The Office Showdown

Jeremy had missed several therapy sessions. He felt they were useless. He had in fact given up hope of ever walking again. 

That accident broke him. It changed the whole existence of his being. There was no such thing as unconditional love. If there was, Sarah would have stuck with him and supported him.

Sarah’s departure had left a wound deeper than the physical scars on his body. It was the kind of hurt that ate away at his soul.

He was hurt. He had no one. Only Maggie had stayed with him, yet, for some reason, he resented her.

He cared about her. He didn't want her to be homeless or anything of that sort, but he didn't appreciate her trying to act like a mother to him.

He had no one, and that was fine. He was fearless and feared. He had built a fortress around himself, a wall too high and too thick for anyone to climb. He commanded authority. He was alone now, but not lonely. He liked it like that.

That morning, he had an appointment with his orthopedic doctor, but it didn’t matter. It was just another waste of time. Still, he had to let his secretary know he wouldn’t be at the office for a while.

He picked up his phone and dialed his secretary’s number. “Elizabeth, I won't be coming to the office until later. Reschedule all my appointments for later, alright?” 

“Okay, sir. I hope you're doing okay?” Elizabeth’s tone held genuine concern, but Jeremy brushed it off.

“I am. Thank you. If anything changes, I'll let you. And if there's anything important, do not hesitate to contact me,” Jeremy instructed.

“Actually sir, there's something…. someone actually has been calling to speak with you. She just walked into the building now,” Elizabeth reported.

“Who?” Jeremy questioned.

“Sir, it's one of our competitors, Big Margaret, of B Com Ventures. I'll go to her now and find out what she wants,” Elizabeth said.

Jeremy’s jaw tightened at the mention of Big Margaret. She wasn’t just a competitor; she was a predator.

“Alright. Do that. Keep updated ,” he said curtly.

“Yes, sir,” Elizabeth said before hanging up.

Jeremy sighed deeply, his thoughts already shifting to what Margaret might be scheming. But before he could dwell on it, Leah walked into the room.

Leah who had prepared to accompany Jeremy to the orthopedic was informed that plans had changed. She heard Jeremy speak about going to the office urgently like that was the most important thing.

“But sir, you have an appointment with the doctor. This is important too. Your health is very important,” she lectured.

“Don't school me, okay? Going to see the doctor is just formality. He'd still say the same thing he's been saying and I'll still be stuck in this chair for the rest of my life,” Jeremy said, enraged.

“But that isn't true. You will walk again.” Leah moved closer to Jeremy, looking him straight in the eyes. He was frustrated and had given up on hope. She had to show him that he could scale through if he believed.

 “Don't you believe?” she asked him.

Jeremy felt weak. He felt like he'd been tamed. He stayed quiet and looked Leah in the eye. Their gazes were fixed on each. His resolve faltered for a moment. He looked away, unwilling to let her see the vulnerability in his eyes.

Before Leah could press on, Jeremy's phone rang again.

“Yes, Elizabeth,” he said as he picked up.

“Sir, there's a situation on ground. The media is here with Mr. Conrad Mayors. They claim that your marriage which was just announced out of the blues is false, and only a facade,” Elizabeth reported.

Jeremy’s grip on the phone tightened. Conrad Mayors. The name alone was enough to make his blood boil. Jeremy recalled the message he had received the previous night. Was it Conrad who masterminded the whole thing? Conrad used to be Jeremy's best buddy. Suddenly, he was out to get him. He took his woman, he was obviously teaming with the oppositions to drag Jeremy's company down. He was evil.

“I'll be right there. You just manage the situation how best you can,” Jeremy instructed.

He explained to Leah that he had to attend to something important at the office. He asked her to reschedule the appointment with the doctor.

Leah hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Let me come with you,” Leah offered.

Jeremy nodded in agreement.

As soon as they parked in the parking lot, the media team all rushed towards them, as though they were waiting to devour them. Cameras flashed, microphones were shoved in their faces, and questions were hurled at them like missiles. Jeremy took Leah's hand and apologized for dragging her into it all. She smiled and said it was okay.

The media shot questions at them and Leah answered most of the questions, explaining that she wanted a low-key wedding because she valued privacy, and being with the love of her life was what mattered most, not a grand wedding, even though he was incredibly wealthy.

Jeremy was amazed. She was selling it well. Soon, he managed to dismiss the media and they entered the office building.

When they entered, Big Margaret and Conrad walked towards them.

Big Margaret’s lips curled into a sly smile as her gaze settled on Leah. “Well, well,” she said, her voice dripping with mockery. “Leah, Leah. So you’re Mrs. Harper now?”

Leah held Jeremy's hand firm, trying to be strong and not let her fear show. “Hello, Aunt Margaret,” Leah said steadily.

Jeremy seemed confused. He raised his head and gave Leah a puzzled look.

“Aunt?” He repeated.

Leah didn’t answer. Instead, she kept her eyes locked on Margaret.

Margaret’s smile grew wider. “Oh, this is going to be interesting,” she said, her tone laced with menace.

Jeremy’s mind raced. What was going on? How was Leah connected to Margaret?

Before he could ask, Conrad stepped forward, a smug grin on his face. “Jeremy,” he said. “Long time no see.”

Jeremy clenched his fists. “What are you playing at, Conrad?”

“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough,” Conrad replied, his grin widening.