Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Naomi backed towards the mirror, trying to conceal the burning rage in her eyes. "Me? No. Did you hear me say that?"

Suzanne smiled, then stopped on noticing how swollen and red Naomi's eyes were. "Are you okay? You seemed to have been crying."

"Me?" Naomi blinked, and shook her head, letting her short bob hair dance around her neck. "Why would I cry? I'm perfectly fine, it's just fatigue."

Suspiciously, Suzanne reached out and felt Naomi's temperature. Immediately, she withdrew. "My God, Naomi, you're boiling up."

"I'm fine! Let go of me!" Naomi snapped loudly, startling Suzanne in the process. After she'd realized what she had done, Naomi quickly calmed her nerves.

"I'm...sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."

With the shocked expression still on her face, Suzanne managed to smile, and nodded. "It's okay. I... just hope you're fine." She told her and went into one of the restrooms. Few minutes later, she came out, and saw Naomi still waiting in front of the window.

"Don't you think you and I need to talk?" Naomi mumbled immediately she saw Suzanne walking out.

"Talk about what, Naomi?"

"Your... relationship with my boss. Is it for real?"

Suzanne stared at Naomi, and chuckled after a while. "Of course not, Naomi. I told you, didn't I? I'm going to make Michael pay for ever hurting me the way he did."

"Right?" Naomi laughed as well, forcing herself to be convinced. She walked towards Suzanne, and held her by the arm. "If you need informations around here, the best person to meet is me. I know everything about Michael. Just come to me."

"Really now?" Suzanne rolled her eyes playfully as they both walked out of the ladies' restroom.

*********

"I can't believe the boss could do this to me," Grayson complained sitting around the table by the window side, his arms tightly crossed over his broad chest. His face was a mask of fury and disappointment all mixed together.

He had been there in the morning meeting when Michael had announced a complete stranger as the project manager and supervisor. That position had always been his. Where did that woman come from?

"I'm shocked as well," Ashley chipped in, a total look of irritation edged deep into the lines on her forehead. They were all in the chicken store close to the company. It was already thr close of the day, and the pair had decided to gather in the shop to talk about what had happened during the day.

"Did you see the way he looked at her? I've never seen him look at anyone like that. I think he's been totally bewitched." Michelle scoffed. She grabbed her drumstick from the plate on the table, and took a generous bite.

Nathan, who has been quiet all along suddenly smirked, and shook his head. The other three turned to look at him, wondering if he had anything to say.

"What are you laughing about, huh? This isn't funny, you know." Grayson chidded.

Nathan turned to look at him, his round dark eyes filled with mockery that couldn't be missed. "You've always thought that the project managing position is yours, but yet, you've not really done a great job."

"What?" Grayson's voice shook with anger as he asked. His temper was visibly rising.

"We have a very important contract at hand that is what billions of dollars. Of course, we need someone extraordinary who will help us get it. Did you think the boss would put you in charge, and risk losing that huge contract?" Nathan laughed once more.

"How dare you, son of a bitch!" Grayson thundered, and sprang up on his feet for a fight. But the girls quickly got up, and held his arms.

The people around in the store started to look at them.

"Well, I've said my truth. Deal with it." Nathan sighed, standing up on his feet. "That woman is pretty though. I wonder if I stand a chance." Nathan muttered, laughed loudly this time before exciting the store.

"I'm going to end that bastard's life! How dare him talk to me that way!!" Grayson vibrated.

"Calm down, Gray. Yours drawing some unnecessary attentions." Michelle whispered embarrassed.

"Let go of me," Grayson shrugged off their hold on him, grabbed his soda can and gulped down the content.

************

Outside, Nathan made a stop by the bus station across the chicken store, found himself a seat, and pulled out his cellphone. He dialled a line, whistled softly and fed his eyes with the flashy cars speeding past the road as he waited for the line to get connected.

After a few ring, a familiar voice rose from the other end.

"What happened over there? Did Michael bring Suzanne in there?" A bit of desperation could be heard in Davey's voice.

Nathan smiled, and leaned over in his seat. "Not just that. He has made her the project supervisor. She will be overseeing the strategy team concerning the upcoming contract."

"I can't believe this. How did this happen?" Davey exploded.

"Are you scared right now? Does this mean...she is really good? Is she really going to get the contract?" Nathan asked with lines of curiosity all over his face.

"She doesn't have enough experience, and I'm not scared. Do you not know who I am? Why should I feel threatened by a nobody like her? Continue observing what ever happens. I want you to report back to me no matter how little it is."

"You sound scared, you proud dick." Nathan mocked after he'd hung up the call. He slipped his cellphone back into his pocket. He looked up to see if the next bus was arriving, and saw Naomi walking loosely along the walkway.

He got up, and walked towards her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, watched her jumped in shock.

"You scared me!" Naomi scolded, placing a hand over her chest as she adjusted her bag.

"Are you just leaving the office? Why? Were you working late again?" Nathan asked with a smile that only touched a corner of his lips.

"What's your business with that?" Naomi asked, and continued walking. Quickly, Nathan joined her as he continued talking.

"So, when are you going to stop being so stupid and face reality?" He asked causally, laughed when Naomi stopped walking, shd turned to look at him.

"What... are...you tall about?" She stuttered, clutching her bag very close.

"Oh, you don't know what I'm talking about? I mean, your obsession over Michael O'Connor. When are you going to snap out of it?" Nathan asked again, leaving Naomi shocked to her bones.

How did he know??