Chapter 1 3

Alexander's POV

Watching as Sofia ran out, I felt bad for her. My face hardened immediately and the urge to smack everyone who laughed at her filled me up but I can't possibly do that, not here and not now...

They all needed to soothsayer to tell them to shut up when they all saw my hard glare and they forcefully swallowed an inexistent lump that had grown in their throats.

"What did I tell you earlier today, Marie?" I yelled out and she jerked in shock. I'm sure no one expected me to act this way but this has gotten a little bit out of hands.

"Now, you all get back to you work if you don't want to get fired!" I ordered and everyone scurried away in fear.

I turned around to see Marie standing awkwardly. I don't care what she's doing there but angered surged through me.

"What do you think you're here? What makes you think you're different from every other person? Huh?" I yelled at her, I was quietly loosing my patience.

" I just wanted to talk to you. " She stated coyly as her eyes moistened up in emotions that I couldn't tell if they're real or fake.

For a few days now, I've noticed that Marie's attitude has completely changed and she always acts up with emotions at the slightest opportunity with me.

She had better know what she's scheming or better still, I think I should do something to keep everyone in their rightful place.

Going up to my office, the way Sofia ran out of the scene flashed in my mind again almost giving me a headache.

It was still fresh in my memory how everyone laughed and jeered and just then I realized that, if I didn't do something to show the other employees how terrible what they did was, then there was no way to even start making any amendments.

I began on the best way to punish my employees but it all boiled down to Suspension.

If I suspend them and they don't have to come for 2 weeks doesn't that make it look more like a vacation?

Gosh Alexander, this is where you find out that you've really gone crazy.

Or maybe...

"I need all employees in the conference room now." I bellowed into the telephone as I called the secretary downstairs.

I didnt wait for a reply for me to replace the receiver and heave a long sigh.

I gave them exactly 5 minutes to assemble before me and they knew that whenever I calls, its either be there in 5 minutes or don't show up at all.

Going to the conference room, everywhere was as silent as a graveyard as they all stared down.

"Everyone has been suspended but listen up, 10% of your salary would be but for every day and your suspension would last 2 weeks."

The reaction from the employees was nothing close to what I expected. They all began protesting and complaining but I was already used to that so it didn't faze me in any way.

"Don't come back for the next two weeks. Its not an optional decision." I stated sternly to them.

I already knew that many would protest and try to change my mind but I had to do this. I also knew that they'd come up with various lies and tricks to prove their innocence but I didn't have to fall for any.

They all began leaving in anger and I was glad that at least they would realize that they could lose everything if they don't keep their pride and emotions in check.

While going back to my office, I remembered how I'd have to go see Sofia.

I really needed to make sure that she's fine. I've known her long enough to know that she doesn't deserve to be embarrassed like that and I felt that her dream was in my hands and I had to make sure I was there for her.

I took my car key and immediately drove to home, my heart racing all through the drive.

Something is definitely wrong with me!

This is my wife that I usually maltreated now I'm riding home like a knight in shining armor, what If she isn't pleased to see me?

I didn't really think that she'd open the door for me because she didn't leave in the best of ways but I had to try.

Besides, its my house so she has no other option than to open the door.

I rang the doorbell and waited, my nerves all on edge.

What's all this feeling?

"Alexander, what do you want?" Her tone was so cold yet exciting at the same time

"Sofia, please let me in. I really need to talk to you." I pleaded while staring at the door longingly.

"Just leave me alone. I have nothing to say to you." She said leaving the door open for me to enter as she happily talked about Evey other random thing.

The sight of her laughing infuriated me as I just have hundreds of people suspension Because of her thinking she was feeling down.

"Why do you look so upset? Did I do something wrong?" Her face showed genuine concern and it confused me a little.

"I suspended all of my staff just to come home and see you laughing. What the hell do you think is funny?" My voice was so raised, I couldn't control it even if I wanted to.

She immediately stopped laughing and took a careful look at me. "I thought we were all past this. Are you telling me you did all that to come home and find me weeping? If I'm happy, is it a crime?"

I didn't know how to respond to that as I was at the brim of anger.

"Since you've instigated me to do this, you're in charge of any out going and incoming projects for the next two weeks. Its all on you and I don't want any mistakes." I ordered and she stood transfixed at the spot looking she just saw a ghost.

"What?! You can't be serious," She exclaimed looking totally stunned. "You don't really expect me to do that. I'm in no way qualified for that."

"You can't eat your cake and have it back. This is what you wanted, this is what you get." I was really giving her a hard time on purpose. I wanted her to feel how it was like when she put me in a tough spot.

"I didn't want this. I wouldn't have done all that if I knew it would come to this." She said, panic in her voice.

"That shouldn't be any of my problems....besides,everyone is already on suspension s you better get to work now." I commented and walked out.

"Work? Isn't it already past work time? You want me to work over time? How cruel are you?" She yelled and I smirked.

"This is just a tip of the ice berg."

The next day, I made sure that everything she needed for her work was nowhere to be found. She was looking for it everywhere.

"Mr Alexander, where is all the stuff I need to do my work?" None of the Mac books are in sight and I can't just log in to someone else's." She asked as she came to my office.

"I have no idea. Why are you asking me?" I replied with a raised brow.

"You're the CEO and you're saying you have no idea about where things are? Or you're doing this on purpose?" She accused and I shrugged.

"I'm just doing my job, just like you. Do you have a problem with that?" I asked with a shrug.

"No, I don't have a problem with that, I just thought it was a little bit cruel to put me in such a position. It's like you're trying to punish me or something." She said.

"If I was punishing you, you would know." I replied with a sly smile. She narrowed her eyes at me and I could tell she was fuming.

"I'll find the stuff I need to do my job. You think I can't find it? I'll show you that I'm capable of handling everything on my own.

Sofia stormed out of my office, determined to prove me wrong. I smirked to myself, knowing that she wouldn't find what she needed. It was already locked up in the store room, hidden where she would never think to look.

As the hours passed, I could tell that she was getting more and more frustrated. She was making trips back and forth to the store room, looking for the items she needed.

Finally, she came to my office, looking exhausted and defeated.

"I give up, Mr. Alexander. I can't find the things I need. Can you please tell me where it is? My system, my files, MY documents, everything!!! Its weird enough that just I and you is in this company."

"Giving up so soon?"