Chapter 4
- "M—Mr. Martinez," Lisa called, as he walked toward her, grabbing her roughly by the arm.
- "I—I can explain," she said, as she struggled to get out of his grip.
- "Save it. I do not need any explanation from you. I have had enough of you and your stories. This would be the last straw, no more. " He raged, shoving her roughly into his office.
- "Please, I had a good reason this time." Her voice was shaky, and her eyes pricked.
- Martinez yelled angrily, "Shut it!"
- He shoved her deeper into his office, causing her to land on her buttocks.
- A whimper escaped her lips, as a tear fell onto the floor.
- "How could you?"
- Chloe hissed as she ran to her friend's aid.
- "How dare you push her like that? Have you no decency for a lady?"
- "Get out, Chloe. This does not concern you. "Mr. Martinez growled, a dark frown on his face.
- "When it comes to my friend, it does, and you treating her like that, clearly pertains to me," Chloe explained, with a determined look on her face.
- "Do you have a death wish, Chloe?" Mr Martinez's gaze was hostile.
- "Are you threatening me, Martinez? Of all the people, you chose to threaten me? Have you forgotten about me so quickly?"
- Chloe asked, lowering her head a little, as she cast a menacing gaze at him.
- Martinez clenched his fists beside him, as he turned sour.
- The only thing he wanted right now, was to kill the little brat in front of him.
- Chloe was the real owner of the restaurant. Her father was wealthy, and he had handed the company over to this brat of a daughter to oversee it.
- She was here to monitor him, nothing else but that. It was because of this brat here, that he could not spend as he used to.
- His face contorted in disgust, as he gazed hatefully at the two women before him.
- Lisa stared at the two in front of her, as her brows wrinkled in confusion at Chloe's words.
- Her eyes glazed with unshed tears, as she stared at her friend's back.
- The tension and hate that radiated from both of them, filled the room, and almost choked her.
- "T—this still does not concern you, Chloe. You have no right whatsoever to tell me what to do, and how to do it. Especially not with my employees. " He seethed through gritted teeth.
- "Your employees?" Chloe remarked, astonished.
- "They are your employees now? Since when?" She asked, with a sardonic smirk playing on her lips.
- "Since I am in charge." He glared at Chloe, banging his fists on the table.
- "Oh?" She chuckled darkly. Her gaze was mockingly set on him.
- "What's so funny?"
- He demanded, slamming his fists on the table, louder this time, which frightened Lisa a little.
- "You." She mused as she held her stomach and giggled.
- "You are a clown, you know that?" She scowled at him.
- "That's it!" Martinez shouted as he reached to grab Chloe and drag her out.
- "I have had enough of you, and your obnoxious behaviour. I will not tolerate any further insults from you."
- He grabbed her arm roughly, his grip hard as it left a bruise.
- "Let go of my arm this instant!" Chloe roared, as the pain intensified in her arm.
- His grip on her arm tightened, as she struggled to get away from him.
- They were so focused on themselves, that they had forgotten about the person on the floor, on her buttocks.
- Lisa saw the pain etched in her friend's face. She couldn't bear to sit and do nothing.
- Chloe was the only person who had stood with her when her mother and she could not do a thing.
- Chloe was stubborn and spoiled. Yes, Lisa knew that, but she(Chloe) had a heart of gold.
- Chloe never looked down on them and helped people however she could.
- How could she sit here and watch this happen?
- Lisa's body had a mind of its own at that moment.
- She didn't know what possessed her, or what came over her. The next thing she knew, she was standing right in front of Mr Martinez, with her right hand raised.
- Smack!
- His head was whisked to the other side, as her fingers were imprinted on his skin.
- Her hand froze, and so did she, along with Chloe and Mr Martinez.
- Chloe slid her arm painstakingly out of his grip, once she saw he was distracted by the slap.
- Mr. Martinez stared at Lisa wide-eyed, his mouth hanging open.
- "A—am sorry." Lisa's lips quavered, as she spoke. Her eyes were brimming with tears.
- "No! Don't apologise to him, Lisa. He deserves it for being a pig, and a fool. "
- Chloe said firmly. Her hard gaze was on the pot-bellied man standing in front of them, with his mouth open.
- "You hit me?"
- Mr Martinez inquired. His face was etched in confusion.
- "I didn't mean—" Lisa was cut off, by the sharp voice of Chloe.
- "Yes, she did. What are you going to do about it?" she quirked.
- Lisa's face grew in horror as she stared at her friend, lost for words.
- She tried to talk, but the firm look Chloe sent her way shut her up instantly.
- Rage swirled within his heart, as his once blank stare turned dark.
- He clenched his fists tightly, as his nails dug into his palms, drawing out blood.
- He glared at the panic-stricken Lisa briefly, before settling his gaze on Chloe.
- "Fire her." He hissed, his voice cold and grey, as he spoke.
- His face was static and void of any emotion, as he swept his hostile gaze past them.
- "You can't do that," Chloe growled.
- "Watch me." He threatened as he made his way to his desk.
- "You have no right or power to dismiss an employee while I am here."
- Chloe held onto Lisa as tight as she could, as she gave him a lopsided smirk.
- "Security." He called over the phone, grinning mischievously at them.
- "Bastard." She muttered under her breath, as her smile fell.
- She knew what he did. No one knew she was the boss here, and he took advantage of that fact, by calling security.
- "Get—"
- She ran over to him and snatched the phone from him before he could utter another word.
- He scowled; "Give it here, Chloe. You are only making matters worse than they already are."
- "Please, give it back Chloe." Lisa's pathetic voice rang out.
- "You, shut up!" Chloe lashed out, whipping her head to face her, a deep frown on her beautiful face.
- She smashed the phone on the floor, before stomping on it, with all her might.
- Lisa watched in horror at what Chloe had just done. Her legs shook, and her knees gave out.
- Her face went pale looking at the angry Chloe, who continued stomping on the broken phone.
- Mr Martinez hurriedly ran over and pushed Chloe roughly, making her land on her sides.
- He crouched by the phone, which lay in pieces. He tried to put them back together, but they were damaged beyond repair.
- His eyes flashed in anger, as he looked at the pieces before his gaze settled on Lisa.
- It's all her fault. He thought.
- The phone was craftsman-made. It belonged to none other than Mr Francis. Chloe's father.
- He always gave one to his employees, whom he trusted the most. It represented power.
- Going to events, just holding the phone, brought one recognition and respect.
- The phone was worth over a million dollars, and Chloe had just destroyed it, but it was because of this fool Lisa.
- Chloe had never cared or been interested in his affairs, but ever since Lisa appeared, she changed.
- He had called Lisa here, just to threaten her to leave by paying her a huge sum. He never knew Chloe was behind him.
- "It's because of you. It is all your fault. " He cried out, with his eyes flashing with hate as he walked towards her.
- Lisa tried to run but was shaken with fear. She stared in horror, her tears flowing heavily down her cheeks.
- "I will end you!" He seethed, as he ran toward her at full speed, closing in the gap.
- At that moment, Lisa knew she should have ran when her gut told her to.