Chapter 8 Sixth Sense

• I ran to my bag, I needed some make-up to cover up my crying and discomfort. Although the hangover hadn't really helped my countenance at all, I had to at least disguise it.
• I hurried, because if I myself had heard about my break-up from the secretaries so quickly, it would be a matter of days before the gossip would spread and reach my grandfather's ears, I had to cut it off as quickly as possible. From that moment on, that was my priority.
• I walked out of my office, standing tall, face up, trying to ignore the fucking headache that was getting worse and worse, and hurried towards Mike's office.
• Outside the office, sitting behind his desk, was Lisa, Mike's secretary and mistress. What a nerve! That woman had the nerve to come to work like it was nothing, after introducing herself as my boyfriend's mistress the day before. I had always been nice to her and it turned out to be so hypocritical that she treated me with a smile.
• Now that I was in a bad mood, seeing her at work as if nothing had happened, all I wanted was to swallow her alive and shout her truths to the four winds, however, the point of my visit was that no one would find out what had happened in this love triangle. So, no matter how angry I was, I had to behave discreetly.
• “I'm here to talk to Mr. Campbell” I stopped in front of Lisa's desk and spoke with authority.
• “Mr. Campbell is not available” She answered without looking at me, the insolent one.
• “Let him know that I'm here to talk to him, it's urgent” I added, hitting with my hand the desk to force her to look at me, she looked up angrily.
• “That won't be possible, Mr. Campbell is not here, he went out to deal with very important matters and he won't be back until tomorrow” She replied irritably.
• I glared at her for a long time, and then turned to leave. I had to get out of there or I was liable to take my bad mood out on the woman and slap her. Although she definitely deserved it, I had to control myself.
• What was missing! The idiot wasn't there! I would try to call him, it was the best thing to do, I had to talk to him as soon as possible and if there was no other option, I would leave immediately for his flat, maybe there, I would have better luck.
• I went back to my office, I tried to call Mike several times without getting any answer, I was frustrated, "Because nothing goes right for me this day!
• A second later, I heard the knock on the door, I rushed out to open it, thinking that maybe Mike had arrived and received my message, but I found Taylor, my secretary.
• “Miss Ava? Excuse me, Mr. Golf sent for you”
• “I understand, thank you”
• I closed the door, banging my head against it, «My grandfather!» I had asked to speak to him alone and now I regretted it. Again my nerves were on edge, I had to go and see my grandfather, what would I do, would I tell him the truth? Or would I decide to go through with my crazy plan?
• I sighed dejectedly as I walked with a tight step towards my grandfather's office. When I arrived, I didn't see his secretary outside, so I knocked on the door and heard my grandfather's voice inviting me in, I entered the office mentally praying for everything to go well, when I saw intense blue eyes greeting me.
• My grandfather was sitting in his place in front of the huge wooden desk, while Alex and his father were sitting on the other side, smiling, as if they were close friends.
• “Excuse me, am I interrupting?” I asked, as I entered somewhat hesitantly.
• “Oh, no, no. In fact, we were just about to leave” Mr. Tomas answered me by getting up from his seat.
• “Oh, no. Don't mind me, I don't want to interrupt you” I replied backing towards the exit, it occurred to me that this was a good time to run away.
• “Ava, you told me you needed to talk to me alone” My grandfather clarified, so both guests got up and prepared to leave. I swallowed thickly, knowing that I wanted to avoid that talk alone now.
• “Yes, grandfather, but it was only because... I wanted to explain to you that I needed to leave for today, I've been feeling very bad, my head hurts, I feel dizzy and a bit nauseous” The three men stared at me, petrified.
• “Are you... Are you pregnant?” my grandfather asked in surprise.
• “No!” I shouted, anticipating so I wouldn't get into another trouble over a misunderstanding. The three men were startled by my reaction. “No, grandfather, I can assure you it's not about that..." I explained in a calmer tone. “I think... I think it was because of too much champagne last night” My grandfather understood, his expression quickly changed to one of sadness.
• “Oh, right, I understand. Well, go home and get some rest. Tomorrow is another day” He indicated somewhat subdued.
• Alex stared at him, seeming to study my grandfather's reaction, when his father, Tomas, caught his eye.
• “Son, it's time to go. Well, Mr. Golf, it's time to go too. It's been a pleasure” He reached out his hand to shake my grandfather's hand, who stood up and quickly changed his mood to a more cheerful one.
• “See you tomorrow Alex, I hope you are ready for this new challenge, but I am sure you will make a great team with my granddaughter” my grandfather pointed out.
• “I'm looking forward to working with her, I'm also sure we'll get along well” Alex replied, turning to look at me with a lopsided smile and an air of superiority.
• Rapport? What was this man's intention? Was that an innuendo? They walked past me to leave, and as they were leaving the office, Alex turned to add.
• “Mr. Golf?”
• “Yes?”
• “Please remember the reception we will be hosting this weekend in your honour, for your retirement” Then he looked at me. “I hope to see you there too, Ava” He added to leave the office, leaving me perplexed and with my pulse racing.
• The door closed and I couldn't help but ask, filled with curiosity.
• “Treat? What treat?”
• “Ah well, very kindly, our new partners offered to prepare a party for my retirement”
• “Oh, right. I see. I think they're... Very kind...” I was ready to leave, wondering why so much kindness from these newcomers, when my grandfather murmured, "You know what, Ava?”
• “You know what, Ava? That would be a great opportunity to announce an engagement” He pointed smilingly, looking down at my hands, again reaching for the ring, that made me feel bad about him, myself, and the whole plot of lies that was planned.
• “Grandpa, last night... Mike didn't ask me to marry him” I held out my hands to show him. “I don't think... I don't think you should have talked about it at the meeting”
• “Boy, that Mike is slow! I'm going to have to have a serious talk with him”
• “No, Grandpa, the truth is...” I was about to tell him the truth, when he interrupted me.
• “Calm down, daughter!” He got up from his desk, walked towards me and took my hands, then looked at me with a warm smile. “It was just a joke, I'm not going to push them” He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe it's age or an old man's sixth sense, but I'm sure that before long, you'll be engaged and I'll be very happy for you”
• My eyes glazed over, now how could I tell him the truth? How could I be able to wipe away that sweet smile?
• “Thank you, Abu” I kissed him on the cheek. “I think... I think I should go now” I managed to let out, holding back the lump in my throat.
• “Sure, sure, go rest. .... But seriously, you should suggest to Mike about the engagement at my party” He commented cheerfully, as a joke that showed his desire.
• “Sure... Well...” I stammered nervously, to leave the office at full speed.
• I left determined, I would talk to Mike, so I spent the rest of the day doing just that. I insisted on calling him, but got no answer from him. I even went by his flat, but to no avail, no one was there.
• Dejected, I decided to go home, to rest. I had to resign myself for the moment, but in the morning, when I arrived at the company, the first thing I would do was to talk to him.