"Isabel!," the voice was thunderous and filled with rage.
It was Marcus, Isabel's boyfriend. Apparently, something had gone wrong between the both of them and it wasn't something they could resolve peacefully.
Isabel flinched where she sat on the floor. She wiped her face quickly trying to mask up, but she was too shaken to attempt that.
Instinctively, Valerie stood up.
"What are you doing here this early morning?" She asked positioning herself between Marcus and Isabel as some sort of defence.
"Stay out of this, I only came for Isabel" he replied, his eyes like blades, cutting through her soul.
Valerie remained unfazed, something kept pushing her forward.
"Don't try whatever you're thinking sir, not today, not here" she said, her own voice firm and loud.
The room fell silent as her words hung heavy in the air. Everyone was startled, including Marcus. He couldn't believe a lady just stood up to him.
Valerie's heart pounded, but she didn't move.
"You don't know who you're messing with young lady" he sounded as a note of warning.
"As for you", he said pointing towards Isabel, "I'm done with you, this is it".
"She's done with you too" Valerie shot back impulsively.
Marcus's jaw tightened, his nostrils flaring. Then, with a muttered curse, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door so hard it rattled the windows.
Valerie stood at the same place, unsure of what to do, that was when the customers started trickling in.
Isabel quickly adjusted her apron, brushing her hair back and fixing her makeup like nothing had happened.
Within some minutes, the shop was filled with the smell of coffee and pastries as the morning rush began, and just like that, the scene was buried under the noise of clinking cups and orders being called out.
But Valerie couldn't shake it off.
—-----------------------------------------------------
Work was over for the day, and as Valerie made to leave, Isabel's voice halted her
"Valerie…please wait"
Valerie froze, surprised and impressed with what she just heard…. "Please?"
She turned to face Isabel, her expression softer than she had ever seen it. She looked vulnerable, almost shy.
I just…" Isabel hesitated, the words were hard to form. "Thank you. For standing up for me today. When I couldn't do it myself. I don't know how you did."
"He hits you right?" Valerie asked, even when she already knew the answer.
"Some….sometimes" Isabel stuttered, her head bent in shame.
Valerie tilted her head. "Why then are you still with him?...you know he's not good for you"
"He was my first, you know?, the only person beside my family who ever looked at me like I mattered".
She exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of her own words.
"But this is the last time, I promise, I'm done with him for real this time.
She drew closer, her voice almost a whisper.
"Please, don't tell my brother about this. You know how protective he can get. I don't want any more trouble. Just… keep this between us."
Valerie thought for a few seconds, then she nodded slowly, "Kay" she muttered, still unsure of what to make of the whole thing.
To her greatest surprise, Isabel leaned in and gave her a hug. A quick, tight hug, gone almost as fast as it came.
Valerie stood frozen, her bag still hanging from one shoulder. What was that?
Before she could even process, Isabel pulled back with a small smile, then turned away.
—---------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, back at Apex Energy drinks international, the rumors were already finding their way to everyone's lips.
"The CEO is looking for a surrogate!"
Cynthia was on her way to Richard's office to deliver some files that came in earlier that morning.
As she got closer to his office, she heard it, soft moans coming from inside the room. Low, breathless broken up with hurried whispers.
Richard was at it again, this time she wondered who it was.
She took a step back, clutching the envelope against her chest. "Should I leave, pretend I never came?"
But her curiosity got the best of her. She leaned in noiselessly towards the door frame, the edge of her eye catching a sliver of movement through the keyhole.
Richard's broad frame, and a lady whom she didn't recognize. She was bent over the office table with Richard already inside her, moving with deep sharp thrusts like his life depended on it.
Cynthia let out a sigh unknowingly and quickly placed her palm over her mouth, hushing her sounds, but Richard was too far gone to even hear.
He kept riding till they both reached climax
This was a normal occurrence with Richard, but each time it happens, Cynthia couldn't help but feel painful bitterness burning holes in her chest.
Jealousy?... they weren't even a thing.
Dropping into her chair, Isabel buried her face in her hands. "What exactly is wrong with me?"
—---------------------------------------------------------
That same evening, Richard just got back from work. He unlocked the front door of his mansion and walked in tiredly.
The house was quiet except for occasional comments from Lily who was cuddled up on the sofa in the living room, gazing intently at the big television situated at the centre of the living room.
On the screen, a college basketball match was in full swing. One player moved across the court with unbelievable speed, swift, agile, confident.
Lily beamed as she sat up on the sofa, clapping her hands. "How the hell does she even do it?" she exclaimed unconsciously. "Like… how can anyone be this good? I wish I could play like that." she said as her shoulders dropped in defeat, try as much as she could, she never made it off the bench in most matches.
Richard Chuckled as he stepped closer towards where she sat. He set his briefcase down on the center table and sat down comfortably on the sofa beside Lily, his eyes moved to the television.
The player in question darted past two defenders, her footwork sharp, her focus unshaken. Richard's eyes narrowed with interest. He wasn't easily impressed, matter of fact he always concluded that the women's basketball game was nothing compared to the men's.
He never really watched the ladies game.
But something about her strength, her precision, caught his attention instantly.
"Who is she?" he asked, pointing at the screen.
Lily grinned. "Oh, that's Valerie. She used to be the MVP of the College basketball team. I heard she quit sometime ago though… something about family problems. But she's amazing, right?"
Richard didn't hear the rest of Lily's words. He was too captivated by Valerie's moves. His jaw tightened as he watched her sink another basket like it
was nothing. Strong. Determined. Athletic. Exactly what he had been searching for.
His voice was calm but carried the weight of command. "Find her."