Chapter 5

“Do you want a red lipstick or a nude lipstick?”

“Nude”  

“Red it is” Oliva made final touches to my makeup, “Zoe, your phone is ringing”

I reached for my phone to check the caller's ID “ It's Thomas, he is outside”. 

I hurriedly wore my shoes, took my purse and coat, and left the house.

Thomas was standing beside the car when I got outside, “You look beautiful Miss Mia.”

“Thank you, Thomas.”

The drive to the house made me nauseous and I felt uneasy about the dinner. The scenery of my first time at my boss's house kept playing in my head, the thought of it sent chills down my spine, I just hope I do not do something stupid today. 

We finally arrived at Gerald's house and I must say, they have impeccable taste when it comes to houses.

I took in a deep breath as I pressed the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door.

 It's just dinner Mia, just dinner 

Breaking my thoughts the door swung open, revealing Jade, “Mia!” She pulled me in for a hug. “You look so beautiful, I knew the dress would fit.”

I smiled sheepishly as she showered me with compliments.

“Can you let her come in first” My eyes followed where the voice came from. There He was coming down the stairs with his walking stick, this was the second time I'm seeing him without his crutches.

“Doesn't she look beautiful Mason?”  He glanced at me and left without saying a word.

“I don't think the dress suits the occasion” 

“It does. Don't mind him, he's just a killjoy. I see what you did with your hair, you should wear it down more.”

We followed Mason from behind as he walked into the sitting room where a man and a woman sat down.

The woman in her mid-fifties  wrapped her hands around him as he sat close to her “ I was about to drag you out of your room.” her eyes fell on me, “Who do we have here?” she smiled in my direction.

“Mum, Dad, this is Mason’s secretary Mia”

“Why are you introducing my secretary to them?”

“Oh, stop it, Mason.” The woman said as she tapped Mason on his shoulder. “It's nice to meet you dear.”

After the brief introduction, Mr Gerald ordered everyone to move to the dining room. We settled in our seats, Mason sat opposite me, he didn't look in my direction.

The butler at the corner of the room gave a sign for the food to be served and left the room with the maids after serving the food. 

I hadn't eaten before leaving the house and now the aroma of the dish made my stomach flip, all I could think about was food. I tried eating eloquently, but the meal was not helping, it was so good. 

“Miss Mia, from what I have gathered this is your first time working as a secretary? Mr Gerald finally said something 

“Yes sir, and I'm so grateful for this opportunity”

“You should be. Someone with your qualifications isn't meant to work at my company and just to inform you I have eyes everywhere.”

“Gerald! What happened to no business talk during meals?” Anna Gerald stared at him in disapproval of what he said

“This is a business meeting”

“Well, you should have informed me, so I won't attend.”

I looked at Mason, to see his reaction to the chaos in the room, but He seemed fine. He ate his food quietly, ignoring all the drama that was unfolding between his parents.

“Isn't it suspicious, she doesn't have prior experience, this is her first time applying for the job and she got the job. I just want to be sure this is not one of those Mason’s decisions that brings issues to the company.”

“When have any of my decisions resulted in an issue for the company?” Mason finally said something, he looked so angry. I could see the veins in his head popping.

“Your marriage.” Mr Gerald answered as he looked back at him, it became a staring contest, the audience watched them waiting for who would break contact first, and the atmosphere in the room was tense. 

“I can't deal with you right now” Mason got up and left the room angry. Mr Gerald continued eating like he did not just release a bomb in the room.

“Gerald!” Mason’s mom called her husband in a daring tone

“I love it when you call my name in that tone”

“Do not try to change the topic. How could you say that to your son?”

“Say what? He is the head of the company, he has to know that every decision he makes can make or ruin the company.”  He wiped his mouth with the napkin beside him.“Miss Mia, I would like to have a word with you.” He stood up and left the room, I picked up my purse, thanked Mrs Gerald for the meal, and followed him.

He walked into a room that looked like Mason’s study room. He and his son have similar tastes when it comes to interior design. The room had little lighting, the curtains were not fully opened and the only source of light was the study light at his desk.

He sat at his desk and gestured for me to sit on the chair opposite him.

“I have a job for you”

Job?

“I want you to be my eyes at the office”

“Eyes? Sir, are you asking me to spy on your son?”

“If that's how you view it, yes spy on him”

“You were against it earlier on”

“This is my son and my company.”

“I need you to watch Mason for me, he hasn't fully  recovered from his past marriage, and I know that Jezebel he married is trying to get back at him.”

“I need you to be my eyes in the company, give me information on the operations of the company, especially the company Mason got from her dad.”

“What if I don't accept the offer?”

“You will lose your present job”

Wow..now I know where Mason got his attitude from.

“Can I think about it?”

“No, I need an answer now” I can't lose my job now, I need it.

“it seems you don't want the job”

“I will do it” 

Mason forgive me, I need this job

“Good, a little bonus will be added to your pay and it will be best for you that this stays between us”

Why does this sound like a threat? “OK. Sir” 

Mia, what are you getting yourself into?

I left the office questioning the decision I made, did I just involve myself in some family issue?

“Mia” I turned to see Jade standing close to the door  “Are you okay?”

 “Yeah, I'm good.” I tried to sound convincing 

“You sure? you look like you just sold your soul to the devil”

And your brother too.

“Nah I'm okay, your dad is just watching out for the company” I put on a smile to look more believing.

“Dad is always like this when it comes to the company. He takes the company as his first child” She looks cute when she whines about her dad. 

“I understand your dad's concern. This is a legacy that has been passed down to him from his fathers, he wouldn't want it to crumble during his reign”

“Yeah, I get it. But one mistake is not enough for him to crucify Mason.”

“Crucify? Isn't that too much?” We both laughed at her exaggeration

“I just hope they resolve their conflict”

“They will,” I remembered how Mason left the room angrily 

“Is your brother back?”

“No, he's probably in the garden, that is his favourite place in the house”

“How do I get there?”