Chapter 6 Losing control

The meeting with the mayor was an uneventful one; it seemed the mayor was inviting him to a dinner party in his honor and was something like being awarded the Best CEO of the Year, but that didn't excite him at all. Arnold couldn't wrap his head around what he witnessed that morning; there was a notification of messages from Jessica, but she was the least of his problems right now. "I'm a charming devil; I control women and never the other way." But he couldn't help it; this lady was on his mind, and it was driving him crazy.

His secretary suddenly put on a bold face after what had happened between them. He was wrong and had underestimated the lady; her open demeanor and free kindness this morning were unexplainable, and it was killing him. Control!...Control!... Control!... His father had tutored him well on how to handle women; many things he learned on his own and some directly from his father's tutelage. Arnold Sr. was not a misogynist, but he believed in owning and having total control. over any woman he was going to date or befriend. His father always had a partner sharing his bed whenever they were on any business trip;slender,petite, Powerful, beautiful, commanding and all other types of women with different sex drives and demands on bed. He smiled as he recollected years back when his father invited him to join in a threesome with a random lady they picked up on the way to their hotel for the night after sealing a deal. Of course,he was disgusted and warned his father never to suggest such things to him or he'll report to his mother. His father apologized and they never spoke about the matter again. And of course,not when his wife was mentioned. Jenny was different,he had not felt like this in a long time,at least since that one night stand he had with an unknown lady;to which he has devoted 2 hours everyday into his investigation and enquiries about the lady her could not even describe properly. The way she handled the matter was very mature and he was happy that he was interrupted because he didn't know what to say and he would have faltered. Jessica's message popped up on his phone again. He smiled,at least he knew someone that was madly in love with him that he was intentionally taking for granted.That thought brought him some peace. But what was hurting the devil was his inability to make a decision on whether what he lived was his home secretary's choice of clothes this morning or her alluring lips the other night. ................................................................ Jessica was furious. Jenny had iced her out and embarrassed her and she did not have a response;which only made the pain hit deeper. Reaching for her phone,she prayed silently that Arnold had replied to her text. Message sent and delivered;No reply. Arnold had always replied to her texts, no matter how busy he was. Her day was just about to collapse. Jenny's grand entrance,Jenny icing and embarrassing her for the second time,Arnold ignoring her texts . "How worse could it get". She mumbled silently as she walked dejectedly to her room,thinking of evil ideas that she'll need to bring Jenny down. ................................................................. Jenny paced round her office twice,she needed to do something before things got out of hand. Arnold must not identify her as his mystery woman and she must not allow herself to fall under the infectious charms of her boss,not with the issue on ground. She needed the job so as to take her revenge on Doug and her passion was to work for a corporation that'll fuel her passion which was what was here now. She cannot drop those things now all because of Arnold. "I'm going to stay and fight for my place here". She made her decision there and that was it for her. She picked up her tablet as she started to sort her boss's schedule into place for the next three months to come. ............................................................. "Come in Jessica",Mrs Arnold's grunted from her second most favourite place in the mansion. The spa room. Jessica never fancied the spa room,in ln fact she had only been there twice since she started her stay at the mansion. Mrs Arnold was lying on the yellow plush massage table, surrounded by lighted and glowing candles with some slow and maybe describable as soothing music was being played in the background.Her eyes closed, with a peaceful expression gracing her face. Jessica watched as the skilled massage therapist kneaded her muscles, supposedly to ease tension and stress. The scent of essentia and expensive oils wafted through the air, "Breathe slowly ma". The therapist said softly As Mrs Arnold's breathing slowed,and her body melted into the table, Jessica knew this was not the best place to discuss her hate for Jenny while Mrs Arnold was getting rid of her stress and worries. "let go of all worries now". She continued. "Breathe in". Jessica watched in awe as Mrs Arnold's rhythmic movements continued. "You asked to see me right". Mrs Arnold spoke in her strong Caucasian accent. "That'll be later Mrs Arnold, Jessica spoke,trying to be formal. "Join me then". She invited Jessica in. Reluctantly,she followed the therapists instructions on how as she took off her clothings. After a considerable amount of silence between both women,Mrs Arnold finally spoke. "The home secretary is the reason you're here right". Mrs Arnold wasted no time asking. Jenny nodded weakly as the warm wax pressed against her skin. "I guessed as much,because I know how much you dislike getting waxed",she said with a chuckle. Jenny, knowing she'll continue talking;waited for her. "The home secretary is not a threat to you at all; Arnold is my son and he'll listen to whatever I say". Mrs Arnold raised her voice. "She's not even as classy or as hot as you," she turned to see Jessica's reaction and it was just as she expected. She blushed as Mrs Arnold made the compliment reminding her of her shape and beauty.Mrs Arnold had given hope, which she would hold onto. "Thank you so much madam", she said to the therapist. ........................................................... Fixing her boss's schedule was a very stressful and demanding one mainly due to the unavailability of her boss so as to discuss which was more important and which meeting or engagement he would love to have postponed. After drawing out a draft,she printed it and attached it to that daily duty file she had to submit everyday and also for his approval. It was 6pm and her duty as he secretary was over,she could do whatever she wished now. Her shoes were the first to get pulled off,she packed them in her hands as she walked out of her office towards her room,exhausted and dizzy. The familiar sound of the Cadillac told her her boss was home already, "Come see me immediately once you're home". That was the text he received from his mother during the day,it meant either his mother was angry at something he did wrong or something he didn't do at all. As his car sped into the driveway,he spotted his mother personal stewardess Katherine waiting to receive him. That meant his mother really wanted to see him about something urgent,the last time Katherine was out there was when the company lost millions of dollars after he pumped them into a new business venture. As he moved down the hallway to his mother's chamber,he reminisced on his parents' marriage. His parents' marriage was based on a solid principle;that two strong individuals are more likely to succeed as a couple than a relationship in which one partner's uniqueness is subjugated to the other's. They'd discussed that need early in their relationship,and were in happy agreement that such would be the linchpin of their marriage. But there were times when I'm an effort to tread heavily on either one's decisions, disagreement was couched in banter,one in which both his parents were very good at. He always enjoyed their moments of disagreement and banter. The room was empty when he entered as the door was unlocked. Streams of showered water indicated her mother's presence in the bathroom meaning he would have to wait for extra minutes before he knew why he was here. "You had a call while you were showering",Arnold said when his mother reappeared scrubbed and polished. "Who?" "I wrote down his name." He handed her a slip of paper. "I don't know any Joe Brandon". "He said he's working with Joe". "probably the plumbing company,I guess. I'll call him when I'm dressed. What's the date of your gala night?". "Ugh! How do you know that mum?"Arnold asked surprised. "You forgot the mayor is a friend of mine". She laughed heartily. He called me before he met with you this morning. Arnold watched his mother move from one end to the other end of her room,that meant she wanted to say something he probably wouldn't approve of. " What's the problem mother?" He asked, getting uneasy himself. Hanging her hands on the expensive window blinds on the window,Arnold's mother turned and made the statement Arnold was dying to hear since he got her message. "I want you to marry Jessica". Mrs Arnold stared straight at her son waiting for the full impact. "Mother...". That was the catch Mrs Arnold was waiting for so she could interrupt his speech. "You'll propose to her on the night of the gala". She concluded. "Mother... I...I...i". The devil couldn't stand up to his mother at that moment. "Good night Arnold". Her mother dismissed him as she climbed on her bed with a book in her hands. Arnold walked out of the room slowly dejected,Jessica was not his woman at all,he needed to ring his mystery woman as soon as possible, at least before the gala night. He s .