Novel-novel oleh Edima Essien

I took a thoughtful sip from my cup of coffee. It was still warm and still better than whatever headache Alexander caused me. I was still lost in thought for a while, not until my phone buzzed in my handbag. Taking out my phone, the contact read Mia. Mia: Sooo…how’s life after four hours at BluTech, bae? I rolled my eyes at her text. Because what better way to pass the time than getting teased again for suddenly getting married to the brother of your best friend? Me: I think I’ll need therapy soon. Mia: Dr. Aria is available every Wednesdays and Fridays. Me: Nice one, very funny Mia. Mia: She does couples counselling too. I didn’t waste my time to read the rest, as I locked my phone without replying. I was already planning how to end her when I get back home. However, I couldn’t help but glance toward the corridor where the two men had disappeared into. I still thought about what they said, guessing what they were referring to with sounding too paranoid. “Mrs. Thorne?”

I didn’t know whether I should be screaming or pushing him to the floor to give him a good beating. All I could focus on was keeping my heartbeat in checking because it was drumming in my ears. Alexander’s shoulders shook, and I thought I imagining it, but this man was actually laughing. I couldn’t believe him. “Let me go!” I said, my face feeling hot even more. “Let me think about it, hmmm…” He was quiet for only a second. “…no.” “Alexander!” “You’re very loud, Chlo.” “Oh, I’m loud? You’re holding me hostage!” “Not really. You’re simply doing your job at the moment.” I groaned in frustration, as my hand rubbed my temples. I felt like I’d soon pop a vein even. But then things went quiet, and I could feel the weight of his head against my chest. It felt odd, but no entirely uncomfortable. It almost reminded me of my time with Mark. That assh*le. I took a deep breath and just accepted my role as a human pillow at the moment. He felt warm at the very least which felt comforta

Shit. What have I just done?! “Cancel the approval.” Alexander said with a dangerous calm that made Daniel jolt subtly when his gaze shifted back to him. “Sir?” “The Singapore expansion. Cancel it.” “B-but sir, the board has already approved the preliminary-” “Cancel. It.” “Mr Thorne, we’re scheduled to finalize the negotiations by Friday.” “Then you’ll find a way to explain this mess to them while they wait.” Alexander shut the folder in front of him, and stood up. “We don’t invest hundreds of millions of dollars based on numbers that can’t even survive basic scrutiny.” Daniel swallowed. “S-sir, I assure you, the discrepancies are just-” “Bring me the raw customer acquisition data.” “Sir?” “The original data. Not your slides, nor this report.” Alexander said, gesturing toward the report on the table. “As well the complete expenditure reports for the last eighteen months. On every campaign.” “…” Daniel’s gaze went to the floor. “Yes, sir.” Alexander turned to another on

The conference room was already occupied. Three executives sat around the long glass table, with their laptops and several documents arranged neatly in front of them. A big screen at the far end of the room on the wall displayed the BluTech logo beside a title that immediately caught my attention. ASIA-PACIFIC EXPANSION PROPOSAL. Okay then...that sounded quite important. I went in first and Alexander followed. And the moment he stepped in, the atmosphere changed instantly. The three men all sat up, straightening in their seats. “Good morning, Mr. Thorne” “Good morning.” Alexander’s response was brief as usual. I moved with him to his seat, still gawking about, only to realize that every pair of eyes was now on me. This was the same reaction I got from the employees at the lobby. Apparently, being married to this guy came with an invisible spotlight I didn’t know I signed up for. Alexander pulled out seat next to him. “Sit.” I glanced at him. “You really like giving ord

The drive to BluTech passed quietly. The morning traffic crept through the bustling city where sunlight shimmered and reflected against rows of glass buildings and skyscrapers. Most of the way, Alexander read reports on his tablet, and answered phone calls with crisp replies. “…Push the Singapore meeting to Thursday.” “No…make it Friday.” He paused. “…Good.” Then the call ended. I sat next to him in a white bodycon corporate dress, paired with a black handbag, and white heels. Mia made sure to chose to make me a walking spotlight apparently. “You always sound like you’re firing someone when you’re on the phone.” I said, glancing his way. “I usually am.” I rolled my eyes and simply turned my head away from him. The Blutech Headquarters towered over the business district like monument of glass and steel, giant enough to dominate its surrounding. People, possibly the employees, bustled out the revolving doors, each carrying laptops, tablets and/or takeout coffee cups, but the

The rest of the event passed without further incidents. Chairman Thorne and Madam Diane continued to introduce me to what felt like half the ballroom, and there seemed to be several influential people who suddenly developed an interest in speaking to Alexander Thorne’s wife. It was all too exhausting. And as well strange and a little ironic. If they knew I was only a contract wife, most of them would not have even glanced my way. Thankfully, Mark, Ruby and Vivian never returned to the party, so it was a smooth sailing the rest of the night. By the time we left the hotel, the city skyline sparkled under the night sky, and all I could think about was taking off my heels and collapsing into bed. The drive home was quiet. Alexander sat next to me, reading emails on his tablet as though he hadn’t witnessed anything out of the ordinary tonight. As if the evening chaos had never happened. I, on the other hand…I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Even though I acted as though none of i