Envy is always an enemy…
******
“So you are glad to be back despite the luxuries of travelling?” A female accountant asked.
“Yes, I am glad.” Liza answered easily, knowing she had not been on any luxury travels.
“I guess jetting all over the world can become tiring at some points.” Someone sighed wistfully.
“You may be right.” Someone supported as all of them contemplated on that before moving on to more questions.
It was at this moment Mike walked in. Having decided to check if Liza was eating as she should, he had been surprised to find she was not at her desk so he had come out here to check.
Now, seeing the way she had shared the food among the staff, Mike was amused, albeit with a vengeful glint in his eyes. He had told Liza
A harsh judgement for a harsh person…*******Shocked by the severity of this punishment, they all could not believe their ears as they stared at Mike in shock.The only sound from the room was from Claudia as she suddenly burst into tears.With a shocked gaze, Liza’s hand went to her mouth in an oh-look of surprise.‘What the hell is Mike doing? Is he going to fight all my battles now?’ She wondered.“And that goes to all of you. If you cannot treat your colleagues with kindness, then you ain’t meant to be in this office. It’s high time I raised the bar.” Mike told them bitingly as he turned on his feet to go back to his office.“Wow!” Liza breathes in shock, wondering at what just happened but before she could move, she heard someone clearing their
Kindness cost nothing…*****Hearing a knock, she glared at whoever was coming in at the time when she needed her privacy. Seeing Liza’s face of all people threw her into a blank whiteness.“What are you doing here? I thought you had achieved your aim?” She could not help but glare furiously at her.“My aim?” Liza was shocked.“Don’t tell me you are not happy I got the sack.” She spat at her angrily.“On the contrary, Claudia. Your getting a sack would not improve my performance and neither will it increase my salary, so why should I be glad?” Liza reasoned quietly.Knowing that she was right, Claudia wavered but remembering she got a sack because of her, she nevertheless wanted to hurt her back.“Because you know I don’t like you, yo
A caring man will always pamper his woman…*****Riding down the lift a few days later, Liza placed a call to Mike.“I’m closed for the day and I noticed you are still busy, should I take a cab home?” She asked.“Not if you value your life. Pick a cab to our usual spot and wait for me. I will be with you in a few minutes, I am rounding up now.” Mike ordered.“But Mike, you don’t have to do that. I can go home in a cab you know? Besides, getting home early will give me the chance to make dinner for us.” Liza said.“Don’t stress me Liza, just do as I have said. When we get home, I will join you to prepare dinner.” He said and when Liza did not say a word, he sighed loudly through the phone.“Are you with me?” He question
Never make the boss jealous… ***** Mike grimaced! “Oops.” He said. “I love you, boss.” Stella bribed. “Hmmm.” Mike was not fooled. Remembering he had a lot to do, Mike gave a wistful smile as he turned to go back to his office. But on his way out, something caught his attention and his eyes froze over. ‘Who is that goat?’ Mike thought to himself as he watched the scene in furious calm. Before him, just over there in the office hall way stood Liza, laughing cozily with a lanky looking guy who is unfortunately one of his staff. ****** Liza smiled as John made a flirting joke. She had been on her way to Mike’s office when John stopped to have a few words with her concerning his work.
An angry woman is a volcano waiting to erupt…******Watching Mike as he strode away, Liza wondered if she was dreaming. Never had she thought a day will come when Mike will talk to her in that manner. But seeing the dazed look on John’s face, she knew it was real.“Oh John, I am so sorry.” Liza tried to console him with a hug but John hurriedly forestalled as he moved a step backward.“It is fine, Liza, I will talk to Mr. Stanford later. I am sure he would reconsider.” John tried to smile but it came out as a trembling grimace and he quickly gave up the effort.“You think so?” Liza was worried, knowing Mike isn’t easy to deal with when provoked.“I will try. But first, I have to go back to my desk before he comes out and meet me here again.”
Women don't do well with threats…******“Hey Stella, what’s with the long face? Someone ate your lunch?” Liza teased.“That would have been better. I just got threatened and fired almost at once.” Stella bluntly stated.“What? Who will dare do such? That must be a joke and I’m sure Mike will have their heads for it. He doesn’t joke with your position at all.” Liza was righteously indignant.Stella could not help it, she laughed hysterically with the irony of it. “Well, the sack was from the boss himself.” She told her with clenched teeth.“Mike?” To say Liza was stumped was to downplay it.“Who else?” Stella raised a sardonic brow.“But he can’t do that. What exactly did he say was your offence?” L
Violence will never yield a good result…*****“How dare you threaten the staff just to get your way? Don’t you have any shame threatening people?” Liza was indignantly affronted.“I should be asking you that question, Liza. Don’t you have any shame flirting around the office where anyone could see? Especially your fiancé?” He paused for effect.“Or have you forgotten so soon that you are a betrothed woman?” Mike’s voice was ragingly calm.“I forgot nothing, and I was flirting with nobody. It was a harmless discussion but of course you would not know that. Your arrogance has blinded you to everything else but your emotions.” Liza insulted.“How dare you stand there acting all righteous when you were the one in the wrong?” Mike coldly asked.“And how
A wild passion…*****Biting hard on her lips, Liza fleetingly wondered for a minute what made her think of other guys and their dastardly acts since she had no experience of such men. She might not have grown with love and care but she had never been abused physically by anyone before.Well, except for that sad incident with the thief which she’s yet to remember.“Cat got your tongue or you’re feeling too scared to talk?” Mike taunted as he pressed down on her throat.Snapping back from the past to the present, Liza stared blankly into Mike’s eyes, wondering what was happening.About to ask him, she suddenly remembered they were having a hot argument and Mike had asked her a question, and judging from the glint in his eyes, he was waiting for an answer.“Who the hell are you that I s
A good ending for all… ****** Two weeks Later, Mike sent a bunch of flowers to Tom’s room at the hospital, having heard he was responding to treatment and would soon be discharged. He had also heard that with the help of his father’s team, his father was flown to London to be with his son at his critical moment. Mike felt for them but he knew they would get through it and survive together. That’s just life! It will throw you but if you are willing to stand again, everything will work out. Liza had heard him on the phone when he was ordering for the flowers and she had thought the flowers were to wish Tom a quick recovery and to also cheer him up. But only Mike knew that the real reason he sent the beautiful bunch of flowers was to silently thank Tom for indirectly bringing them back together. By pointing out some home truths to Liza, he made her see what she should have known, ‘That Mike would always be there for her’. For that alone, it shows the guy had some redeeming trait
We all deserve genuine love… ****** For long moments, they looked into each other’s eyes with trusting eyes that suddenly turned passionate. Mike’s eyes flared with a knowing light and Liza gave an unconscious gasp. Mike grinned as he lightly pushed her to continue walking to the car! “You always seem to be surprised every time I make my love and passion obvious, why?” He had always wanted to ask her. “I don’t know, Mike. Maybe because I never truly believed you could really love me, so I am always surprised when I see the evidence of it.” She admitted softly. Mike did not say anything to that as he opened the door for her to go in. Then he circled the car to join her and only then did he turn to look at her. “But that’s bullshit, babe. I have been showing you nothing but my love since we started dating.” Mike reminded her. “I know, Mike, but I guess it was just hard for me to believe and understand. I mean, I grew up without knowing much love, so how would I have recognized i
Give an option of doubt…*****Putting the phone back into his pocket, Mike turned to go back to Liza and that was when he saw her, watching him with a dazed look.“You heard everything, right?” Tiredly, he asked her, unable to hide it again.Liza nodded slowly.“I am sorry, Liza, but it is not what you think. I can explain, okay?” Mike was worried she might misunderstand.Again, Liza nodded slowly.“I am sure you have a reasonable explanation Mike and I promise to listen without judging you.” Liza acknowledged softly.Relieved, Mike nodded as he walked to her.“Thank you. I promise to tell you everything without hiding a word.” He embraced her soft body to him, knowing that he needed the warmth.Liza accepted his words and actions with a smile as she returned his embrace.******The following morning, Liza and Mike walked out of the old building with Martha who was holding tightly to the purple eyed, immensely bruised Tom.His left eyes were almost closed and Liza feared he might nev
Be honest with your loved ones… ******* What happened the next moment was so sudden, Mike was sure he was about to have a heart failure. “Oh my God—Oh my God—-Oh my God.” Liza kept crying. Recovering himself, Mike quickly left his seat to hold onto her shoulders. “Liza? Are you okay? Talk to me.” He saw the distressful emotion she was in and he could not bear it. It’s a fact that whatever affected Liza would get to Mike. Her joy and sadness were equally part of him. “I totally forgot, Mike. I did not mean to, but I forgot. I am a bad person. A very bad evil lady.” She cried softly while holding onto him. “Whatever it is Liza, we will get through it together, but I will not accept any disparaging word on your person. You are not a bad person and neither are you evil. So right now, I want you to take a deep breath and tell me what this is all about.” A little bit calmed by Mike’s reasonable voice, Liza took a calming breath. “It’s Tom, Mike, I totally forgot about him.” Liza exp
Apologies don't make you less of a man… **** Helping each other to dress up four hours later after a short nap on his office sofa bed, Liza sent a smug smile across to Mike. “You need to apologise to your staff Mike, they did not deserve the treatments you have been melting out on them.” Liza pointed out and Mike groaned. He did not have to ask Liza, he should have known Stella would tell her all about it. “I am serious, Mike, you need to apologise. Just imagine if any of your staff is acting unprofessional just because they are going through a lot at home. Would you accept that, even if you try to be understanding towards their plight?” Liza demanded to know. “I am the boss, Liza, it is different.” He pointed out arrogantly, trying to cover up. but he knew she was right. ‘That’s the thing about Liza, she was always almost right.’ He thought fondly with another groan. “No Mike, there is nothing different about it. They are humans and if you are truly the man I know you to be, I
A forgiving spirit is a kind one…*******Typing furiously away at her system while equally muttering furiously to herself, Stella was not aware of the person at her desk until she heard a chuckle which made her jump in fright.“Is the building on fire or what?” Liza asked with an amused gaze while watching the different emotions flashing across the face of her former senior colleague.“Liza Stanford, you scared me.” Stella cried, turning her full glare on the innocent Liza.“Uh oh wow, take it easy with the glare okay? I’m innocent of whatever the crime was.” Chuckling, she raised her hands in mock surrender.Stella snorted, unimpressed.Innocent her foot! Whatever their boss was going through, Stella knew Liza had a hand in it and even if it’s not in Stella’s place to say it out loud, she just hoped they could settle whatever it was between them.Having been married for several years now, she knew it was not always smooth sailing between couples.Just look at her and her husband Leo
Correct your mistakes once you know it… ******At the other end, Liza kept staring at the silent phone in her hand. Mike had dropped the call. Without telling her it was a joke. Which meant that truly, he was pushing for a divorce? ‘No way! Over my dead body.’ She swore violently as she ran to the bathroom. Almost tearing off the clothes on her body, she hurriedly lathered the washing clothes with soap as she switched on the shower, full blast. Dressing with haste, five minutes later, Liza was walking down the stairs, smartly dressed in one of her office clothes. But before she could cover the last step, one of the maids walked in from the hallway to greet her respectfully. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Stanford.” “Good afternoon Mary. I am on my way out and I might not be back for a while.” She said in a distracted tone while checking her bag to make certain she had all she wanted. “Oh okay Madam, but I was just on my way upstairs to tell you there is a visitor at the door asking fo
A disappointed heart is always heavy…****Glaring fiercely at the door of his office, willing any of his staff to walk through the door so he could at least have an excuse to vent his frustrations, his eyes caught the favourite coffee mug on his table and picking it up, he threw it violently at the wall and the smashing sound gave him a momentary satisfaction.At that exact moment, the Head of Sales Department was on his way to discuss the latest marketing pitch with the boss after deciding to brave the lion’s then. Even his colleagues had teased him when he casually told them he was in to see the boss.There had been teasing calls about his head and they had all laughed, saying by the time Mike Stanford was done blasting him off, his considered small head would become bigger as it rolled on the floor. Someone had even said he was sure he would come out without his tongue in his mouth.Of course, he had scoffed disdainfully, not giving them the chance to see his fear.Only the Head o
The surprise package…*****Liza dismissed the maid and, turning with a determined step, she hurriedly walked to the door just as the person pressed the bell again. Liza groaned ferociously as she pulled the chain from the back of the door.“Who the hell are you that you want to bring down the whole house just to get what you want?” Liza blasted the person with furious eyes even before the door was completely open.The short bald man that was standing at the door blinked owlishly up at her, surprised by the unexpected attack.“I—I didn’t--hmm aha…” The man stopped coughing slightly but when he took a little glance up, he saw Liza was still furious, so he dropped his eyes to try again.“I—I’m—sorry madam. I was just trying to do my job.” He stammered in a voice that was a bit scared.Liza glared the more upon hearing this silly talk. “Excuse me? You mean your job is to disturb my peace?” “No—No—of—course not, madam. I was just trying to get the attention of whoever is in the house.” H