five

The faint sound of paper being flipped could be heard in the luxurious office. The man on the office chair, pressed his temples, his eyes on the document he was reading.

Just then, the door to the office was opened and a man, dressed in suit came in, looking dapper and brisk.

"Mr. Bertram " Isak called, dropping the pictures he was holding on the table. "I got this just as you informed. He was last seen at the club."

Len looked up from his book, his eyes slightly dimming as he gaped at the pictures. He picked one of the pictures and smirked. "Looks like he's enjoying life. Continue to keep an eye on him, he's as tricky as the tortoise. And don't let him know he's being tailed."

"Okay Sir" Isak answered, grabbing the pictures from the table. He arranged them very well and turned to leave. However as he moved an inch, he stopped in his tracks as if he recalled something. "Sir, your name seem to be on the trending list again. There are many people asking about your relationship with Miss Melissa. Your Grandfather asked you to clarify it in the mean time."

Len seemed to stop what he was doing as he gave it a thought. "There is nothing between us. I've clarified this for a very long time. Ask Melissa to do it this time."

"Yes Sir" Isak answered. "She said she will be your partner for tonight's masquerade ball too."

Len was lost in thought. He didn't want to attend the masquerade ball because it had nothing to do with him but as usual Melissa had informed his Mother beforehand.

Since his Mother was aware of it, Len just couldn't say no.

"Prepare an outfit for both of us" Len let out a sigh.

"Okay sir." Isak left to do his boss's wish.

Len was left brooding in the silent yet extensive confines of his office. Something was eating him up but he could not yet place a finger on it. The last six years of his life have been full of ups and downs. 

His 'ups' had been mostly his business. His 'downs' were certainly his personal life. He could not understand how Melissa had come to be a huge part of his life and while it had been fun six years back, he could not say he was feeling the fun energy 'zap' anymore.

Sometimes he asked himself if he had done the right thing or he had just allowed a huge mess becloud his sense of fair judgement. 

A lot had happened from six years back till date. And would he say he regretted them? Probably not. But he certainly was not liking where this was heading. He probably had to talk to Melissa and make her forget any thought of them together.

He also needed to tell her to stop telling things to his mother. If there was anything to plan that involved him, he should be part of it. He would see to it. 

There was a knock on his office door. "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Melissa. A frown deepened his forehead. What was she doing here? How had she been able to come here? Len sighed, realizing that was a stupid question he was asking. 

It was six years, more than half a decade. Melissa knew almost everything about him, and they — his mother and Melissa — thought it was normal for him to just go along with the flow.

"Won't you welcome me in your office, my dear Len?" She walked up to him and trailed well manicured, red painted talons along his firm biceps hidden beneath his designer shirt that was rolled up to his elbow. 

"What are you doing here, Melissa?" He asked instead.

"What? I can't come to see you anymore?" She frowned in annoyance.

"I'm not saying that but you know this is my work hours, you should call me before coming." He quite frankly told her.

Melissa was just too much for him. He could not say he did not understand what she wanted but why? He sighed inwardly.

"Oh my goodness, Len. Just chill. I'm not here to bite you, you know." 

Melissa wanted him. Len was her childhood sweetheart and she never stopped loving him. Things had happened and Paula was no long part of the picture, but what was still stopping him? Why was he still behaving as though he did not want her?

"I'm not saying you're here to bite me, Melissa. I'm just saying you should have let me know before coming here." He argued, sounding exasperated.

This was one of the qualities he hated in Melissa. She was beautiful, well dressed and every of that but she was unnecessarily stubborn. So selfish and self-centered. 

Thinking of no one but herself. Maybe this was the problem. This was why he was having troubles with her. Why couldn't she be more like her sister? What? Who had his brain just racked up in the moment? No, he would not go there.

"Okay fine! I'll let know you next time." She retorted, quite stung.

Why was Len suddenly treating her like a stranger? Even after Paula left, things were still running smoothly between them. But this recent change was unexpected and annoying.

"There. Was that so hard?" He observed her face then heaved a sigh. She was annoyed. He did not need any special person to tell him that. "It's okay, Melissa. I did not mean to be harsh on you."

Without being invited, she sat on his lap and wound her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry too."

He was struggling to hide his irritation. He forced his lips to spread in a smile. "That's okay. So what brings you here?"

There was a quick rap on the door. He thought she would spring up from his lap and appear decent but she did not bulge. 

"Melissa, go seat on the chair opposite." He told her. It was still a struggle keeping his true emotions out of his voice. 

"Why?" Her brows furrowed as though she was not pleased with what he'd told her.

The patient rap came on again. 

"Do you know this is an office, Melissa? I would not want any of my workers to see me in such position. What do you think it speaks of me?" He was certain he was beginning to lose the reins of control.

"So? It should not be a bother, Len. We're together, aren't we?" What was his deal? Why was he acting up?

Was something wrong in his life? But she would love to know and together they could sort it out. But the next words that came out of his mouth was unexpected.

"We're not together. We never were and we will never be!"