Marcel had arrived at the company and greeted each employee, and Mia watched him in surprise, convinced he wouldn’t return. She had called her father for advances on projects in Mexico, creating the perfect excuse to seek out Marco. But with Marcel meddling in the company, what could she possibly do?
Approaching Marcel, she said, “Good afternoon, Assistant Marcel. I thought you wouldn’t come today. I told you not to worry, there haven’t been any issues during your absence.”
“I know, but as the right-hand man of the boss, it’s my responsibility to be here. He expressly requested it. If you need anything, I’ll be in his office arranging his schedule for tomorrow.”
“That’s fine, I won’t take up more of your time,” she said with a strained smile, trying to seem attentive. However, the moment Marcel turned and left, she let out a snort of frustration, thinking to herself, “You won’t sabotage my plans, you cursed meddler.”
The day progressed as usual with the employees leaving one by one. Marcel was the last to leave, bidding farewell to the security guard.
Just as he was about to insert his car key, his phone rang. Recognizing the ringtone, he wondered why Romina would call. Indeed, it was her; the eerie tone he and Marco jokingly set likened to her personality, so he answered.
“Good evening, Mrs. Romina, to what do I owe this call?”
“Explain to me what the hell Mia Palacios is doing at my house when I made it clear that you were to check for any outstanding issues at the company.”
“...?”
“Have you gone mute? I want you here ASAP, see to it that you take this damn woman out of my house. I don’t want her here on my son’s first night of marriage, causing trouble.”
“I’ll be right over, but just so you know, I’m not aware of what Miss Palacios is doing there. There were no issues at the office, and the secretary informed me of everything. Marco’s presence wasn’t necessary, but I’m on my way.”
“You better come and take her away or I’ll have her thrown out. If there were no issues, she made them up. I want to hear what lies she’ll tell you.” After these words, she hung up and glanced at the nervous housekeeper.
“Don’t look at me like that. You better not let it slip that Marco isn’t here. I need to know what this woman is seeking and how far she'll go. Am I not a good mother?”
“Madam, I don’t want to be dismissed by the master.”
“He won’t dismiss you. He’s married now, and I gave the gift because I suspected something like this. And about Monique, she needed her eyes opened. Never reveal it was I who sent Souza, the investigator, to report everything I had collected. I am sick of every damn woman being attracted to that boy, but his current wife is the best thing for him. You're going to help make sure they stay together; I won't allow anyone to separate them. Now move and do as I instruct.”
The housekeeper nodded and departed, soon returning with Mia, who looked around as though searching for something – clearly, she was searching for Marco. As Mia focused ahead, she saw Romina scrutinizing her from head to toe with an odd glare.
“Good evening, what do you want?” Romina inquired, her inquisitive eyes fixed on Mia.
“Mrs. Romina, good evening. I came here because I need to discuss a business matter with Marco,” Mia responded, under Romina’s watchful gaze.
“Well, business should be conducted at the company. I still don’t understand why you're here, especially at this hour. It's hardly appropriate for a young lady to seek a man at his home,” Romina quipped, watching as Mia blushed with embarrassment.
“I understand your implication, and I wouldn’t be here were it not for my father’s request – that’s why I'm here.”
“Business should be conducted at the company, regardless of who they involve,” Romina continued.
At that moment, Marcel walked in.
“Good evening, Mrs.” Marcel feigned ignorance of the situation and, noticing Mia, remarked, “Miss Palacios, I didn’t expect to find you here.”
Romina sharply glared at him and internally remarked (he’s not foolish), then addressed him, “We were just discussing this when you arrived. You said there were no pending issues at the company, yet Miss Palacios is here looking for Marco because of a request from her father. How is it you, his right hand, are unaware of this?” Romina cleverly sought Marcel’s response, which she knew would be in her favor, seizing the opportunity to teach this naive woman where she stood.
“I, too, was not informed of any such matter, and even Lucy, Marco’s secretary, didn’t mention Mr. Palacios’s call. There might be a misunderstanding. If you wish, you may tell me instead,” Marcel said, turning to Mia.
He knew she would be in trouble if she didn't realize Romina was ready to get rid of her right then and there. Couldn't she sense the heavy atmosphere, or did she think the air conditioning was for freezing people? Romina’s icy stare was piercing to the core.
“It’s just that I'm already here, I wouldn't want the trip to be in vain. I'd prefer to explain it to Marco since he and I make a great team and we were instrumental in getting the project off the ground,” said Mia, digging her nails into her palms as she glared resentfully at Romina and Marcel, still awaiting Marco’s arrival.
“Ma'am, please, I won't take up much of Marco’s time. I just need to give him my father’s message; it will only take a few minutes.”
“My dear, the message can wait until tomorrow. My son is currently celebrating his union in grand style.”
“Your union, what do you mean?”
“Look, young lady, I’m not obligated to explain my son’s actions to you, but I’ll tell you something and hope you understand. I’ve expended great effort to keep snakes away from my son and it won’t be difficult to drive off a venomous spider, so I hope you get that business is handled at the company. You're not such a close friend to my son that you can visit his house, especially not at this hour. While it's true your father is a respected man and my son values him, it doesn't mean the same holds true for you with my son or me. To us, you are just another face in the crowd. Marco greets kindness with appreciation. Now leave my house, I want to sleep. And Marcel, take Miss Palacios with you, make sure this is the last time you visit my house at this hour, and do your job better next time.”
“Yes, Mrs., excuse me for my blunder.”
“That’ll do, now leave.”
Mia was left dumbfounded, unable to fathom how this detestable old woman could speak to her like that. But she would have her revenge once she formalized things with Marco, convinced of one thing: she would be "Mrs. Lombardo," and the first thing she’d do with that status was send the old bat to a nursing home.
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Comments
Nanami Tomoe
wow she is badass 😆
2024-08-27
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