CHAPTER TWO
1096 Words
"Lizzy! Lizzy!" Emilia, the receptionist called hitting her hands on Elizabeth's desk.
"Emmy, what's the problem?" Elizabeth asked as she snapped out of her thoughts.
"The boss wants to see you immediately!" Emilia announced.
"Is that why you're shouting?" Elizabeth asked.
"I've been calling your name for a few minutes now and you didn't respond. You seem lost. Is anything the problem?" Emilia asked curiously.
"Really? I'm so sorry for stressing you. I'd go and see him now. Where's his office?" Elizabeth said calmly.
"It's fine. His office is upstairs. The very first office by your left. Lizzy, if you're going through anything, do well to inform me. Don't go through it alone, ok?" Emilia said worriedly.
"Alright, ma. Thanks so much for your concern. I have to go now. The boss will be waiting for me…" Elizabeth replied as she turned to leave.
"Ok, dear," Emilia said as she shook her head in pity and went back to her desk.
Elizabeth's heart raced as she took each step closer to Mike's office. She did the sign of the cross as soon as she got to the entrance of his office.
She then took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
"Come in," Mike said excitedly from the other side of the door, his voice sounded welcoming.
"Lizzy, don't be afraid. He won't harm you or do anything bad to you. Just calm down. Now, go in." Elizabeth said to herself as she opened the door and walked in.
"Good morning sir," she greeted with her hands folded and her head bowed.
"Good morning, pretty angel. Why did it take so long…?" Mike said as she interrupted.
"I'm sorry sir. I.." She hurriedly apologized as Mike cut in.
"I mean, why did it take so long for us to meet again?" Mike whispered.
"I beg your pardon!" Elizabeth blurted.
"Oh! Stop pretending." Mike scoffed.
"I'm sorry sir. I don't know what you are talking about. I don't know you. I haven't met you before. Today is the first time we…" Elizabeth murmured as Mike interrupted her.
"That's a lie! Aren't you Betty?" Mike retorted as that name rang a bell in Elizabeth's head.
"Surprised, right?" Mike asked relaxing on his chair.
"I used to bear that name.." Elizabeth thought to herself.
"Who are you and what do you want from me?" She yelled at Mike expecting him to shout at her but he smiled and sat up.
"You really wanna know? Let's stop all the drama and let's face the truth. Sit." Mike beckoned on her to sit opposite him as she sat with wobbly legs.
"Do you care for a drink?" Mike asked.
"No… No sir." Elizabeth stammered.
"It's fine. You may not recognize me but I do recognize you." Mike said staring at her directly.
"I don't know you!" Elizabeth replied trying very hard not to shout at him.
"Are you not the girl I had a one-night stand with seven years ago?" Mike asked as Elizabeth laughed awkwardly.
"You must be mistaken," Elizabeth replied as she looked away.
"Hey! I'm not as dumb as you, silly! Look, the fact that you're corporately dressed doesn't make you less of the slut you are, stupid!" Mike retorted.
"I'm not a slut! I'm a secretary. I mean, I'm your secretary and I've worked with this company for a few years now. This is what I do for a living not flirting around!" Elizabeth protested.
"Wow! What boldness…" Mike said clapping his hands in applause.
"Well, you cannot deceive me." He said as he stood and walked over to Elizabeth.
"What if I told you I'm a twin?" Elizabeth blurted thinking he would back off but he persisted.
He burst into laughter and sat on the desk. This made Elizabeth feel uncomfortable.
"How can you be Elizabeth and your twin, Betty? Does that make sense? How can your twin bear your nickname? Isn't that awkward? See, I'm ready to cover this secret between us only if you play your card well." Mike said as he placed his hand on Elizabeth's.
"What secret? How can we have a secret between us when I barely know you?" Elizabeth replied as she took his hand off hers.
"Ok! You've forgotten. Let me tell you a story. I guess you will remember before the end of the story." Mike said in a calm tone.
"Once upon a time…" Mike paused as his intercom rang.
He stretched his hand toward the intercom and picked up the call.
"Hello, what's the problem?" Mike blurted.
"s**t! It's almost 11 a.m. I'll join the meeting in a few minutes. Alright. Thank you!" He said as he hung up.
"I have to go to a meeting right now. But… We'll discuss this at lunch." Mike said as he stood and went to his seat. He wore his suit and buttoned it.
"You can leave now. Or do you need me to walk you down the stairs?" Mike asked as Elizabeth stood.
"No, sir," Elizabeth said calmly as she turned to leave.
"See you at lunch!" Mike said as Elizabeth stopped and turned. She stared at him for a few seconds and spoke.
"At the restaurant or here in your office or…?" She asked even though she already knew his response.
"At the restaurant, of course! Or if it's not convenient for you or you feel shy, you can come to spend your lunchtime with me here in my office." Mike whispered to her.
"Can't we just have this discussion any other time?" Elizabeth asked.
Mike chuckled and moved closer to Elizabeth.
"Look! It's better now than ever! We can't keep acting like strangers. I need to remind you of something spectacular that happened between us in the past. You can go now." Mike dismissed Elizabeth.
During lunchtime, Elizabeth hurriedly went to the restaurant in an attempt to escape meeting Mike but as she ate, she got a message from Charlotte that he sent for her.
"Aargh!" Elizabeth groaned as she bit her lower lip.
When she was done eating, she waited for about twenty minutes before going to see Mike in his office.
"Finally you are here! Sit." Mike said as Elizabeth walked in.
"Thank you, sir. Now what's that spectacular thing in quote that you want to talk to me about?" Elizabeth asked nonchalantly.
"Do you remember Roundup Night Club?" Mike asked as Elizabeth stared at him in shock.
"That place sounds quite familiar,"
Elizabeth muttered to herself as she suddenly had a flashback. Her jaws dropped and her mouth hung open in disbelief.
- Writer
