Early the following morning, Victor was in such a hurry to get to work. He didn't seem relaxed at all.
"Vee, aren't you going to have breakfast before you leave?".
"I'm sorry my love, I have to get to the office immediately".
"Ok then. I'll pack something for you and deliver it to your office".
"I'd really appreciate that. Thanks my love. I have to run. Please don't let Genevieve and her minions stress you too much". He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and ran off in a hurry.
Zyra sat at the table to have breakfast. While she was having her food, Genevieve joined her at the table with her minions. She lifted her nose at Zyra before sitting to have her own breakfast.
Everyone enjoyed the meal, including Sofie and Hazel; however, Genevieve had a problem with it. As soon as she put the food in her mouth she spat it out on the ground. Screaming at Joey who was already expecting the worst from her.
"What is this? How do you expect me to eat this? It's so bland. Please take this away from here and get me something else". She spoke, cleaning her mouth with a napkin from the table.
Zyra buried her face in her food. She didn't want to open her mouth to Genevieve cause she knew she could speak out of place, and if there was any last respect for Genevieve left inside of her, she'd better not killed it now.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the food but that's all on the menu for this morning". Joey spoke as calmly as possible.
"Hope you're not speaking to me? Do you mean I'd have to starve this morning? Who made that stupid menu anyway?". She yelled at Joey.
"My Madam made the menu and we don't prepare anything outside the menu".
Genevieve eyed Zyra who wasn't even paying any attention to her. She quietly munched her food.
"It could only be her". She spoke spitefully.
"Well I don't care about your Madam's menu. I want pancakes and eggs with a glass of milk". She ordered.
"I'm sorry ma'am, I can't do that". Joey replied.
"Are you just going to sit there and watch your maid speak to me in that manner?". Genevieve snapped at Zyra.
Zyra looked up from her food and looked into Genevieve's eyes with authority.
"Yes". That was the only word she let out before returning to her food.
"What rubbish? So I have no rights in my son's house?". She sparked in annoyance.
"You don't contribute a dime to this house, so whatever you get is what you get. You can't request things out of your reach, most especially not in that manner. Joey is not my maid, she's my house manager. Accord her the respect due her name". She spoke to Genevieve calmly but every word sent her a message.
"I lost my appetite. Joey please get someone to help me clear up". She stood to her feet ready to leave the table.
"Do you even work? All you do is sit at home and let my son do all the work".
"Oh, trust me, you don't want to get involved in my kind of work". She smirked, narrowing her eyes before walking out.
****
The door to his office flew open and she quickly bent over in search of a pen she had knocked over on purpose. All her cleavage exposed and her laps visible through the slit of the mini skirt she had worn as she turned.
"Oh, sorry, Sir, I wanted to drop off the file, but I accidentally knocked over my pen. Here it is". She stood up to look at the person who had just walked into the office. Her smile suddenly died turning into instant fear and terror.
"M-M-Mrs Hale". Zyra stood by the door with her bodyguard, who had come with her, carrying her purse and her husband's meal. She smirked and walked over to her husband's seat. She made herself comfortable while she watched the girl shiver in fear.
"I'm sorry Mrs Hale. I'll be back later". She spoke hurriedly and wanted to run off.
"No. You don't have to go anywhere. Mr Hale would be here shortly". She spun the chair left and right while she looked at the girl, making sure she understood she was cooked.
In no time Victor hurried in with a file in his hand, Drew walking behind him.
"My love, you didn't have to stress and come on your own; you would have sent one of the staff". He walked to Zyra, who was now on her feet. He hugged her and placed his signature kiss on her forehead. He didn't even notice the girl in the office until he turned to drop his file.
"Esther. What can I do for you?". He asked, noticing the cold sweat that had broken out on her body even with the air conditioner.
"I-I came to drop the file you asked for sir". She spoke, her voice shaking.
"Ok. You can do that and leave". He replied, still scanning her to notice what was going on. He knew his wife was definitely involved in this but he didn't want to ask because he wanted her to tell him herself.
Esther hurriedly dropped the file on the table and was about to run off.
"Esther also wanted to inform you that she no longer needs her job here; she'll be submitting her resignation to HR tomorrow". Zyra spoke cold as ice.
Tears welled up in Esther's eyes. She needed her job. She couldn't quit just like that, but again, she dared not let her boss find out what she did because he would offer her the same option, or even worse.
"Alright. You can see the HR tomorrow. For now please excuse us". Victor spoke in a relaxed manner.
Esther couldn't say a thing; she simply walked out in shame, followed by Drew and the bodyguard who had come with Zyra.
"My love, I knew Esther wasn't here to resign".
"You're right. She was here to defile your eyes. So you don't need her anymore, or are you now running an entertainment house here?".
Victor smiled at his wife.
"Is that jealousy I smell?".
"I don't need to feel jealous, you belong to me".
His smile broadened, and he grabbed her by the waist lifting her up in his arms.
"So what is my beautiful wife doing in my office today ?".
"Two things. First you left in a hurry this morning, what's wrong?".
He breathed heavily and put her down. She sat on his seat while he leaned against the table.
"I have to travel". He spoke in a low voice.
"How many days?".
"About a week. There's been chaos in one of the branches. I have to take care of it, but I want to take you with me".
"You know that's not possible. Who's going to watch over your father's mistress and her minions".
"Argh. Why did she have to come now". He replied very disappointed.
"Don't worry my love, it's going to be alright. You go and save your business and I'll wait for you to return".
"I don't want to go without you". He stared into his wife's eyes.
"Don't be stubborn Mr Hale. When is your flight?".
"6 am tomorrow morning".
"Wow".
They both breathe down in silence. The silence lingered for a while until Victor pushed her seat against the wall and placed his hand on both arm rests, resting his forehead against hers. Zyra smirked, she knew the mood her husband was in.
"Come on Mr Hale. Where did you leave your professionalism?". She spoke, stroking the top of his nose with her index finger.
"In the conference room as soon as I heard my wife was in my office". He whispered in her ear before biting on her earlobe.
She grabbed his shirt, and he captured her lips in a wide kiss, lifting her from the chair onto the table. The couple made out until they were interrupted by Victor's phone ringing.
He pulled away and took the call, as he spoke on the phone. He was looking quite unhappy. He ended the call and walked back to his wife. She wrapped her arms around his neck and spoke.
"It's going to be alright, my love. You're the strongest and smartest man I've met when it comes to business. You'll get through it, and I'll be with you every step of the way".
He exhaled heavily and said, "I'm so glad I have you, Zy".
She jumped off the table and picked up her purse.
"I'd better not distract you from your work. I'll be heading home".
"I wish you could stay".
"I wish I could too, Vee. Anyways, he is awake. That's the second reason I came, I wanted to tell you in person. But I want to spend tonight with my husband, so I'm going to postpone his visit".
"Please be careful while I'm away. I'm going to be so worried about your safety".
"Don't worry my love, I'll be fine". She placed a kiss on his lips and strolled out. His eyes followed her till she left through the door.
He was certain he was going to miss Zyra's company and he wasn't going to be at peace with himself because he wanted to be around 24/7 to keep her safe.
Meanwhile, in the house, Genevieve and her minions were having a conversation, unknown to them that Joey was listening quietly.
"Mom, are you sure this is going to work?". Hazel spoke to her mother. All three ladies had assembled in her room.
"Of course it will. I will make it happen".
"Aunty, she's right. Did you see the way he protected his wife? I don't think he's ever going to look at me". Sofie commented.
"You girls have to relax and let me do my job. We have to make this work. It's the only way we can get the property. If that old man hadn't been a step ahead of me, I would have claimed the property after he died, but he went ahead and got his son a wife at such an early age. That girl has always been part of my problem. My problem started the day she was betrothed to Victor. So, since I couldn't get it from the dad, I'll get it from his son. Through you Sofie".
"But Mom, promise me that once anything starts going south we'll leave and be content with the money he sends us monthly. It's enough".
"Don't you dare say that to me Hazel. Humans can never be content until they have it all". She spoke smiling.
The girls had to stay quiet and follow her lead.
Joey made sure to tell her Madam everything as soon as she returned and Zyra thanked her for the information.