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12. Lillian
I still couldn't help but wonder about what Nina had just told me. I mean who would believe it, they have never shown like they know each other. I walk into my penthouse only to notice Danny staring at me with wide eyes.
" I know that look," He said as he rubs his hands on his eyes like someone who has just woken up.
I pretended not to hear him as I sat down on the couch opposite him. Different thoughts were going through my mind, as I wonder if I should ask him about it or not. I mean they were together the night Michael and Nina met.
"Did you know about Michael and Nina?" I finally ask him as I look at him? I expected him to look shocked or react in any way as I had reacted but not to look like he had known all along. He shrugs and focuses on the television without saying anything.
I was getting annoyed" What do you mean by that?"
"I mean I knew about it, Michael told me after that night" He finally said as he looks at me.
" So you knew and you didn't tell me about it?"
"Babe?" He made to hold my hands but I refuse. He gave up and return to his seat on the couch "It wasn't in my place to tell, and Michael warned me not to"
"But I'm your wife to be and we promise no secret between us" I rub my hands tiredly through my hair frustrated.
" Yes I know, but I'm not hiding anything from you and that was not my secret to tell"
"Do you prefer to keep the secret between Michael and you and hurt me your wife to be," I ask him not understanding what he said?
" Stop acting childishly. This is nothing, don't make it into something".
"Oh. I'm overreacting right. You called this me being childish. Who does that?
Danny was annoyed too, he walks into our room and pack some of his clothes, and made to walk out.
"Are you walking out on me?"
"Yes," He walks out and closes the door.
I sat down heavily on the couch. It's the first time we've ever fought like this. I don't even know why I'm getting angry right now.
I picked up the remote and tune in to the 9 p.m. News and saw Nina and Austin's press conference, how she stood up for Austin. I always knew that Austin was in love with someone else. So when he told me that he and Nina were dating, I knew it was a bluff. He's only using Nina's kindness and not at least interested in what is going on with her. With this resolution in mind, I dial Michael's number. He picks it after the third ring.
"Hey Lillian I was just about to call you"
"Hi Michael, um um can we talk tomorrow. I need to see you.
"Hope it's no problem," He asks, confused as I rarely call him.
"No, nothing just want to discuss a few things with you"
"About Danny right?"
"Kind of"
"Okay," He said and hung up. Then I went to bed with a smile on my face that I will rewrite my wrongs.
***
Michael
The next morning, I stroll into a "quick bite" opposite my Villa to take a cup of coffee and to wait for Lillian. I still can't believe that she called me yesterday. I've been planning for the past two days now on how to talk to her but thank God that she called yesterday. I try reaching out to Danny but he wouldn't pick my calls.
"Good morning Mr. Thompson " the waitress greeted me, immediately I step Into the restaurant. The whole place smells of freshly baked burgers and croissants.
"Good morning Linda. Get me the usual" she smiled and left after she has shown me to my usual table.
I was on a call with Aurora my Assistant when Lillian walk in, I gesture to her to give me a minute as I spoke to Aurora.
"Yes..yes… Tell him that I will meet him at noon"
"But sir you have an appointment with Deborah Melton at 12noon"
"What appointment is that?"
"You are to accompany her to the spa"
"Cancel that and fix me a meeting with Mr. Leonardo at 12noon. And inform the board that there will be a board meeting at 5 pm. Send them a text,".
"Okay, Sir. I will do that now"
"That will be all for now," I hung up the call as I turn to face Lilian, she was already seated and she was sipping her tea quietly.
"I'm sorry for that " I apologize to her.
"It's nothing" she smiles at me.
"So what do you want to see me for?"
" Nina told me about what happens between the two of you" She watched my face for any reactions. But I still maintain my blank face.
"Really?. You didn't know about it?" I ask her, I always thought she knew and they were best friends.
" No. Neither Nina nor Danny told me anything about it. I just found out yesterday that he knew about this, and I was the only one who was kept in the dark".
"I'm sorry about Danny, I instructed him not to tell anyone"
" It's Okay. I was just shocked that's all ".
"I understand. Anyway, that happened a long time ago. She has a boyfriend now and I'm engaged to be married soon" I shrug nonchalantly.
"Really?" Lilian said raising an eyebrow at me not believing me.
She sat back on the chair and fold her hands together to regard me" But that wasn't what I saw at the Masquerade ball yesterday " She continues, while still looking at me.
"What did you see?" I ask her as I look at her unfazed and cross my legs across the table.
"I saw love and jealousy in your eyes. But since I didn't know what happen between you two, I write it off as my imagination but now I know better. So I'm only going to ask you this question once and after that, I won't disturb you anymore".
I sit up as I turn to regard her. " Do you love Nina?" She asks. I look at her shocked. I mean I never would have thought that she could ask me such a question. I don't even know what to say, if I say no, she will never ask me about it and she is the only one I need on my side right now.
"Yes. I love her so much " I admitted my feelings for Nina to her as I avoided eye contact with her. I hate admitting my weakness and I've just bared my soul to her.
Her lips curve into a smile as I watch the grin spread across her face" Okay. I will help you"
"But I don't know what to do with Nina, she's dating Austin now".
"Michael, you and I both know that Austin is not in love with Nina, He's only using her. And to think that I brought them together " she said bitterly.
"This is not your fault. We just have to find our way around it" I reach forward to hold her hands. She smiles appreciatingly at me.
"Why do you think Austin is doing this?. I mean no one except the three of us knows that you both have history. I can't seem to wrap my head around it"
"Yes," I replied surprised too. I mean I've often wondered about it but I was never sure.
Lilian turns to regard me closely as she drew nearer to me and whispers " What if someone else knew about you two and tell him?"
I gasp" You mean like an accomplish"
"Yes"
"Who could that be? I pause as realization dawn on me" Deborah" I whisper, how could I not see it. They have been working together.
It's no wonder they have been meeting each other often lately. And they have been calling and texting each other lately.
" We'll have to find out about that? Lillian said as she drops her cup and stood up to straighten her dress. She was about to leave.
"Thank you for today, Lillian. Let me drop you off " I said as I stood up too, I'm very glad that I met her today, and as for Deborah, I will deal with her later.
"Thanks for your offer, but I brought my car," She said as we both walk outside to where she parked her red Lamborghini. I open the driver's side door for her to get in…
Thank you, Lillian. You can check Danny at his parents " I smiled at her as I wink at her knowingly.
She smiled back and she sticks her head out " Don't worry Michael, I will set up a meeting with the two of you" I grin at her "I will be looking forward to seeing you at the location " she said as she drove off.
I stood gasping at her. I have forgotten that today is her pre-wedding photoshoot and I need to be present. I need to cancel the board meeting then and slot it in for tomorrow being Monday.
I stroll into my car and drive off to work for my meeting with Mr. Leonardo while also wondering about Nina.
I walk into my office to meet Aurora sitting down patiently and waiting for me. I'm so glad that I made that decision to employ her then, even though she was young and inexperienced but she's very efficient. She is also very beautiful, I had a fling with her for two months after her resumption but that's in the past now.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Thompson " She greeted me as she stood up to straighten her blue mini skirt.
I brush past her as I acknowledge her with a nod and sat down on my desk" Is Mr. Leonardo here?"
" Yes sir. He has been waiting at the reception for quite some time now" She replied
"Good. Send him in" I told her as she turns to walk out " And another thing " I raise my head from my computer to look at her, she turns back waiting for me to continue" Cancel the board meeting at 5 pm today and slot it in for tomorrow at2 pm"
"Okay, sir " She replied and walk out
After some minutes, a short plump man with a potbelly walks in, looking scared and nervous.
I look at him amused" M.r Leonardo" I offer him the seat in front of me. He sat down fidgeting.
"Information as reach me that the Thompson's Hotel in Italy has not been up to standard despite the huge sum of money you took out from the company's account for the renovation of the hotel" I rest my back on the chair as I look at him in the eyes. He quickly lowers his head.
"I– don't –know– anything– sir, " He said stammering as he fought to control his nerves.
I was getting impatient, when he was embezzling the money, he did not know that I will find out " You didn't know what?" I slammed my fist on the table as I stood up.
He went on his knees" Please sir, forgive me, I didn't know that it has gone that far. I promise I will never do it again" He cried as he begged me profusely. " please sir, I have two kids, they are still young. Please have mercy on me" He turns to grab my legs, I push him off me.
" You should have thought about your kids before embezzling money from the company's account. I can't believe my father made you a manager. You are not qualified to be one" I said my voice thick with venom.
"Officers" I called out to the policemen waiting outside my office. They all work in" Take him into custody, our company's attorney will be in touch with you".
They dragged him out of my office just as Aurora walk in surprised that I didn't disfigure his face before calling the police.
"Yes," I call to her, as she stood looking at me perplexed.
"Sorry sir, " She said as she pulled herself together to her professional self " Miss Melton is waiting for you in the reception".
"Okay. I will be with her shortly " She turned to leave while I gather my things and straighten my tie as I got ready to leave with Deborah for Lilian's photoshoot.
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