A worthy sacrifice…******“How does a woman in love behave my dear Tommy?” Martha asked, extremely amused but trying not to show it.“Well—Em—I don’t know, but I’m definitely sure it’s not the way you are behaving. How can you be so calm after telling me of your feelings? As if the wonderful times we had yesterday and this morning mean nothing to you?” He asked in hurtful tones and Martha finally dropped the phone she was holding to gaze at him.“It is because I have loved you all these years that I can be calm right now, Tom. Loving you without reciprocation has taught me not to have expectations, I simply take what I can get and cherish it.” Her explanation was so reasonable without finger pointing that Tom felt ashamed of himself.To think he had been the one to ignore Martha for her friend, Belina in those days, yet, selfish enough to complain now just because she was not all over him proving her love, made him feel wretched and undeserving.He definitely did not deserve a gem li
Misplaced Priority can be saddening…******But Martha knew he was right, if they had dated in that particular period, she is certain everything would have become soured. While she would love to believe everything would have turned out differently with her by his side, she knew the darkness he was carrying around at that time would have overcome their lightness.“And then, on your birthday, I could not hold it again. I was ready to say the hell with it and just tell you how I felt. Telling myself to wait till after your party when your mood would be better and sweet, I was eager for the party to end.” He closed his eyes to stop the memories but having opened the gate, they rushed at him.“But..?” Martha prompted, unable to hold it together.“But Belina happened.” He said simply with a sorry shrug.“You instantly fell in love with her?” To say Martha was disappointed was to underplay it.‘If it was that easy for Tom to instantly fall in love with her friend, then he never really loved
With me loving you, you have nothing to fear…*****Slumped tiredly on her body moments later, Tom wondered if it was a good time to say this.“Martha?” He called softly.“Hmmm?” Feeling sleepy, Martha responded dreamily.“I have to go to London.” He told her.“London?” Martha was still in the dream land.“I need to see Liza. I need to make sure she is alive.” He explained.“Liza?” With a small shout, Martha pushed him from her body in her agitation to understand this latest development.Knowing she needed space, Tom gave it to her, for now. “Yes Martha, I need to go.” “Same Liza you told me was the most decent thing that ever happened to you?” Martha obviously did not forget his words.With a wince, Tom realised he probably had said too much in his eagerness to tell her of past incidents.“Well, I definitely could not have said she was the second most decent thing to happen to me after you, could I? Don’t forget, I thought you did not care about me at the time I reappeared. Besides,
Hiding a secret is a burden…******Leaving his hiding place to watch them leave, Tom’s eyes were thoughtfully pensive.Just now, he heard Liza calling the man by his name and if he remembers clearly, the only Mike working together in their office is Mike Stanford, her boss. And having seen the expensive car and the all powerful way the man was dressed, not to talk of the special way in which the security guard had saluted them when they came out, Tom was sure his assumption was right.Liza is alive and she is now obviously dating her boss.Does that mean his guess had been right even from that time? Both of them had been cheating behind him?Tom found himself getting furious for having been fooled. He really could not believe he had regretted his action thinking Liza was innocent of whatever thing her boss might have planned.Of course he was not surprised Mike had moved in for the kill immediately he left, his male intuition had been right about him all these while. The guy was ho
It's a shame to ruin another's life…******Walking swiftly away from the little restaurant where Liza had been having her lunch, Tom was confused.After a two hour wait outside Liza’s office before she came out for lunch and another few minutes of following her, he spent another thirty minutes patiently waiting for her to notice him at the other end of the restaurant.But the silly girl had no time for any other thing but the food she was eating and of course, the man she was talking to.Unable to bear it again, he had decided to risk it by moving closer to her side.By sheer force of will alone, he focused all his intensity on her, willing her to glance at him once.Just when he thought it was for naught, she took a cursory glance round the restaurant and their eyes connected.Using all the strength he had, he kept staring, willing her to do something.Curse him!Throw stuff at him! Anything, as long as there would be a sign of recognition.But nothing! Her face had been totally bla
A little show of love goes a long way… ***** Liza snorted, unamused. “And why the hell am I not allowed to go to this meeting with you? These days, I wonder if my position as your PA is just a formality. ” Liza hated naggers but at the moment, she was so annoyed with everything and she could not stop herself. Mike groaned! “I told you Liza, this particular man I am meeting is a lecherous rake and I will rather use my energy in closing the important deal than fighting him off you.” The man in question is a powerful Prince from one of the Asian countries and Mike knew how much he coveted beautiful women. ‘But, Prince or not, Mike would not hesitate to tear his face apart, should he look at his woman with those lecherous eyes. So for peace’s sake, he was keeping them apart.’ He decided silently. “Even I would love to meet a Prince, Mike. And a lecherous rake at that. ” Like told him with a pout. “What? Are. you. out. of. your. fucking. mind?” Mike was so startled by this bold asse
Some things are not coincidence…*****“I saw the man again today.” Liza said out of the blue while having dinner with Mike in their home that evening.“What man?” Mike asked distractedly as he removed the bone from his chicken.“The strange man I met at the restaurant a few days back? The one that was staring at me? Well, I barged into him again today after you dropped me at the office. ” Liza told him as she forked a bite into her mouth.“Barged? At the office?” No longer concentrating on his food, Mike was now focused on her words.‘It is a different thing to meet a stranger staring at you in a restaurant, another thing entirely barging into them again at your office of all places. Is this a coincidence?’ Mike wondered.For the hundredth time, he wondered if it would not be a good advice to provide Liza with her own bodyguards, especially when one considered the fact that she is now betrothed to him and would be a target for different types of hungry dogs on the street.“Yes, I ba
It makes sense for one party to be at least reasonable… *****Having expected more opposition from Liza, her capitulation threw him greatly.“Really? Do you agree with this?” He asked in a surprised tone.“Why not? Seems to be what you want, so yea, let’s do it.” She shrugged carelessly.Not totally pleased with her nonchalant attitude, Mike was nevertheless glad for her capitulation. He could afford to overlook other things.He left the table in a small shout of joy to lift her for a hug and smooch.Liza laughed!“I will call mum and tell her to move things forward. With the Stanford's power, anything can be done and you will still have your perfect wedding babes.” He told her smugly before taking her mouth in a soft kiss.‘Yes! He did it. He convinced her.Let’s see how that useless ex boyfriend of hers will mess things up even if he back in London city.’ He concluded smugly.******Few days later, Liza was walking out of the mall when she heard her name.“Hello Liza.” Tom greeted
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