28. DISGUISED YVONNE

Yvonne left the restroom in anger and pity, angry, she left Susan in one piece and not in pieces and pity, for herself.

She laughed at her thoughts, where had the hope come from, the thoughts of both of them getting back together or meeting him single or that he had waited for her. She should be given the award of the biggest fool in California.

Susan and Raymond would be in his office sharing a big laugh on her thoughts and would kiss, looking at each other with loving gazes.

"Yvonne. The boss sent for you just now, he's in his office." Clara told her.

Yvonne nodded, "Okay. Thanks." She went toward the CEO's office and stopped halfway.

She came back to Clara, "Please, could you lend me your veil and that your sunshades?"

"Okay." She gave them to Yvonne but looked at her, confused. "What do you need them for? If I may ask."

"Hmm... No question, please. I would return them to you as soon as we close." Clara nodded and watched her go to the CEO's office till she entered.

Yvonne knocked on the door and entered, "Good morning Sir, you sent for me."

She watched his every movement, watching him write from his system into a journal. She stood there gawking at him for some time before she heard him clear his throat loudly which brought her back to the present.

"Am sorry, Sir." She bowed slightly.

"Have you eaten?" Was the question that came out of his mouth, which got her surprised.

"Sir... I... I have eaten." She strangely looked at him.

"I wouldn't like to be eaten by my assistant, you were looking at me, the way you would look at your Christmas chicken." He said laughing.

She blushed deep red, "Am sorry sir."

He kept a finger on his temple, pretending to think, "You would be forgiven but... on one condition."

"And... what would that be, Sir?"

"That you won't eat me cos I want to live." Raymond laughed, Yvonne couldn't hold him and joined him.

He stopped laughing and watched her with seriousness. She felt under his gaze and adjusted the veil, trying to cover any part that's showing.

He sighed, "You talk and laugh like someone I know." Yvonne turned pale on the spot. "What's your name?"

"My name... is Yvo... Sorry, I mean Melissa."

"You wanted to say something else. Are you lying to me?"

She quickly shook her head negatively, "That's my name, Sir."

"Why are you using the veil? it's covering almost every part of your face."

He stood up while talking and moved closer to her, she moved away from him. He moved closer again, she moved away, they continued moving till her back hit the wall.

She was trapped between his body and the wall, "Huh..." She wanted to talk but stopped as she felt his finger on her lips. He used his finger to outline the shape of her lips, he raised her chin toward him and bent to her level and...

She was brought back to the present by the sudden ring of his phone, her hand went to her racing heart. He moved to the window to receive the call. Soon, he came back to his chair after dropping his call and sat down.

She apologized before he could say anything, "Am sorry, Sir. I won't daydream again."

"Oh, you were daydreaming now not gawking again." He shakes his head and laughed.

"I have a communicable rash. My doctor advised I cover my face up till it's healed." She said, avoiding eye contact with him.

"Okay." He nodded. "You can go, Melissa."

"Thank you, Sir." She left.

Susan thought of ways to trap Raymond with her, now that Yvonne is back, things might not go as planned if Raymond sees her and the only thing that can trap him is MARRIAGE.

She thought of asking around to know which department she works in and also to know how close she was to him. Asking around would bring up unwanted rumors and there is no way, it won't get to Ray.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am." Clara greeted, she nodded to acknowledge the greeting.

She turned to leave but shook her head, "Huh... Clara."

"Do you know anyone with the name Yvo..." She heard someone greet her from behind. "Good afternoon, Ma'am."

Susan turned to see a girl with tinted glasses and her face covered with a black veil. She looked at her in disgust.

"Are you blind or something, Didn't you see us talking?

"I am sorry ma." She bowed her head, looking down at her shoes.

"Send your apology to your mom at home. What is your name?" She said in disgust.

Yvonne gripped her skirt in anger at the mention of her Mom, "Am Melissa by name, Ma'am"

"Hmmm..." Susan walked around her. "Why the use of veil?" She held the veil to remove it.

"I..." Yvonne stammered.

"Susan, Let the girl be. You are making her uncomfortable." They turned at the voice, Raymond stood at the doorway with his hand akimbo.

Susan smiled at him, "Baby, I was just teasing her. Right?" Yvonne nodded, adjusting the veil on her shoulder.

"She has rashes and was told to cover for the meantime."

"Oh. See you later." Susan went into Raymond's office.

Raymond smiled at Yvonne before entering his office and she smiled back in appreciation.

Yvonne breathed out in relief, "Thank God..."

"Why did you tell her your name is Melissa and not Yvonne?"

She forgot she had company, "I had to. Clara could you not tell anyone my real name, please?"

"Why?" She asked looking at her with curiosity.

"I promise no harm would come to the company neither do I mean any harm." Trying to convince her.

"As long as you keep to the bargain then we are good."

"Thanks." Yvonne went to her office. The elevator opened, Mercy walked out.

Mercy came to visit the company. She came to check on Raymond and talk to Yvonne, mainly, to find out what went wrong and where the correction should start from.

Entering Raymond's office, "Hey big brother."

"Hey, small sister." He stood up to hug her.

"Mercy." Susan came over to hug her, Mercy patted her back to receive the hug and released herself.

"Susan, What a surprised." She forced a smile.

They heard a knock, "Come in." Raymond said.

Yvonne entered, "Sir, the files you requested for."

Mercy wanted to greet, "Hey..."

Yvonne interrupted her before she could say her name, "Melissa." Mercy looked at her confused. "I forgot to introduce myself yesterday."

Raymond collected the file with a smile, "Thanks. I would look through them and get back to you."

"In your office right now." Mercy whispered and walked out of Raymond's office, straight to Yvonne's office with Yvonne, behind.

Immediately, they entered, Mercy turned to Yvonne in anger, "Why the disguise, Yvonne?" Pointing at the veil on her face.

"I had to. Susan and I met and kind of clashed yesterday," Yvonne looked sad. "Raymond loves Susan now."

"He is in love with you that's why he has been looking for you till now..." Mercy whispered on seeing the raw pains in Yvonne's eyes. She went toward her to console her.

"Mercy, he has been looking for me doesn't mean he still feels the same way. I want to handle this one my way, please."

She nodded, "The only thing I would ask of you is not to hurt my brother and don't add to the pain he is in." Yvonne nodded.

Mercy bade her goodbye and left, "Raymond in pains, I wish. I am the one in pain and not your brother, Mercy." Mercy heard Yvonne think aloud before she locked the door.

"You don't know how much my brother loves you and I will make sure you both get back together soon." Mercy thought.

"Good night, Clara." Mercy said to her as she passed beside her.

Clara held her bag instead, "Ma'am I would love to share something with you."

"Okay... And what is it all about?"

She looked around and shook her head negatively, "I would walk you down to your car."

Mercy smiled, "Okay."

They went down together. On getting to her car, Yvonne collected her bag and kept it in the car before turning to Clara. "You wanted to tell me something."

"Yes, Ma'am. I am telling you this instead of Mr. Raymond because of the closeness I noticed between you and Yvonne."

"Okay..." Urging her to continue.

"Earlier today, Yvonne made me promise not to tell anyone her real name."

"She said you should call her Melissa, right?" Clara nodded. "Yvonne is about to play a game which I have no idea of but it won't bring any harm to the company. I can swear with my life."

"Okay, Ma'am. I couldn't keep it to myself and can't tell Miss Susan."

"Don't tell Susan, If she asks, tell her what Yvonne said. And Melissa is her middle name, not a fake name."

"Okay, Ma'am." Mercy entered her car and drove off while Clara went back into the office.