“Are you out of your mind?” Lorraine’s voice echoed through the room as her disbelief resonated in her words.
“It’s part of the changes, Mom,” Kenneth calmly replied, his determination unwavering.
“Kenneth, no! Why are you being like this?” Lorraine’s voice quivered with emotion, her concern evident. “Your Grandfather will not like it! Do you really plan to be on his side?”
Seeing his mother on the verge of tears, Kenneth closed the distance between them, enveloping her in a tender embrace. “It’s temporary, Mom. I just need to figure something out about myself,” he pleaded, desperately hoping she would understand. “Please, Mom?”
After a moment of deep contemplation, Lorraine nodded reluctantly. “I’m going to miss you. If I have to continue being nice to that slutty girl, then I will do it.”
Kenneth was taken aback when his mother suddenly mentioned his secretary, Sabrina Hart. “Please don’t touch her, Mom. She is the best secretary I have ever had,” Kenneth admitted.
“The best? Are you sure about that? That sly one? You can still hire someone who works better than her, Ken,” Lorraine said.
“Mom, I said leave her alone! The girl is doing her best to earn a penny! How can you be so heartless to the less fortunate? People like her are beneficial for Skyline’s image, so please don’t touch her!”
“Fair enough. As long as you will stay in one of our apartments, then I would be fine. Can you do that?” she asked.
Feeling cornered and without a way out of the dreadful situation, Kenneth conceded defeat. “So, starting tomorrow, I’ll be in the apartment.”
Lorraine, realizing she had won this round, replied with a hint of triumph, “Fair enough.”
As they continued their conversation, Sanya unexpectedly entered the office, her eyes widening at the sight of the women. “Who are these girls?” she inquired, but her gaze soon shifted to Sabrina, a smile gracing her lips. “Where’s your dimwit secretary, Ken?”
Kenneth felt a surge of irritation towards Sanya for interrupting and being oblivious to the tension in the room. “She’s not here. Will you please stop calling her a dimwit, Sanya?” Kenneth was more frustrated with Sanya than his mother. Both women were causing him stress!
Sanya glared at Kenneth, taken aback by his rudeness, and then turned her attention back to her mother. “By the way, Ken. Is it true that you canceled your engagement with your fiancee?” she asked.
Kenneth, without hesitation, confirmed, “Yes.”
“Mom, can we grab something to eat now?” Sanya asked.
“We’re still busy, Sanya. If you are hungry, then go and eat by yourself,” Kenneth told her.
“Ken, why are you being rude to your sister? If Daniel will hear about this, he will give you an earful,” Lorraine said.
“Then, go to Daniel, and leave me alone!” Kenneth said.
“Hold on, young man. Why are you so cranky these past few weeks?” Lorraine asked.
“He’s probably sad that Isabelle is getting married to Daniel,” Sanya stated, which caused Lorraine to frown.
“Why?”
“Because he wanted to keep Daniel by his side forever, Mom,” Sanya answered.
For a moment, Kenneth thought he wouldn’t be able to breathe. He assumed that Sanya was aware of his feelings for Isabelle but thankfully, she was not aware. Sanya thought he was being emotional because he didn’t want Daniel to get married.
“Oh, God. It’s time to grow up, Ken. Daniel won’t be with you forever,” Lorraine explained. “Anyway, I have to leave now.”
“Mmmm, could you arrange for someone to prepare the apartment for me?” Kenneth requested.
Lorraine nodded and left, leaving Sanya dumbfounded by the conversation. “Are you really moving out? Why?” she asked, trying to understand her cousin’s decision.
“For a change,” Kenneth replied simply, not divulging further details.
Sanya’s curiosity got the best of her. “It must be one hell of a change. Was it because of your dimwit secretary?”
“Why are you so concerned about Sabrina?” Kenneth questioned, sensing something more than casual interest from Sanya.
“She likes you, Ken. Be careful with someone like her,” Sanya claimed nonchalantly.
“You must be upset about something, Sanya. Why are you venting your frustrations on my secretary?”
“I’m not upset, Kenneth,” Sanya responded, her voice resolute. “I am leaving now. Bye!”
As Sanya left, Kenneth sighed deeply. For years, he had preferred silence while working, but now he found himself needing some background music to fill the void. Trying to regain his focus on reviewing the financial statements, Kenneth’s irritation heightened when one of the clerks entered his office without knocking. He felt his anger rising, ready to lash out, when Sabrina followed her inside.
“Do you need coffee, sir?” Sabrina asked, trying to be helpful.
“I’ll let you know later,” he dismissed them, deciding he needed to talk to Sabrina after all. “Sabrina, I need to speak with you,” he called out, his voice softer now. Putting down his pen, Kenneth stared intensely at Sabrina, his words filled with a mix of frustration and vulnerability.
However, as he gazed at Sabrina, his initial frustration and irritation began to fade, replaced by a newfound appreciation for her beauty. He noticed her delicate features, her graceful posture, and the way her eyes sparkled with intelligence and determination. The more he observed her, the more he found himself drawn to her presence.
Kenneth cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
“Sabrina, I owe you an apology about my mother and my sister,” he began, his voice sincere. “You probably heard about our conversation earlier. It was uncalled for and I’m sorry you have to hear them talking behind your back.”
Sabrina’s eyes softened, and she nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank you for apologizing, sir. I appreciate it.”
“I hope you can accept my apology and give me a chance to make things right,” Kenneth added, his eyes pleading for her forgiveness.
“I accept your apology, sir, but truly, it isn’t your fault,” she replied.
“How about dinner tonight? My threat,” he said.