CHAPTER 7

"The office is suffering from a high loss." I dropped the tray on the table and went to the side to blow-dry my thick wet hair.
"How's that possible?" Liam asked worriedly. "Last I checked, everything was okay."
Ken brought out a file from his bag and handed it to Liam. Liam gulped down his coffee as they went through the file together.
"Kara quit her job due to her pregnancy. All these happened during the time you were absent from the office. Your marriage, well...."
"Enough. I'm already too preoccupied with this issue."
"What kind of boss gets married without inviting his employees?" He whispered.
"And where would you have found a decent cloth to wear to my wedding?" Liam deadpanned. He had a very weird sense of humor. One moment he's nice to you and in a second he becomes the monster you never expected.
When I was done with my hair, I picked up our dirty clothes from the previous day. Since I got married to Liam, I've become a drunkard. Whatever happened between the both of us yesterday remained unattended and unmentioned. I wasn't sure of what got into me that made me wanna have sex with him.
I was drunk the entire night but he wasn't, so why didn't he refuse when I came close to him? I sighed as I picked up the bottles and dumped them in the trash can.
"What a hot night, huh." Ken smiled. "Your room tells me that you two had the best night of your lives."
"You!" Ken grabbed the file from him and rushed out of the room. "I was going to tell him that he forgot to collect his salary for last month. Why did he run away?"
"I'm not the only one who thinks that you are a strange man," I answered with the side of my mouth.
"Strange man?"
"Yes. One moment you are happy and the next you are yelling at someone. If you were a subject, I would have failed you gladly. You are exactly like Oscar."
"What? You're comparing me to your ex-boyfriend?" I gave out a loud laugh before proceeding to arrange the bed. "Why are you laughing?"
"Oscar is a dog, not my ex-boyfriend."
"You're comparing me to your dog?" I could hear the sound of pain in his voice. It was the first time I saw him so stressed out and helpless.
"Chill. Oscar is far better than you. He doesn't complain a lot and he doesn't let other male dogs touch his girlfriend as you did."
"You remember everything?" He asked calmly.
"Yes. Shameless man. Do you expect me to just let it go after saying sorry? I finally remember everything."
"Our marriage is nothing but a deal." He walked up to me and placed his hand on my lips. I couldn't take my eyes off him. Every time he came close to me, he appeared more handsome than before.
"My parents were threatened. I don't see how you people are at loss." I stammered.
"I am. Look, all we have to do is pretend to be perfect outside but when we are at home, we can do whatever we like. I get to be with whom I love and you can do whatever."
"Deal." I removed his hand and stormed out of the room. Why was I upset with what he just said?
When I got to the sitting room, I poured myself a glass of water before sitting down on the sofa.
"Where's Liam?" Mrs. Smith asked.
"His bedroom."
"Aunt, good morning." Diana rushed out of her room and hugged Mrs. Smith.
"Someone seems delighted today."
"Yes, aunt. I got to see Nanny Mai today after so long."
"Oh. Isn't she resting in her room?"
"No, aunt. I saw Nanny Mai cleaning up the kitchen. She was also the one that cleaned this sitting room."
"Hannah," Mrs. Smith called out angrily. She had told me the previous day to clean the house as punishment for what I didn't do. I picked up the pillow on the sofa and placed it on my face. "I know you can hear me. Why is Nanny Mai doing your chores?"
"Aunt," I removed the pillow and got up. "I woke up late. By the time I came out, She had already finished cleaning up the house. I'm sorry."
"Tomorrow you will have to clean this house and cook for everyone."
"Sure." Cook? In her dreams. I can't even prepare a meal for myself let alone cook for someone else.
"You shouldn't bite more than you can chew." Diana folded her arms and smiled at me after Mrs. Smith had turned to answer her husband. "You tried to kick me out yesterday but you got yourself a punishment instead. How sad."
"Coming from the mouth of someone who's living in her ex-boyfriend's house, I don't see how I should listen to you. You know, people will start to think that you've gone bankrupt. Many will say that you are just being selfish. You are finding it hard to move on, that's why you came back to beg like a dog."
"You!"
"Sssh. You don't want to reveal your true identity to Mrs. Smith, now, do you? Use your inside voice. I know you don't have one, but it would be best if you learned it now."
Anna arrived downstairs in her pajamas. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her palm before sitting close to me. She looked at Diana and me before grabbing the bottle of scotch on the table.
"Not for children." l took it from her and dropped it on the table.
"Why? I've taken it before. My brother doesn't seem to have a problem with it." She replied defensively.
"Liam?" Is this boy trying to ruin his sister's life or what? I handed the bottle to Diana and smiled. "Drinks like this are meant for people like Diana."
"Ain't you a woman just like Diana?" She asked.
"That's true. But you see, only unfortunate people drink a lot." Diana stood still like a statue with her fists closed. I signaled to her to leave but she refused. I guess she was already used to being humiliated.
"Liam," Mr. Smith called out after Liam arrived in the dining room. He placed his phone neatly on the table before sitting. "Ken told me everything."
"Ken sure has a big mouth." Liam blurted after sipping his tea. "I'm sure you told him why I don't come to the office anymore."
"Son,"
"Dad, everyone knows about the girl I was accused of raping. Do you still think people will listen to me if I go there?"
"Son,"
"I'm not asking for your advice." He picked up his sandwich and cut it into two. "Stay out of my business. I know how to handle my office, I don't need your help."
What's with the attitude? His dad is only concerned about him. I murmured. What kind of beef did these two grown men have against each other? I patted Anna gently on the back. She raised her head and removed my hand.
"What's wrong dear?"
"I'm suffering from a rare heart disease that causes my heart to grow (cardiomegaly) if I feel any emotion; happiness, anger, sorrow, jealousy because it couldn't process them. If it got too big, it would stop working."
"I'm sorry, sweety. No one told me about this."
"Don't mention it to anyone. The only reason my parents are still here is because of me. Brother doesn't like dad that much. If you mention this to them, they will just get worried for no reason."
"I promise." I got up from the sofa and walked over to where Liam sat. "Since Kara's absence is the reason for the bankruptcy, why not hire someone as talented as Kara," I suggested.
"That's a good idea. I guess you aren't that worthless after all." He cleaned his hands with the napkin before calling out to Diana. "How would you like to join me at the office, Diana? Well, not until you find a good school."
"How can I say no to you? I'll do anything for you."
I bit the lower part of my lip before squeezing his chair tightly. It was my idea but I didn't expect him to hire Diana. How could I feel comfortable knowing that my husband's ex is working in the same office as him? "10hrs together!" I exclaimed.
"Hannah, is everything okay?" Mr. Smith asked worriedly.
"Yes, sir."
"If we are done talking, I'll take my leave." Liam got up from his chair and dusted his body before wearing his suit jacket. "Diana,"
"Sure." She picked up her bag and followed him outside.

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OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
"Why did you employ Diana?" I asked.
"It was your idea." He replied without looking at him.
"Why?"
"Why not? Are you upset?"
"Well,"
"Good. I'm running out of time, please don't delay me for useless matters. And tonight we are sleeping with the AC turned off. It's my house, I'm done compromising." He entered his car and drove out of the compound.
"Oh no, I'll be late for work!" I ran out of the house and hailed a cab that took me straight to the coffee shop.