Chapter 3 I Can't Stand You

• I strolled elegantly into the gigantic office, swaying my hips as I plastered a tight smile on my face. I could feel the flirtatious stares from the men and could see the envious stares from the female.
• "Good morning All!" I said loudly, commanding attention from everyone on the floor. "I am Melissa R. Luca and I'd really love it if you corporate with me"
• "Pfft" A blonde girl scoffed, gaining my attention. My eyes slowly travelled to where she was standing.
• "Excuse me? Do we have a problem?" I walked up to her, slowly. Everywhere was now as silent as a graveyard.
• "You're not the boss of us" She boldly said. I admire her for that though.
• "What's your name?" I sized her with my eyes. "And position"
• "You should know if ..."
• "Enough." I held out my hand to her face. "Come and pick up your demotion letter by 12pm today. Don't be late" I smiled sweetly.
• "De... What? You can't do that!" She yelled, eyeing me as she balled her hand into a fist "Trust me darl, I can do anything. Anything at all" I patted her shoulder before moving away from her. I could see the terror in everyone's faces They've been too pampered and it's time for them to sit up.
• "Sir! Sir... Tell her she can't demote me. I am your PA!" The blonde yelled, making me turn to see who she was talking to.
• "You demoted her?" Antonio asked, raising his eyebrow at me.
• "Can't I?" I folded my arms, challenging him to alter my judgement "You can." He nodded.
• "Sir, I am your PA" The blonde repeated.
• "His hands are tied." I smiled at her. "You better watch how you speak to me from now on before you pick a termination of contract letter instead of a demotion letter" I dared her, matching her hard and angry stares.
• "Whatever" I heard her mutter but decided to ignore it because she was just an attention seeker.
• "Show me my new office, Antonio" I said, letting him lead the way.
• "How are you today, Elisa" Antonio asked when we got to the elevator.
• "Have you transferred all the statements of financial position to my desk. I need to give it to my lawyer who happens to be an accountant to look into it for me." I asked, maintaining a good space between us as we stood inside the elevator.
• "Strictly business, I see" He scoffed. "I'll have my PA... Oh wait, you demoted her"
• "I'll pick someone else for you before the end of today. She's not PA worthy" I said, hurriedly leaving the Elevator when it opened.
• "Right" He scoffed. Again. "This way" He said, holding my forearm lightly.
• "Lead, I'll follow" I pulled my arm away from his and stood there waiting for him to lead the way. I carefully followed him, rubbing on the spot he touched me. There were times these touches literally lighted my whole day.
• "Unfortunately, we were not expecting this day to come. So we basically share office" He smirked, opening the door for me.
• "Oh really?" I raised my eyebrows at him.
• "There are basically 2 offices inside here. One was used to save all the files but it's been moved and it's been cleaned and you can use it." He said, opening another door.
• "I assume this is mine?" I walked further into the office, touching the desk.
• "Yes. Mine is right here. We really can't get away from each other, don't you think?" He smirked, leaning on my door.
• "Mr Rodriguez, you have a visitor" a man said, interrupting us.
• "Why?"
• "It's your wife" The man added.
• "Scared already?" I laughed to myself.
• "Tell her I'm busy" Antonio sneered "No, you're not" Doris said, showing up at my door. "Hi husband" She smiled, pecking him on his cheek.
• "Why are you here?" Antonio growled "You didn't have breakfast and I thought we could have one before I leave for mother's place" She said, arranging his tie.
• "Can you both please excuse me. I need to set up my office. Thank you" I smiled at them, clasping my hand.
• "Oh! Melvis?" She pointed at me, acting like she just noticed me.
• "I'm sure you'll not forget it once your husband and I start working properly because I'll make sure that's the only name you hear whenever he gets back from work" I smiled sweetly at her "You better watch yourself, Melissa!" She sneered, charging at me.
• "Doris!" Antonio said, holding her back.
• "But she started it" Doris pouted.
• "We'll leave" Antonio said, pulling Doris out.
• "You'll hear from me." Doris sneered "I'll be offended if I don't" I pouted at her, waving at her as she was being dragged.
• I sighed, taking in deep breaths once the door was shut.
• Facade? Not an easy thing but it's something that needs to be done at times.
• "A word please before I leave?" Doris said, opening my door again.
• "Sure, why not" I beckoned on her to come inside. I couldn't see Antonio anywhere close.
• "I know why you're back" She frowned, walking close to me.
• "Everyone knows" I raised my eyebrow at her. "To help revive your husband's company"
• "Oh please. Of all companies, why did you choose to revive this one" She asked, shaking from anger "Because I once loved my ex-husband and wouldn't want to see his downfall?"
• "Stop all these lies! You came to steal my man away from me! After cheating on him" She scoffed "I did?" I gasped, holding my chest "What do you mean?" She looked at me inquisitively. "You don't remember?"
• "Remember what?" I asked, looking at her confusingly.
• "You cheated on your Antonio with his step brother, Gerald. You're so shameless!" She yelled.
• "Oh! I remember now" I laughed. "That was the reason I was thrown out of my husband's house right?"
• "You're so annoying." She huffed loudly. "I will fight you"
• "And I'd be sad if you back down soon" I pouted. "Meanwhile, I didn't come back for your husband. However, I think you should keep tabs on him."
• "He will never settle for a cheat" Doris sneered "Totally agree!" I nodded.
• "I can't stand you!" She threw her hands up. "Watch out for me. Watch out!" She yelled before storming out of the office. I laughed out loud at her attitude. It was so fun to watch.
• I quickly made a call for assistance and also a database containing names of staffs in the organization. I needed to change his PA today. It's a promise.
• "Gotten everything you need?" Antonio asked as he barged into my office.
• "Yeah. However you owe me the..."
• "Statement of financial position. I got it Love, I got it." He nodded, taking a seat.
• "Don't you have things to do?" I asked "My life just got livelier, I can't lie" He smirked "Good for you. I am usually a very occupied person. I also don't like distractions."
• "We'll be having lunch together, Buttercup" He said The nickname sent chills down my body, making me adjust uncomfortably.
• "I'll be sending you our working terms tomorrow. Maybe you'd know your boundaries when you read it" I said, avoiding to look at him "I know you still have a soft spot for me" He said. "See you around, wife!"
• "I am not your wife!" I yelled frustratedly.
• "Guess?"
• "What?" I raised my eyebrow.
• The next thing that came out of his mouth left me in shock as I stared at him, wide eyed.
• "We never signed a divorce paper" He smirked.
• He wasn't lying.