The following day, as Robert made his way to Michael's office, he couldn't help but wonder why his boss had fallen in love with someone like Chioma Chima. In his eyes, she seemed almost repulsive, as if she held some bewitching charm over Michael. Robert had seen many women eager to catch Michael's attention, but none had succeeded. Even Jessica Nnaji, his rumoured fiancée, was a hundred times more beautiful. She possessed a perfect figure, a slim waist, long slender legs, elegant shoulders, and exquisite collarbones. She was willing to give herself to him. Yet, in Michael's eyes, she would always be just a childhood friend and nothing more. So, what was it about Chioma, with her poor background and her less conventionally beautiful face, that had captured Michael's attention? Robert couldn't fathom it.
Stepping out of the elevator on the topmost floor of the sleek skyscraper, Robert found himself in a private foyer reserved solely for Michael and Felix's offices. The polished marble floor gleamed under the recessed lighting, and a floor-to-ceiling window offered a breathtaking vista of the city skyline. The air was filled with a serene stillness, undisturbed by the usual hustle and bustle of a lower office floor.
Robert proceeded down the quiet hallway, his footsteps echoing softly on the marble. When he reached the large, frosted glass doors of Michael's office, he hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath. He straightened his dark blue shirt and adjusted his tie, preparing himself for the conversation ahead. He was uncertain of how Michael would react upon reading the documents in his hand. After a brief pause, he pressed the intercom button beside the door.
'Come in,' Michael's voice crackled through the speaker.
Robert, dressed handsomely in a dark blue shirt, pushed one of the heavy glass doors open and stepped inside, the door gliding silently on its hinges.
Michael glanced up from his desk, his gaze turning into a glare as he noticed Robert's presence and the documents in his hand. However, upon realising that the documents might be related to Chioma Chima, whom he had asked Robert to investigate, the anger on his face seemed to fade away.
Robert held up the documents for Michael to see. 'This contains all the information you need to know about Chioma Chima.'
Michael glanced at Robert but remained silent, showing no intention of engaging in conversation.
Today, Michael was dressed in an elegant Giorgio Armani black suit, exuding an air of poise and sophistication. He was always breathtaking, no matter what he wore.
Instead of handing over the documents, Robert placed it on the desk. 'I'll leave the documents here. Once you've finished signing those files, you can review Chioma Chima's files.' With that, he turned to leave.
'Did you see her?' Michael enquired.
Robert paused momentarily before responding, 'I did.'
'Isn't she beautiful?'
Beautiful my foot! I wonder what you see in that girl, Robert thought to himself, forcing a smile as he turned back around. 'She's beautiful.'
'She is my new project,' Michael stated with a smile.
'Sir, I should head to the finance department now.' With that, Robert turned and headed towards the door.
Michael glanced at the thick stack of documents on his desk, aware that it contained information about Chioma Chima. Robert had meticulously gathered all the information. With a smile still on his face, Michael broke the seal and began to carefully examine the document.
Robert had previously worked as a journalist for one of the daily newspapers in Abuja before becoming Michael's assistant. Consequently, finding information came naturally to him. He had conducted an extensive investigation within two days and brought everything to Michael's office.
As Michael flipped through the detailed stack of documents, filled with pictures and text, everything about Chioma Chima was laid out explicitly. The more he read about this girl from a humble background, the more delighted Michael became.
It seemed that all the photos of Chioma were taken during her time at the university. She had attended the University of Abuja and completed her one-year National Youth Service Corps in Enugu State. Chioma's delicate features and unique side profile caught Michael's attention, and a gentle smile formed on his lips.
Just as Michael was happily flipping through the documents, a wave of expensive perfume announced Jessica's arrival. She breezed into the office, a vision of perfectly arranged curls and designer couture, her presence demanding attention. But Michael's gaze remained fixed on the pages before him, his fingers tracing the contours of Chioma's life as if seeking a hidden map within them.
'Michael,' Jessica purred, her voice a silken thread attempting to weave itself around his focus.
'Yes?' he responded, the single syllable a wall of disinterest.
Jessica scanned the office with her eyes and asked, 'Will you be free tonight?'
'No, always busy.' His eyes never left the documents.
Irritation flickered across Jessica's porcelain features. 'What about tomorrow?' she enquired, still glancing around the room.
Michael finally lifted his gaze, the chill in his eyes matching the frost in his tone. 'Are you incapable of hearing, Jessica?'
Jessica had long wavy hair that gave her a sweet and cute appearance. She wore a white sweater adorned with pomegranates and a fancy mid-length red cloak, which made her look like a princess. Matching high heels adorned her dainty feet, and she carried a white Dior handbag.
This young woman had attracted numerous admirers in the socialite circle, with countless rich and powerful suitors vying for her affection. However, she always turned them away, claiming that her heart belonged only to Michael.
Jessica's gaze shifted from the exquisite chandelier on the ceiling to the paintings on the wall.
'Are you done staring at the familiar office?' Michael asked coldly.
Before Jessica could respond, her eyes fell upon the document, upon Chioma's image, and a spark of curiosity ignited within them. 'Who is that girl?' she asked as she approached to take a closer look.
Michael remained silent, merely glancing at her coolly, displaying his lack of interest.
Jessica grew frustrated with his dismissive attitude. 'Michael, you're a man. Why do you always ignore me?'
'Because I have never loved you,' he retorted, a cold smile twisting his lips. He tapped the photo of Chioma. 'This girl, however, has awakened something within me. Something long dormant.'
Tears welled in Jessica's eyes, threatening to smudge her carefully crafted makeup. 'But I'm your girlfriend. Everyone knows we're a couple.'
Michael's voice dripped with icy mockery. 'You've always been my rumoured fiancée. I allowed the rumours to circulate without a word because people imagined we were childhood friends. Stop turning friendship into a relationship. We were never friends in the first place. Love doesn't work that way. In the case of this girI, I realised she was the one the moment I met her,' he sighed lightly. 'Our fake chapter has come to an end. Thank you for your time.'
'Michael, what nonsense are you spouting?' Jessica finally lost her composure.
He met her gaze unflinchingly. 'Jessica, I am telling the truth. We have no shared history, no whispered secrets, no beating hearts intertwined. I never led you on, Jessica. This... whatever it was, existed only in your imagination. It's time to face reality, Jessica.'
'What truth? Your parents approve of me…'
'You are free to marry them. But my life, my heart, belongs elsewhere.' Michael interrupted, his voice devoid of warmth.
Jessica stared at the stoic man before her in silence, tears streaming down her face. She bit her lower lip, realising that he would never love her no matter how hard she tried.
'Look, you're ruining your makeup,' he mocked, glancing at his luxury wristwatch. His expression remained cold and devoid of emotion. Jessica sensed that he would never reciprocate her feelings, even if she continued to pursue him.
'Maybe you need a bottle of water to calm down. What do you think?' he remarked sarcastically.
'I don't need a bottle of water,' she retorted.
'Perhaps you'll need this instead,' Michael said as he stood up, making his way towards the water dispenser in the corner of the office. He grabbed a paper cup and filled it with water. 'This will calm your racing heart.' Turning to face Jessica, he extended the cup of water towards her.
Feeling wronged, Jessica asked, 'Is this how you treat me?'
Michael scoffed. 'Were you born in the year of the goat?'
'You're the one born in the year of the goat,' Jessica retorted, shooting him a cold glare.
Michael smirked, putting the water down and returning to his seat. 'Jessica, stop making life difficult for yourself. We were never meant to share our lives together.'
'I will tell your mum that you've found yourself a street girl,' Jessica threatened.
'Going to tattle on me? Are you a three-year-old?' he mocked.
Jessica felt miserable, struggling to hold back tears. 'Michael, you've changed! You weren't like this before. I remember when we used to go to the mall with your mum, and you never complained. Now, just because of that girl in the photo, you don't care about me anymore? Fine, we've known each other for years, yet you're ending our relationship so casually.'
'We've never been in a relationship. I've always been clear with you. I never led you on or left you with false expectations,' he corrected. 'So, please, refrain from bothering me with this matter.'
Jessica was profoundly disturbed by the realisation that Michael had never truly cared about her feelings. Her heart felt as heavy as if it were burdened with cement, sinking under the weight of that revelation.
'I hate you!' Jessica exclaimed, her eyes welling up with tears once again.
'You're welcome,' Michael replied, his face expressionless and cold.
'Am I not good enough?' Jessica's voice cracked as tears streamed down her face.
Michael pressed a button, and Robert, his assistant, entered with a stack of national daily newspapers. Michael was tired of dealing with Jessica.
'Yes, boss?' Robert said, carefully placing the newspapers on the table.
'See her out,' Michael's tone grew increasingly cold, as if he had just been served spoiled food.
Robert hesitated for a moment, stiffening before speaking. 'Sir, Madam Jessica is the Nnaji family's young mistress. She's your future wife. Why should I see her out?'
Michael's piercing cold eyes emitted a terrifying aura. 'Did I give you an invitation to our wedding?'
'No, sir... You didn't give me an invitation... yet,' Robert stammered.
'There won't be any invitation in the future either,' Michael declared.
Robert nodded and turned to Jessica. 'Madam... please,' he said gently.
With tears streaming down her face, Jessica walked out of the office. Robert returned to the office after ensuring that Jessica had left the Moon Corporation building.
'Sir, you're aware that Madam Jessica comes from a wealthy family, and she's also your fiancée. Treating her this way doesn't seem right,' Robert commented.
Michael looked at Robert with dismay. 'Since when did you become Mother Teresa, Robert? Don't you find Jessica beautiful? Isn't she your type?' he asked mockingly.
Robert shrugged. 'Is Jessica really that beautiful? I don't think so.' He pointed to Chioma's photo. 'But when I look at this girl's picture, it's clear she's your type.'
Despite his words, Robert was subtly mocking Chioma's photo, even if he didn't mean to express his true feelings. In his eyes, Jessica was beautiful, and he had only labelled her as unattractive to avoid angering Michael.
Inadvertently, Robert had subtly questioned Chioma's beauty while speaking. Although he didn't entirely mean to, he couldn't deny that Chioma had a unique appeal that drew people to her, even if she didn't match Jessica's stunning looks. There was a significant social gap between Chioma and Michael, considering her less privileged background. Perhaps Robert believed that Michael should have higher standards when choosing a partner. In the eyes of many, Jessica was considered suitable, while Chioma wasn't even deemed worthy of cleaning Michael's shoes, let alone becoming his fiancée.
Michael's glare was icy. 'Why do I get the feeling you don't quite approve of Chioma?' His voice throbbed with annoyance. 'Do you dare look down on my woman? Do you understand her true worth?'
'She's the most intelligent girl in the world,' Robert said gently, trying to appease his boss. He didn't want to provoke him further. 'There's no woman more beautiful than Chioma Chima. I could even take you to the restaurant where she works as a waitress.'
Michael's hand waved dismissively. 'You may go.'
'I'll leave now, boss,' Robert muttered, turning to leave.
Michael shot a look at Robert and said, 'I despise being hypocritical. Robert, you should go on dates with Jessica. You two look good together.' He smirked, as if discussing something as trivial as the weather.
Robert turned to look at Michael, but he couldn't utter a word.
'Go on,' Michael waved at him, signalling for Robert to leave the office. Robert turned again and finally exited the office.