Chapter 2 2

Ch. 2

Chapter 2

I looked at my wristwatch. It's already 12 then. I already have an hour to fix and prepare myself for a big meeting that will be held later. Damn!

I feel so exhausted and nervous right now. I don't know why. I don't know what to do. Even though I have encountered many business meetings, this is the only time I have been so tense and nervous. That's because of him! That jerk! Ugh!

I closed my eyes just to rest my mind a little bit. I remember what my brother talked about yesterday.

"Just tell me. Why him?" I blinked my eyes twice just to confirm what he said.

Damn! Why still, Mark? There are many big companies here in the Philippines. Why did my brother take Mark's company as a business partner? That man! My ex-husband! Damn!

"Hmm. He's quite nice and a successful bachelor businessman. I think that we need him in our company. It's not bad to accept him as my business partner," my brother said casually. My throat and nose seemed to heat up from what he was going to say. Ugh! I want to be angry, not because I'm so annoyed with my brother.

"Why didn't you tell me about this?" I feel that the vein in my neck has come out from being so annoyed with him. I even glared at him just to show him that I madly hated him for his decision.

"That's the reason why I didn't tell you about my decision. I know that you'll hate and curse me when I'm done," he said again. "I'm sorry for not telling you this. I know that you'll hate him. But just respect my decision, Lea," he said with a low tone.

I got even more annoyed with him. damn him! Even if I am against his decision, I just accept it, even if I hate it. I don't have any choice or power not to agree with it. He's my brother, and he's the boss. And I am the one who charges everything when he's not around.

"Okay, Fine! Do what you must," I said, leaving him alone in his office.

I'm back in reality when I hear a soft knock on the glass door. I slowly opened my eyes, and I saw my secretary standing next to the door. She was holding some papers and documents.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, ma'am. 10 minutes before the meeting started. They are all now in the conference room," my secretary announced.

I simply nod and take the papers that I'll need later. I hold the door where the conference would be held. I feel a mixture of nervousness and excitement at this time because this project depends on me. When I open that door, I must be prepared for the possibility. It is possible that Mark and I will cross paths and meet. I take a deep breath before opening the door.

I am that fierce and strong woman. All you could hear was the noise of my heels that I used to wear. Everyone is staring at me like there is a big finale that they are all waiting for. I stopped in the center, and all their faces and attention were on me. I also took out the papers and documents that I would need later.

"Good afternoon. We all gathered this afternoon to tackle the target hotel that we are planning to build in Cebu. I already made my proposal too," I started the conversation.

Only one thing caught my attention. That's Mark. He sat on the other side, like he was professional and formal. I could stare at his dark and cold eyes again, which made me feel so hated. How could he? He's just like a rock that doesn't have any care or feeling. as if he didn't know me. What could I expect from him? In the first place, he doesn't love or care for us. Damn him!

"This is the layout of the hotel that we were planning," I said, pressing the button to show the layout of the hotel on the big projector.

I said a lot and explained things to them so that they could understand my proposal. But I quit being so happy that everyone agreed with my work and presentation. But Mark was still quiet and silently observed me on the other side; I usually knew it because I could see him in the corner of my eyes.

"Do you have any questions? Comments or violent reaction to my proposal?" I bite my lips, roam my eyes all over the conference room, and wait for their reaction. Hmm, I think there's no question at all. I cleared my throat. "I think there's none," I said, and I looked into my brother's eyes.

"That's all for today. Thanks for your time. This meeting is dismissed." I announced it, and everyone was cheering and congratulating me. I'm so pleased and happy about their comments.

The board members approached me one by one; my brother and other sorts of people would be part of the meeting.

"Congratulations Lea. I knew you could do it; I'm so proud of you," my brother praised me, patting my shoulders. I simply reply to him, "Thank you," with a pleased smile. I knew that I made my brother happy.

When those people approached me, I could do nothing but thank them and entertain them. Since there are so many of them, I can't accommodate them very well. I look at the other corner, and I can't see Mark around, not even his shadow. Hmm

*****

"Call Mr. Aringo that I cannot meet him tomorrow," I said to my secretary.

"Yes, ma'am," my secretary noted.

"And I also called my brother and told him that I could not make it today." I added and left my secretary in the hallway. I started walking towards my office because I have some important work to do.

I just stopped walking when I felt a hand on top of me.

"What th-" I cut it out. When I found out who was grabbing me. I can feel something hitting my throat. I can't believe that he's standing in front of me right now. My ex-husband, whom I hated the most I blink my eyes twice to confirm that I am not dreaming.

"What the hell are you doing?" He brushed his teeth while looking at me. I could feel him just controlling his anger again. I fake a smile on him and look into his cold eyes.

"What? Could you please let go of my hand?" I said it boldly and emphatically and tried to take back his hand. but I can't do anything because he is strong. I don't know why, but I want to kick him and punch him so hard for what he has done to me.

"Never!" He clenched his jawline, and I could see his eyes were burning with anger. "You're coming with me, young lady!" he said with a hard and warning tone.

I don't know why I could feel this way. I no longer feel fear and nervousness every time he acts like that in front of me.

"Do you think that I'm easy to you, do you?" I mocked at him, "After all you've done to me, and that's all you can say?" I arched my eyebrow and pulled my hands off him. "Stop playing around, Mark, but I'm sorry for not coming to you. I'm not coming and going back again to your house with your filthy mistress of yours!" I hissed in irritation.

I could almost see his face turning red with anger. I know him that much, especially when he's mad. But I don't even care!

.

"Damn! Don't force me to get mad, Lea! Or I could drag you out to this place and lock you again inside our house!" he said. We almost met each other's eyes. I feel like I want to be happy with what he has to say now.

"In our house?" I was blown away by what he said. "When I decide to leave you and get out of that place, it's not my house anymore!" I said

"Really? You're still my wife, and you can't even do anything about it! If I say, You would do it!" His voice echoed in the hallway. All of the people and employees were looking at us. Damn this! He was making a scene here. Is he out of his mind?

"Correction! I'm no longer your wife!" I emphasized the word wife. "And don't make a scene here, Mr. Montecillo. I can make our partnership in our company inoperative if you touch even a single hair of mine!" I warned him, and that made him stop.

I just secretly smiled because I could see him blushing with anger in front of me. I also see that his fists are clenched.

"Go on, try me, Mr. Montecillo!" I challenged him, and he still stood in front of me and looked at me intently. "Well, see you around, ex-husband." I smirked at him and left him dumbfounded and annoyed.