"What!" Why you little...." Chris shot out trying to grab hold of her but failing to do so as her men held him back.
"Show him out of my building," she said in disgust.
"Was this your plan all along?" He screamed out before shutting up when two more bulky men walked up to them. The idiot wanted to create a scene but no one was paying attention to him.
"You see my husband and I knew of your plan to ruin our marriage," she said seeing his eyes widen in surprise. "The thing is we had a level of trust you can never imagine. Something you and I never had. Hence the reason I am now your boss," she said before turning to leave.

"Now what's next," she said turning to Ken as she stood by the office door.
"That's all for today ma'am."
"Good," she said shutting the door.

"Very sexy," Lincoln murmured.
She shivered looking up to find him in only a towel. Locking the door she leaned back in her seat as he sat down in front of the camera.
"You know how to tease a girl don't you?" She said biting her lip.
"How is the company doing?" He chuckled running a hand through his damp hair.
"Still up and running. I made sure no one left," she said becoming serious.
"That's my girl. And you were saying you were afraid," he scoffed.
"You can thank me properly later. I'm going to deal with Chris today before he tries anything."
"Everything is at your disposal just stay safe."
"Thank you, darling," she said as the screen went blank.

--------------

She was getting used to Linc popping up on the bedroom and office TVs. Picking up her phone she called in Iris and Gwen requesting they join her for lunch. She had introduced the two ladies a month ago and they had both agreed to make Chris pay for the dog he was.
"Chris meet me at Roses at noon sharp, we need to discuss your position concerning Global Tech," she stated ending the call and not waiting for his response.
"Ken get me a table at Roses," she said.

Handing over some files to Ken she left her office making her way to Roses. Jose and his wife greeted her with tight hugs.
"The back room is clear for you to entertain your guests dear. Lincoln had everything planned," Rose murmured.
Mel followed her surprised at how Linc knew she would even use Roses as a meeting place.

Sitting down she ordered a glass of juice remembering the ones she always shared with Linc. She heard the waiter directing Chris to the private room. Sitting up she waited patiently for him to enter.

"Mr Watson please have a seat," Mel said with a sly smile.
"Let's cut the theatrics and get straight to the point of this meeting," he said with a serious expression.
"My my, aren't we a bit impatient? Well, you see I am completely famished and Jose makes the best food. But don't mention that in front of his brother. Both men are masters in the kitchen," she said with a laugh as he stared at her confused.
A waiter came over to take their orders, but he was surprised when she ordered too much food.

"Are you pregnant because there is no way you will eat all that food," Chris said.
"You are right there is no way I will finish all this food. I have another meeting elsewhere. Now let me inform you what the Global Tech board has decided upon your position in the company," she stated seeing him become pale.

"It's not looking good Chris," she said looking him straight in the eye.
"Mel you can't do this. I have two children on the way, how will I provide for them."
"Oh, I forgot about your complicated relationships. Hmmm, however, will we solve that problem."
"We can get married," he blurted out.
She burst into laughter at this, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. "Are you serious right now Chris? Did you even hear yourself? Why would I get married to you of all people, my ex-husband who is the reason behind me losing my child, possibly my best friend and husband all in one year? Give me one good reason."
"Because I love you, Melinda."

"No, you have never loved me. I have seen love and it is nothing close to what you showed me."
She held up her hand stopping him from speaking up.
"I'm still talking," she said leaving him stunned. She had never done such.

"Every time you fell sick I took care of you, but when I did you never once bothered to even feed me at my weakest point. Do you know who did that? Lincoln. He took care of me as if I was the most precious thing on this earth. When I needed encouragement, he gave it all to me, boosting my confidence. Looking at me as an equal never someone beneath him. Always wanting me at his side and never in the shadows," she said before taking a breath to calm herself.

"You as my husband should have protected me, but never once did I hear you reprimand your mother for calling me names.
How is she by the way? Give my greetings to your father he is the only one who showed any care towards me or his grandson. A son who has received more love and affection from a man who isn't even his biological father," she said angrily as he looked at her guilt written all over his face.

"Tell me one thing Chris, no more lies. Why did you even ask me to marry you when you knew you could never stay faithful? Why not remain a playboy and sleep around as much as you want."
"It was because of a stupid bet I made with my friends. I never expected for you to fall for me, nor I, you. I don't know when I stopped loving you," he shrugged.
"I know exactly when things changed. As soon as Global Tech skyrocketed to the top and money started rolling in, your true colours were revealed.

"Is that why you ran to him when I kicked you out of my house? A white man for goodness sake Melinda."
She scoffed at his remark looking at him over her glass.
"You see that's the difference between you and me Chris. When you look at a leaf all you see is the colour and shape. I see the intricate network of veins and the size, shape and texture of the leaf. Look at how it curls up to retain water when it's hot and how it uncurls when it is cool.
You only look at the surface never what is inside, that's your problem right there," she said sitting back in her chair and looking intently at him. "If you looked closely at my husband you would see that he was of mixed race, his father's genes were stronger though his mother was black. Something you will never find on the Internet. Besides you are of mixed race as well so I don't see why you are throwing a tantrum over my choice of man.

He remained silent digesting all she had said.

"Lincoln will always be more man than you will ever be. Physically and literally. Now if you will excuse me I have another meeting to attend. Make sure my program is running smoothly or you will be hearing from my lawyers," she said putting on her shades as she stood to leave.
"My wife is on fire today," Linc said in a sexy drawl making her laugh.
"If only you were here to cool down the flames," she said huskily hearing him groan.

------

Upon her arrival at her office, she was surprised to find Rafael Rodriguez waiting for her in her office.
"Mr Rodriquez what a surprise," Mel beamed stretching out her hand which he took and kissed ever so lightly.

"What is he doing over there?" Lincoln growled into her earpiece. "He just kissed your hand didn't he?" He growled.

"Mrs Shields I am very sorry for your loss. Lincoln was a good man," he said as he took his seat once more.
"Thank you, Mr Rodriguez," she said whilst Lincoln scoffed at his statement.
"Please call me Rafael," he stated with a smile. "You look radiant this morning," he said in a silky tone.
"Why that little piece of trash, he doesn't waste time does he?" Lincoln stated as Mel tried to hide her smile amused by her husband's reaction.

"What may I help you with? I am sure it concerns business," Mel said in a clipped tone knowing very well that Rafael despised her husband as he had shown this over the years competing with Linc for certain projects.
"I just came to see how you are holding up. Having lost your husband a few days ago and becoming the CEO of such a company surely must be stressful."
"Oh not at all, everything is running smoothly. I do know how to run a business."
"Forgive me I did not mean it that way, Melinda. May I call you Melinda? I just wanted to let you know that if you need any advice my door is always open for you," he said giving her a smile that could have swayed any woman but her.

"I swear if I hear his name upon your lips one more time, he will be having his teeth for supper," Linc said angrily.
"Thank you for your concern. I will keep that in mind, Mr Rodriguez."
"Rafael please," he said standing up. "Your assistant knows how to get hold of me," he said opening the door as she gave him a slight nod of acknowledgement.

Iris and Gwen walked in a few minutes later lightening her mood some more after Linc was done insulting Rafael.

------

The following night

Arriving with Ethan and Meg at the gala the whispers going around the room didn't go unnoticed.
"Relax Mel," Ethan whispered escorting both ladies into the room."
Cameron walked up to them with Charlotte on his arm looking lovely as usual.
"You look gorgeous Melinda," she said admiring her black gown.
"You are the belle of the ball," Mel said embracing her friend.
"It's all thanks to your sister," Charlotte beamed greeting Meg.
"Always working I see," Cam said noticing the earpiece.
"Yes pretty busy these days," she said hearing Lincoln laughing.
"Busy getting me worked up," he said making her face heat up as I smiled at Cam.

Mingling with the other guests she spotted Chris setting up his laptop for his presentation.
"Is everything in place?" She whispered to Cameron.
"It's showtime whenever you are ready."
"Let's get everyone seated shall we," she said to Ken.

Stepping up to the podium she scanned the room spotting Iris and Gwen looking in her direction. With a slight nod from them, she waited for the room to become silent before giving her opening remarks and thanking the guests for attending the event.

Handing over the microphone to Chris he started presenting the program he had created. The presentation was halfway through when everything changed. Profusely pressing his remote to stop the slide show it refused to comply, showing pictures of him with Iris and then Gwen on different occasions. Anyone could see what was going on. Ripping the projector plug out of the socket he turned to the appalled crowd. Both ladies stormed onto the stage giving him hard slaps as everyone gasped. He stood immobile on the stage until Cameron walked onto the stage pretending to show some form of concern as he helped him off the stage.

Ethan played his part very well by cracking jokes about the event to settle the sour atmosphere.
"You look ravishing love," Lincoln murmured.
Turning around she found several camera men pointing their cameras in her direction.
"Thank you, darling," she whispered knowing he most likely was watching the gala.
"Remind me to never cheat on you, I wouldn't want that type of humiliation," he murmured.
"Why would you cheat on me, think of all the fun you would be missing," she said through a smile as some associates walked up to her.

Enjoying the rest of her evening, she revelled in Chris's demise.