Chapter 4

Michael left the office feeling sadder than he was when he had come in. Not only was he whelmed with disappointment but he also now felt shame and anger coupled with the fear of not waiting to lose his firm.

He met Mrs Bertha in front of the door and thought she was obviously eavesdropping. He however did not even have the strength to be upset about it. Bertha had quickly corrected this impression.

"I know what you are thinking Michael but I wasn't eavesdropping on your conversation. Not only is that rude and unethical but it's impossible. Every office here is soundproof and that includes the bosses houses."

"Oh." Was all the reply Michael could give as he was still much carried away by how disappointing the meeting went. He wanted to leave this place by all means possible.

He was so pissed. If Felix knew he was just going to humiliate him as he did now why then did he bother to schedule a meeting with him in the first place? Maybe he was just a sadist who got off from seeing people Sad Michael concluded.

"I know I have no right to interfere with your life but I just have to. I know you hate him now and think him cold but he really isn't what you are thinking neither is he what he posits to be. It is only a mask he wears believe me." For some reason Bertha didn't want Michael to stay mad at her boss. For some stranger reasons she felt that her boss would be much affected if Felix stayed mad at him. "He has gone through a lot."

Michael looked at Bertha with surprise and anger. How can she defend him. "Look Mrs Bertha." He started to speak but stopped to clear his throat because his voice came out hoarse.

"I won't hold this against you. He is your boss so you will obviously defend him but he's not mine and I do not have to give excuses For him. He is not only rude but he is cold, mannerless and heartless. And him going through a lot which I doubt, is no excuse for his behavior. It is not enough reason to go around treating people like trash. It is just not right. It is not!" Michael almost screamed out in frustration.

Bertha understood him but she needed him to understand her too. "Look I know very well how you feel but believe me when I say that if you get to know him more you will understand why I speak like this. He is not what you think he is...."

Michael chuckled making her stop speaking. He held on to her shoulder softly as she was a frail woman. "Its all good ma'am you don't need to correct the impression I have of your boss. He's up here." He gestured raising his left hand high above his head, "and I'm down here" he gestured bringing the same hand down below his waist. I don't have to think good of him. What I think of him doesn't matter OK. It doesn't matter to him and it shouldn't matter to you alright. Common don't worry about it, I'm nothing to your boss so its all good."

Bertha's face deepened in a frown.

"Common smile." Michael pouts pulling her cheeks. She doesn't smile until Michael makes a face.

"That's it!" He laughs out. "See you when I see ya." Michael said and walked out but not before pecking Bertha and blowing her a kiss.

When he left Bertha sighed feeling as frustrated as ever. "He just had to do it. Why does he do these things to himself?" She thought resignedly.

She had seen how happy and overjoyed he was when she had informed him of Michael's presence. She had seen how eager he was to see him only for him to pull this stunt.

What was his problem exactly? Why wont he allow himself feel? What was he so scared of? Bertha kept asking herself as she slumped into her chair.

She knew that he would be feeling so sad now but she didn't know what to do. She wanted to help him, she really wanted to but how was she going to help him if he won't let her or anyone in.

"What to do?" She murmured to herself as she played with the pen on her desk. "What to do?"