Persuade Him.

MELANIE'S POINT OF VIEW

 I sigh in relief as I sat on one of the chairs in the company cafeteria and dropped my tray of food on the table.

 I'm so tired already and it's just minutes past eight.

 Dexter's master plan meant he had breakfast at seven, then left the house thirty minutes after and arrived in the company at eight or earlier depending on the traffic.

 Traffic wasn't bad today so we arrived before eight but he had me doing different things so I couldn't get away till now.

 I rush the meal and stand up minutes later then begin walking to the elevator. I am about to enter the elevator when someone walks past me and enters inside.

 "Melanie!"

 Dexter's mother, Eveth Knight.

 That was one overbearing woman, just like her son. The only difference was she happened to love me, way too much.

 "Eveth", I replied her with a forced smile.

 Yeah, she made me begin calling her by her first name once she fell in love with me. It was way easier though, since it saved me the stress of having to call her Miss Knight in some places and Mrs Abram in some circles.

 Eveth was Mr Knight's overpampered daughter. She had gotten pregnant with Dexter while in college but Dexter's father had denied the pregnancy until Mr Knight came into the picture.

 Dexter's father was forced into accepting the child and they signed a contract stating he would live with Mr Knight and act like they were married till Dexter was six then disappear from their lives afterwards.

 So the contract was followed peacefully until they found out he was seeing someone else on Dexter's second birthday party. Eveth revealed the contract while ranting in annoyance and the media had immediately picked it up.

 He was sent out of the house afterwards but allowed to visit Dexter until the expiration of the contract. He had filed for custody when Dexter was ten but lost the suit and that was the last time Eveth and Dexter laid their eyes on him.

 Don't ask how I know, Eveth is a blabbermouth.

 "How are you here so early?", I asked

 "Don't you remember when last I came here and Dexter refused to go out with me claiming he already had his day planned?" She reminded me.

 I told you he's a jerk.

 I remember that day vividly. The haughty Eveth was reduced to a beggar that day because of her fucked-up son. And then he told me to get her out of his office when she began making a scene.

 Why me?

 Eveth had cried badly that day. It was just about two weeks ago.

 "I decided to come early today so that I can get a place in his schedule", she sighs.

 Except that his schedule has already been prepared since yesterday evening but I will not mention that though.

 "Let's go together", I say and walk into the elevator then press the elevator buttons.

 "Is Liam in a good mood today? Will he listen to me?", she asks. 

 I don't how she manages to switch between calling him the shortened form of his middle name, William and calling him by his first name, Dexter so easily. I suppose when you have a son that would freak out on you if the world found out he was called such an affectionate nickname, you will learn.

 "I think he should but I have been away from him so I can't tell if he got riled up while I was away", I answer truthfully knowing he had more mood swings than a pregnant woman.

 "Pardon my manners sweetheart, I didn't even ask about you", Eveth coos and caresses my hair.

 "I'm fine, ma"

 "He has began stressing you out, hasn't he?"

 "It's my job, ma", I smile.

 "I don't know why Liam is so difficult", she exhales. "Let's go to a spa on Saturday, it'll help you relax"

 "I don't think..."

 "Liam doesn't have anything planned for you, does he? He doesn't work on weekends so shouldn't need you"

 It was true he didn't work on weekends but somehow I still spent my Saturdays doing some work or the other for him. However, whenever I managed to have a Saturday to myself, I would just go home and stay with my family for the weekend.

 Sometimes, I would meet up with my friends but that was very rare and sometimes, I would just stay at home. Saturdays left to me were uncommon though but my official workdays included Saturday so I couldn't complain.

 "I don't know about that"

 "I'll ask him"

 But what if I just don't want to spend hours of my day with you?

 Spending time with Eveth would mean shopping with her which was hell, eating weird stuff and different activities that were always actually fun except that Eveth's clinginess would make it tiring.

 I don't really blame Dexter for not wanting to go out with his mother. Especially if you add the fact that she would usually introduce him to some dumb beauty every once in a while.

 Don't ask me how I know once again. Eveth is a blabbermouth and Dexter drags me along sometimes.

 It was still no excuse for him to be so adamant even when she was already getting emotional. She was his mother!

 "Good morning, ma'am", Dexter's secretary, Elizabeth Morris greeted as we walk in.

 "I've told you not to call me ma'am, it makes me feel old", Eveth complains.

 Her complaints were the only disadvantage of calling her ma'am which was the only way to escape the manner of address problem.

 "Do you think I'm a wrinkly old woman?", Eveth pouts turning to me.

 "Not at all, Eveth", I reply trying to soothe her bruised ego.

 "Then why does she call me ma'am?"

 "You're our boss's mother, we have to respect you", I pacify.

 "Now wouldn't it be nice if Liam thought that way too?", she sighs. "Tell him I'm here, Elizabeth"

 "Yes, ma", Elizabeth replies. "Sir, your mother is here", she announces over the intercom and there is a pause. "He says you can come in. He's asking for you too, Miss Wright"

 "Okay", I reply and walk inside with Eveth.

 "Miss Wright, I need you to go back home and help Mrs Corazon out", Dexter mutters once we enter without looking up from his laptop.

 "Sir?"

 "I believe you aren't deaf"

 "I heard you, sir. I just blurted that out because I was surprised, I'm sorry", I apologize even though slightly annoyed.

 It was characteristic of him to spout such insultive statements but it was still annoying. I had only learnt to control my facial expression on receiving such comments but my mind has never gotten used to his harsh treatment.

 "Liam, you shouldn't be so mean to her. It'll soon be four years since you both have been working together and she has been with you ever since you became the CEO, you both should be friends by now"

 She was right about me having been with Dexter throughout his journey as CEO. I was appointed as Dexter's personal assistant shortly after his appointment as CEO.

 It still surprised me that I was still here, I had seen about five secretaries come and go but somehow he didn't fire me. Maybe it was because of his grandfather.

 "Miss Wright, I believe I had given you an instruction", he tells me ignoring his mother's comment.

 "I'll be leaving now", I replied and walked out.

 Asshole.