Chapter 6: Is she mad at me?

RECENT TIMES...

Gerald is standing in front of his office's window, imagining things that motivate him to sue his ex-wife. Their wedding, their lovemaking, and even the latest romance he shared with her.

It's Monday, the scheduled day for M.E.S.A. (Marketing Establishment and Statistical Authority), in which each company has representatives for selling their own products in their chosen establishment. His assistant is coming to see him.

"Mr. Hallway, can we go to A-Kezha Mall now? It's already time."

He turns his head, staring at her face, who isn't looking at him, and walks slowly, closing to her post.

He even moves his jaw a little closer to her, but still, Ava's eyes are still intact on the floor.

"What if I will not come because you are not there? Would you miss me?"

"Yuck!" She pushes his chest, rolling her eyeballs.

Then she moves back saying, "Gerald, you're now old for sweet words. It's disgusting. Grrr!"

Ava Nicole walks faster going to the door, holding its knob without turning her head that someone is standing behind her. She acts to twist it but stops when she feels something strange hit her butt.

"What's that? I am not prepared for that, sir," she says, biting her lips while controlling herself from the hotness she feels inside.

His long, tender cucumber hardens, wanting to drive a hole for a very long time of missing it. It even attracts when seeing her curved body full of blasts.

"It's okay. You don't need to be prepared. I can handle this," he says in a soft voice, caressing her hips up to her breast. 

Ava closes her eyes, deepens biting her lips, and starts to feel the mixed temperature within her body. She sways her hands, attempting to swing it in the back of his neck, but suddenly the door unlocks.

Slap!

"You want to use me again? Hell yah!" 

Boom! What a big hit Gerald receives from her, causing the woman coming in to appear open-mouthed.

He touches his red cheek, saying, "Ouch!" with a question mark above his head.

His lifted right eyebrow makes Annie think of a reason why her best friend did that to her boss. Maybe to show her that they have misunderstanding again, or maybe the CEO did the bad act that makes Ava get angry at him. Neither of the two reasons may be right, but her confidence today is rising again.

Ava gets out after the big slap, while Annie, who's entering, talks to her boss. She's smiling now like she won a big lotto.

"Gerald, Marianne is ready to represent our company today for the MESA event. You're the only person who needs to be there for them to start the showcase," she says.

Gerald is not in the mood because of the ache she suffers on his cheek. He even sees it in the mirror. Blushing, like he drank a liquor out of nowhere. But, unfortunately, his ex-wife did hurt him.

"Gerald, are you listening to me?" she repeatedly says this two times before the CEO pays attention to her.

"Ms. Annie, can you just stop calling me in my name if you are in my office? You're distracting my mood!"

Then he reaches his toxedo laying on the sofa and harshly opens the door. Gerald walks faster, while the woman follows her. He has no interest in her attention rather than thinking about the reason why Ava Nicole hits him that way.

"Is she mad at me?" he asks himself.

***

The G&W Manufacturing Paper Supplies prepares Marianne, a marketing specialist of the company, trains her well, and supports her whatever outcome may be in the actual event. She is in her post, waiting for her boss to come after her to see her performance on how to attract customers in her marketing strategy.

Ava Nicole is also there, standing in front of her, not knowing that the company's representative is the one she stares at. She doesn't like the way she wears fake smiles at her other company competitors. They are five in a row, but only Marianne acts smart, moves like an expert, and bears an extent of confidence like she's pretty sure she will win.

She even hears Marianne and her teammate behind her, murmuring, "Who is she? Is she the woman or a customer they say that has a spicy tongue but has no money? Poor OA girl!"

Dara, also a marketing specialist tasked with assisting Marianne, has the guts to roll her eyes, thinking about bad things to raise their confidence in winning. Her friend also believes in her.

"Oh, maybe she is. It is obvious the way she dresses cheap clothes, watching every participant for her to blab. Huh, you can't beat me now!" Marianne badly says.

Ava Nicole receives a message. Upon looking at where their representative is posting, she is willing to help her no matter what, but she doesn't recognize her either. Annie messaged her the color of the Polo shirt Marianne's wearing, so she quickly got it.

When she walks two steps apart, an announcement tone suddenly rings.

"To all valued shoppers, today is MESA day where you can buy affordable paper supplies whatever you want, which is posted behind each counter. There are five company representatives there; you may fill in the line whoever you choose to be in. Thank you."

The people run from their designated post to the near posts of five counters, waiting for the countdown for the start of shopping. They are happy to participate in the said event while their eyes are now staring suddenly at the man approaching in front of them.

Yey!

Oops!

So handsome!

"Is he the owner of the RNT Smooth Paper Manufacturing Company?" the murmurs of some people being heard.

Yes, the first row's boss is coming to support his own product. What about the other?

Marianne stays confident, quick-looking in her watch, for she observes that their CEO is still not around. Mostly, customers are attracted to the CEO's beauty if the representative is not good at marketing. Only if he is single and has a perfect look.

For five years in running, Gerald has been the most-awaited CEO at every event. His company is always in the top 1 when it comes to sales in MESA events because of his charisma and beauty. Customers are more attractive to him than his representative.

But he hasn't come around. Why is that so?

Two minutes left, Gerald Hallway is still not present. The four CEOs are looking for him and have confidence now to compete themselves because of his absence.

"Dara, can you contact his assistant? I can't do this without him. You know the routine, right?" Marianne is bothering now. 

Her confidence decreases. 

Ava Nicole distinguishes her facial expression, motivates her to find solutions, and finds herself an instrument for their success. So she walks towards them.

"Do you need—" 

Dara pushes her, stopping her from coming near Marianne.

"Ms. not now! The countdown has not yet started. So, stay on your post, okay? Stay away from our job area," Marianne exclaims, obviously having a fear of being distracted by anyone.

"But Ms., I suppose you're Mr. Hallway's employee, so I came here to help. I'm his assistant."

"Haha. Come on, I don't believe you. You're joking, right? Annie is his assistant, so stop assuming!"

"No, I'm telling the truth!"

"Stop! Stop! Please. We're not interested in strangers who come to destroy us. And Ms. Annie will come here now. You will see."

Ava Nicole breathes heavily. She wasn't recognized by them. In the first place, she's new to her job. Maybe she can't blame them. But seeing her co-worker prepare everything but has no hope of winning hurts her inside, which causes her to push through. She wants to help anyway.

A text message is received by Ava Nicole. Annie asks for help. She is in the hospital because of a car accident. The woman finds a reason to wipe her away from the event area, to not be involved in her success. Her plan is to lead herself, for she wants to spread good news through her name.

Ava is in doubt now. She needs to choose between helping a friend or helping a co-worker who hasn't given worth to her. Both are not important in her life but vital in her job. What can she do?

Yey!

Clap!

The crowd is shouting and applauding like someone or a group of people is approaching. It's thirty seconds left before the countdown starts. And here, maybe her boss is coming in.

"Dara, I think boss is here. Eey!" Marianne giggles in gay, thinking finally her inspiration is coming to her.

Yes, Marianne liked Gerald for a very long time. Like Annie, she is desperate to show herself confidence, winning, to help him pay attention to her. But her activity varies for Annie, as she doesn't move an initial motive but hides her feelings in her heart.

Everyone's yelling fades quickly. What happens? Are they supposed to wait their idol? Their eyes bulge, their mouths open, and after seeing that, they are turning away and going to other posts. 

G&W Manufacturing Paper Supplies column has only five customers in line compared to the other four companies. What could be wrong?