Chapter 23: The announcement
After a lovely weekend at the Bruno's, Jayden dropped Monalisa off at her apartment. He watched her go in before driving off.
He has an important press conference to catch up with.
Jayden arrived at his house and rushed into his living room. His maid who noticed his presence rushed to welcome him.
"Sir, welcome sir"
"Get the bag from the car"
"Yes sir"
"Where is my chauffeur?
"He's outside sir"
"And my security men? Are they here yet?
"Yes sir"
"Good. I'll be in my room. I do not need any disturbance"
"I'll fix your breakfast sir"
"I already had breakfast"
"Sir!
"What?
"Miss Cynthia is here"
"What? you let her in?
"My apologies sir "
"Where is she?
"At the poolside. Do I inform her of your presence?
"I do not need any one bothering me while I get ready "
"Yes sir"
Jayden hurried to his room.
minutes later, he was ready for the meeting. He placed his laptop in his bag and went downstairs.
Cynthia who had heard her voice rushed inside to confirm.
Excited to see him, she tried to hug him and received a push from him.
His chauffeur rushed inside, Jayden handed his bag to his chauffeur and went after him.
Cynthia returned back to the poolside, grabbed her bag and rushed outside.
Jayden signalled his chauffeur to hold on for Cynthia to get in.
Cynthia opened the door of the backside, trying to get in when Jayden reached out to the door and shut it, leaving her confused.
"Sit in the front with him. You can't sit with me. You're just a secretary, not my woman "
"Really? Cynthia clenched her palm and sucked in her breath.
She opened the door of the front seat and got in.
Jayden arrived at the venue for the conference room with two cars.
His security got down from the first car and surrounded his car.
The press which saw him drive in rushed out to take pictures of him.
Cynthia got out of the car and stood close to Jayden's door.
"Can you please move out of the way, miss Cynthia?
"Oh yes "
Cynthia stepped aside and Jayden got down from the car.
She quickly moved to his side, posing for the camera when Jayden gave a nudge and she tripped, luckily was caught by one of the security men from falling.
She adjusted her dress and quickly put on a fake smile, posing to the camera.
The press began to throw questions at Jayden. He ignored them all and went into the conference room.
Everyone stood on their feet the moment he walked in.
Cynthia set his laptop on the table and tried to grab a seat when Jayden signalled her to stand behind him.
Pissed by this she got down from the podium.
"Good morning everyone. I'm here for the press conference. Actually, I had called this press conference to inform you about two important things. First, My company has finalised the deal and sealed the take over deal with DARAN company and the second one which is the most important news is that, I , Jayden James Bruno, have decided to settle down. Not just have I decided to get married, I am... getting married "
There was murmuring in the hall.
Cynthia dropped the diary she had in her had and took a step back in Shock. She couldn't believe her ears.
"Yes. You all may be surprised about the news. How is it possible? Who is she? Who is this lucky woman who won over his heart. She's Monalisa and we're not just dating but currently engaged " Jayden raised his left hand up, showing off his engagement ring. "I thought it wise to be the one to break the news to the world. I hate blogs breaking my news before I do. Good. Y'all have a trending news for your station. Very well then. I will entertain few questions for ten minutes, then I'll leave."
"Thank you very much sir. Sir, just like you said, this news came as a shock to us and we haven't seen you with any woman. I would love to know sir, where did you meet her? Were you two secretly dating? And your family do they know about this and do they approve of your relationship with her? The first reporter asked and has his seat.
"Fine. I met her at the right place and at the right time. Secret dating and I'm talking about her? Make use of your senses. How did you become a reporter? If my parents are aware ? Who's got any reasonable questions?
"Sir, since you informed us about this, why isn't she here with you for this important announcement? Another Reporter asked.
"Yes sir. And we have heard rumours about you and your secretary. How close you two are. Perhaps, is she the lady you are getting married to?
"I wonder how you guys became reporters with such useless and unreasonable questions. Since neither of you have any reasonable questions, I'll leave. One more thing, on your articles, I do not want to see you publishing what I never said. I'm good at filing law suit. Dare me and see. It was quite a nice press conference. Have a lovely day everyone "
Jayden signalled Cynthia to get his laptop.
Cynthia followed him immediately, still in shock and contemplating on whether to ask him questions or not.
Cynthia said nothing to him, until they got to his office.
She placed his bag on his and turned to leave but paused. she slowly turned back to Jayden who was setting up his laptop .
She angrily walked up to him and slapped him, leaving Jayden shocked.
"Why! Why sir! Why did you do this to me! After what we have been through together? All the beautiful moments and memories. The times we made love. The nights of coldness and we fucked so hard. And you dare break my heart!! You dare choose another woman over me? You humiliated me in front of the whole world and choose some lady!! Is she better than me? Is she good at sex? Answer me!!! answer me Jayden answer me!!!
"Cynthia, get me a bottle of water from the fridge and..." Jayden paused realizing that Cynthia has actually zones out. "Cynthia! Cynthia! Cynthia!!!
A tear drop fell from her eye and she collapsed.
Jayden quickly got out of his seat and ran to her..He tried reviving her but got no response from her.
He immediately carried her up and called in for help.
His security men offered to carry Cynthia. Jayden immediately handed over Cynthia to his security man.
"Take her to the hospital and keep me updated. I have a meeting to catch up with "
"Yes sir"
"Why did she pass out? Didn't she have breakfast this morning?
Monalisa was teaching her students when her phone rang. She tried ignoring the call but the caller kept calling.
She stopped to check the caller. Tricia was calling.
Monalisa quickly sent a message to Tricia and continued teaching.
Few minutes later, her time elapsed. She packed up her books and left for the office.
Tricia's call came in again and she quickly picked up.
"Better be something important. Tell me, what problems have you created this time around?
"Not a problem. Check the internet"
"What's on the internet?
"Check it out babe"
"Tell me"
"Your man did it. He's the greenest flag ever. Congratulations for the thousand time!
"What? Hang up immediately"
"Okay "
Monalisa's quite checked the internet and was shocked to see the news trending about Jayden.
She quickly watched the press conference and her mood quickly changed.
"Jayden!
"May I come in? Sophie said, standing at the door.
"Oh Sophie, come in. Do you need anything?
"Uncle's press conference, you watched it right?
"Yes I did "
"Isn't he so sweet? I want a man like uncle. He told the world about your relationship. I'm so excited to have you as his wife "
"Same here"
"Are you okay miss Monalisa?
"Yes. Why do you think I am not okay?
"Your voice, your face and your body language says it all. I hope everything is okay?
"Yes. I am okay. I'm just exhausted. Coming from your grandpa's house and reporting to work today. That's all"
"Don't be. I brought my lunch and I do not mind sharing. Let's eat"
"So sweet of you, toddler"
"Not you too"
Both giggled.
After a long day, Jayden arrived home and met Monalisa outside his door.
He rushed over to her and gave her a hug. He quickly unlocked the door and let her in.
"You ought to have informed me that you were coming. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. To avoid this situation, I'll be giving you the spare key to my house "
"That's nice "
"You don't seem happy "
"Yes that's because I am not happy at all "
"Why ain't you happy baby?
"That's because you did something wrong today
"Which is?
"Announcing to the world about our relationship
"What?
"Yes and... I'm sorry, I think I should have a rethink about this whole thing"
"Monalisa, you wouldn't"
"I would. Goodnight"
Jayden grasped her hand.
"Don't"