Chapter 21: Michael
I woke up to voices screaming down the hall, I groan as I slowly stood up and put on my robe as I walk into the hall. I was shocked as I stood at the step and watch my parents arguing with John. They wanted to come into my room but John stopped them.
"Good morning, dad," I said as I descended the stairs, my dad looks up at me frowning.
"What's so good about this morning, Michael?" My dad screams as he sat down heavily on the couch. My mom looks at me slowly before sitting down too.
"What's wrong dad?" I asked him confused. The last time we spoke, it was on Mia Walker issue. Is he still annoyed with that?. John and I both sat down as we look at him expectantly.
"Why did you change the model for Lush Beauty," My dad asked annoyed as he glared at me.
I sigh heavily, what Andrea predicted has eventually come to past" Deborah contract was over that's why we brought in a new person".
"Why does it always have to be that woman?" Mom screams " Couldn't you have found someone worthy enough".
"Mom, Nina being the face of Lush Beauty is not by my decision alone but by the manager " I reply getting pissed off by her. If only she was on my side, dad would have accepted Nina a long ago
ago.
"And how do you think this will be good for Lush? She knows next to nothing about modeling".
"Deborah also knew next to nothing about modeling, dad but she learns it" I shouted at him. I don't know why he's protecting her family. Mr. Melton connives with Austin and Deborah to frame me for something I didn't do and now dad is still supporting them. "Deborah is a good model, son. Within the span of six years since she joined us, Lush Beauty has six branches in six different countries" Dad said as he tries to make me change my decision.
"John, please bring me my phone from the room," I said to John as he went into my room and later came out holding my phone.
"Dad, just yesterday of signing in Nina Miller, the sales of Lush Beauty products all over the country has increased from 20% of Deborah to 70%," I said showing him the sales report Andrea sent me yesterday night. "What?" Mom exclaim shocked as she took to phone from my hands to confirm what I just told her.
"How did this happened?
"Dad, Nina Miller is a natural beauty with her kind of beauty everyone will want it, that's is why the sales of the products increase overnight. They all want to be as beautiful as her".
"Then, are you trying to tell me that Nina Miller is good for Lush Beauty?" My dad asked amazed.
"Yes dad, she is the best so far. We are trying to launch a signing event in one of Lush beauty outlet in Italy soon and I'm sure that it will come out well" I reply smiling
"Do what you need to do, son" My dad said as he stood up, touching me briefly on my shoulder" Invite her over for lunch tomorrow. I'll like to meet her formally" He said as he walks out of the door with John beside him.
"Take care of yourself, son" Mom said as she pecks me on my cheek and turns to walk out. I smile happily as I turn to face John who was also grinning from ear to ear.
"If only I knew that dad will accept Nina so fast, I would have made her the face of Lush sooner," I said as I sat down happily.
"I'm so happy for you sir, Miss Miller is a good person," John said excitedly.
I look at him surprised, this is the first time John has ever said anything concerning any of the women he saw with me.
"Thank you, John," I said as I stood up and walk to my room" Tell Charles to get the plan ready I'll be leaving for the office soon," I said before going into the bathroom to shower.
"Yes sir," John said as he walks outside probably to deliver my message to Charles.
I bathe quickly and put on my jean trousers and a blue shirt. There was nothing for me to do at work today but I want to see Nina having her first shoot as Lush beauty model. I smile as I envisioned her face on the company's magazine. I will be carrying that magazine anywhere I go. I walk out into the elevator that will take me to the rooftop with John beside me probably surprised by how happy I am this morning. I arrive at my office to see Aurora waiting for me.
"Good morning sir," She greeted me standing up from her desk. She was dressed casually in tight blue jeans and a red top, her hair was let down.
"Thank you, Aurora," I told her as she helps me with my briefcase." That will be all for now. I'll like to be alone" She walks out into her office closing the door gently behind her.
I sat back down on my chair resting my head on the handle as I close my eyes briefly. It still seems like a dream to me. I can't believe that my parents are inviting Nina over for lunch. That reminds me, I need to call her. I took out my phone from my bag and dial her number.
The phone rang continuously but she didn't pick it up. I stood up pacing around my office scared. Did something happened to her?. Did Austin kidnap her? Or maybe she's still annoyed with me. All these were thoughts going through my head right now as I dial her number over and over again, it rang and went into voicemail.
I was about throwing the phone on the door when it suddenly rang, I grab it to see that it was Nina returning my calls. The smile came naturally to my face as I grin and pick the call.
"Hi!, Angel" I call into the phone, my voice sounding huskier than I intended.
"Hey!" She calls shyly into the phone, I can imagine her blushing right now" Sorry I missed your calls, was in the shower"
"It's nothing, was just scared when I couldn't get through to you," I said as I imagine her in the shower with the water cascading down her naked back. Gosh!, get a grip on yourself, Michael?. I shouldn't be thinking about this right now after I will be having her to myself this night. I can do all that I imagine to her. Maybe sex in the shower will be good.
"Hey!, are you still there?" She asked. I cleared my throat" Yes" I replied.
"Why did you call?". What is that I wanted to say to her? as I search my brain for a possible answer. What you do to me, Nina? just a a few seconds of hearing your voice, I'm a babbling idiot.
"Yes, my parents are inviting you over for lunch at their place tomorrow afternoon," I said excitedly immediately I remember my reason for calling her. I couldn't help applauding myself for remembering such a trivial thing.
"Your parents?" She asked sounding shocked. Even I was shocked when my dad said it.
"Yes. So what do you say? I asked a bit nervous. What if she refused? I don't know what I will ever do without her by my side.
"Of course yes, I will love to meet your parents. He'll!, have been waiting for this day all my life" She said happily, I could imagine her lip curling up in a smile.
"Really?" I ask her, happy that she's happy. I guess this is what true love is you being happy just because the one you love is happy.
"Yes," She replied, "Em, Michael I need to dress, I'm getting late for the shoot".
"I'm sorry for delaying you" I apologize as I was about to end the call, remembering our deal, I decided to ask her" Are_em_I_" I give up. I don't really know how to ask her this.
"What do you want to say,, Michael?" She asked surprised that I was blabbering on the phone. Even I, I'm shocked right. The CEO of Thompson's Empire is in a blabbering mess because of a woman.
"Nothing. Just wanted to know if you are still coming over tonight" There I said it, as I waited nervously for her reply.
"What? Oh my God, it escapes my mind, I'm sorry Michael" My heart thumped heavily in my chest as I heard her blunt rejection.
"I need to see my parents, they just moved into New York" She explained as I calm down, happy that it because of her dad not that she didn't love me again.
"I will sleepover tomorrow and I will be going to work from there too," She said trying to plead with me knowing full well that I'm not happy with her.
"That's fine with me. Good luck with your first shoot" I said as I ended the call without waiting for her to say goodbye. Why did her dad choose today of all day to come to New York?. I angrily threw the phone on the table as I sat down heavily on my chair with my hands in between my head. To say that I was imagining having shower sex with her today only to be stood off.
I heard a commotion outside my office as I stood up to go check it. The door opened and Deborah walks in closely followed by Aurora who was trying to stop her from entering my office.
"It's ok, Aurora, you can go back to your office now," I said my face hardening angrily. Aurora quickly ran back to her office not ready to face my wrath.
"What are you doing here, Deborah?" I ask her as I sat down on my chair crossing my legs as I fold my hands across my chest looking at her disgustingly.
"What sort of foolish question is that Michael?" She said as she sat down glaring at me" I've been trying your number for the past three days and you won't pick. For crying out loud, Michael I'm your fiancee!" She exclaims bitterly.
"I'm sure you are not here to remind me that I'm your fiance," I asked her.
"That's true, I'm not really here for that. My father has promised to handle that by himself" She said as she crosses her legs together offering me a seductive smile. I scoff at her pure excuse of charms. It can no longer work on me, Deborah Melton.
"If you are not here for that, then why are you here?"
"I've been patiently waiting for my contract renewal but none was forthcoming," She said as she looks at me" And I've just been told that Mr. Alex has been transferred ".
"Mr. Alexandro transferred is none of your business but that of the board. And as regarding your contract renewal that is off too, I'll suggest you don't wait for it anymore "
"What do you mean by that" She screams as she stood up, I glimpse a flicker of fear in her eyes but she quickly masks it leaving me to wonder if I imagined it.
"I meant exactly what you just heard, Deborah. The model of Lush beauty has been replaced by a more worthy candidate" I said as I stood up to gather my things" As a matter of fact, I'm late to the location where she will be having her first shoot" I smile at her as I brush past her into the hallway.
"Make sure you escort Miss Melton out to her car safely," I said to Aurora. She nodded and went into my office to walk Deborah out.
I smile to myself as I enter into my chopper that will take me to the location where Nina will be having her first shoot as a Lush Beauty model.