Chapter Two - When going for the expected, change tactics when you meet the unexpected...

Straightening from his desk and the paperwork in front of him an hour after dismissing Liza from his office, Mike stood to take a stretch by moving close to his window which gives a breathtaking view of the London city at night. 

Gazing into space, his thoughts were brought back to his meeting earlier with Liza and he shook his head wondering why on Earth she gave such a puzzling reaction to his news instead of jumping for joy as expected of someone of her age. 

He had thought at twenty three years of age, she would be excited with a promotion many would break their teeth for, especially when she would have had to wait at least another three years to get such an opportunity. 

Mike was damn exasperated.

“Honestly! Women! You never can understand them.”

And now, with Liza acting like a bimbo who didn’t understand any word he was saying, he would have to devote the next twenty fours to think up a substitute should Liza happen to turn down his offer. 

What a damn! What a waste of time!

He honestly couldn’t afford to spare such time for that again, not when he had a board meeting that would demand all his concentration coming up.

Making up his mind in the space of a minute, Mike picked up the file on his desk, his car key and jacket, as he left the office with a purposeful stride and one thought in his head. 

Liza! 

Liza must be made to understand and see reason. I have to make her know she really wanted this coveted position. 

At twenty three years and as the PA to the MD of the Company, she can be on her way to greatness. Who would not want a more comfortable private office with good working conditions and an increase in pay? 

Not to talk of the respect that comes with the position or the luxuries of traveling with the boss all over the continents. 

No, she must be made to understand, to see sense and as the boss, who does it better, if not the MD himself! 

It’s the least he can do for the society, Making a young girl see the potential in working for him as his PA.

Smiling to himself, he got to the car park just as Liza drove out of the park with her tail lights flashing on. 

Moving swiftly, he got to his car and followed with the determination to talk and make her see sense once and for all. 

In Mike’s world, there was no room for refusal. Not when it’s contrary to what he wanted. He didn’t attain his current height by taking No for an answer. 

And convincing Liza shouldn’t pose a problem, he had dealt with bigger and stronger oppositions before, so one girl with a tiny body and soft beautiful face would not distract him from his goal.

The battle of Will has just begun!

*****

Entering the lobby of Oriental Hotel almost in a run, Mike did a quick search with his eyes and was lucky to see Liza just as she almost disappeared through the restaurant’s hallway. 

Moving swiftly, he went in after her but just as he was about to make his presence known, he saw Liza smiling and waving to a guy who in return gave a deadly scowl and grabbed her arm to drag her outside. 

  

Quickly, he moved behind a tall bucket plant to hide and watch as the tall guy dragged the now sad looking Liza out of the room. 

Deciding to see what was going on, he quickly put on his dark glasses to follow them outside. 

Unfortunately, he couldn’t decide where they went and after some minutes search, he shrugged, thinking they probably left in the car before he could get outside. 

Walking back to his car, he saw them at the same time he noticed Liza’s car. Moving swiftly but quietly under the cover of night, he drew closer to the car to watch and listen. 

“You bitch! You bloody God forsaken bitch. How dare you keep me waiting? How dare you?” says the guy as he holds Liza’s hand in a painful grip.

“Tom, you’re hurting me” she whimpered.

  

“Hurting you? This is the beginning of it. I’m going to hurt you so much, every single bone in your body will hurt with it. You shameless slut!” he spats at her angrily.

“Slut? Stop it Tom, stop it. I told you, I had no choice but to obey my boss when he asked for a meeting.” She cried.

“So that’s the title now right? Boss! You’re sleeping with your boss now hmm?”

 “What? Sleep with my boss? Mike?” She gave a dry laugh. 

“That’s so funny, Tom. There is nothing like that and if you will be calm enough and think about it, you will know it’s not possible. If I would date or sleep with someone, it wouldn’t be my boss. I have told you many times, he is too boring and strait-laced, I wonder if he is sleeping with anyone. So stop this and let’s have our dinner,I forgot to have lunch and I’m so hungry.”

Mike, who was listening behind the car, wondered if he was hearing correctly. Did they just mention his name? And did his employee, Liza, just make a poke at him? Really? Why can’t she sleep with him? He thought angrily as he listened for more. 

Meanwhile, irritated with that small unconcerned laugh she gave, Tom found himself getting angrier. He honestly felt like throttling her tiny neck. But, settling for a bellow, he told her angrily.

“You must be crazy if you think I will sit to have any meal with you after keeping me waiting for a whole hour. Who do you think you are? The Queen? Well, let me remind you that you’re nothing but a piece of shit and without me, without the love of a man like me, you’re doomed to be alone.” He released her hand harshly and walked away.

 “Tom, Tom I’m sorry, please come back and let’s have our dinner as planned. You know this was meant to be a reconciliation after what you did the last time.” She begged in tears.

Retracing his steps to her side in a few strides, Tom gripped her neck painfully as he spatted hurtful words to her face. 

“Damn you” he said. “Damn you bitch.” 

“You see, the only reason I’m not punching the living light out of you right now is because we are outside and I don’t want to have the police on my hands, but if you dare say one more word, I will damn the consequences.” He said, while squeezing her neck till she cried out. 

Moving backward, he gave a warning with his finger. 

“Don’t come back to that flat tonight if you don’t want to die. I don’t care if the flat is yours, don’t come back,” he turned and left.

Moving slowly to her car, Liza slumped on it and gave a deep painful cry as she gave way to tears. She was so engrossed in her sadness; she didn’t see the dark silent figure that moved to touch her before rechecking his movements.