Noel

"I'm sorry for this Karl," She spoke before sitting beside me in the car. Her hair dripping wet and clothes soaked. I didn't know what took over me as we stood there in the bathroom looking at each other. I looked at her as the car got into motion. She held onto the court that Karl gave her. I was trying to understand her but it was becoming difficult. I didn't trust her. Ever since she had come to work for me things weren't like before. 

My eyes followed her every movement but my brain was stuck on the question that what was so important that Mrs Deloris had to hunt me down and drag me to the office. I sipped the coffee that Karl got for me. I had this pounding headache after last nights drinking. I was irritated and cranky and looking to blame someone. Christa's word saved me. I was alive because of her and no one else. She was innocent in all this too and I was too. If she was living I could too. Cheryl's words broke something inside of me. I was devastated and was begging for death. Nothing helped me in that moment but her words did. It felt like the bond between us snapped. There was nothing left between us. The one-sided love that I had for her was gone, vanished. All I was left with this rage inside of me I didn't know why. The last of the love I had inside of me was gone. I was left with nothing but this cold spreading inside of me. My heart turned to stone it didn't beat anymore for anyone.

"We need to go inside through some other entrance Karl. I'm sure reporters would be still blocking the entrance." She spoke drawing me out of my mind. I saw Karl giving her a weak nod. As we reached near the office he turned the car to the right rather than going straight. We were going to the basement. The reporters buzzed around the entrance of the basement.

"Shit," Alison spoke from beside me. In minutes they were at the car banging at the windows asking questions that didn't reach my ears. My face bare of emotions. Was this what Alison wanted or planned? There wouldn't be reporters here bullshit to it. It took every ounce of restraint in me to not to snap at her. Was this what she wanted, to trouble me? The thought popped inside of my mind from somewhere. Was it her way of retaliation for what I did to her? I could hear the snap of words the reporters said and they only enraged me. In minutes we were inside and as soon as the car stopped I was out. I was angry, bloody angry at Alison. This girl ticked me off. She was too close to me. She followed me to the elevator and stood beside me without saying a word. As soon as we were enclosed in the metal box I pushed her to the wall beside. A gasp left her lips. I looked deep in her hazel eyes. I could see shock and fear in her eyes. Fear. Why would be there fear inside of her?

"Noel.. sir,"  she stuttered and my eyes went to her lips. They were alluring, with the light shade of red coating them. Her brown hair sticking to her cheeks were a great contrast to her pale skin. I could see red on her cheeks. Her breath fanned on my skin. Her breathing wasn't normal, she wasn't normal. She was scared like a mouse caught in a cage. I was so engrossed in understanding who she was I didn't saw her lips descending upon mine. Only when her lips connected to mine I felt myself going stiff. Her lips were soft upon mine and the way they moved upon me made me feel something. They made me feel human and I hated it. Pushing myself away from her I put distance between us. Sounds of her ragged breathing reached my ears. My eyes stared into her hazel ones, they were clouded with emotions and lust. I knew those expressions very well. It was the way Cheryl and I felt every goddamn minute we were close. This girl was faking it I told myself. There wasn't a goddamn thing between us. I hated her with every pore of my skin. She couldn't make me feel a thing. She was just after my money like other women were always. I averted my eyes from her and closed them. Why in the hell my life fucking falling apart ever since she came stumbling in my life. Everything was going downhill. I was never caught around Cheryl's house but now I was. I was feeling things and it was fucking me up mentally. I wasn't supposed to feel anything with anyone besides Cheryl. there was fucking something wrong with my firm and it was all happening since she came stumbling in my life. Who the hell was she? My bad fate or luck?

The elevator pinged on its arrival driving me away from my thoughts. I opened my eyes and met her hazel ones. She looked timid in the corner of the elevator but her cheeks were still flushed red. It infuriated me.

"Stay the hell away from me," I barked at her and walked out of the elevator. I made a beeline for Deloris office. Only she could give me the report of what the hell was happening in detail.

"I don't care how did this happen. Tell me how did it happen. The information was classified. Only we knew about it. Only we had the fucking information about that technology Alex. What it was? How it was made and how to operate it? Only we fucking knew about it then how in the hell did it reach their hands or the better fucking question is how in the hell did it leave the premises!" She was yelling more like screaming over the phone when I opened the door to her office. 

"Just find it out Alex. I want to strangle the person who did it. My workload just increased million shitty times more." She said before cutting the call.

"What is happening?" She jumped at my voice and the gave me narrowed eyes. 

"There is the man of the hour or fucking disaster." she taunted. If it would have been anyone else I would have fired them on the sight but not with Deloris. She trusted me and above all had faith in me. She didn't take shit from anyone and that is why I liked her. She was my father's secretary for years but he didn't saw the gem she was. I did and the very first day I took over the firm I promoted her and send her straight to public relations. She coordinated everything perfectly and was able to hold down any kind of pressure. She had more experience than me and had seen me doing shitty things when I was young. She was just eight years older than me but I still respected her and didn't mind when she was angry at me. What use of it was? I knew very well that she would be able to prove herself to be the right one in the end.

"Deloris," I called for her calmly. "What is happening?" 

"Ask me what is not happening Noel. Everything is a mess right now and I can't tell how glad I am to see you here at last after calling for you from past fucking two hours. Where the hell were you? No, forget that I don' want to know. Right now I want to get the firm out of this fucking crisis. And what the hell happened to your face?" I didn't answer her about what happened but just shrugged.

"Sit down. I assure you that it will be a lot to take in," I did as I was told while she stood on the other side of the table rubbing her temples. "We just lost the Charleston's deal. I don't know how did they got it but I am sure that we have a rat in our firm. The information about the technology got into the hands of the Preston's and Jayce Preston bagged the deal with the fucking promise of giving a better product at lower cost. Our firm getting the deal was the buzzing news for the business world. It was billion dollar contract and we just lost it in minutes. I don't know how low will are share price go after this. Previously I thought it would be just a minor dent over the company but now I think it is going to be a major one." She was tired. I could see it over her face. I think she had aged in the past couple of hours. Who the hell would be after hearing this? I had worked night and day with other people over this deal. This deal with the Charleston's could have put the company on the top list of Forbes in the business world but Everything was fucking lost. I had put my sweat and hard work on this deal and letting it go like that made we want to kill that fucking rat as soon as I get to know who it was. The value of the share would go down and the goodwill of the firm could also be affected. I had fucking million employees and us not being able to bag this deal might affect them all. And what did Deloris meant by previously. 

"Deloris, what happened previously?" I emphasised over the word previously. She closed her eyes and squinched them. After taking a deep breath she looked at me.

"About that," She paused and averted her eyes from me. It felt like this news was going to be more difficult than us not bagging the deal. But what could be worse than that?

"Cheryl has lodged complaints against you. She had accused you of trespassing, verbal and mental abuse, harassment, stalking, bringing physical harm to her husband, bring harm to her and that pathetic husband of his, causing scenes to cause harm to her reputation and social standing. Is the last part even legal?" she asked herself as I sat there stunned. "And there is a lot more I don't know about. The news about it had spread like wildfire. Every reporter of Seattle just wants to get the juicy bits and is making up news of their own. This would affect your image and bit of the firm but not much damage will be done." I was aghast. I blinked my eyes several times to make sure this was fucking real. Cheryl had lodged the complaint against me. I couldn't even describe how I felt. The news made me go numb, horrified me. Was this really happening? 

"When was the complaint lodged?" I asked distantly.

"Around two to three at night. I don't know what is happening but the main thing I know is that no police action has yet been taken." She settled down in her chair across me and looked at me with sympathy.

"I know the news is appalling Noel. I didn't expect something like this from Cheryl. This is too personal even if Richard did it. Right now we can't do a thing but face the crowd. It is a lot to take in. A lot and I don't know how are you going to do this but I need you, Noel. There is a press conference in next ten minutes and I want the CFO of the Dalianis enterprise to save the image of this company. Only you can do it." Deloris was right. I needed to put the overflowing emotions I was feeling to be kept aside. Dalianis enterprise was far more important than the hurt and betrayed I felt. In all this scenario one thing was for sure my Cheryl was no more there. Neither was our love. Even 'us' was lost too now all she was doing was just meant to tear me apart. Wasn't what she did last night enough? Was more to be done? Was this a war now?

"We need to get moving. I hope you have a bit detailed report made for me to help me understand every aspect of this situation that we are in." My voice was bare of emotions. I wasn't the broken man who was rejected and berated by the one he had loved the most. I was no more that man anymore. That man was dead and now the only person left behind was a cold and brutal me. Deloris handed me a file. It was brief of the report of what all has happened. Deloris had written it down. I read it all the way downstairs to the hall where the conference was to be held. I had seen it all and knew very well that the Preston's were playing a very dirty game. They were enclosing me. On one side they took away the contract that I was working hard on and on the other hand Cheryl and Richard was attacking me personally. As I reached the conference room I saw Allison standing outside the room. She was still in the same clothes as before but they seemed a bit dry now. She was talking to someone but my eyes were glued to her. What pulled me to her was a mystery but there was something and it wasn't good. Her eyes met mine and she smiled at me. Not a small smile but a smile that reached her ears. It felt like it taunted me that she had won in something or maybe it was just my mind fucked up. However, my mind believed in the former. Someone came forward to do my makeup while Deloris stood there and told me about other numerous things. She was trying to get info from someone from the Preston's. They were celebrating on getting the Charleston's deal but for me, they were celebrating my destruction.  The makeup person did her best to cover up my bruises and bruised lip. I was looking normal as much as I could. Only on very close inspection, one could be able to see the bruises that I had over my face under the layers of foundation and makeup that was used on me.

As Deloris and I entered the conference room, the room was consumed by questions. My name felt to be chanted rather than being called. We took our place and began the conference.

"Mr Dalianis what would you say about the complaint lodged against you by Cheryl Preston, who is your ex-wife too?" A female reporter asked. Straight to the main point no bullshitting.

"They all are just for the purpose of harming me. I mean she is my ex-wife. We have been divorced for past three years. There weren't any complaints in the past three years but why now.  Mainly when we were into very serious negotiations for a deal that could have boosted up my company's value and profits." I wanted to laugh at myself. It took me this god damn awakening to understand that Cheryl and I were over and the only thing that was left between us was dead love. A love that was pulling me down and has now turned to war.

"So you want to say that there isn't any truth in this accusations?"

"I don't think so. If they were then I wouldn't be here with you or would I still be?" I seemed confident but from the inside, I was hoping that the police didn't come my way to arrest me.

"What will you say about the charleston's deal that you just lost?" Another reporter asked.

"What shall I say about it? I am still looking for the rat in my own firm who sold out the information to the Preston's. I mean come on everyone knew that we were bringing something new. We were in the process of getting our technology registered under intellectual property right. It was the buzzing news everybody. Even you were covering it up. Then out of nowhere Charleston's left us because the same technology was being presented to them at a low cost. I am just shocked that Charleston's let them be dragged into this. It will only bring bad publicity to their firm when the truth about how Preston's stole our technology and passed it as their own comes to light. I assure you I will do everything in my hand to prove that what they have now was stolen from me and is mine. No offence but I don't think the Preston's have still reached that high calibre that they could develop such a technology on their own." Deloris looked at me and gave me an encouraging smile.

"So all this police complaint against you is?" Some other reporter asked.

"Just a stunt to harm Dalianis Enterprise. There is a cut-throat competition in today's world  It is very sad to know that they are taking it to a personal level but what can one say this is business world nothing is left personal between us. And about Cheryl, she is my ex-wife everyone. We are over. There isn't really anything left between us now. whatever we had ended three years back and her coming at me like that with those complaints is degrading and bad for both of our images. I mean who would do this. This is just cruel on her side. I personally feel like this had turned to war somehow between my ex-wife and me. My company is going to be affected by it but for her, it would be just like tearing apart her own social standing and image. Maybe this is all just a big misunderstanding. Maybe I am being mistaken for someone else. Cheryl is a very beautiful woman and maybe someone else is doing these things under my name, some hypocrite I shall say. She and I are not on good terms and someone is doing this to harm me or both of our firms. If that is the case, people I think you should be ready for some very entertaining gossip even from the business world." I smiled at them and everyone seemed to be in awe from my answers. Deloris seemed perfectly happy with my answers and I did too. But from the inside, there was a turmoil of emotions inside of me. This was war, this was too fucking personal. When had Cheryl turned so vile and cruel? She was not the woman had I loved anymore. She was dead three years back and I was living in her memories. I was hurting but this was not because of her it was because of how much of a fool I was. 

"That's all for the day, everyone," Deloris said before getting up. I followed her on the way out. The reporters wanted to ask more but I couldn't do more of it. I was still high on emotions. I had to reel everything in. Maybe this confident facade that I had put up would be able to lessen the damage over the enterprise but it wouldn't satisfy me until that fucking rat who sold us caught.

"Alex just messaged me," Deloris told me as we walked out. "He thinks there are two rats one who has been here for a fucking long time and the another one is a new recruit. He is scanning everyone to find out who those rats are." 

"Good I think we will have the name of those rats soon enough." We were now out in the empty hallway.

"Yeah and one more little thing."

"Don't tell me there is more?" I joked.

"No, but I pulled in some favours actually from the police. They won't be taking any action against you until they provide with a solid proof and the proof has to be really solid. I saved you this time Noel but I won't be able to the next time. I really hope there isn't any next time." I was stunned at what she did for me. She had always been on my side. She didn't leave me like everyone else. Even Christa had turned her face away from me. She wasn't there to talk to me and I understood it. After what all she had to go through I couldn't blame her. Now there weren't many people left who cared for me and loved me. I won't let those people let down. 

"There won't be a next time Deloris. I assure and thanks a lot for it. Thank you very much. After yesterday I have understood one thing. There isn't any love left between me and Cheryl. We are done basically I am done with one-sided love and now all that is left is just me. Only me and now anything she or they throw at me I won't hold back. If they want war I will give them war. There is no love and care left in me for her anymore." My words were filled with promise and I won't back down from. Deloris pat my shoulder and smiled at me.

"I trust you, Noel," Saying that she walked to discuss something with her office staff who were coming from the extreme end of the hallway. As I stood there I saw Allison coming pout from one of the empty conference room just behind me. Her eyes were downcast and she didn't dare look at me this time. Not even a glance. She seemed like upset or angry. I couldn't tell clearly but she wasn't the same person she was. 

Did she hear everything we talked about? The thought popped in my mind. Was it the reason for such a downcast mood. As she walked past me she sneezed and didn't even gave a sorry. She didn't have manners I guess. 

However, another thought popped into my mind. She was a new recruit. I think I knew who was one of the rat. I was going to fucking enjoy teaching her a lesson this time.

.......................................................................

Hope you enjoyed it!!

So what do you think is happening?

Noel's Shell is broken. He isn't the lovesick puppy anymore.

Who is this Jayce?

What the hell is happening?

Is Noel's mind on the right way? 

What do you think he will do next?

And why was Alison upset or angry as Noel said?

What happens next?

Let me know your thoughts ...

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