wouldn’t be moved by the charms of some seductress!”

“What?” I gasped in disbelief.

“Seductress? He wasn’t flirting with me. He was nervous. Do you know what nervousness means? He was speaking to you. Not just anyone but you, a famous figure and you think it would be easy for him? You concluded that he was flirting with me without knowing what was happening and that’s unfair. If you hate me that much then fire me already but don’t hurt other people because of your hatred for me.”

I was surprised to hear myself say that much. I never thought that I’d be able to speak my mind. 

“Wow. You are finally showing your true self. I’m so pleased.” He said in a bitter tone.