Laura
I arrived at my company, late, because I had to drop my kids off at school and assign a particular security to them. I had to protect my kids from Lorenzo. I had no idea if he already knew Lena and Luke were his kids but I did know he'd try to get closer to them and that was something I didn't want.
"The meeting starts in thirty minutes," Ariana informed me.
"Meeting with who?" I asked, clearly lost.
"Meeting with the CEO of Talco," she reminded me.
"Oh, yes," I said, nodding. "Did you go through the documents I asked you to go through, last night?"
"I did, ma'am."
"Okay, so… how do you see my new plans? I really need your advice, Ariana."
"Opening another branch in Morg City is actually a very nice idea, ma'am. And improving the quality of the cosmetics is a very top notch idea, Ms Roberts."
"Thanks for your opinion, Ariana. There's something else I'll like to discuss with you. It's concerning Misha—"
"You don't like the products? Has she done something wrong?"
"No, no. Not at all. As a matter of fact, I'm impressed by her skills and intelligence. I want her to receive a promotion," I said, firmly.
"Alright, Ms Roberts. That's so kind of you. I'll look into it," she glanced at her time. "It's time for your meeting, Ms Roberts. The meeting is taking place in the conference hall at the thirteenth floor."
I stood. "Alright." I started heading to the door. Ariana followed behind me.
We arrived at the conference room. The CEO of Talco was already there. She was standing at the window side, her back turned to me. I could only see her backside but she looked familiar.
I walked up to the head seat and sat down. "Hello."
She slowly turned to me and took off her black shades.
My jaw dropped.
"Victoria," I called out, gasping for air.
"Yes, it's me, Laura," she said, with a low pitched voice, as she walked to the conference table.
"How dare you show your face here?" I asked, my hand forming a fist.
She didn't respond, instead she grabbed a glass of water from the table and started approaching me.
"Why can't you just stay out of our lives for good?" she snarled and before I knew it, she splashed the water on me.
"Ms. Roberts?" Ariana called out, rushing towards me. "Should I call the security guards?"
"I'm fine, Ariana. I'll handle it," I muttered, wiping the water off my face.
"First your mother ruined my life, now you want to ruin my children's lives," she yelled.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Don't you dare sit there and act like you have no idea what you're doing. You're trying to get back at me for what happened a long time ago. That was a long time ago, Laura. You were nothing but a barren wretched bitch that Lorenzo got tired of. Is it my fault that your ex-husband chose me over you? It's been five years, Laura. Can't you just forgive and forget?"
I folded my hands. "I actually forgot what happened five years ago. Trust me, I've moved on."
"You clearly haven't. If you have, you wouldn't be competing with my company and trying to take Lorenzo from me—"
"Take Lorenzo from you. I am not like you, Victoria. I'm not the type to come in between people's relationships. If you're really so bothered about Lorenzo and I getting back together, then ask Lorenzo to stop chasing after me."
"You liar," she scoffed. "Lorenzo loves me not you. Seems you have forgotten, let me remind you. Five years ago, I had a mind blowing sex with your ex-husband."
I swallowed hard. If her plan was to break me again, then she was winning.
"He divorced you because of me," she added.
"Please excuse us, Ariana."
"Are you sure you're okay, Ms Roberts?" she asked, worried.
I cleared my throat. "I'm okay, Ariana. You can leave."
She nodded and left the office, as soon as possible.
"Listen Victoria, whatever happened between us five years ago is my past. Lorenzo is my past—"
"If that's the case, please stay away from Lorenzo. Lorenzo and I are married and we have kids. Please do not do the same thing your mother did to my mother for my kids' sake. They deserve to be with their father," Victoria said, desperately.
Wow. So, Lorenzo got married to her and they had kids, and he had the audacity to make the scene he made in front of my company, days ago. If I wasn't careful enough, the tears that had welled up in my eyes would roll down my cheeks. I couldn't let her break me.
"Your kids deserve to be with their father. You don't have to worry about me disrupting your family. I'd never stoop that low. You should be worried about Lorenzo. Anyways, tell him I said he should avoid me and I'm going to do the same."
"I do not trust you, Laura—"
Immediately, the door opened and Shawn walked in. "Laura are you okay? Ariana told me about—"
"I'm fine, baby. I'm just having a conversation with the CEO of Talco," I said, with a smile. I turned back to look at Victoria. "I'm not interested in Lorenzo. I am in a very serious relationship, as a matter of fact." I stood and walked over to Shawn. I stood on my toes, placed my arms around his neck and kissed him. "Hey babe, how are you doing?"
I turned to look at Victoria. "Victoria, Shawn. Shawn, Victoria," I said, introducing each other. "Shawn is my boyfriend," I said, putting my hand around his arm.
Victoria's grip tightened against the glass cup, as she gave us a long stare. She didn't stop staring, until she unknowingly let the glass cup slip off.
The sound of the glass shattering, brought her back to her senses.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"I'll take my leave, now," she said, frowning. She grabbed her bag and stormed off.
I let go off Shawn's arm. "I'm so sorry for kissing you and lying that we were in a relationship. I only wanted to sound convincing enough."
"O-of course. I-I don't mind," Shawn said, nodding.
"Thanks," I said, taking a seat. I gasped for air.
"Why didn't you ask the security officer to kick her out the moment you saw her?" Shawn questioned.
"I wanted to do it but I just couldn't."
"Why did you let her talk to you like that? You are Ms Roberts, in case you have forgotten who you are. Ms Roberts is not supposed to be naive or scared or empathetic," he said, hoarsely. "You don't have to prove anything to her. She betrayed your trust. If you let her keep acting like that, then she'll never stop."
A tear rolled down my cheek.
Shawn's hand rubbed his forehead and his other hand rested on his waist. "I don't mean to offend you or be mean. I'm just stating facts."
"No, it's fine. You're right and I'm not offended."
"Is this about Lorenzo?" he asked after a long pause.
I buried my face in my palms. "He married her and they have kids. Then why did he show his face to me? Why did he say he wanted us to get remarried? Why? Does this look like a game to… to him?" I asked, my voice cracking.
Shawn smacked his lips. "If I ever see Lorenzo anywhere near this company, I'm going to beat his ass up."
I cleaned my tears. "She called me barren."
"You have two kids. You're not. She's just bitter and jealous of you. Laura, it's not your fault if Lorenzo wants you back. Don't feel like you're coming in between his relationship with Victoria. Victoria did the same thing to you. She ruined your relationship and whatever she's receiving now, is karma for what she did to you five years ago."
"This isn't about karma, Shawn. Victoria has kids. I am not going to let what happened between her mum and mine repeat itself again. Her kids deserve to be with their father—"
"Are you being serious, right now? You also have kids for Lorenzo. I'm not saying you should get back with Lorenzo. I don't even want you to give him a chance…" the words trailed off. "I mean I love you as Ms. Roberts and not as Mrs Smith," Shawn said, approaching me. "You're not the same woman you were, five years ago and that's the best version of you."
I cleared my throat, locking gaze with him.