I can't stand you

I strolled elegantly into the gigantic office, swaying my hips as I plastered a tight smile on my face. I could feel the flirtatious stares from the men and could see the envious glares from the female. 

"Good morning, All!" I said loudly, commanding attention from everyone on the floor. "I am Melissa R. Luca and I'd really love it if you corporate with me" 

"Pfft" A blonde girl scoffed, gaining my attention. My eyes slowly travelled to where she was standing. 

"Excuse me? Do we have a problem?" I walked up to her, slowly. Everywhere was now as silent as a graveyard. They were anticipating my reaction. 

"You're not the boss of us" She boldly said. I admired her for that though.

"What's your name?" I sized her with my eyes. "And position"

"You should know if ..."

"Enough." I held out my hand to her face. "Come and pick up your demotion letter by 12pm today. Don't be late" I smiled sweetly.

I had to set an example. This wasn't the old Melissa whose mother in-law scrubbed in the mud.

"De... What? You can't do that!" She yelled, eyeing me as she balled her hand into a fist 

"Trust me darl, I can do anything. Anything at all" I patted her shoulder before moving away from her. I could see the terror in everyone's faces.

They've been too pampered and it was time for them to sit up. 

"Sir! Sir... Tell her she can't demote me. I am your PA!" The blonde yelled, making me turn to see who she was talking to.

"You demoted her?" Antonio asked, raising his eyebrow at me.

"Can't I?" I folded my arms, challenging him to alter my judgement 

"You can." He nodded. 

"Sir, I am your PA" The blonde repeated.

"His hands are tied." I smiled at her. "You better watch how you speak to me from now on before you pick a termination of contract letter instead of a demotion letter" I dared her, matching her hard and angry stares.

"Whatever" I heard her mutter but decided to ignore it because she was just an attention seeker.

"Show me to my new office, Antonio" I said, letting him lead the way. 

I was going to change the rule. It may look as if I was helping the company but i was here to be imperialistic. This was their pride and I'd subject it to my control. 

"How are you today, Elisa" Antonio asked when we got to the elevator.

"Have you transferred all the statements of financial position to my desk. I need to give it to my lawyer who happens to be an accountant to look into it for me." I asked, maintaining a good space between us as we stood inside the elevator.

First, I needed to know who was behind the bankruptcy and why. I didn't want any third party in my business.

"Strictly business, I see" He scoffed, tucking his hand in his pocket casually. "I'll have my PA... Oh wait, you demoted her"

"I'll pick someone else for you before the end of today. She's not PA worthy" I said, hurriedly leaving the elevator when it opened.

"Right" He scoffed. Again. "This way" He said, holding my forearm lightly.

"Lead, I'll follow" I pulled my arm away from his and stood there waiting for him to lead the way. I carefully followed him, rubbing on the spot he touched me. There were times these touches literally lighted my whole day; triggered butterflies in my tummy. Those times were dead.

"Unfortunately, we were not expecting this day to come. So we basically share office" He smirked, opening the door for me. 

"Oh really?" I raised my eyebrows at him. 

"There are basically 2 offices inside here. One was used to save all the files but it's been moved and it's been cleaned and you can use it." He said, opening another door. 

"I assume this is mine?" I walked further into the office, touching the desk.

"Yes. Mine is right here. We really can't get away from each other, don't you think?" He smirked, leaning on my door.

I opened my mouth to counter him but got stopped halfway.

He was lucky.

"Mr Rodriguez, you have a visitor" a man said, interrupting us.

"Why?" 

"It's your wife" The man added.

"Scared already?" I laughed to myself.

"Tell her I'm busy" Antonio sneered 

"No, you're not" Doris said, showing up at my door. "Hi husband" She smiled, pecking him on his cheek. 

"Why are you here?" Antonio growled

"You didn't have breakfast and I thought we could have one before I leave for mother's place" She said, arranging his tie.

"Can you both please excuse me. I need to set up my office. Thank you" I smiled at them, clasping my hand.

"Oh! Melvis?" She pointed at me, acting like she just noticed me.

"I'm sure you'll not forget it once your husband and I start working properly because I'll make sure that's the only name you hear whenever he gets back from work" I smiled sweetly at her

"You better watch yourself, Melissa!" She sneered, charging at me. 

"Doris!" Antonio said, holding her back harshly.

I didn't care about their relationship. I didn't want to know if it was sour or sweet. Though it looked sour 

"But she started it" Doris pouted.

"We'll leave" Antonio said, pulling Doris out.

"You'll hear from me." Doris sneered

"I'll be offended if I don't" I pouted at her, waving at her as she was being dragged. 

I sighed, taking in deep breaths once the door was shut. 

Facade? Not an easy thing but it's something that needs to be done at times. 

"A word please before I leave?" Doris said, opening my door again.

"Sure, why not" I beckoned on her to come inside. I couldn't see Antonio anywhere close.

"I know why you're back" She frowned, walking close to me.

"Everyone knows" I raised my eyebrow at her. "To help revive your husband's company" 

"Oh please. Of all companies, why did you choose to revive this one" She asked, shaking from anger

"Because I once loved my ex-husband and wouldn't want to see his downfall?"

Don't say it out loud. Allow a girl lie.

"Stop all these lies! You came to steal my man away from me! After cheating on him" She scoffed

Shoot! That was a new low for me.

"I did cheat?" I gasped, holding my chest

"What do you mean?" She looked at me inquisitively. "You don't remember?"

"Remember what?" I asked, looking at her confusingly.

"You cheated on your Antonio with his step brother, Gerald. You're so shameless!" She yelled.

"Oh! I remember now" I laughed. "That was the reason I was thrown out of my husband's house right?" 

"You're so annoying." She huffed loudly. "I will fight you" 

"And I'd be sad if you back down soon" I pouted. "Meanwhile, I didn't come back for your husband. However, I think you should keep tabs on him. He's been too friendly, it's annoying." 

"He will never settle for a cheat" Doris sneered 

"Totally agree!" I nodded.

"I can't stand you!" She threw her hands up. "Watch out for me. Watch out!" She yelled before storming out of the office. I laughed out loud at her attitude. It was so fun to watch.

I quickly made a call for assistance and also a database containing names of staffs in the organization. I needed to change his PA today. It's a promise.

"Gotten everything you need?" Antonio asked as he barged into my office.

"Yeah. However you owe me the..."

"Statement of financial position. I got it Love, I got it." He nodded, taking a seat.

I shrieked at the choice of nickname.

"Don't you have things to do?" I asked in annoyance.

"My life just got livelier, I can't lie" He smirked

"Good for you. I am usually a very occupied person. I also don't like distractions."

"We'll be having lunch together, Buttercup" He said

The nickname sent chills down my body, making me adjust uncomfortably.

Bad chills.

"I'll be sending you our working terms tomorrow. Maybe you'd know your boundaries when you read it" I said, avoiding to look at him

"I know you still have a soft spot for me" He said. "See you around, wife!" 

"I am not your wife!" I yelled frustratedly.

"Guess?"

"What?" I raised my eyebrow. The next thing that came out of his mouth left me in shock as I stared at him, wide eyed. 

"I never submitted the divorce papers" He smirked. "And it's going to be a battle. So prepare yourself, Amore"

"No. YOU prepare yourself for rejection, Antonio because I will not be taking you back."