Chapter 4 - Mike is a jealous monkey

Mike drove me to work even after my protests of having my personal driver. It fell on deaf ears because he dragged me all the way to his car.

The roads were free only a few vehicles no doubt people who were going to work were on the streets this early.

Mike wasn't talking which is unlike his usual self. I recall the incident in the kitchen and I laugh quietly to myself knowing that that is the reason for his sour mood.

Halfway through the ride to my office he turns off the radio and sighs so loudly I grimace.

"You love him don't you?" he asks.

I frown about to set him right. He doesn't give me that chance instead he goes on like a deranged mental patient.

"I see the way he looks at you like as if you're his creator or something. You look at him the same way too. I bet he asks for money from you all the time. A gold digger that is what he is....".

"Stop" I scream cutting him off from the nonsense he was spewing from his mouth. He looks taken aback by my scream taking glances at me before returning his gaze to the road.

Where is this coming from?

"You do not get to say things like that about him"

"What the hell is wrong with you Michael?"

He flinches like as if I've poured a bucket of ice over his head.

Amelia had once joked that Michael was deeply in love with me which is why he's insanely jealous whenever Diego is around me.

I wonder if there are truths to that statement.

"I don't like him and I've told you to stay away from him but you never listen to me" Mike says his hand clenched around the steering wheel.

I scoff "I can't stay away from him because that house is my home and he just so happens to work in that house five days a week".

"Bullshit"

My eyebrows furrow in confusion. We've had arguments like this centering in this same topic but never has it ever gotten this deep.

What crawled up his ass this morning?

"You're just jealous because he's better looking than you and has the body of a Greek God-" I pause to eye him from head to toe "you well not so much".

He scoffs and shakes his head.

"So you like his body huh? Is that it?" he asks

"Maybe I do" I yell back grateful that my office building comes into view. The moment his car stops I pull open the car door and bolt out.

"This discussion isn't done..." he starts to say but I slam it in his face and turn away walking the distance to the front door.

"Fucking peice of shit" I curse under my breath.

When I realize I'm walking too fast in my pencil heels I stop to catch my breath.

The doorman Dailey comes to my aid collecting my laptop bag and purse.

He stares at me with wide eyes but I smile at him and he instantly calms down. I straighten my back and stand tall.

"Good morning Dailey"

"Good morning ma'am I mean Linda-Lin" I smile while he laughs.

We enter into the building and the air conditioner does little to calm my nerves.

After being away from my very own baby for a month I was happy to be back. Determining in my mind not to let my mood be spoilt by a jealous monkey I muster up the best smile I can in that moment as my receptionist sights me.

"Oh Linda you're back!" Paisley my receptionist squealed walking around the long counter to hug me. I laugh at her excitement pulling away from her.

"We've missed you so much" she says.

"Are you sure it's not the glazed doughnuts you miss?" I ask jokingly.

She laughs and tells me she misses that as well.

Walking away from the reception room I decide to walk around the other departments in the office greeting everybody even though I know they've all be informed of my resumption.

I get warm remarks from all of them and I see genuine happiness in each of their eyes.

I silently thank God for the supporting staff that I have. Many of them are actually friends from high school and college.

So it's like this big connected family.

I'm grateful for each and every one of them.

By the time I take the elevator to my floor I realize that two hours have gone by.

The elevator doors open with a ding and a girlish scream follows. I know who it is before I even step out of the elevator.

I'm wrapped in a swaying hug and I have to actually sway so that I don't end up on the floor.

Amy my long time best friend releases me from her embrace and scans my body.

When she's done assessing whatever she's assessing she says "Long time no see girl"

"You were in my house yesterday Amy"

"You know what I mean" she retorts hitting my shoulder lightly.

"No I don't know what you mean" I reply also hitting her on the shoulder.

She rolls her eyes and lets out a sigh that sounds frustrated.

"I mean long time no see in the office".

I raise an eyebrow and just decide to go with whatever she's saying.

"You look parched here" she says pushing a water bottle to my chest.

I would have not accepted it but I know it's all for my good. So I take it and thank her for it.

We walk the long hallway down to the biggest room on this floor which is my office.

Amy reaches and opens the glass door to my office. I walk inside and inhale the fresh air of wood and crisp paper. My eyes scan my shelf which is ever tidy books arranged exactly the way I like it.

My laptop is set up waiting for me to start torturing it by sending and opening endless emails.

And opposite my table where the guest or visitor sit is Carl Stone looking calm as always.

"Oh hey Carl" I greet walking further into the room.

Carl stands and hugs me briefly asking about my well being.

As you have guessed Amy and Carl have been the ones looking after the company in my absence. They blend so well in their roles that I often consider leaving the company for them both.

Amy is my secretary as well as personal assistant. She's like an angel that tells me everything to do and what not. A really good adviser who has a thing for numbers and to top it all off she's my best friend.

Carl is by far the quiet person in our little clique. He's dashingly cute with a small frame. Also very intelligent, purposeful and goal driven. I didn't know him until two years ago when he came here looking for a job. We've connected on so many business levels.

He's the General Manager of Lin-Link company.

Honestly they both are wonderful assets to the company.

"Hi Linda. It's good to see you".

"It's good to see you too. And is that a new haircut I see?"

Amy laughs while Carl glares at her. Carl is known for slowly trying new things. He prefers his old way of things as he says it fits his personality.

So seeing him with a new hairstyle is quite surprising.

"Just thought I'd try something new" he says a hint of blush on his cheeks.

Amy laughs louder taking the seat next to Carl.

I take my seat which is big, comfortable and swivelling.

Easing into it I close my eyes and sigh happy to be back.

The next hour Amy and Carl fill me up on everything that has happened the past month even though we did it virtually at the end of every week.

When they are done briefing me on everything. I thank them profusely because without them in my absence we would be recording loses.

They leave for their own work leaving me to sort out my self.

The next hour I bury myself in work sending emails to partners and individuals who have one interest or the other in my company. I set up a board meeting for after lunch break so that I can make decisions as regards the progress of the company.

A knock disrupts me from the report I was reviewing.

"Come in"

The door opens and Amy pokes her head through the small space between the door.

"It's Lunch time"

Disbelief swarms through me and I lift my wrist to check the time. The time reads 1:05pm which is indeed time for lunch.

"Thanks Amy".

"No problem"

"Are you going out?" she asks.

"Nah. You?"

"I'm going out"

" Can you please get me my favorite Starbucks?"

She rolls her eyes and agrees.

Once she closes the door I stand up kicking my heels off as I stand to my feet. I walk around the table and stretch my limbs that must have dozed off during all the work.

I pick up the lunch bag and walk to the other part of the room that is designated for guests and visitors.

Setting my bag on the table I reach for the remote to the TV and relax in the long couch.

I settle on The Simpsons. I pick up the lunch bag that Mrs. Clara packed for me and open up the content.

I bring out the containers of food as well as my medication that is packed in another compartment of the bag.

I stuff my mouth with food watching the yellow people cartoon on the TV.

My mind drifts to the argument that me and Mike shared this morning.

He was being weird.

We have had arguments like that but never had he took it that far to have silly assumptions.

What was his business if I decide to date Diego anyway?

It's not like he's my boyfriend or anything.

What a jealous monkey.

My phone rings on the table and I reach over to pick it up.

"Hey Drake"

"Wassup Lin Lin"

"I'm fine. Are you in school yet?"

"Nah. I changed my mind I'm going tomorrow".

"Why?"

"Mum has been bugging me about it and I changed it to tommorow just so I could annoy her"

"You're a handful"

"That's what she said" he exclaims.

We both burst out laughing.

A comfortable silence follows until he yelps and I hear something drop in the background.

"What's that?"

"Just Diego being bossy"

"What the heck are you even doing in the kitchen?"

"I asked myself Lin and I got no answer"

I laugh. "You are such a weirdo"

"I'm the best there is Sis".

I laugh along with him."Hey I have to go before Diego throws me into the oven"

"Alright. Stay out of trouble"

"Can't promise that. See you later"

"See you"

The line goes dead with a beep and I drop my phone beside me and resume the act of eating.

Lunch rolls past and I immerse myself in work with a cup of Starbucks.

The time for the board meeting comes and I leave my office with Amy to attend it.

The meeting goes smooth as our other ones and soon enough people ask questions that I, Carl and Amy answer. Suggestions are made and noted and the meeting comes to a conclusion.

Before I know it it is time to clock out and go home. "Time flies so fast"

"Yeah" Amy agree as we walk towards the elevator.

"Thank you for your help. This company wouldn't be standing without you and Carl".

"There you go again. I'm your secretary and PA it's literally my job".

We laugh it off but I still thank her again.

We reach the ground floor which isn't much of an activity considering almost everyone has gone home. We say bye to Paisley on our way out.

"Is Mike picking you up?".

I scowl at the mention of his name and she instantly notices.

"What did he do this time?"

I tell her everything that happened this morning.

When I finish she laughs and turns to me holding my shoulder.

"That boy is smitten with you"

"Not true. I don't believe that"

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head "He wouldn't react that way if he wasn't".

I don't say anything refusing to believe that my best friend is in love with me.

I escort her to the Camry while reminding her that I won't be around tomorrow morning because of my doctor's appointment.

She hugs me and pinches my cheeks before sliding into the driver's seat of her Camry.

She drives away and I walk the short distance to my car. My driver already waiting at the driver's seat.

We both get into the car and the driver turns in the ignition.

"Where to Miss Lin?"

"Just take me home".