16
1154 Words
Drex brushed away from her grip, then he went to take a seat, eyes on me the entire time.
I noticed how Cassie's cheeks reddened, before she went to sit beside him.
Leo, on the other hand, had his arms crossed over his chest, a lopsided smile on his face like he had just watched the most interesting drama.
When I took a seat at the head of the table, everyone else sat.
David went to sit beside his still shocked looking wife, while Leo sat on the first chair by my left.
Drex frowned the moment he noticed him, shoulders growing tense.
That was something I chose to ignore.
“So, I'm Lisa Red, as many of you might already know.” I started to say, eyes on everyone in the room. “I'm not exactly glad to be here but you won't see me express it, so I expect everyone else to do the same by keeping their disinterest to themselves.”
It was obvious who I was speaking to, and I noticed how Cassie's jaw clenched.
“Whenever we gather here, it will only be for important situations. There will be no use of foul language or display of unseriousness, else the individual will be fired.”
Trish was frowning harder now.
“There will be no more unnecessary spending. Every contract goes through me. All business deals will be handled by no one else, but me. And everyone works twice as hard until the goal is met.”
“No one gets to touch any income without my consent. Be it you're related or not, if you need anything, then pay for it with your salary.”
I paused, then leaned back, shoulders straight. “Anyone who can't meet the standard…” my gaze landed briefly on Trish, “is free to leave.”
Henry was smiling widely when I finished, while Drex just stared with an emotion I couldn't quite place.
I pushed the chair back, and stood, so everyone else did the same. “This meeting is adjourned.”
“That was undeniably cool of you.” Leo whispered for my ears only as the members started to leave with a short ‘Congratulations’ or ‘Welcome on board’.
Trish was glaring so hard, her face had turned completely red as she stormed out, muttering things under her breath.
Cassie looked hesitant for a moment, before following after.
“Come on,” I told Leo, and we both walked out of the room.
“This was fun, you can't deny.”
“I won't say ‘fun’.” I replied, keeping my voice low.
“Entertaining, then.”
“Hmm… Maybe.”
Who would have thought five years ago, that the next time these people see me, it would be a moment of drama that could be tagged as ‘entertaining’.
“You mind waiting here, I have to use the toilet.” He said and shrugged when my lips pursed. “You can't blame a man for drinking too much liquid.”
“Oh just get lost.”
“I won't be long, try not to start a fight without me.”
He chortled, then sauntered off.
To keep myself busy, I took to scrolling through my phone.
It wasn't up to a minute when the steps neared.
With brows furrowed, I stared up to Drex heading over.
“Why are you leaving so suddenly?” His voice wasn't sharp, but they made me frown either way.
“Don't think I'm leaving because of you.”
“I never said that.” He replied calmly, and I just rolled my eyes.
“What do you want?”
“To talk.”
“I have told you more times than I care to, that I have no interest in doing that.”
“Lisa…”
“Don't touch me.” I warned, when he was about to reach out.
Drex sighed, before slipping both hands into his pocket like he didn't trust himself. “You can act all stern, snap at me every time we meet, but I won't leave you alone until we've talked.”
“If you insist on being an asshole, then I might as well get you a restraining order.”
He looked like he hadn't thought of that being a possibility. “I just want to know what happened during these years. Where have you been? Who the hell is that jerk always with you? And why do you tell everyone you're Lisa Red, when we are married.”
A disbelieving chuckle escaped my lips. “First of all, we are very much not married. You sent me out of your life. You were clear on not wanting me.
“I don't get what's gotten to you, but all this you're doing is starting to get irritating.”
“Listen, I can explain. I want to explain.”
“Well, too bad, because that's the last thing I'm interested in.”
When I attempted to walk away, he blocked my path. “What I said the last time… I meant it. Yes, I was drunk. But I meant each word, Lisa.”
My frown deepened. Especially when I thought of the fact he was clearly still in a relationship with Cassie.
I had no idea what he was doing, but I didn't like it one bit.
“Get out of the way.”
“Look, I know I've wronged you, and I'm deeply sorry for that,” he continued like I didn't say anything, “but each day since has felt like hell. Every time I remember the pain in your eyes as you walked away… it makes me feel worse.”
My fist clenched, shoulders growing tense.
“Drex, get out of the way.”
“I know I'm not worthy to stand in front of you. I feel so ashamed and stupid, and there hasn't been a moment where I don't think about you.”
Something about the way he said it made my heart start to race, and I hated that my body reacted that way.
I knew I had to shut him up.
No, I needed to.
“This conversation is over.” I raised both hands to his chest to push him off, but he didn't budge. Instead, Drex's arm wrapped around my waist.
The small contact sent an unexpected spark that made my breath seize.
No. s**t, no!
He inhaled sharply, eyes closing for a second, before he held my gaze with a softness that made my brain topple.
“It's true.” His voice was lower now. “The saying that you don't know the value of something until you lose it… It's very true, and I understood the saying the day you left.”
Shit!
I was going to pull away from him when a voice came, “What the hell is going on?!”
- Writer
