Chapter 2. Meeting him again.

It's been a day since Joe was taken away from me. I was told to live like a mouse while they handled everything by my new family. As much as I wanted to do that in exchange for Joe, I knew it was far from possible to achieve that by just doing nothing, I don't know what's happened to Joe because they told me to wait and not get in their way and then there was the company, they also requested I don't show up at work which is where the 'live like a mouse' comes in, but Joe had nominated me for  the position of CEO, and i couldn't remain idle and so Chole Joe Anderson began my first day at work with a surprise appearance. 

Arriving earlier than the workers, I waited for them to arrive later while I went through some documents at Joe's office to discover some very important findings. At last, it was 10am, by this time everyone had arrived and it was time for me to address them, "my husband being arrested will not affect my work ability, since I was nominated for the position of CEO I will do my duty diligently until the election is over, if I am not affected then I don't expect you'll be affected, I trust that you work together as a team to achieve the best sales because I'll be in your hands and needing your trust. I hope we all achieve greater heights together and good luck." It was the shortest and simplest of speech I could think of trying to remain strong.

       "Chloe, what are you doing?" I heard a voice call from behind me, when I turned around I found my Mother-in-law, Sonia fuming with rage.

        "I came to do my duty, I hate letting people down and I know Joe would be unhappy if he discovers that I was holed up in a corner rather than doing something he trusted me for so from today I will be working in this company." I replied. Sonia frowned at me, scoffed and then left.

Knowing too well that they didn't like the idea of a girl with a poor background taking over a family business I proceeded to stand on my grounds. It'll be difficult for them to accept me but I wasn't going to sit back and do nothing. 'You've kept me in a difficult position Joe. You shouldn't have left the company in my hands in the first place, that way I wouldn't be concerned about both you and the company. I hope you're doing alright.' I felt my wedding ring on my finger and rubbed it, wondering to myself what had become of Joe and wish he was here with me. I can visit him today once I leave this place. 

        "You'll be having a meeting with the board members tomorrow, followed by one with the shareholders, it'll happen at exactly 9am in the morning so to set a record and show them that you're serious it's best if you arrive ten to thirty minutes earlier." I had Julia, Joe's secretary to assist me and together we briefed on my responsibilities and duties from tomorrow, and so I realised after seeing his schedule that Joe was one workaholic. 

         "Alright, have the car ready, there's somewhere I need to go." Julia nods, taking her phone from her pocket and making calls while I return to Joe's office to gather a few documents before I leave. 

Hmm! 

I'll need to ask him about all this, although Minor there's been a few reports that doesn't match, while I was a journalist I usually spot a few things like this, for instance people would collect bribes while making a story, if the government was giving fifty million for a project they would start the story talking about the project first and then switch it up to something that wasn't relevant or a repeated story containing the same amount and since it's read on the news not everyone is interested in every single detail read to them, it's a method used in embezzlement of funds. 

This is trouble if something like this gets into the hand of the wrong person but this record was coming from the finance department and the people in charge of that department are none other than my lovely in-laws. Is this what you wanted me to find out, Joe? You want me to protect the company.

      "Ma'am the car's ready." Julia phoned. 

        "Yes, and please tomorrow, find time to make up a separate meeting for me and my in laws regardless of their departments." I'd need to speak with Joe today no matter what. 

Making haste, I take the elevator down and hurry past the receptionist. She stands up immediately and greets. "have a nice day ma'am." But I had no time to listen. The door was opened for me and I was about to leave but I couldn't.  I retract my leg and turn around. 

The back of the man who walked past me with his hand in his pocket and a scarf around his neck was broad and big. It felt like a familiar figure, a posture of a perfect someone with a walking style that was defined as elegant and high class. I've seen that man before. It couldn't be, could it? 

       "Mark?!" I called out to him. 

The man suddenly stops walking and turns around, it is at this moment that forgotten memories of the past begin to flood in, giving me a vibe of Deja vu. "Is that you Chloe?" The man questioned. 

Caught in a trance I had no idea what to do at this point, my body stiffened and I was out of words. The man before me 'Mark' was a close friend of mine that I had feelings for in the past but then he took off right after graduation that I could not even confess my feelings to him, that man who disappeared without a word had suddenly appeared in front of me and giving off an aura of superiority amd looking breathtakingly handsome, he seems to be doing well off and so am I. "I didn't expect to see you here Chloe, it's been a while." He said with a charming smile.

        "Of course you didn't, you took off without telling anyone remember." I laugh, pointing out my disappointment. 

          "Oh well, I'm sorry, I had a family issue back then, I couldn't even stay for the entire graduation but it's good that we could meet. Who knows we might meet more in the future if that's what fate wants." Hmm, so he had a family member working here, maybe I'll get in touch with that person and get his contacts later, I don't have time to spend here otherwise I would have done that. 

         "Alright, see you later maybe." 

        "Oh wait, I hear about what happened to you, I hope you're okay." 

         "Huh?!" Tears hang at the corner of my eye. Mark had unknowingly shaken by the wall I had spent so much effort building to not show my weakness. "Honestly, I'm not okay. But I Know he's innocent so he'll be back soon. I trust my husband, Joe's a good man." 

        "Of course he is, it seems you're on your way out, so I won't be disturbing you, see you later." He waves a good bye and continues walking while I leave the building. I didn't expect to run into Matt today. I could feel myself tense. At least I was able to meet one familiar face. I wonder if fate has anything to do with our meeting.