Chapter 11
Eve’s POV
I woke up very early the next day; I’m already fond of it. Haven had my bathe, I put on a casual gown, it was at the same time looking kinda official. I viewed myself through the mirror and smiled as I admire my beauty. Yes I know I’m beautiful, it’s probably not obvious because of the struggles I have been through.
“Oh, God! I’m really doing this” I said to myself and smiled a little bit.
I could sense that Liam was awake too because I could hear a slow and solemn music playing out from his room and I could also hear Mark speaking to someone on phone.
I went down the stairs to the kitchen to prepare the breakfast like I’m supposed to do so. Anyways, It didn’t take me so much time. While I was still setting the table; Liam walked downstairs. Looks like he is indeed ready for work too. He was dressed in a suit and looked really corporate.
“Good Morning Liam” I said to him.
He nodded his head; examining what I was doing…
“Morning ” He finally replied me.
“I… Uhm just thought that we could have something in our belly before going to work” I told him, avoiding not to stutter.
He simpered and said; “Are you sure you are not better off a cook?”
I smiled but he scorned and added; “That’s not supposed to be a compliment” then he pulled out a chair to sit on.
Just then Mark and Mr. Maya came to the dining room at the same time and we all exchanged casual pleasantries.
“Since Helen is not here; I mean you don’t have to call on her but just so you know, I can take care of the meal” I told them.
“You cooked this?” Mark asked taking a seat next to his brother.
“Yeah, I did” I answered him.
“What’s the difference, you know what Eve, if you prefer to be in charge of the cooking? It’s fine… It’s not necessary you work in a company” Liam said.
“Liam, I thought we are over this” Mr. Maya said, as he sat next to his young wife.
“Yes, we are. I’m… I am only giving your little wife my brilliant suggestion” Liam said.
I tried to ignore him and dished out everyone’s meal…
“Eve, do not repeat this for your good. I usually skip breakfast and stop by the company’s cafe to get what to eat but if need be, I’ll convince Helen to stay here again, so that she can prepare the breakfast” Mr. Maya said.
“Why did she leave in the first instance?” Mark asked.
“Errm… I don’t know. Her opinion though” He uttered and began to eat.
“The meal is not bad at all. Keep it up Eve” Mark complimented me.
“Thank you Mark ” I smiled at him.
Liam gave his brother an awful look but the guy didn’t even notice him… He was busy enjoying the meal while Liam ate slowly as if I’m forcing him to.
We ate silently like one big family; Okay deep down we are not.
“I am done here” Liam was the first to drop his cutleries, drank a glass of water then he stood up.
“Uhn..”
He carried his small fancy briefcase.
“Whao Liam… Your outfit. It’s really been a while since I saw you put on suits… I mean just look at you; you are looking like a president, a billionaire ” Mark commented.
“He took after his father” Mr. Maya said as he took a tissue and wiped his lips.. then he stood up too.
“No Dad, never you say that. I didn’t take after you one bit” Liam remarked and his brother giggled.
“And uhm looks like someone is not ready for work at all” I knew right away that he was referring to me.
“I’m ready” I blurted… stood up instantly and dropped my spoon. I haven’t even eaten much from the plate… I guess I just have to let go.
“I swear, I’m all set” I said again and he smiled in his usual mischievous way.
“I’ll see you all off” Mark said (he was still putting on his night wears). He followed us out of the house. Robert was just there, I wondered if he stands here all day.
“Good morning ” I said to Robert.
“Good morning” He bow his head perfunctory.. (Greeting everyone at once)
He smiled when he saw me holding my new phone; little did he know what has befallen me in this house of commotion.
“Your.. your meal is in the kitchen” I whispered to Robert but I know they all heard me…
I don’t know why Liam wouldn’t stop giving me this stern look… I haven’t even done anything wrong and I’m trying to be perfect for him.. If at all he can’t accept me as his stepmom, what about his friend?
“Can you drive?” Liam asked me.
“Not at all” I responded.
“Not at all” He mimicked.
“I guess you would trek or board the public bus” Liam said…
“Uhnn” I muttered as if I didn’t hear him what he just said.
“Liam..” Even his brother, Mark was shocked.
“You would do no such thing to her Liam” Mr. Maya said.
“Oh, you think so? Perhaps, you should drive her in your car” Liam said; already walking to his car and I followed him closely.
“That can’t be possible and you know it! It’s not the same path”
“Dad Just call the Driver or what happened to him?” Mark asked.
“He drives recklessly, so I fired him, and ever since then, I’ve been driving myself. I actually wanted to employ another driver but most of them out there are all poke nosers ” His father told him.
“I don’t get it Dad, did you fire him because he was reckless or does he poke noses?”
“Both” He replied; “Liam” Mr. Maya obstructed him from opening the car door.
“What is it Daddy?” He questioned.
“I can’t leave yet. Come on Liam, since you and Eve are going to the same place, why can’t you…” Liam cut in sharply.
“Can you not see what she is putting on? Look at her. Gosh, I made a very big mistake by telling her to work with me” Liam said..
“I’m sorry” I muttered and he scorn.
“No, see Liam you don’t have to be mean just because you dislike her. You know something about hatred, when you don’t like someone you’ll find every little thing the person does irritating and annoying..” Mark said.
“Uuggh… There you go again… Admonishing like the only good man in this world” Liam stated and hissed.
“Fine.. Now listen Eve, I’m irritated by every petty thing you do, so let there be reasonable space between us” He ordered.
“Okay” I responded.
Mr. Maya stopped blocking his door then Liam opened the door and entered but because I was still following him closely so that I won’t leave me behind… I wanted to enter through that same door… And what? Sit on him?
“Are you gonna sit on me?” Liam almost shouted.
“I’m sorry” I apologized and rushed to the other door.
“Dad, did you just see what I was just talking about?” He shouted… Mr. Maya didn’t say anything.
“Sorry” I apologized again and opened the other door to sit next to him.
“Go to the back seat” He ordered and jammed both sides door.
What more can I do? I sat at the back quietly
“Bye. Drive safe” Mark waved at him.
“Bye, Be bored at home” Liam replied.
I waved at Robert who was gazing at me. He must have seen it all… That I’m not happy, that I am only enduring the pain and this is probably how I will continue to endure till the very end.
I didn’t say anything in the car while he drove, I kept looking at my new phone. (Mr. Maya already saved his number and I saved Helen’s number yesterday; Good I scribbled her contact number in a book before she left).
We arrived at the company in a few minutes, he got down from the car. Of course, I wasn’t expecting him to open the door for me. So I just got down too and stepped forward.
Everyone that saw Liam stepping out of the car, came around to welcome him with so much enthusiasm; some of them furthered by asking about his college life and how he has been, blah blah blah… They were also gazing at me and I could hear them murmuring and whispering to themselves ~’Who is she?”
Liam acted nice to them all but when their pleasantries were getting too much, he raised his voice. They paved way for him to walk into the big building. I followed him behind like a little puppy with his briefcase with me.
The indoor workers did the same thing; probably because he has answered the same questions they were throwing at him; he yelled at them at once.
“Arrange the meeting hall, and every one of you should gather there within five minutes” He ordered; indeed like the managing director he was. This post can’t even be mine. What would I say or do? The company will surely go bankrupt.
“Come with me” Liam said to me… I was almost engrossed with the entire view of the new environment that I didn’t know he has taken further steps away from me.
Here; they call him Mr . Liam; looks like Liam has won their respect through his arrogant attitude and his manner of speaking.
We got to a spacious office-looking foyer; I thought that was his office but he walked furthermore towards a door in the room. He collected his briefcase from me and shove the keys out of it. He inserted the keys into the hole and unlocked the door.
“Whao is this your office?” I swear I didn’t know when I asked that question.
Anyways he replied after entering and shutting the door.
The room was wide, neat, and sparkling… it has the office side of it and a small palor and of course; it has this luxurious and important aura.
“Gosh! Its been a long time here” He sat on the mesh chair and turned around.
“Oh yes” He looked at me as if he has forgotten that I’m in here.
“Where is that document?” He asked himself as he searched the cabinet attached to the underneath part of the table.
“Found it!” He placed the file on the table that is right in front of him. He took a pen and wrote some things down.
“Now sign here” He commanded when he was done, I collected the pen from him and obeyed.
“Sign again” He said.
“Uhnn” I did that anyway.
He took another paper;
“Now write your name here and sign here” He instructed again and I complied without any hesitation.
“Good. Keep this one to yourself ” He gave me another file, similar to the one Mr . Maya gave to me yesterday.
“Have this booklet too” He handed over a small book to me.
“Make sure you go through it. It’s everything you have to know about the company. Good, you’ve signed all papers without even scanning through what was written in there. I can alternate your wages if you go against the rules” He said and I was like What? No, I didn’t react that (what?) way on the outside, instead I nodded like an obedient new staff.
“Now come with me to the meeting hall” He stood up from his mesh seat, I let him walk to the door first while i stayed behind him.
“This is your office” He told me.
That same elegant office that is connected and close to his own office is mine?
I opened my eyes and mouth in awe. He really meant it when he said he was gonna monitor me closely. It was only a glass wall that separated my department from his but from his own office; the glass wall was transparent.
I was so confused about what sentiment to feel, is it to be happy that I have a job and an office or to be worried over the fact that Liam would make my life more miserable?
“You will settle down here immediately we are done with the meeting ” He said.
“Yes sir” I responded
He obviously felt big, when I called him ‘sir’.
We didn’t meet anyone on our way to the hall, they must have all gathered there just like he ordered earlier.
“We are here” We were standing in front of another door.
“This is the meeting hall, as soon as we go in, find any vacant seat. I’m not gonna repeat myself twice” He warned me beforehand then turned the doorknob and walked in, raising up his jacket like the boss he was.
They were all sitting but as soon as we came in; they stood up and gave a little bow. Rich people have all authority… I’m sure that some of them here could be older than Liam but they paid all due respect.
I found a vacant seat and scurried towards it.. since they were all still standing, I stood on my feet too.
“Good morning to you all” Liam broke the silence, resuming by clearing his throat then he smiled cheerfully.
This is the very first time I’ll see him giving a cheerful smile, he has been brusque and always giving a mischievous and cruel kind of expression, talk more of a smile.
He sat down on the mesh chair that is at the center of the long table.. and after him, everyone sat down wherever they were (They were about twelve in numbers). I sat down too as they did…
“Get up Eve” Liam said; drawing everyone’s attention back toward me.
” Uhnn” I obeyed immediately.
“Everyone, meet Ms. Eve Maya” Liam said to them.
That’s how the little gossips, whispers and murmurings began;
~Maya? Is that not Mr. Liam’s last name?
~Maya?
~ Is that his sister?
~She can’t be his sister, Mr . Maya has only two sons
~ Who is she?
~Why is she bearing his last name?
~ Is it a coincidence or is Mr . Liam secretly married?
~Is she Mr. Liam’s Fiancee or new girlfriend?
~ She can’t be related to the Maya’s family, it’s definitely coincident. Can’t you see that she’s not gorgeously dressed?
I heard them. I heard everything.
Liam cleared his throat; loud and clear to draw their awareness back to him and they were all calm again.
“Eve introduce yourself first and then they’ll do the same”
“Ohh” I uttered slowly then faced them properly.
“Good morning… everyone” I greeted them diligently.
“I am Eve Joe” I told them. Yeah! Joe is my own father’s name.
“Eve Joe..?” Liam mouthed and giggled.
~What’s happening here? Didn’t Liam say she’s Eve Maya?
~(Sigh) He probably made a mistake mentioning his own last name.
“Yes, I’m Eve Joe” I repeated; “And it’s my pleasure being in your midst” I added.This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
~ “Nice meeting you Ms. Eve Joe”
~”Welcome”
~”I hope we’ll get along ”
They answered back graciously.
You see; I look older than my age.
I smiled at them back then looked at Liam who was busy looking at me with his hand on his jaw. He bit his lips when our eyes met.
“Uhm.. uhnuhn” He slid his hand down to his neck and gave it a slight pinch.
“Okay now… You all should do the same. Starting from the back” Liam commanded.. and the lady sitting at the back stood up to introduce herself.
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