Meeting Jolene
1354 Words
Getting into the company, Mallory hurried past her colleagues' place because she wasn't in the mood to fake laughter and smiles. She knew they'd definitely question her about it, and perhaps, she'd be ready for that time.
She reached her desk and glanced at Wilder's office to know if he was there yet. Able to spot him from the large, glass-made transparent door, she confirmed he was in.
She exhaled deeply, preparing herself to go meet him.
She'd be lying if she said it wasn't difficult, addressing her ex-husband like her boss. A man she had been waiting on her whole life.
She went for the door, knocked and walked in when he answered.
He was there on his seat, an aura of authority surrounding him. His suit jacket was casually draped over the arm of his chair, leaving him in his crisp white shirt, elegantly tucked into his sleek black trousers.
It was undeniable that he exuded an undeniable handsomeness. Good lord! Mallory was almost tempted to run into his arms. She wanted to lay on his shoulders and inhale that cocoa smell he always had on him that tempted her to want to lick him up.
She wanted to run her fingers along his cheek and feel his dark, sheen beards. And his lips... Those bow-shaped mauve lips of his. She could suck them all day if he'd let her. She'd missed him. So much.
He lifted his gaze from his system and at her as she walked in.
"Good morning, sir." She inclined her head.
Half a minute passed before she got a response from him.
"Miss Harrington," he called simply. "You're a bit late, if I'm not mistaken."
Her heart thumped in her chest.
"I...I am. And I apologize for that, sir. I just had a little delay. I'm sorry," she responded quickly, her head still inclined.
For long, she didn't hear a thing from him, making her wonder if he had gone back to work or something. Slowly, she lifted her gaze and met his eyes on her. Her brows furrowed.
"What happened to your lips, Miss Harrington?" He asked the one question she never thought he'd ask.
Mallory's heart grew heavy instantly. Shock and confusion swirled inside of her, she couldn't resist taking her hand to her lips.
Her finger returned with a small crimson stain on it, and fear enveloped her. Ronan's slap had affected her lips? She had no idea!
And why did Ronan not say something? Could that be the reason he had asked if she could take the day off?
Good lord!
She looked back at Wilder and found his keen gaze on her. She gulped heavily and averted her gaze to the floor.
"It's... it's nothing, sir. I just got um... involved in a little accident," she answered nervously.
Wilder's gaze remained on her, it made her wonder what he was thinking. When he said nothing, she inclined her head and tried going for the door.
"Yesterday," his voice hit her. "you acted like you knew me from somewhere. I didn't take you seriously because," he shrugged. "I've been in Singapore for a long time. So, were you being serious about it? Do you really know me from somewhere?"
For a while, Mallory was frozen in silence. She felt her hands grow so cold, her legs began to wobble as well. If Wilder was sensitive, she felt he'd be able to tell how very nervous she was.
Right there, she was tempted to tell everything to him - tell him the truth about being his ex-wife and how they had two kids together. She badly wanted to say everything and see his reaction. But that was one thing that feared her - his reaction.
How would he believe her when he couldn't even remember? He already had a woman in his life. Would he take her words seriously? She didn't want to do anything that would push him away. So, she decided to take it one step at a time. That was the best thing to do.
"Don't worry about that, sir," she managed a light smile. "I was just... mistaken."
His charming blue eyes rested on her, making her heart flutter like a trapped butterfly.
"Okay then," he gave a clipped nod. "If you say so."
Smiling and inclining her head again, she exited the office.
****††****
Safiya walked into the mansion with a commanding presence and a designer dress that shimmered with each step. The opulence of the house did not faze her, 'cause she was used to such luxury.
The servants bowed their heads in respect as she made her way into the grand living room. She was no stranger to them, she was the fiancee to the one and only son of Elwood and Jolene Pemberton. The respect shown to her was not just because of her status, but as a result of the grace and poise with which she carried herself.
She approached her soon to be mother in-law who was lounging on a plush Turkish couch, her eyes scanning over Safiya's outfit with a hint of approval.
"Good evening, mum," she greeted with a respectful bow.
The strict-looking woman gave a nod. "Take a seat, Safiya."
Safiya did, sitting with her head up and chest out. She had been properly trained to act with courtesy at anytime.
One of the servants arrived briefly with a small tray of drink which she set beside Safiya before leaving. Afterwards, Mrs Jolene instructed every other maid to leave.
"What were you saying over the phone, Safiya?" She asked in a displeased grunt. They had the living room to themselves now.
Safiya sighed - morosely. "It's Wilder's ex-wife. I had gone to his office yesterday to pay him a visit, and to my surprise, I found her there as his P.A."
Mrs Jolene grumped. "Are you very sure? You barely knew her back then."
"I'm very sure, mum. I... I know I never met one on one with her back then, but I had seen her a couple of times. You know I had been spying on Wilder, so I very much know her face. And I'm telling you, she's his P.A at the company."
Anxiety settled on the woman's face. She crinkled her brows and expressed her displeasure.
"But how is this possible? I expected her to remain in Duskwood. Why did she have to move, like she was aware we actually moved here?"
She rolled her fingers together, feeling so angry and worried.
"That witch," she grunted. "I did so much to get Wilder away from her. I had to risk the life of my only son, just to get him away from that witch. How dare she show up here and try to rub it in my face that I did nothing?" She paused and looked up at Safiya.
"When you found her with him, what was it like? Did Wilder recognize her? Do you think she said something to him?"
"I don't know if she said anything to him, but I'm sure Wilder didn't recognize her. When I was there, he had treated her like a random P.A. I could see it."
"Hm," Mrs Jolene nodded. "Of course, if he had recognized her, he'd have definitely said something. But, who knows? That dirty girl from the slums might have something up her sleeves. So, we must not relent. We need to find a way to eliminate her."
Safiya agreed. "We could come up with a plan, mum. We need to get her fired from the company, that's the first step."
"Good. So, think of something and do it quickly." Mrs Jolene returned her gaze to the TV screen, while Safiya pondered alone.
What could she possibly do to get Mallory fired? She knew they couldn't just get her fired for no reason; that would get Wilder suspicious. So, they needed to do it carefully.
"Safiya," her mother in-law suddenly called, her voice much colder.
"Mum?"
"It's been a year since I asked you to get pregnant for Wilder. Why are you yet to conceive?"
- Writer
