Chapter 6: Stare (Samantha)

Samantha’s Point of View

I jumped when the office door suddenly swung open and slammed shut. The Chief Operating Officer, Conrad, marched in—wearing a white polo paired with a brown tie, khaki pants, and brown leather shoes. I followed his heavy, fast steps as he headed straight to Walter’s desk. My heart pounded harder with every second. I was afraid with the possibility that they were about to fight.

But one look at Walter made me doubt that would even happen. I don’t know what kind of breeze hit him today, but he looked completely calm as he watched Conrad stomp toward him.

“Are you seriously that clueless about the consequences of what you did yesterday?!” Conrad snapped, pointing a finger at Walter.

Walter frowned at him, shrugged, then casually pulled out the pen tucked in the chest pocket of his black coat.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Walter answered, twirling the pen between his fingers. “And don’t storm into my office like that. You’re not the kind of kid I’d like to babysit. You’re ruining my good morning.”

Walter shook his head and let out a mocking laugh.

“My god, Walter. You really don’t know what you did?” Conrad ran a hand through his hair, disbelief written all over him. I understood where he was coming from. “Are you really that careless about the company?”

Walter’s eyes suddenly sharpened. His jaw tightened as he glared at Conrad.

“Whatever bullshit you’re trying to pin on me, I don’t care because I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, his tone too calm to hide the anger underneath. “So say straight what your tantrum is about.”

“You cancelled your meeting with the owner of Hacienda Oledan,” Conrad said. I swallowed hard. I was the one who cancelled it. Walter told me to, but I still did the action myself. My heartbeat quickened again when Walter’s eyes flicked to me.

I didn’t know what consequences Conrad was talking about, but it sounded serious. Walter could easily say I canceled it on my own. And then Conrad would unleash all his anger on me until I lose my job. I can’t afford that.

“Yes,” Walter answered, turning back to Conrad. I finally exhaled. “And it was necessary.”

“Necessary?!” Conrad repeated, stunned. “How exactly was that necessary? The owner said they prepared for two weeks for that meeting. And then you cancelled last minute?”

Conrad let out a long sigh and looked away.

“It was necessary because I had more important things to do,” Walter insisted. “Calm your ass down. They need our company. They’ll definitely ask for another meeting.”

“They did. But you didn’t answer their calls,” Conrad fired back. “This morning, they pulled out and terminated the deal. No message, no goodbye—exactly how you treated them.”

Walter shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “And so? What’s the problem? We can replace them. It’s not the end of the world.”

He stood up and leaned against the desk.

“Don’t be so confident. There are other distillery companies far more reliable.” Conrad emphasized the word reliable. “And now that we lost a potential partner, be ready when the supply chain starts breaking. Fix this—or the next meeting you miss will be the one where they vote to replace you.”

I tightly gripped the hem of my skirt as Walter stood and grabbed Conrad by the collar.

“Don’t talk to me like that. I am the CEO and the heir of this company,” Walter growled, shoving him back.

“If you’d use your brain instead of your ego and arrogance, you’d understand why I’m reacting this way. I’m not your enemy, Walter,” Conrad said, calmer now but still deeply frustrated. “Hundreds of people depend on this company. Own your mistake. If your pride is costing us business, then maybe it’s time we reevaluate your position.”

When Conrad turned toward the door, I pretended to be looking for something on the table. He left and closed the door behind him. I glanced at Walter.

“What?!” he barked at me. I turned away sharply and rolled my eyes.

-----

I stopped a taxi in front of a newly opened coffee shop here in Malibago City. The car door flew open the moment I stepped out.

“Sam!” Valerie, my best friend, called out when she saw me. She was wearing a light yellow floral dress with puff sleeves. She owned this coffee shop. “What is going on, girl?”

She slapped my arm repeatedly as the taxi pulled away.

“I just need someone to come with me to Ivy Aesthetics,” I explained. “I still have two procedures left. And I don’t want to go home alone afterward.”

Last time, I went home alone. After almost an hour inside the clinic, Walter was nowhere outside. He even promised to take me home. I ended up spending part of my savings on fare.

Valerie laughed. “Wow, now I’m a lady guard.”

I thought of Walter as she said the word guard.

“But seriously, what’s happening? Why do you suddenly have all these procedures and in a high-end clinic?” she asked. The car came to another stop. Probably a red light.

“Like I said on the phone, my boss paid for it,” I replied. I wasn’t sure if I should tell Valerie that I’m pretending to be my boss’ girlfriend. She knew every irritation, hatred, and single complaint I had about Walter.

“That’s why I’m asking. What’s the catch?” she pushed.

I stayed silent for a few seconds until she spoke again.

“Wait! Is that Jefferson?” she asked, pointing at the window behind me.

I slowly turned and there he was, sitting inside another car.

Before his vehicle started moving again, I got a clear look at his face.

Valerie was right. It was him.

My ex-boyfriend.