Margaret’s Text
The next day, Elaine stormed into her office with Beth behind her, her eyes falling on the man who sat on the couch, his legs crossed and his eyes on his phone. He raised his head and stood up from the couch when he saw her step forward.
“Elaine. How are you?” He stretched his hand forward for a handshake. She dropped her bag on the couch and folded her hands under her chest as she glared at him. He was only just showing his face to her now? She was still angry at the fact that he stood her up that day.
“What are you doing here, Fred?”
“I know you’re angry to see me.”
She laughed. “Angry is an understatement of what I feel. But you won’t know.”
She almost lost her life for fucks sake. Because of him, a car would have run into her and it would’ve been a different story right now. Who knew what might’ve happened if she wasn’t saved on time?
He retracted his hand. “I’m sorry for not showing up at the planned meeting place. It wasn’t my intention to do that, I promise.”
“You do realize that it is a breach, do you not? I waited for fucking hours. If this is how the agreement is going to be, then I’m afraid that we have to discontinue.”
“Of course not. I was hospitalized that day and that was the reason I couldn’t make it.”
“And you couldn’t text?” That was from Beth.
“I only woke up today.”
“What? You’ve been hospitalized for what? What happened?” Elaine looked him over from his head downward, trying to at least find an injury that could be serious enough to send him to the hospital. When she found none, she gazed at him with narrowed eyes.
“It’s my disease. But I’m fine now. We can continue our agreement together.”
“Disease?”
“Yeah. I was diagnosed with a heart disease. But there is nothing to worry about. It is not going to disrupt our work.”
Elaine gasped. She immediately rushed to him and helped him sit on the couch again. “Oh my goodness, I didn’t know about that. Are you sure that you’re fine now? Is everything okay with you?”
“I’m doing okay now. The doctor said I can go on with my day’s activity.”
“You shouldn’t have come here if you’re sick. I don’t mind at all. We can also work from home if it’s fine.”
“Elaine, I’m okay. You’re too nice. We’ll just continue with the way we used to. I don’t want my illness to come before work.”
“But if you overwork yourself, it’s going to be so bad for your health.”
“I heard. That’s why I’m doing the bare minimum for the meantime. Our business is important.”
Realizing that she wouldn’t be able to convince the man, she slumped on the couch next to him and gestured for Beth to bring in their work file. Beth stepped to her desk and returned with a file in her hands which she passed to Elaine.
“This is the written agreement and everything that our business together is about. I agree with your proposal. We’re having a huge collaboration.”
“That is superb.”
“Our store will have some of your company’s clothes featured and vice versa. This way, there will be more sales on both sides. What do you think?”
“It’s a brilliant idea for both our businesses. It’s nice doing business with you.”
Elaine stared at her phone at the sound of a notification that came in. She frowned as she opened the message and brought it to her face.
Unknown: Hi, it’s Margi. Can we meet for lunch? I have something important to discuss.
Her frown deepened. Since when did Margaret and she become friends that she now asks for a lunch meeting? It was strange. They never even exchanged a proper ‘hi’ before today. Perhaps it was because of Ria? Ria had been sent to the police station but from what she heard, she was released on bail due to her pregnancy and Xavier wasn’t planning to let her go. Not even after everyone pleaded with him to consider for the sake of the child that Ria was carrying.
Another text came in.
Unknown: I know you might ignore this but please don't. It’s nothing related to Ria. Let’s just see and talk over lunch. I’ll send the location.
“I’ll leave now.”
She stood up at the same time as Fred did.
“Take care, please. I’ll come to your office if there is any need.”
Once Fred was out of the office, she turned to Beth and snatched her arms, pulling her to her desk. “Guess what?”
“What? Is it good news? If it is, please tell me. I haven’t heard a single good news since this week.”
“It’s Margaret. She’s asking for a meeting. What do I do? What do I say?”
“Who is that? Wait!” Beth‘s eyes popped wide open, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets. “Your husband’s bitchy sister?”
“You’re right.”
“But what does she want? Didn’t you both hate each other? If she’s calling to ask for a meeting all of a sudden, then I think she’s scheming sometimes. These people related to Ria should not be trusted at all. From what happened yesterday, I still stand by my words that y’all should’ve let Xavier handle it instead. Ria is stubborn.”
Elaine had told Beth about everything that happened at the birthday party the previous day and she hadn’t stopped complaining at the fact that they all let Ria be taken by the police instead of Xavier. She insisted that Xavier would have more impact on Ria than the police.
“I think it’s suspicious too. I and Margaret aren’t even on good terms. Do you know that she almost tried to kill me when I was pregnant? She fucking put peanuts in my food. Gosh.”
“Then she should be avoided. Back to work anyway. There is a lot to be done.”
But at the back of Elaine’s mind, she couldn’t help the curiosity that came with Margaret’s text.
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