Chapter 5: Scolded

Mabel's POV

The subtle glow of the morning sun spilled through the curtains of my room, kissing my skin softly. I stretched, a small moan escaping my lips.

Time to get ready for work.

Recalling yesterday's incidents: the wedding, the whole family drama, and Landon's attitude toward me. The weight of the whole ordeal starts to sink in.

I am married, not out of love but out of duty. Whether I liked it or not, things are not going to remain the same anymore. I would have to learn to share my space which is something I'm not sure I am ready to do.

Landon didn't come back to the Villa last night and that's something I was grateful for. He's one person I wasn't ready to be dealing with now.

“Good morning, my lady; breakfast is ready.” Carefully, I descended the staircase, my eyes partially searching for the owner of the unfamiliar voice.

Then I saw her, a middle-aged woman wearing an apron over her gown.

She noticed my confused countenance and clarified, smiling warmly. “I'm Belinda, the housekeeper. I took the day off yesterday. That's why we didn't meet.”

“Oh,” That's all I managed to say.

Looking around, I couldn't see Nora, so I asked, “Where is Nora?”

“Over here!” She squealed like a kid, from the kitchen, waving her hands as she walked to us.

“I see you've met Belina.” Her eyes lit up radiantly.

“Yeah,” I said casually, walking past her.

Belinda's eyes followed me as I moved, her eyebrows knitting together to form a concerned frown. “You look like you didn't sleep a wink last night. Is everything alright?”

I held back a sigh. She was right. I was too upset to have a good sleep. Yesterday was a little too much for a starter like me.

“It's probably all the stress.” I reached the table and picked a meatball. It tasted so good that I got tempted to sit but I was almost late for work.

“Is it to your liking?” Belinda asked, slightly nervous. Her curious eyes watched me expectantly, dying to get a response from me. A positive one.

“Yes, too bad I can't dig in right now.” I let out a frustrated hiss. I wished I could stay just a little longer, the aroma was still very tempting.

“Why not?” She pressed.

“I'm almost late for work.”

“In that case, I should pack some food for you.” She suggested, turning to the kitchen.

“No need, please.” There was no point, I wouldn't eat it anyway.

It's a habit of mine, no matter how hungry I was, I would only eat once I got home because I'd be so invested in my job that taking a break would be a problem.

With that, I walked hastily out of the door before they could bring more suggestions.

Getting into the car, I rested my head against the seat to take a breather while casually handing the driver the address.

But nothing prepared me for his response.

“I have orders not to take you anywhere; I'm sorry, ma'am.”

I furrowed my brow. “Whose orders?” The question left my mouth even though I knew deep down it was that Jerk! I held my breath, anticipating his response.

“President Ferguson's orders.” He confirmed my suspicion.

Exhaling deeply, I gave a little nod feigning a relaxed expression.

“I see.” I got down from the car and slammed the car door so hard that it could come off, making the driver flinch at the impact.

I leaned towards the window and signaled for the driver to roll down the glass and he did,

“When you see him, you can tell him to shove it up his ass.” His eyes widened in utmost disbelief.

Landon was surely getting on my nerves, as if yesterday's humiliation wasn't enough, now this. This is so petty and immature!

My palm balled into a fist, my jaw hardening.

Well, to hell with him and his car!

Once again, I practiced my breathing technique, it has always helped me maintain my composure. There's no way I was letting this jerk get under my skin today!

10 minutes passed, and I was still waiting for a cab; there was not even a single commercial vehicle on the road. Hissing for the umpteenth time, I paced silently trying to hide my impatience and desperation because I knew the driver was watching me.

It's no doubt that I was already late and I could feel my frustration bobbling.

Then I remembered that I could just order an Uber. Luckily my ride was only 5 minutes away.

************************************

I hurried into the building, making a quick stop at the reception to sign in then I went straight to my department. The workspace I shared with my colleagues was separated by low-walled cubicles, giving every worker a sense of privacy.

“I thought you were going to ditch today as well,” Dylan commented, spinning around his space in his chair, the sarcasm in his voice unhidden.

Ignoring his taunts, I asked about what bothered me.

“Is he in?” I was more worried about how to face my supervisor. He liked yelling even when there wasn't a need to. No one knows his problem. And now that I was already late, he had more reasons to spit on my face.

“Yeah, he asked about you just a few moments ago. I covered for you yesterday, that was the agreement. You were supposed to be here earlier.” He finished his words with a simple shrug.

“Shit!” I cursed under my breath. This is all because of that massive jerk, Landon!

“Where did you go? And why didn't you tell me you were moving out?” Dylan had been my friend since childhood and we both secured a job at the broadcasting company. We've had each other's backs ever since.

I feel bad for not telling him, not like I don't want to, but I don't trust his mouth. He talks too much.

“Your aunt slammed the door in my face when I came over to your place to get the hard drive, I almost lost a toe!” he lifted his leg so I could see it from my cubicle. I rolled my eyes at his exaggeration.

“Then I heard from the neighbors that you moved out! I thought we were friends! The neighbors knew but I didn't!” He blinked his eyes rapidly and dramatically. I was going to roll my eyes again before a loud voice startled us.

“Mabel Hawkins!” I flinched. “My office, now!” The voice thundered. My eyes met with my supervisor's angry ones as he stood outside his office fuming, his hands gripping tightly on the railing.

“Yes, Mr Fredd.” An apologetic smile hung on my lips.

“Looks like you're in some deep shit.” Dylan mocked.

On my way out I picked up a pile of files from his desk and dumped it on his head.

“Ouch! What the hell was that for?” He groaned. “You ungrateful child!”

I knocked on the door and waited for an invitation to go in. When I didn't get a response, I knocked again.

“Do you intend to uproot the door?” He barked from inside. Typical Mr. Fredd.

“Sorry, Mr. Fredd” I apologized and stepped in.

He was pacing around his office with both hands on his waist. Because I was already used to him being that way, none of that bothered me.

“Do you want me to be fired?” He stopped in front of me, his chest rising and falling. “Do you want to take my position?”

I fixed him with a confused gaze without saying a word.

“Don't stare at me like you didn't get the email!” His hands flew up in frustration.

My confusion faded as it occurred to me that I hadn't checked my emails in a while because I didn't have the time. Yesterday was a busy day for me. Immediately, I brought out my phone and glanced through it.

“What? You're just checking now??” His angry voice now held a hint of disbelief.

Then I saw the specific mail. I was supposed to attend a press conference this morning. Shit!

There are not many details about the interview, but the reporter who was supposed to cover the interview was handed another task. Hence the urgency and need for replacement. The email was even sent late in the evening.

His eyes watched me, disappointment replacing the anger in them.

“Mabel, you were better than this; I'm so disappointed in you.”

“Sorry, Mr. Fredd,” Sometimes the best thing you can do is apologize and let things go. Especially in cases like this when somebody like Mr. Fredd wouldn't give a shit about any excuse you make.

“Because of you, my department is left behind again. I'm being mocked by my colleagues.” I remained silent as I watched him lament.

“What do I do now? The interview must have begun already!” He slammed his palm on his desk, his head shaking sideways.

“I'll head out right away with my team.” I excused myself and left before he could continue yelling. I was a team leader of six. My team was made up of three people from the news department including me,

and three people from the operation department who handled the camera, sound, and lighting.

Dylan was the editor on my team, and he's proven to be very useful over the past 3 years while I've only been a team leader for a year.

“Dylan, get everyone ready, we're leaving in 10,” I announced as I reached our workspace, moving to my desk to pick up a few things I might need.

“There's someone here to see you,” Dylan said. A frown formed on my face. I wasn't expecting anyone and I didn't have the time to meet with people.

“Not now Dylan, there's too much to do.” I dismissed it without a second thought.

“The person looks like they could eat you up.” He added with a knowing smirk. My brow curved to form a questioning arch.

My curiosity pushed me to ask, “Who is it?”

“I can't tell you that, it spoils the fun.” He giggled. I rolled my eyes at his childishness.

“When will you ever grow up?” I sighed in frustration, heading to the reception to see who it was; maybe, just maybe, they were worth my time.

My eyes met with a pair of bloodshot eyes! Oh no!