A CEO'S OBSESSION

12

It's been three weeks since Anna and Gina resumed at Williams group. So far, nothing dramatic happened. It was just work, work, and work.

After cleaning the lobby, Anna met up with Julie at the cafeteria for lunch break. After they paid for their order, they found an empty table to sit. The Williams Group cafeteria was bustling with workers from various departments, the air thick with the hum of conversation and clinking dishes. The chatter was mild, with colleagues laughing, discussing projects, and sharing stories. The crowd was diverse, with people from different levels of the company mingling and grabbing a bite.

Anna sipped from the juice in her hand before asking. "Where do you plan to celebrate your birthday?"

Julie rolled her eyes at her. "I don't want to celebrate." She said simply.

Anna stared at her for a while. For the past one week, Julie had been acting weird. It was obvious she was hiding something.

"You don't want to celebrate?" Anna repeated. "Why?" She asked.

Julie shook her hand and sipped from her orange juice. "Now is not the best time."

Anna raised an eyebrow at her before letting out a breath. "Julie, is everything okay with you? You seem off these days."

Julie avoided her eyes. "I'm okay." She answered.

Anna reached for her hand on the table. "You can talk to me." She offered.

Julie retrieved her hand. "I'm okay." She said.

Anna smiled and decided not to push it. "Well, I won't let you sit at home on your birthday." She said.

Julie forced a smile.

"We should go out, celebrate."

"I'm really not in the mood to celebrate."

Anna gave her a teasing look and continued. "Let's go to a club. We would get drunk, dance, and sing along with musicians." She convinced.

Julie couldn't help but smile at Anna's suggestion of getting drunk. "You're not good with alcohol, Anna."

"I'm not. But I want to celebrate with you. What do you say? C'mon..." Anna persuaded.

Julie smiled widely and said. "Okay, fine." She accepted. It was also a good idea to escape her inner conflicts.

**********

Frank and Ian followed a bartender through the club, weaving past the crowd, as they made their way to the VIP room. A potential business partner had agreed he would sign a 40 million naira deal in the club, and Frank had no choice but to abide. Though he found it weird to sign a deal in such a noisy environment.

The club was populated by several men and women of different sizes and classes. The air was thick with expensive liquor and sweat. Ladies danced under the flashing lights to the sound of the music blasting from the speakers.

He got to where Barbs was sitting with women fawning over him in the VIP room. The slightly aged man looked drunk. When he saw Frank enter, he exclaimed. "Frank!"

Frank managed to squeeze a smile for formality sake. "CEO Barbs, I'm glad you agreed to come."

"Drop the formality, my boy." Barbs waved his hand in the air. "Come and sit, let's drink." His voice carried his excitement.

Reluctantly, Frank sat beside him, and Ian remained standing by his side. They both looked out of place with serious expressions.

"Here.." Barbs poured him a drink. "Drink with me." He offered.

Frank reached for the glass and placed it by the side of the table. Barbs laughed. "You have not changed, Frank."

"I don't intend to, CEO Barbs." He said with a dry tone.

Barbs smiled. "You are just like your father, always -"

Frank cut him short. "I am nothing like my father. Can we sign the deal now?" He asked seriously.

"Fine. Fine." He said and then turned to the ladies. "Ladies, excuse us. Dance where I can see you." He told the three women around him.

Frank frowned in disgust at his attitude as he watched the ladies leave. Ian handed the papers to him, and Frank passed it to Barbs. He went through it and signed. "Thank you, CEO Barbs." Frank said.

"It's nothing, my boy. It's a good proposal. Very beneficial, I must say." Barbs praised.

Frank nodded. "We won't disappoint." He said, and they shook hands.

As he was about to stand up, his gaze landed on a captivating figure on the ground floor of the club. A woman with mesmerizing movements dancing with the club pole to the rhythm of the music, her body swaying effortlessly. The strobe lights highlighted her features, casting a hypnotic glow on her face.

The thumping bass and lively melody filled the air, and the crowd around her cheered and clapped along. Frank's gaze locked on her with amazement. For some minutes, he couldn't believe his eyes as he watched the woman laugh and dance like nothing else mattered in the world.

Ian bent to whisper to him. "Sir, that's Anna Yates."

Yes. He knew it's Anna Yates. He could recognise that face anywhere. But what was she doing here?

Meanwhile, Anna smiled at Julie, who kept singing her name while she danced with the club pole. She couldn't remember when last she had this much fun. Although she knew she was tipsy, she felt great. She felt alive. She felt out of control.

"Anna, that's okay." Julie tried to get her off the pole.

Anna refused. "No, no. I want to dance some more." She said childishly.

"It's getting late, Anna. I have work tomorrow and it's almost dawn. I need to sleep." She begged.

"C'mon, Julie, it's your birthday. Dance with me." Anna pulled Julie.

Julie laughed and shook her head. "Remind me never to give you alcohol again."

Anna pouted childishly. "I. Am. Not. Drunk." She stated.

Julie nodded. "Yes, you are not drunk. Now, let's go home."

"You should listen to your friend." A masculine voice stated behind them. When they turned, Julie's eyes widened in surprise, and Anna squinted her eyes to recognise him. She felt really dizzy.

After a while of staring at him, she yelled excitedly. "Oh, It's Mr. Ruthless!"

Frank's eyebrow shot up in surprise. "What did you call me?"