BETRAYED LOVE

CHAPTER FOUR:MEETING MR CEO

Julie couldn't sleep throughout the night. She tossed and turned on her bed, wishing everything could be a nightmare she could wake up from. When she closed her eyes she would reminisce about how blissful her relationship was. When she opened her eyes, her mind would flash back on how things got sour. Now, first thing tomorrow morning, she would find her way to a venue she didn't know about. "This is all their fault. Wait… maybe it's mine. I should have drunk responsibly." She heaved a sigh. Slowly, her eyes became heavy with sleep. At dawn, she woke up with a headache. "Ouch ouch, hangover" She placed her hand on her head and sat down on the bed. She had forgotten she had drunk so much that they had to beg her to stop. Then she began to recap some clips from last night. "Yeah… who was that guy? A guy was sitting with me last night, right? He gave me his phone number. Did he write on a paper or save it on my phone?" She tried to recollect, but she couldn't think straight. "Well, that will be later. As for right now, I have to get ready for the day." She staggered to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and had her bath. Afterwards, she got out of the bathroom. She felt a little energized. "What am I going to wear?" She searched through her closet, picked a pink gown, and sized into it. She styled her hair in a ponytail, wore pink lipstick, picked up her black purse, and headed downstairs. "Good morning mummy, Good morning daddy" She greeted. "Good morning Princess, right on time for breakfast." Mrs. Thompson was serving omelette. and tea. "Oh yes, I need it." Her tummy rumbled. They started eating. After a minute, Mr Thompson asked, "So you're heading out to meet with the owner of the Royce?" "Yes Daddy, l have his contact address here." "Just take caution and be wise, okay?" Mr Thompson encouraged. "Okay Daddy", She replied. When Julie was full, she stood up. "See you all later". She hugged her parents and stepped out of the house. Outside her doorpost, she took out the card she had been given and saw the address. It was the head office of a cement manufacturing company. She boarded a taxi to the venue. "Here we are," said the driver. "Okay, thank you" Julie handed over his bill and quickly highlighted the taxi. She walked to the reception. "Good day madam, welcome to Emerald Cement Manufacturing Company. How may I help you?" The receptionist asked "Good day, please, I was asked to come to this office." Juliet handed the card over to the receptionist. "Alright, take the elevator, on the fifth floor, the third office on your right is the office." The receptionist directed her. "Thank you very much". Julie appreciated "You're welcome, madam." The receptionist replied. Julie went as she was directed. When she got to the office, she knocked on the door. "Come in" Julie heard a sweet feminine voice from inside. She opened the door and stepped in. "Good day ma'am, how can I help you?" "Good day, please, I want to see this person." Juliet passed the card to the secretary. The secretary gave it a look and asked, "Do you have a scheduled meeting with him?" "Ughmm…yeah…" Julie muttered. "You're not sure?" The secretary asked, staring suspiciously. "I am," Julie stated clearly. "What's your name, ma?" "Julie Thompson", Juliet answered. "Please have your seat." She picked up the office telephone and dialled a number. "Hello, Sir, a lady by the name of Julie Thompson is here to see you… right, sir." "You can go in." She beckoned to Julie. Julie knocked on the door. "Come in" was the voice she heard. She turned the doorknob and went in. Indeed! It was the man of last night. Julie's heart beat fast. She observed the office. What an ambiance! Everything was looking exquisite. It didn't look like the regular offices she was used to. Mr Michael Graham observed her as she observed the environment. Now he can see the lady who hit his car properly. Last night was dark, he couldn't have a clear picture of her. "Sit down," he told her. Julie sat down. He sounded commanding. The atmosphere was tense. She was nervous. "Introduce yourself" He proceeded. "uhh.. Umm," Julie cleared her throat. "My name is Julie Thompson. I'm from London. I'm a freelance writer. There was silence. Mr Micheal's gaze focused on her. "How old are you?" Mr Micheal continued. "What?" Julie asked like she didn't hear clearly. But when she noticed he didn't repeat himself she answered," 23". Why was he asking for her age? She wondered. "At that time of the night, where were you coming from, almost drunk?" He inquired of her. Julie started getting uncomfortable. She wasn't expecting this interrogation. Am I safe? She thought to herself. "Young lady, I'm asking you a question." He said calmly. "I was coming from the club, sir." "Hmm…from the club, tipsy and alone. What if something went wrong like you lost your life due to negligence? You can do better." Cold shivers ran through Julie's body. She never thought of it from that angle. She already felt bad. Now this man is making her feel worse. "Well, what has happened, has happened. Let's dwell on how to resolve things… …My name is Michael Graham, CEO of Emerald Cement Manufacturing Company. This is my head office." Julie opened her mouth in awe. Emerald Cement, that name strikes a bell. That's one of the top cement brands consumed in the region. Wait a minute! Micheal Graham. Why is he sharing the same last name with her ex-boyfriend, Bruce Graham? It was this same last name that put her in this mess that she is in right now. This was a bad omen. It took her time to digest everything. Michael noticed she was silent most of the time. "Well, like I said before, you are here to know how to clean things up. I don't feel like letting you go just like that. You need to learn your lesson… …How much have you got to fix a new bumper for my car? I don't want scratches, so you would preorder from Rolls Royce Company. I give you one month to do this, otherwise. I will get you apprehended." Immediately, Julie got a panic attack. She started gasping for air as she heard this things. She has never been apprehended or arrested before. It can't start now. She doesn't want to be a convict or far from her family. "Breath, breath, breath, inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale" Mr Micheal tried to calm her down. When she was calm, she began to speak. "Sir, please, I won't be able to come up with such an amount of money in months, let alone order the car to be fixed. Please sir, tender justice with mercy. I'm the only child of my parents." She went on her knees and started pleading. "Young lady get up, get up and sit." Mr Micheal told her.. She got up and stopped sobbing. "I already know you don't have the means to fix my car. So…I will come up with something else. You said you are freelance writer. So lucky for you, you have a flexible work schedule, right? Mr Graham asked. "Right, she responded. "Good! So, as a way to settle this, you, would work for me for one year without pay." Mr Micheal said. "What!?" Julie exclaimed. "You heard me right. If you don't want this, you can as well go for the first option." Mr Micheal informed. "Damn!' She didn't know when she swore outwardly. She was thrown off balance. How did her life go from ten to zero? All she was trying to do was dodge her realities. Now see what it had cost her. "I'm waiting for you to choose." Mr Micheal reminded her." "I choose the second option. " She was going to take the bulls by the horns. "That said and done, sign this agreement. " Mr Micheal gave her a form and a pen. She read and signed it. "Alright, you should start by being my errand girl." Mr Michael told her. "Errand girl!!?" Julie repeated. *Yes, and you resume on Monday. Enjoy your weekend." Mr Micheal concluded bluntly.