Chapter 9.2

The following morning Michael, Benjamin, Parker and his lawyers were shown into the board room. Michael was getting impatient as they waited for Miss Powell to arrive as he stood looking out the floor to ceiling window. They could hear the chatter of the employees outside the room. He didn't like such noise levels, especially in a place of business. All of a sudden there wasn't any noise heard but only a pair of footsteps.

As the door opened Jonathan entered first followed by the lawyers and them Natasha, Kim and lastly Joanna. Her other hounds stayed outside as Jonathan closed the doors.

"Miss Powell it?? s a pleasure to meet you," Benjamin said referring to Tash.

"I'm sorry Mr Raymond, but I am not Miss Powell, she is," Tash said pointing towards me.

"Well it is a small world indeed Mr Raymond," Joanna greeted Benjamin.

Michael's heart skipped a beat when he heard her angelic voice as he turned to see her. All I could think of was how sexy she looked in formal clothing. Her face has a serious expression as if ready for battle and her lips just kept calling out to him. He suddenly had the urge to just wrap her in his arms never let her go but first she had to explain herself.

"You lied to me Joanna or should I say Miss Powell?" He asked her in a voice filled with venom as he walked up to her nostrils flaring.

She had not seen him as his lawyers had been shielding him from her point of view.

"This cannot be happening," Joanna whispered as it dawned on her that he had heard her reveal her true identity.

"Mr Raymond you know Miss Powell?" one of his lawyers blurted out.

"Oh crap," Benjamin whispered.

"Wait a minute you are Mr Raymond?" Joanna asked him with pain written all over her features in an icy tone.

Turning around she started making her way to the door but nearly tripped over her own feet as tears blinded her eyes upon realizing how foolish she was to trust him. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as Michael's hands wound around her body pulling her to him before she fell.

"Leave us!" Michael growled making everyone stare at them in shock and confusion as he tightened his hold on her.

"I don't think you want me to repeat myself," he said in a deadly tone making the lawyers stand up nervously and leave the room.

"I said leave us, dammit!" Michael shouted as everyone else followed suite and left the office.

"Miss Powell," Jonathan said not moving for his position.

With a slight nod of her head he left the room.

Once the door closed Michael let go of her, running his hands through his hair in a frustrated manner.

"Why did you lie to me querida."

"Don't you dare call me that, when you did the same to me. Here I was thinking I had found a good man. But you are just like the rest, you deceived me!"

"The same goes for you baby! You played the same game with my heart. Here I thought I had found a sweet innocent girl, not some gold-digger who wanted to increase her wealth!"

The others were waiting outside as they heard their bosses argue before they heard a loud smack, which made even the guards wince in pain.

"How dare you slap me," he said gabbing hold of her hands.

"Let go of my hands you are hurting me Michael! Do I look like I need your...."

Before she could finish her statement he pulled her into his arms and gave her a brutal kiss, as she tried to push him away, but found herself returning his kiss. With his other hand he removed her head band releasing her hair from its constraints as his other hand pulled her closer to him leaving no breathing space between their bodies.

"Querida, what have you done to me?" he whispered as he ran his hands through her hair.

"I think you should leave Mr Raymond, my lawyers will be in touch."

He stared at her stunned by her coldness.

As she opened the door, everyone was startled by her dishevelled appearance, as the men nervously cleared their throats.

"Joanna what is going on?" Tash asked her as soon as she came out.

"Michael is Mr Raymond, he lied about his identity. Jonathan have my things removed from that apartment I won't be returning there," she said leaving Tash and Kim with shocked expressions.

"Mike tell me what just happened?" Benjamin asked his friend.

"I think she just broke up with me."

"But I mean what's the problem you both played each other."

"Well it seems this game was just too difficult for her to accept. Parker close off my apartment I will be heading back to my house, cancel any appointments I have today. You know what cancel everything for the whole week."

"Of course sir."

Meanwhile as Joanna went through her mail trying to push the events that had occurred at the back of her mind she came across a peculiar note.

You think you are high and mighty, but soon I will dethrone you and ruin everything you care about. Who knows I might just snatch you away from lover boy when you are alone. Or maybe your little prince.

With trembling hands she place the letter in her drawer.

The following morning she received a white rose, but this time it was not from Michael.

A rose with thorns you are, but those thorns I will enjoy removing one by one. Family and friends protect you, just like thorns do, so heads up boss lady. White a lovely colour for funerals, I might just send more to yours.

"Jonathan!" She called out as he quickly rushed into the room.

"I need you to put a protective detail on Natasha and my parents," she told him showing him the letters.

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A few days later

"Michael you have to pull yourself together," Benjamin said.

"What do you want me to do when the woman I love is not even speaking to me," he said as he emptied another bottle of alcohol.

Standing up from the living room floor he staggered to the kitchen only to find the refrigerator empty.

"Michael, Joanna is not doing very well herself if you must know. You both need to talk!"

"What's wrong with my Jo, is she alright? Tell me!" Michael said as he gripped Benjamin's shirt in a worried voice.

"Just, go and see her tomorrow will you. Please clean yourself up, you look horrible."

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As Michael walked towards her office, he heard her shout, "Get out!" Only for one of her employees to walk out of her office closing the door looking very pale.

Without knocking he entered her office closing the door and slowly walked up to her.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone Michael," she said in a deadpan tone.

"If you must know I am in love with you Chiquita, you are mi vida, ? mi Tesoro, mi Reina," he said to her slowly making his way around her table.

"Michael please don't do this," she whispered frustrated at how he could easily affect her with mere words.

Ignoring her, he pulled out her chair so that she was facing him as he gently pulled her out of her seat.

"Is Ethan around?"

"No," she whispered as tears pooled in her eyes.

Her treacherous body gave in to his touch, though her mind told her to not give in. He gently wiped her tears away, tears she didn't even know she had shed. He leaned down and gave her a toe curling kiss that made her knees weak as he held onto her. More tears trickled down her face and they could both taste the saltiness but he never let go of her as he took his time, their tongues fighting for dominance over the other. She lost the battle as a moan escaped her lips.

"Jo why are you giving everyone hell!" Tash shouted walking into the office. "Oh," she quickly excused herself after seeing that her presence was not required at the moment.

"Not everything was a lie between us mi amor. This kiss that we just shared is all the proof I need to know you are the one, and I know you know this," he said in a husky voice as he nuzzled her neck.

"Mikey, please. Just give me some time to think."

"Being away from you has been enough torture darling. You feel the same way I feel about you. Your body tells me everything, don't fight us querido.

Mi amor, I cannot stay away from you, this past week has been driving me insane, I miss your smile, I miss sending you a rose each morning," he said pulling out a rose. "Your laughter is my favourite sound more than anything. I miss Ethan querida," he said as he placed the rose behind her ear.

"Please give me some time to think, please Michael..."

He knew she was serious when she used his full name as he slowly backed down giving her space.

"Very well mi amor," he said turning to leave her office.