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Chapter 4 - What is a fine man without manners?

I was weak in the knees, I tried to think but it wasn't working. Plus, his hand was unbelievably close to mine on the table. Barely an inch and we'd be touching.

Was he gonna touch me after ignoring my existence for two weeks?

I mean, I don't mind it but we gotta be logical, yeah?

I watched his lips curve into a mischievous smirk as his hand moved. I held my breath but I didn't feel the touch. My eyes darted to the table to see that he had passed my hand and instead, picked a strawberry from the plate just beside my hand, throwing it into his mouth. He chuckled.

Whattt?

It felt like the ground should open up and swallow me. I was utterly embarrassed and to add to it, my cheeks had turned a deep shade of pink. I shook my head, rather unnecessarily, and made to back away from him. Barely moved an inch when I hit something hard and almost fell.

Yes! Your imagination is right this time. He caught me.

Before the pain hit me, I was consumed by the sudden feeling of his hand around my waist. Warm and firm.

And then came the pain!

“ Ouch!" I cried out, shutting my eyes as the shock wave passed through me.

I didn't hear a ‘sorry’ or an ‘are you okay?’ or anything. All I got was silence and when I opened my eyes, he was staring intently at me.

What is a fine man without manners? I scoffed internally.

Fueled by my irritation this time, I pulled myself out of his hold and placed a reasonable distance between us this time.

“ Mr Jayden, you can't just turn to the corners to derail us out of the conversation we were having." I spoke up, trying my best to make my voice sound firm and steady.

He stepped back too.

“ There is no conversation, Daphne."

Oh now, it's Daphne!

“ What do you mean there's no conversation? You just told me to quit my job… no, you didn't tell me to. You said you've quit my job for me, already, without my consent or prior discussion. That's not right.” I stated.

He stared at me for a while before heaving. Then, he crossed his arms over his chest and began speaking,

" Your company offers limited bonuses and opportunities to married individuals, most especially women. According to them, married individuals should focus more on their homes and not on the job so they give you less jobs and less clients and as a writer, you know that the more you stay out of appearance, the sooner your name fades. Am I correct?”

He was asking for confirmation but the look on his face and the air around him made it clear that he was totally aware of what he was talking about.

And here I am, totally confused.

" How do you… how do you know all of that?" I wondered out loud.

" You didn't know?” his brows were arched at me again.

“ I… ummm…”

He chuckled, as if my mutter was his confirmation.

" That aside, you're married to someone whom every lady desires, both of rich status and the low. They could make any move on you if they get the chance too, because they think you have something they want.”

My mind blanked out for a second. They think? So I didn't actually have him even though we're married.

That's new!

“ So, you're not as safe as you used to be and stepping out everyday is a risk that you shouldn't take. You can write in the comfort of your room where I know you're safe and you can still go global, more than you did working with them. So this ain't some power trip, I'm just looking out for you." Jayden finished.

I was so stunned that I couldn't say anything. He had indirectly shut me up with his words. For a minute, I could only part my lips and shut them back, looking for the right words to get my sentence straight.

Finally, I spoke up.

" Still, you could have told me about all of this.”

His expression didn't falter and his gaze didn't waver.

" If you could give me one reason why, or one valid thing telling you would have changed, then maybe I'll admit that I'm wrong.”

Again, I was stunned. The audacity!

" It's my life for crying out loud.” I blurted out.

He chuckled. You know that type of chuckle that told the other person that what he/she was saying didn't make sense, yes, that type.

His next words caught me off guard.

" Says the person who got married to a stranger for the benefits her family would get.”

This time, my mouth went wide open. What the… ?

" Do have a great day, wife.” I watched him stuff his hands in his pocket and turn his back on me, walking away the same way he came.

Did he just insult me and call me wife?

Felt like he had slapped shit on my face and added a cherry kiss on it.

What the… ?

Not only had I lost my appetite, I had lost all the energy I had saved up for today. His words wouldn't stop ringing in my head as I made my way out of the building.

I had long expected that I won't be able to use my modest car to go anywhere anymore but I didn't expect the trail of cars and guards dressed in black three-piece suits that I was sure my monthly salary wouldn't be able to afford.

I heaved.

God! This is so embarrassing!

One of them approached me, the only one who looked human enough. I mean, he had a smile on his face unlike the rest who gave off robotic vibes.

Not just any robots, I must add! Their creator had probably had a fall-out with his wife on the day he made them. Why else were their faces sculpted into a frown?

“ Ma'am, I'm Jeffrey and I'm your assistant, if you'd like to put it that way." He said, his voice lighthearted and calm.

“ Assistant?" I asked, narrowing my eyes in question.

“ Yes, I'm supposed to be with you wherever you go, whatever you do and do everything you say. I'm basically like your shadow now." Jeffrey said.

“ Whatever I do?"

“ Well, no… I didn't mean it that way…”

I laughed lightly.

" I understand what you mean. I'm just messing with you." I said.

He smiled back, nodding. I think I like him already.

No! Not what you're thinking!

Jeffrey led me to the car and the driver drove us out. I had managed to reduce the apportioned convoy of four cars to two instead. I didn't want to show up looking like something I'm not.

We arrived at the building I had worked in for years and all I could do was heave.

“ I'd like to go in alone, please." I said to Jeffrey.

Surprisingly, he agreed.

The building was just the same. Not like any tangible change could be done in just two weeks. I tried my best to smile as I walked past the desks of the people I used to work with. The nice ones smiled back and the rest of them stared warily at me, whispering words I didn't want to hear.

I still heard them anyway.

“ How do you think she managed to marry Mr Horton?"

“ She probably seduced or blackmailed him. She isn't even worth it."

“ I told you all she was no good. The way she kept to herself was so sus."

Since when did choosing to be by one's self become something suspicious?

I ignored them and went on to the Director's office. It was all talk and talk and I won't bore you with the details of that. The Director and I never got along normally, he was always on my neck and I was always on my toes whenever around him so I couldn't wait to get it done and over with.

We finished. I signed whatever I had to and I picked up my properties, which was very little, by the way. As soon as this was done, I excused myself, super pleased to leave this place.

However, as I made my way out the door, my heart stopped as my eyes fell on the last person I wanted to see.

My ex-fiance.

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