A world of lies…*****She was looking so stumped, he finally noticed her stillness.“Liza? Hello?” He waved his hand in front of her face and slowly, Liza snapped back to the present.“Repeat what you said earlier, this time slowly.” Liza demanded.“I said Suzanne and Mike, your boss, knew I was the one who battered you and left you dead in your flat. I got to know when I called Suzanne again a few days later, pretending to be a colleague and she told me you were still in a coma, with your boss not leaving your side for one seconds. She then started swearing and cursing your useless boyfriend, not knowing I was the one she was talking to.”“I can still remember how I hurriedly ended the call that day, worried she might get suspicious with my questions.” Even then, despite the fact he was out of London, Tom kept having nightmares about Liza and the police chasing him.With an ashen face that had gone so white with shock, Liza did not say anything. Picking up her purse, she stood up s
Should there be lies where there is love?...********“The doctor told you to lie?” Liza queried with a shout.“Yes, the fucking doctor told us to protect you and not tell you things that might trigger more harm, and by then, I was already in love with you, so what do you want me to do? Go against her medical advice and allow you to go crazy? Or worse, die?” Mike also asked with a shouting voice, by now feeling greatly wronged.“Hmm, okay. Let’s say the doctor actually told you not to tell me at that time. What happened to later? After I left the hospital and I got fine?” Liza asked frostily.“After you left? Of course, you were fine but you still could not remember the incident. I felt it was not necessary and it’s better to wait or leave it alone.” He told her in a reasonable tone.“You felt it was not necessary? Like who made you the judge and the decision maker of my life?” Liza did not know it was possible for her to be so furious.“I did not think not remembering such a scumbag
Only a bully would go around, threatening people…*******There was a persistent knock at the door and Liza groaned vexedly. It was patently obvious the caller was not willing to leave without her presence at the door.Trying to remember if she had ordered anything from the hotel before sleeping, Liza pushed her feet groggily to the door.Impatiently, the bell peeled again and Liza screamed.“What the heck? Are you going to hold the hell on?” She asked furiously and just because she was rushed, she forgot to check through the peephole. A move she immediately regretted when she opened the door.Totally took by surprise, she kept staring without saying a word.“Close your mouth, Liza, else the flies will have a feed day.” Mike was sardonic and mocking.Liza snapped her mouth shut. She was not ready to be a source of amusement, at least not to Mike.She did not respond to his taunts though. Rather, she folded her arms across her chest belligerently.“Want to stand here all day?” He ask
The family's prestige is an important one…*****To be honest, Liza had not given any thought to the situation in respect to the media and how it would seem to the world. She was not a newsworthy person until her engagement to Mike, so it’s understandable if she was not thinking of that. Besides, it’s their business, her and Mike. She did not think it should concern any other party. Looking at Mike’s face now, it seems she was wrong to think that, but does she really give a damn? It was his fault for lying and deceiving her.“I don’t think I care about all that, Mike.” She told him with a careless shrug.Mike could not believe his ears.“You don’t care? Do you know how this will look to my friends and my family? Especially how my mother will feel about it?” He really could not believe Liza did not care about his family having met and love them.At the mention of his mum, Liza felt a twinge that seemed like guilt. Remembering how the elderly woman had accepted her so calmly without j
Accept the relationship or bear the pain…*****Bending his head to the left, he considered. “Twenty four hours? Okay, Liza, you have your twenty four hours, but just know I have my eyes on you, if you try anything funny, I will hunt you down and make you pay for it. This Saturday, we will walk down the aisle together, as husband and wife. Don’t even doubt it.” He warned before moving to the door.Liza’s face was all white as she allowed Mike’s threat to penetrate her brain. “My eyes are on you.” “Don’t try anything funny.” The most fearful thing was that she believed him. Mike was not the type to make empty threats. As his former assistant secretary and personal assistant, she should know.Just when she thought he was gone, he came through the door of her bedroom again and Liza almost fainted when she saw him walking to her in a determined step.Stretching his hand towards her, Liza flinched, but he only picked up his jacket from the chair beside her.He gazed at her mockingly, havin
I really don't mind your shortcomings******‘Feel like a stranger? After being away for just two days? Really, Liza?’ For the first time in his adult life, Mike wanted to stump his foot.Knowing how ridiculous that would look like and unwilling to be a source of humour to that Witchery Liza, he settled for grinding his teeth together in frustration.He was sure even Liza could hear the sound as he grimly left the room to get her a bottle of water.Watching his ramrod back as he walked away in deep annoyance, Liza wanted to laugh hysterically, but she settled for a chuckle.‘Serves him right for going about threatening her of all people. Liza is not going to make this easy for him.’ She promised with an evil glint in her eyes. A moment later, Mike came back with a bottle of water and staring furiously at the woman presently frustrating his life, he passed it to her.“What is this, Mike? You surely don’t expect me to drink from the bottle? I am sure you have a glass cup somewhere, don
Even superstitions should be sometimes respected…*****Glaring fiercely across at him, she wanted to hit his face. ‘What an obnoxious ruthless man. He must be truly despicable to say this to me.’ Furious to hear his assertion, Liza picked the bottle of water sitting on the table in front of her and she threw it at him.He of course flexed it off without a blink, and then, the annoying man had the audacity to laugh.Liza folded her arms across her chest belligerently, watching him catch his fun at her expense.Honestly, Mike had been trying his best to control himself but when he saw Liza’s expression, he could not hold it again.He gave rein to his amusement and even though he knew the more he laughed, the more infuriated Liza became, he could not stop himself.Liza was not happy with this of course, but despite this, she found his humour to be infectious and before she could give herself a stern warning not to give in to his manipulations, she found herself chuckling along with hi
A Glorious wedding…******It was a beautiful wedding, the talk of the town as the beautiful not too hot sunny Saturday saw the assembling of various dignitaries all over world.The media world was all agog with the activities and flare as they came to capture the faces of their favorites, from actors to world known musicians and footballers, to politicians ruling the political world and of course also, the presence of the bigwigs controlling the business world were noted.Although Mike had appointed Jerry Latman and his company as their official media head for the occasion, there were still more than a hundred press men and women around to capture the beautiful moments.The wedding had started in the morning and the elegant and charming Mike Stanford had stood in front of the altar watching for the entrance of his beautiful bride while his gentle looking Mother and their families and friends watched on with a pleased, happy smile. The whole city was present to wish their top eligibl
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