Chapter 3. Betrayal
1565 Words
Betrayal.
The rain was severely harder outside the company of Ever glow Cafe the everywhere was boring, blurry and darker beyond the glass to see, time stand still.
Alex Grey still known as Liam to everyone in Green hill standing face to face with the truth he had been hidden for long, now is crashing down by himself like a sea wave.
Ama Rive looked at him her warm eyes filled with concern and eager.
Just moments ago he was simply Liam the quiet maintenance house keeper with a mysterious past but now, with Daniel unexpected appearance exposes everything the cracks on his face begin to show up.
I need to talk to you Alex said to Ama his voice lower careful.
Ama nodded slowly her look towards Alex between him and Daniel who stood like a shadow from another life full of shock,
They stepped into the back store room The air was filled with tension and the smell of roasted coffee beans.
Alex rob his hand through his hair,his heart beat loudly in his chest.
I have not been completely honest with you, Ama he began.
She folded her arms silent but listening to Alex.
My real name is not Liam.
It’s Alex Grey.
She blinked her eyes with recognition in
her eyes.
Alex Grey,
As in Grey tech?
He nodded with a yes, I was the CEO.
Ama took a step back with shock as if the words coming from Alex had pushed her away.
Why did you lie about something like that? She ask.
Alex expel heavily air. Because I did not want to be known as a billionaire or a walking bank account.
All I was doing just to escape the board room politics gathering all the time for meeting,
the fake friendship I had experience was, women smiled towards me only when they saw my balance sheet I lost trust in everything.
He looked at her.
His expression in past was raw. But then I met you and for the first time in a long time I felt something real.
Amah stairing at him the man who had swept floors beside her, who shared coffee breaks and dreams together even dim street lights was the same man who once ruled, owns a corporate empire.
And he had lied,
Not just to her but to everyone.
I don’t understand she said quietly. You said you were starting over.
I was but not in the way you thought.
Ama's voice trembled shaking, do you know how hard it is to trust someone in this world?
And I trusted you thinking you were honest but no you are not.
You let me believe you were someone else.
I did not hide my identity to hurt you, he said.
I just did not know how to tell you because I don't want to lose you.
And now that I know what are you hoping for?
she asked a bitter question cripple into her voice. I should forgive you and act like none of this matters?
I’m hoping you will see the man not the title Alex said, The one who cared about you from the start.
Ama shake her head her voice breaking. I don’t know what to believe right now because seriously I don’t even know who you are any more.
She left the store room and swing the door behind her like a final word.
Later that night Alex sat down alone in his apartment. The silence at night screamed, After Daniel had left warning to him at that time, time was running out.
The board at Grey Tech had already begin internal meetings in the company and if he didn’t return to claim control his absence would be interpreted as abandonment of company.
They would install someone else someone who didn’t care about principle or vision only profit.
But none of that mattered to him right now. All he could think about was Ama.
Her pain and Her betrayal.
He opened his laptop stairing at the company logo on the screen. This empire was once his everything but now it's liking behind
He wanted to type a letter for his resignation but then he stopped.
Would running again solve anything?
Or would losing Ama justify losing himself?
The next morning Ama didn’t show up for her shift her absence was louder than any confrontation.
The cafe murmur with quiet curiosity some had over heard Daniel’s visit and others notice Liam’s change in behavior.
Alex finished his shift despite the whispers he was not here to pretend anymore,
He was here for the truth.
Afterward, he walked to Emma’s apartment. He had never been inside, but she had once described it to him—the creaky stairs, the lavender curtains, the tiny potted plants by the window.
He knocked, heart pounding.
She opened the door halfway, her face unreadable.
I’m not here to beg, he said softly. I’m here to say what I should have said a long time ago.
She didn’t stop him so he continued.
When I came to Green hill I was broken. Not just from business though the betrayal from my board which nearly destroyed me but from people.
I stopped believing in love, I stopped believing anyone could love me for who I was not what I had.
Then you came along and you changed everything.
Ama looked away.
I was wrong to lie to you not because I didn’t trust you but because I didn’t think I deserved someone like you.
I kept my identity hidden so I could live just for a while like a man without power. But I understand now that truth is not something you delay.
It’s something you give fully especially to the people you care about.
She gaze at him.
I needed the truth Alex not because of your wealth, but because I needed to know that you trusted me enough to share it.
I do he said.
I always do just because I'm afraid.
She stepped out, closing the door behind her. They stood on the small porch, silence between them.
I don’t know if I can forgive you, she admitted by saying so. Not right away.
I will wait Alex said. I don't care how long it will takes.
Because I don’t want a life built on lies anymore, I want something real Even if that means starting from scratch again.
Emma studied him for a long moment. You hurt me Alex but I saw the man before I saw the name.
That means mean something different.
Hope flickered in his chest. Not forgiveness not yet but a chance.
Back at Grey Tech’s tower.
The headquarters in the city, Alex Grey returned.
He walked into the board room unannounced, wearing a plain shirt no suit, no entourage.
The board members gasped at his presence. Some looked relieved. Others, guilty.
I’ve been watching , Alex said cooling. From the outside and I don’t like what I’ve seen.
He laid down his terms He would return as CEO,
but only temporarily to restructure the company back to it stand, to clean house to fix the corruption he had once ignored back.
Then he had step away for good no more golden cages, No more masks.
When one board member ulter a word, Why do you return back ? Alex answered Because I owe it to the people I once led. And to the man I want to become.
Back in Green hill weeks passed.
Ama returned to the cafe, Alex didn’t push her he just let her be.
Sometimes they exchanged simple smiles with each Other and long conversations filled the air between them again gradually they are rebuilding.
One evening, as they walked under the stars just like before they normally do Ama said, You know I still don’t care about your billions.
He looked at her with a half smile good Because I left them behind.
What do you mean?
I handed the company over to someone I trust I’m starting a new chapter with a book store cafe
Ama laughed and said, That’s my dream, you remember?
He nodded I know, I just want to build it with you.
She looked at him long and hard, then softly replied, see truth takes time to heal.
And hand in hand they walked into a night filled not with perfect answers but with something real.
Truth and the hope of love reborn.
- Writer
