*Alejandro*
Anger surged through me as I stared at Nora, who had a smile plastered on her face. “What are you doing here?” I asked. She had called me earlier, but little did I know that it was because she had a plan at hand.
“I wanted to be here with you. We’re married so I thought we should go everywhere together. Isn’t that what married couples do?” I glared at her; she was still as manipulative as she had always been.
“Don’t let this marriage get in your head,” I said, staring towards the sliding glass door. A ray of sun hit my face as I stood outside, and Nora stood a few feet away from me.
She was bent on going home with me, and I wanted to be alone-alone from all of them.
A black SUV pulled in front of me, and a man in a black suit. The driver opened the door for me. Nora was about to enter, but I stopped her and asked the driver to drive away.
She should find her way home herself; after all, she didn’t come here with me.
A penthouse has been prepared for me. I walked into the penthouse, and the driver took my luggage inside. Two maids were in the house, and they came out and introduced themselves as Linda and Lila.
I had an eye-red flight, and all I wanted to do was lay on my bed and sleep. I walked into my room, and the bed was covered in gray sheets.
The luggage was in the room already. My phone rang; it was Jane, my P. A.
“I am in the airport, and I can’t find you,” she said. I wanted to tell her not to bother, that she should go home and forget about working for me, but I stopped.
“I left,” I said and ended the call before she could speak further.
I sat on the edge of the bed, the sheet crumbled. I tried to lock out all my thoughts. I was here not to think about her, and here I was, having her cloud my thoughts.
I wanted to distract myself, so I began unpacking my luggage. I arranged the clothes myself, hoping it would distract me from my thoughts.
Afterward, I walked into the bathroom and stepped into the bathtub. I allowed the water to soak my skin.
I stayed in there longer than an hour and stepped out.
That evening, I decided to go out.
To a bar.
Lucas called me on my way to the bar. “I had a nice flight,” I assured him when he asked me how I was.
“How’s things over there?” I asked.
“It’s going well. Williams has taught me some things I didn’t know earlier.” He said, then went on to tell me about the meeting he had attended and what they had agreed on.
As I listened to him speak, I was convinced that Lucas would make a good heir. He would be able to lead my company well, and I would have nothing to be scared of.
I sat on a stool in the bar. Pitch music resounded from the speaker, my eyes moved around as well watched people speak, and have fun. They must have their problems and all.
“A glass of whiskey,” I said to the waiter when he asked what I wanted.
I drank to my heart’s content. By the time I came back home, it was already past midnight. Nora was seated in the sitting room.
I knew she would find her way here. She was like a fly, never leaving a corpse’s side.
“Hi,” she greeted and stood walking towards me. I must praise her for her consistency-or maybe patience is a good word. No matter what I say, she will always stick to me, no matter how many times I ask her to leave.
“What do you want?” I asked, stopping on my track. You haven’t eaten,” she said. Now, what did that have to do with her? “I thought it would be nice to eat together,” she said.
She stepped closer and stopped in front of me, scrunching her nose, “Did you drink?” She asked and spoke before I could answer, “You reek of alcohol.”
I brushed past her, “I reek of alcohol and had so much to drink so please stay away from me. At least for tonight, I am in no mood to deal with your nonsense.” I spoke.
She turned and held my arms. “No, it’s not enough reason for me to stay away. At least come have something to eat,” I looked down on her.
“Fine,” I said and started to walk away.
I freshened up and came down. She set up the table. I ate without sparing her a glance. When I was done, I walked to my room and settled on my bed.
I felt weak to my bones, just when I was about to drift off into sleep, I heard my door open and I sat wondering who couldn’t knock.
“You know you should knock before entering someone’s room,” I said to Nora.
“This is my room, why should I knock?” Her words sent whatever sleep out of my eyes, “Your room?” I asked, maybe I had misheard her.
“Yes,” that was when I looked around and noticed that some of her things were there.
“Why did you move your things here? You should stay in the guest room,” I reminded her in case she had forgotten.
“They had only prepared one room for you. Linda said she didn’t know I’d be coming, so no other room was ready; I have no other option but to stay here with you. And I also told her not to worry that we’ll share this room for as long as you stay. I don’t want to stress her when we can stay together.”
I ran my hands over my head; Nora must have been born to frustrate me.
“You didn’t think of checking into a hotel or something? Did you ask me before moving your things here?” I asked, feeling anger surge through me.
“No, but I just thought there was no need. It’s not like I am just any woman,” she said, waving her left hand where the wedding ring was placed in front of my face. I am your wife, remember?” she stated, and I gritted my teeth.
“Why should I check into a hotel when you have a penthouse here?” She asked. She walked forward, and sat on the bed, “Don’t worry, I won’t cause you any inconvenience.” She said.
I thought about it for a while, “just for tonight. Afterwards, I want you out of here. Linda will prepare a room for you tomorrow, you can move your things out.” I said.
She wanted to argue; I could see it on her face with the way her brow furrowed slightly, but she must have decided against it as she sighed and agreed before climbing into bed.
It was the first time that night that I noticed her nightwear was see-through. She lay down in the bed, facing me.
I just stood and walked out of the room. My study was already in good condition, so I’ll just stay over there for the night.
The following day, I called Jane and asked her to clear my schedule for that morning.
I drove to a park and stepped out. I walked around the park, taking in all that was there. Seeing children run around and having fun, my mind subconsciously drifted to the boy I had bumped into yesterday and a small smile perched on my lips.
I wondered why he reminded me of someone so much, and the woman I saw also bothered me, but I pushed that thought off my mind.
Afterward, I drove around the city. Soon, it was noon, and it was time to return to the office. Though I was reluctant, I knew it was time to man up, put everything behind me, and face my work like I used to. After all, that was why I came here.
I resolved not to think of Andrea anymore from now on.
Jane was at the entrance waiting for me. She wore a blue suit skirt and a crisp white button-down top. Her hair was styled into a bun.
She pushed her round-rimmed glasses up the bridge of her nose.
“Good afternoon, sir,” she greeted.
I nodded and walked past her; she trailed behind me, trying to keep up the pace. She briefed me on the meeting and everything.
“The directors of various departments are already in the boardroom waiting for you,” she said.
She has sent me the outline for today’s meeting but I had not touched it.
“And the outline for the meeting?” I asked.
“H&K Global is launching a new line, and we’ll try to invest with them.” She said.
She went on and on about the outline, by the time I stepped into the room, I was filled with all I needed. Maybe she wasn’t as bad as I had presumed.
Everyone in the room stood as I entered.
We commenced the meeting immediately. I was truly intrigued by how the meeting was.
“So what do you suggest we do? What if Nexus Ltd wants to invest, too? As I have heard, they have the biggest jewelry line for now.” A man in a gray suit seated on my left asked.
I had not thought of that.
“Ideas, what can we do?” I asked.
“They may have the biggest jewelry line, but for now, it doesn’t mean they will forever. The jewelry line we just launched is promising. It was launched a month ago, and we’ve managed to make it amongst the top ten jewelry companies; I think in a month or two, we will surpass them.” A woman said.
“But this deal isn’t waiting for a month or two.” I turned to another and nodded as he spoke.
“If we want to get the deal, we should at least have something to offer, something more than being the number jewelry line.” Another said.
“Maybe we can get our company to be number one by having influencers and celebrities for our commercials.” Another said.
That sounded like a good idea. “It will indeed boost our sales. The internet is the best way to advertise our jewelry line.” I said in agreement.
“Hiring top designers who are promising will entice H&K Global. We’ll have the influencers and celebrities take our product to the top and have the designers give us the best.” Jane said.
“All the best designers have already been employed by Nexus, it will be hard to scout new talents.” Another said.
“Then we try to bring them over,” I said, and the entire room fell silent. We’ll have influencers and celebrities run out commercials and bring the best designers from Nexus. Offer them more pay and benefits,” I said.
We concluded the meeting in thirty minutes.
Later that evening, as I sat in the car’s back seat, I rested my head on the headrest. The day had been very long.
I looked out the window, but then my eyes caught something on the other end of the seat-a toy car.
What was that doing here? I was frazzled as I picked it up and studied it. This toy looked familiar.
Oh, it was from that little boy. I remember picking it up and trying to return it before Nora came into the picture.
Sigh.
I ran my finger through the toy car. I should dispose of it since the possibility of seeing the boy was low, but I just couldn’t bring myself to.
So I took the toy car to my room and settled it on my nightstand. Thankfully, Nora was gone, and I had my room to myself once more.
Now, everything has returned to its place.