PERFECT CEO

Chapter Five

Upon seeing Emma and Richard together, Joyce gracefully approached them and directed her question to Richard. “You claimed you wanted nothing to do with Emma,that she merely seduced you. Why are you here with her then? You're a liar,” she remarked.

Richard attempted to speak,but Joyce interrupted him. “Emma, or whoever you think you are,know that our business is not finished yet. You will pay for what you did,” Joyce sighed before heading to the counter to buy food and then leaving.

Emma and Richard locked eyes in a tense silence for about five minutes. Finally, Emma spoke up,saying “Richard, I've developed feelings for you that I can't ignore. I apologize for interfering in your relationship with Joyce,but I truly believe that she's not the right match for you. I can see how she manipulates and controls you as if you’re a plaything,all because of her wealth.”

“Emma, that's enough,” Richard asserted, standing up. “I've already made it clear that I don't want to have any involvement with you,and that's my decision to make.Yes,I may have been influenced by Joyce,but it's my life,and I have the right to determine my path. It's not your concern. I'll handle my own problems,” he concluded.

Richard rose and prepared to depart. Emma inquired,”I'm without a home. Could I stay with you temporarily until I gather funds for an apartment?” Richard retorted, “Do I seem like a charity organization to you? Please resolve your housing issues elsewhere,as staying with me is out of the question.” With a hiss Richard existed.

“Ugh,I can't believe he rejected me. What am I going to do now? I really need to give my mom some space,as she's like a thorn in my side,” Emma murmured.

As it turned out,Thomas Williams' rainfall predictions didn't come true on the expected day. Joyce called him with a query. “You forecasted rain,but it hasn't rained yet. You shouldn't have predicted rain if it wasn't going to happen,” remarked Joyce.

“I apologize ma'am,but it's important to understand that as forecasters, we make predictions based on available data. However,there can be slight changes along the way that can result in our predictions being inaccurate,” Thomas explained.

As soon as he finished speaking,heavy rain began which surprised Joyce. She said, “ I apologize”. Thomas responded, “ No need to apologize,ma'am. It's your responsibility, and you're just doing your job.”

“Okay, you are free to leave. Oh,one more thing I forgot to ask earlier. Have you found a place to stay?”Joyce inquired. “Yes, ma'am,I have accommodations,” Thomas replied, choosing not to disclose that he was staying with the security personnel as a squatter.

Thomas departed and headed to Richard's office to verify whether he had shared the rainfall information. Upon arrival,he found Richard staring at a picture of Joyce on his phone. “Hey Richard, what's up? You seemed lost in thought,” Thomas remarked.

“Yeah, I'm just reflecting on my relationship with Joyce. I messed it up by getting involved with her secretary, and now our engagement is off,” responded Richard. “It's okay,man. Things happen for a reason,” Thomas reassured him.

“By the way,did you send the rainfall information to the media?” Thomas inquired. “Yes,I was about to do that before you arrived,” Richard replied. “Okay,then please go ahead,” Thomas said.

Thomas went to the cafeteria for a meal, and overheard conversations about Joyce and Richard,discussing how Emma had enticed Richard into a romantic encounter. He simply sighed and resumed his meal.

Mrs. Quinn, Joyce's mother, had been unwell for a few days but chose not to inform Joyce because she believed her daughter was recovering from heartbreak. As her condition deteriorated,her nanny Mabel hurriedly took her to the hospital.

Upon arriving at the hospital,Mrs. Quinn was breathing rapidly,resembling someone nearing the end of their life. Mabel,her nanny, promptly contacted Joyce to notify her about her mother's critical condition and urged her to come to the hospital right away.

Joyce was scheduled to attend a board meeting in a few hours with representatives from other regions to discuss the duration of the ongoing rain. She phoned Thomas to ask him to take her place, explaining that she had to go to the hospital.

“ Is everything okay, ma'am?” Thomas asked. “Not really. My mother is very ill. I have to leave immediately. Please take over for me during the board meeting,” Joyce replied.

Joyce then departed and drove to St. Mary's hospital,which primarily serves elderly patients.

Upon arriving at the hospital,she encountered Mabel,her mother's nanny. “ How is she doing,Mabel?” she inquired, gently touching her mother's arm.

“She's improving, ma'am. The doctor mentioned that her blood pressure was elevated. It seems she’s been under a lot of stress lately and needs to lessen her worrying,” Mabel replied.

“Oh dear,I bet it's my canceled wedding that she's been dwelling on,” Joyce remarked. “ Mom, please don't stress. I will get married eventually,but you don't have to worry so much about it,okay,” Joyce reassured her mother gently stroking her hair.

As soon as Joyce finished speaking to her sleeping mother,her mother opened her eyes and saw Joyce,her lovely daughter.

“My dear,I apologize. I should have informed you that I was unwell,but I was concerned that you might still be hurting too much to come,” Mrs. Quinn said, attempting to sit up.

“ Don't worry,Mom, I'm here now. Please,I want you to stop dwelling so much on my marriage. I will get married when the time is right,” Joyce reassured her. “ Okay,my dear,I will try,” Mrs. Quinn responded. “ Mabel, could you please bring me some warm water? Mrs. Quinn requested.

Joyce phoned her sister Charlie and informed her about their mother's situation. Charlie hurried to the hospital to check on their mom and learn about all that had transpired,leading her to hold Joyce responsible for their mother's health problem.

“Mom wouldn't be so worried about you having married Richard,” Charlie remarked. “ I can't believe you are saying this, Charlie. How could I marry a man who slept with my secretary just weeks before our wedding? If you were in my position, would you marry him?” Joyce countered.

However, Charlie remained silent and simply gazed at Joyce ,as she wouldn't marry someone who had been unfaithful to her just to satisfy her mother's wish.

“ I understand now. You can't give an answer because I know you wouldn't marry someone like that. So, please don't bring up marrying Richard again because it's definitely over between us,” Joyce states.