Meeting Mr. Mogul(62)

"Don't think I'll go along with this," I mumbled in annoyance when I left him.

"Wait …  this is not what you think it is …  But, if you think that the idea  is … " he whispered in plea, but trailed off as words failed him.

"Just get straight to your point," I stopped walking and turned towards him with a death glare.

"Can you just go along with this for a while? Miriam and I have some … "  he pleaded softly and trailed off when I raised my eyebrow.

"You are not seriously asking me to play along with this so that this  girl, who I know you've slept with, won't cling to you like a leech," I  grumbled in conviction. "This is not my problem. So if you are  uncomfortable with the damn situation, why not get out and go back to  work?"

"I'm not going to leave you with her after what I just said … " he countered in disbelief, but I cut him off.

"And, whose fault was that?"

"I had only acted out because … "

"I'm not taking any excuses! I'm going in the office. And if you aren't  ready to tell her the damn truth, just leave. I can handle this myself,"  I stated in clenched teeth.

When he didn't reply, I turned around and continued walking towards the  end of the hallway, where Miriam stood and stared us in curiosity. She  gave me a small, tight-lipped smile when I looked at her. I couldn't  believe I'm going to take the heat on his stupidity.

"This way please," Miriam opened the door and gestured for me to get inside.

My first impression of the place was cute and girlish. The dominant  color of the room was pink and white. The table was painted in white and  gold. The chairs looked like it was designed for a garden party.

"This is a really nice office," I remarked as I sat down on a chair opposite to where she sat down.

"Thank you," she replied enthusiastically, finally giving me a genuine smile for the first time.

"Where do I sit?" William asked, halting me from asking a question. I  turned towards the sound of his voice. He wasn't seriously going to go  along with it. But when Miriam gestured towards the seat beside me, it  finally dawned on me that he was serious.

"I'll let you taste some of our different flavors of cake before you  decide," she started after William sat down. "I'll be right back with  it," she added and stood up and quickly exited the room.

"What are you doing? If you're going to stay, you should clear up that  misunderstanding a few minutes ago. I don't want this to be awkward than  it already is," I hissed at him before he could say anything.

"Okay. But, hear me out," he pleaded guiltily. "Can we go along with it  for a while? Miriam and I used to have …  And, I don't want her getting  any ideas about my visit here."

"Are you seriously making me reason to avoid your ex?" I was astonished at what he suggested.

"Don't be ridiculous. I just don't want her to get any ideas that I'm  available whatsoever," he snorted and stated in the same tone.

"Oh, please! Don't give me that excuse. We both know you are as  available as you ever was," I stated in conviction and rolled my eyes at  his words.

"And you still don't believe me that I'm serious about you," he sighed  and mumbled softly to himself but it was loud enough for me to hear.

Not sure how to respond to his words, I stayed silent for a moment and  prayed someone would interrupt us soon. After a few minutes, my prayer  was answered as Miriam arrived with a tray of small cupcakes in hand.

As I expected, the rest of the meeting was very uncomfortable. The  flirtatious comments she gave to William had made it unbearable on my  part. I wasn't slightly jealous though it still annoyed me. The girl  couldn't take a hint at all. She kept on making advances even though she  knew – though, not true – that William and I were dating. At some point, I  wanted to show her something just to piss her off. But I didn't want  William to have more reason to pursue me. So I continued to watch her  flirt for the rest of the meeting.   





 

I thought I had finished digging a hole and reached the other end of the  world when it was over. It was half past five in the afternoon and my  stomach was full of nothing but sweets. It would be impossible to eat  dinner. As I was about to part ways with William by the main door of the  pastry shop, he suddenly grabbed hold of my wrist.

"We aren't done with our conversation from this morning," he said as he lightly tugged me towards his waiting car.

"What are you doing?" I asked angrily as I tried to pull myself free from his hold.

"If I don't act on it, you would ignore me," he started but trailed off when I finally broke free from him.

"For goodness' sake! It's not that hard to ask! I would have gone with  you if you asked nicely!" I shouted in frustrated, not really anymore  embarrassed about filtering my emotions.

He gaped in shock before he straightened his stance and let out a heavy  breath. "I'm sorry for being too forceful," he trailed off softly as he  took another steady breath.

"You think?" I interrupted.

"Please let me finish," he said in a domineering tone. "Can I talk to  you? I would love to do it over dinner if you are willing."

"Are you kidding me? I already told you how to say it, and you're being  like this?" I asked in disbelief and gestured at him in disgust. "I'm  out. I'm going home. I don't want to talk to you right now."

"Wait! Damn it," he called out when I was a few paces way from him.

"Still not close enough!" I shouted back and continued walking.

"Okay! You win! Go ahead and go home! I'll see you tomorrow!" he shouted in defeat and stopped following me.

I brushed him off with a wave with my back towards him as I continued  walking. When I reached a pavement and turned right, my mind was cleared  out on everything that was associated to William. It dawned on me that I  didn't know how to get home from here. I had never felt so stupid, not  even after the stunts I pulled recently. I finally lost it. It was  ironic since I'm really lost.

When I saw a nearby coffee shop, I got inside and order myself a drink  before calling my most trusted person to pick me up. Terry was helpful  as he picked me up from where I was. When he arrived, I explained to him  why I was here. He burst in laughter at my situation.

"I can't believe you did that! It was a nice exit, but the aftermath was just … " he stated and laughed some more.

"Please don't remind me. Can we go now? Please? I'm really tired," I pleaded before I put on my helmet.

He nodded in reply but kept on chuckling as he put on his helmet. The  ride back to his apartment was short. I felt relieved to know that I  wasn't entirely lost. If I've continued walking a few more miles, I  would have recognized a few stores near Terry's place. After he dropped  me off, Terry gave me a quick farewell before he drove off to work. I  was left alone for the rest of the night, which was both a positive and  negative thing.

The next morning, I left like I got ran over by a train as I rolled out  of the couch. I couldn't help but be attuned to Terry's comfy couched. I  quickly got myself ready for work when I saw that I had half an hour to  go. Terry offered to give me a ride again, which was sweet of him. He  reminded me about the switch thing with our apartment as we hopped on  his bike. It might be his plan to tell me then I couldn't rant on about  it with the helmet already on.

When we reached my workplace, I hurriedly took off my helmet to give him a proper reply about our apartment plans.

"If you help me bring some of my things back to your place tonight, you  can start staying there for the rest of the week until Ms. Maxwell takes  it back when I quit."

"You got yourself a deal!" he replied enthusiastically, his voice  muffled by the helmet he was wearing as he gives me a thumb up in  approval.

I chuckled at his reply and gave him a short wave of goodbye as I make  my way inside the building. When I entered the lobby, I turned towards  the reception desk and saw Danny gawking at me. I gave her a brief wave  as greeting in which she replied with a smile and wink. I made my way  towards the elevator after our short greeting.   





 

I was in luck when the elevator door opened without me clicking on the  call button. I stepped aside as a few people piled out. I lowered my  head when I noticed a few board members getting out. When the last man  got out, I stepped inside and pressed on the closed button.

"There you are. Why are you late?"

I turned to my left and glanced up in surprise. "What … ? When did you … ?" I  whispered in shock as the elevator closed. I was trapped in the  elevator with William. It was not a good sign to start my day.

"Now, tell me. Why are you really quitting?" he asked and got straight to the point.

"I think …  I need to …  I need to get out. I think I forgot to get  something at home … " I stuttered as my nerves crawled up to my vocal  cord.