Chapter 6.

You Don't Get to Treat people like Flies

“Get out.” Were the first words that came out when the woman barged into his office.

Ryan was back from his two-day trip from U.K. It's been two days since he accused me of being incompetent, and though it hurt, still hurts, I have decided to focus and just do my job. There was no need to have emotions at the job. I didn't have to like my boss enough to do my job and that's the way it has been. I gave monosyllabic answers to questions that required them and just agreed with whatever he said I should do. If he noticed a shift in me, he didn't point it out, which was better for me by the way. He was currently dictating some things he wanted me to do as he stepped out of the office for some hours. So, I was taking notes and nodding dutifully when the woman barged in. Bringing us to where we are now.

“Oh! Ryan darlin', how could a son tell his mother to get out?” The woman said with such sadness in her eyes that my heart clenched for her. But, it seemed to have no effect on Ryan because the next thing that came out of his mouth was “You are not my mother Lydia. Never have and never will be. Get that straight into your head.”

Her face twisted in anguish, “Ryan! I know your condition doesn't give you the right to empathize with others, but don't you think...” She didn't complete her statement because Ryan stood up sharply from his chair and walked briskly to her.

“Never, in your life, talk about me, my health or my business like you know me. I would not tolerate it.” His cold eyes rested on her and I shivered in fear on her behalf.

He really was evil. I could attest to that fact now.

How could someone treat his own mother like dirt under his shoes?

“Your Dad said to invite you to the Green Life Fundraising Ball that we'll be hosting in the house. It'll be nice if you can attend and...” He didn't like her complete her statement.

“Don't hold your breath on that because I would not be attending. I have no intention of coming to the house anytime soon. As you can see, I am quite swamped with work and I was giving directives to my P.A which you so rudely interrupted. If you have nothing else to say, I suggest you use the door on your way out.” He rudely stated, walked back to his chair, sat down and continued dictating the files he wanted me to get and emails he wanted me to send like she wasn't there at all.

I watched her from my side eye as her once pleasant countenance transformed into annoyance. Yes, only Ryan can make the most pleasant person be as prickly as a porcupine.

“You are just terrible at treating your family right. You have always been that way and it's annoying you are still this way. One day everyone would be tired of your bullshit and you'll be all alone. Only then would you know what you've done to yourself.” With that she stalked out of the office and banged the door so hard that it made me wonder the might that she packed in her arms.

“What are you staring at? Did you get the last thing I said?” He asked me, interrupting my stare at the mahogany door.

“I'm sorry about that. I also got the last thing you said. My attention got divided because of the rattling of the door.” 

“I think that is all. I would be back by 3:00pm at the very least. I would be sleeping over at the office today, so just drop those files I requested for on my desk because I would be working on it this night.”

“Alright Sir. If that'll be all, I would love to take my leave now and...” I was saying when my statement was interrupted by yet another person, but this time it was someone younger who bore a striking resemblance with Ryan and had purple highlights at the tip and brown at the roots. She looked like she was the type of person that was friends with everyone and called everyone ‘dear’ simply because she could. A smile was on her face that brightened her even bubbly persona more.

“So, what I heard is indeed true. You seem to have gotten yourself a new P.A and by the word I hear, she still hasn't quit. How long have you been working here dear?” She asked me and a smile touched the corners of my lips because I knew I was right about me deducing her as someone that called everyone ‘dear.'

“A week now.” I replied her.

She chuckled and wrapped her arms around me like we were long lost friends. I jumped a little because I wasn't used to a stranger being overly affectionate to me.

“Do you want to quit, honey? Honestly, I would understand because my big brother is sort of,” She pulled closer, although she didn't reduce her voice so I knew she wanted Ryan to hear, “An ass.”

“I can hear you Loraine.” He said.

She chuckled and practically hopped to where he was and sat on his laps, pulling at his cheeks playfully. He didn't grin or even break into a smile. However, I looked at his eyes because it is a known fact that it doesn't lie. I saw an underlying warmth there and I knew she meant a great deal to him.

“I wanted you to hear me. How is my favorite brother in the world doing? I know you've missed me so much than your ice heart can ever admit.”

“I didn't. Infact, I am wondering if the Financial department is busy enough for you to have time to waltzing into my office like you have no care in the world.” He deadpanned.

She didn't pick an offense, instead she burst into laughter and wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and said, “I missed you too.”

“I am not your favorite brother just so you know. That should be Nathan. He has so much love to give you.”

“You don't get to tell me who is my favorite or not. Besides, I know a hundred feet deep inside your ice cold heart is a flower of love germinating and coming up to the top.” She grinned and pecked him on his cheek which elicited a groan from him.

“Don't go about kissing my cheek. I'm not your boyfriend Loraine. Maybe it's time you got one, so that you can take this suffocating love elsewhere.” He complained trying to remove her hands from his neck. I was just watching their exchange like a nosy bystander. The only difference is I was a bystander that didn't have a choice whether to step out or not.

“Never! I am going to stay by your side and torment you till you grow old. Besides, I don't see you having a girlfriend either, except you are developing feelings for...” She left the rest unsaid as she looked at me, mischief shining in her eyes.

Ryan's head followed her direction and his eyes fell on me. It took him some seconds to put two and two together, before he realized what his sister was insinuating.

“Oh no! Don't even dare think it! Your matchmaking skills are the worst and just so you don't get anymore ideas in that little head of yours, she is not my type.”

‘Ouch!’ I thought in my head. He didn't have to say it like he would rather brush his teeth with a toilet brush than get together with me.

“It's not that my matchmaking skills are terrible, it is that you are unnecessarily difficult. Alexis was a good person but...” 

“She wasn't. She knew nothing except hair extensions, crackling in an embarrassing manner at high society events and getting drunk till the moment she babbles rubbish and embarrass me." 

“Well, I didn't know her well enough to see that. But, Georgia was...”

“Narcisstic. She didn't talk about any other apart from herself.” He finished for her and raised his left brow in challenge.

She groaned, “I admit my matches have not been the best, but you should not give up about love. There is someone out there who would love your ice heart thing you have going.”

“Don't delude yourself. Please, get going already. It just seems my office is a revolving door today for people I don't want to see." He complained.

She frowned a little, “Who came? Dad or Mom?”

“Your Mom came. She came up with some thing about Fundraising Ball or something. I couldn't care about that.”

“Why would she come here?” She stood up, all smiles gone from her face. She looked disturbed and I was confused why they didn't like their mom so much.

“Just be calm and let it go. Just because we have our issues, doesn't mean it has to be that way too for you.” He cautioned her and it almost made me do a double take.

Wasn't this the same person that told his mother to get out? Where did that person go? He was so confusing, that most times I didn't understand him.

“Take care. I will have a word with her.” She left the office like someone on a mission.

Then something struck me after sometime that didn't strike me immediately I heard it.

He called the woman ‘Your Mom.’

Didn't they both have the same mother?

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“Isn't this a bit inappropriate for the black tie event?” Were the first words Ryan said to me immediately I stepped out of the house. We were going for an event which he insisted I must tag along as his P.A. I was confused on what to wear for the event, until I settled for a black dinner cocktail dress. That was the only thing I could lay my hands on such short notice.

I took a look at my dress again. No cleavage in sight, slit at mid thigh, I didn't see what was inappropriate about this dress.

“I'm sorry, but I am a bit confused on what is inappropriate about my dress.” I expressed my concerns because I didn't know what he had in mind as ‘inappropriate.’

“There is no point bothering about it. Let's just go already as it wouldn't look good as the host to be late for the event.” He said and entered the car leaving me outside perplexed for some seconds, before I followed suit.

I could feel the anger bubbling in my chest and I hated the feeling. He made me feel small, doubt myself and constantly walk on eggshells. I was feeling suffocated every day that passed by because I didn't know what I was going to do that'll piss him off.

We got to the event and he came down, rounded the corner and stood by my door as I came out. He held out the hook of his arm, I looked at the paparazzi that were flashing cameras at us. I didn't want to raise a brow, so I hooked my arm in his and plastered a smile on my face.

We went in without a hassle, except for some curious people who wanted to know who I was to Ryan. I guess they would be disappointed when they checked online and notice I was just a mere P.A.

“Don't drink and say any nonsense that would annoy my guests.” He said immediately we got in and handed our coats to the people stationed at the door to get them.

It was like he was getting more and more annoying. Bold of him to assume that I was going to be silly and drink on the job.

“I don't drink on the job. I have better dignity than that.” I said tightly, a frown appearing on my forehead.

“Better.” He replied and began saying hi to different guests with me trudging behind him. I smiled and made the necessary inputs when a question was thrown at me.

“Your P.A seems so professional and very beautiful too. I wish my P.A could be half as put together as yours, I would honestly be grateful.” A man in his forties said with a kind smile on his face.

A smile, a real one, appeared on my face for the first time today.

I was about to reply him, when Ryan beat me to it.

“Yeah, it seems that way until she puts her phone on silent and you call her incessantly for an email you need her to send urgently.” He dropped it like a bomb and immediately the smile on my face fell.

“If you would excuse me gentlemen. I need to get some air outside.” I said with a wobbly smile and left.

When I got outside, I willed myself to calm down. Who was he to put me down in front of strangers?

“Hey, you need to come back in. I would need you to take notes as I talk to a potential client.” Ryan said from behind me. That was what finally broke the camel's back and caused me to explode.

“I can't have a minute to myself now, can I? You just humiliated me in front of strangers and I can't have a minute to recollect myself and assure myself that I would be okay?” My eyes were blazing in anger and they met his ice cold ones.

“I don't understand how I humiliated you.” He replied.

I let out a short, bitter laugh, “You might think it's okay to talk about others any way you like, but people have feelings you know. Someone of us are not Cyborgs like you and we get hurt when spoken to in a condescending manner. You constantly put me down, make me feel foolish, and dismiss me like I am nothing. You don't get to treat people like flies for your benefit. That is trashy of you! And if for some weird reason you can't understand basic human emotions, you learn it! Also, I didn't come out from the womb knowing how to be a P.A. It's something you learn, and if you don't have the patience to put me through, then tell me!” Hot tears trickled down my cheeks as I said everything that has been lodged in my chest for days, I suddenly felt lighter.

“And also, I am not crying because I am hurt. I am crying because I am pissed. Just so you know.” I felt the need to point it out so he does get the weird satisfaction of making me cry. After my outburst, I realized that my anger clouded my vision so much that I didn't even check if paparazzi was there. Thank goodness everyone was inside as I wasn't ready to become most searched on the internet on top of a shitty job I didn't even want anymore.

I started walking away from him when something suddenly came to me.

“Also, incase it wasn't clear, I quit!” I declared hotly and walked away without sparing him another glance.