CHAPTER 4

MICHAEL'S POV

I woke up to the sound of my alarm ringing. I checked the time. It was 8am. Dang it. I'm gonna be late for work. I quickly remembered that I was the CEO and calmed down. Being in charge feels so good. I remembered the conversation I had with Monica last night. Dang it. That woman must be a kill joy. I quickly had my shower. While dressing up, I looked at my bare chest on my mirror. "Damn, your abs are sexy. How the hell did Monica see this sexy body and still cheat?", I said to myself. After getting ready for work, my driver drove me to my company. My bouncer opened the door for me. I got down and I noticed that someone was staring at me through my side eye. If looks could kill, I would have been six feet under by now. I turned to see the human and my eyes met the last person I wanted to see, Steve. As soon as he saw me look at him, he turned his face away. How did I not see this?

I went straight to my office to prepare for the meeting that was scheduled to hold in a few minutes. I was in deep thoughts when a knock of my door brought me back to reality. Come... 'Hey bro', Steve said while entering my office. I couldn't even finish my statement. "Mike, this is a presentation I came up with. You can use it during the meeting", he said. I glanced through it. It looked a bit convincing and weird maybe it was due to the fact that I already knew Steve's real personality.

It's great. Thanks, bro," I said, ignoring the smirk that flashed on his face before disappearing.

"I'll see you during the meeting then," he said and left.

My PA soon came in to inform me it was time for the meeting.

As I flipped through the presentation Steve had given me, I couldn't deny that it was well-researched and compelling. But I knew better than to trust Steve's motives. Not after what I knew. I had to keep my guard up, especially around him.

I took the file Steve gave to me and left for the conference room which was the venue for the meeting.

As I stood at the podium, addressing a room full of investors and stakeholders, I couldn't help but feel a wave of pride. Being CEO had its perks, and I relished the power and respect it commanded.

The meeting went smoothly. Investors seemed impressed. I handled questions with ease, keeping my mind sharp and focused.

I had a different file in hand. One that proposed channeling funds to the agricultural sector. I approved that project.

Still, I felt eyes burning into me. I didn't need anyone to tell me whose they were. Steve.

I glanced at him. His face was burning with rage.

I laughed inside.

This was just the beginning.

FLASHBACK

After Steve left my office, my secretary came to inform me that it was time for the meeting. I nodded my head and stood up. I looked at my table and saw another file. My PA gave it to me a week ago. She said that she came up with it after giving it some serious thoughts. It contained a proposal about channelling some of our funds to the agricultural sector. She had spent serious time working on it.

As I picked up the file, I remembered what happened in the past.

Past

The last time I used a proposal Steve gave me, my company suffered a massive setback.

When Steve gave me the file, I used it and my company experienced a major setback.

We lost huge funds. I found out during Steve's confession that he was the sole cause of the loss.

It turned out Steve had connived with the investor in charge of the project.

He confessed everything eventually.

Present

I decided not to make the same mistake twice.

PRESENT DAY

"That would be all for today," I said at the end of the meeting. Steve was the first person to leave. I made my way back to my office. I told my PA not to let anyone inside my office as I was going to be busy and needed time to focus. Shortly after I got to my office, someone barged into my office. It was Steve. My PA followed him, flustered. "Sir, I'm sorry, I tried to stop him." "It's okay. You can leave."

"Michael, what happened during the meeting? You practically humiliated me in front of everyone," Steve said with authority. "There was a change of plans. I also had a change of heart. You know I've been really busy these days. It's just a presentation."

"Just a presentation? Michael, just a presentation?" he snapped. "Are you serious?"

"What I did was for the benefit of the company," I said while trying my best not to laugh. "I mean, everything we're doing is for the progress of the company. We're supposed to uphold Dad's legacy. Or was the presentation a means to satisfy a selfish desire?" I asked watching him closely. "What do you mean by selfish desire? You know I have the interest of the company at heart," Steve said. "Well it doesn't look like that to me," I replied. He was silent. "I'm sorry if I made you feel bad by my actions. We're brothers. We should not be fighting over minor issues like this," I said while apologizing. "Michael you owe me one. Still mad at you though. If you'll excuse me, I have some work to get back to," he said and left.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

STEVE'S POV

How dare he? Did he know my plans? How did he find out? He's been acting different since that day he fainted. Does he know something?

Those were the thoughts that were running through my mind after I left Michael's office. I have Dad to blame for this. He left Michael in control and now I'm just beneath him. He put me in a position where I'll be constantly looked down on by Michael. Dad is not here now. It's Michael versus me. We'll see where this goes.

MICHAEL'S POV

Who does he think he is to barge into my office and question my decision? To think that I was starting to feel sorry for what I did to him. Really funny. I called my PA. "Do not let anyone into my office. And by anyone, I mean anyone," I told her when she answered. I worked until I was tired and went home.

When I got home I took a shower. After taking a shower, I heard the sound of the doorbell. I went to get the door. When I opened the door, I saw Monica standing in front of the door. My expression was neutral.

"Hey, babe," Monica said, trying to sound casual. "I was worried about you. Can I come in?"

I stepped aside, allowing Monica to enter. As she walked in, she noticed the tension in the air.

"What's wrong?" Monica asked, her voice laced with concern as she scanned my face. I shrugged. "Just stressed, that's all".

Monica's eyes narrowed. She prolly thought I was hiding something.

Writer's POV

Monica's eyes narrowed. She knew Michael well enough to recognize when he was hiding something. But she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

As they sat down in the living room, Monica tried to engage Michael in conversation, but he seemed distant. She decided to probe deeper, sensing that something was off.

"Michael, is everything okay between us?" Monica asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Michael's eyes locked onto hers, his expression unreadable. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable.

Michael's POV

"Michael is everything ok between us?" Monica asked. "Yes. We're good, my love", I said trying to ease the tension and sound warm. She smiled immediately and kissed me on my lips. "Um, i need to go put on some clothes", I said realizing that I was still on my towel. "You still look good yhunno. I could eat you up right now", she teased.

If I didn't know what she'll end up doing, I would have kissed her immediately but, right now I only felt disgusted and irritated. I hid my disgust with a smile and went to my room to change. I changed into my pyjamas. While I was buttoning my shirt, I thought of Monica. I wanted to avoid her real bad but she kept coming back. "Keeping her close might actually be the best. You know the saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer", I thought. "Damn, babe I keep falling for you over an over again whenever I see your chest", Monica said interrupting my thoughts. I tried to button up but she was already in front of me with her hands on my chest. I looked at her. She was on a black nightie. Damn she looked really sexy. Not gonna lie. I was so mesmerized by her beauty that I didn't realize when she unbuttoned the buttons that were done. I was brought back to reality when she kissed me."Are you not supposed to be in the guest room?", I asked while stuttering. "I couldn't sleep. I also missed you", she replied. She kissed me and caressed my chest. I found myself responding to the kiss. Her kiss. Her body. It was working. I was aroused by her kiss. I grabbed her butt. Damn. It was soft. She removed my shirt and my trouser. I was left in my boxers. I tore her nightie. She was still on her panties. I carried her whilst kissing her to the bed. I kissed her neck and trailed kisses down to her boobs."babe", she moaned. Her moaning turned me on. I sucked one of her breasts and squeezed the other. I trailed kisses down to her stomach. As I was about to remove her panties, I stopped. I made sure she was really horny and stopped. I'm on a revenge mission by the way and not a sex marathon. I fell on the bed pretending to be exhausted. "Babe, what is it? Touch me. I need your touch", she begged. "I'm tired, Monica. I had work to do before you unexpectedly showed up. Sorry. You should go take a shower."

She was too stunned to reply. The Expresson her face was priceless. Dang it. I should have taken a picture. I stood up, took a quick shower and went back to my bed. She was sleeping already. I carried her to the guest room, placed her on the bed and cover her with a duvet. I might be on a revenge mission but, I'm a bit soft. Being soft is actually my weakness. I mean, that's how my supposed family took advantage of me and ruined me in the 'past'. I got back to my room and changed my duvet. I wouldn't want to smell of anything relating to Monica. I worked on some office documents. I suddenly remembered the company ownership documents. I locked my door. I went to the secret space in my closet, clicked on the password and brought out the documents. The company ownership documents. These were the documents that were taken from me. Not this time. Now, I have the power of time. The best weapon. No one except God can take those documents away from me again. I slowly drifted to sleep while praying to not see Monica I'm the morning.

Next Morning

The smell of breakfast woke me up early. It meant only one thing, Monica was still around. I checked my phone. It was 8am. I was wondering why my PA had not called. I looked at my phone and saw that it was Saturday. No. How the hell was I supposed to escape Monica? Maybe I should act like I was going for an early morning jogging. "Early?? Bro be for real", my subconscious clapped back at me. Bad idea. I could fake a headache yhunno. "Then she'll be all lovey-dovey around you, pampering you like a baby. Bad idea". Yeah. Definitely a bad idea. " I guess I'll have to go and get this stuff over with". I eventually went to the sitting room. Monica was there already. She was dishing out our breakfast (or poison. You wouldn't know). She was dressed seductively. On a normal, I would have been drooling over her now but, after what I knew about her, the only thing I saw was a cheap whore. "Babe, you're finally awake. I made you breakfast. I'm still mad at you for what you did last night", she said. "I told you that I was tired and had some work to do", I said in defense. "Thanks for the breakfast though". We sat down to eat. "Babe, you remember that we'll be going for our engagement photoshoot today right?". "Is it today?". "Are being serious now? Don't tell me you forgot. You've been acting weird lately. Do you still love me? Did you ever love me? ". It took great composure and every ounce of restraint to stop myself from saying no I don't love you. "Look at me miss Monica". She was already pouting. Such a cutie."young man get your shitty ass together ", I thought. "I was busy. I did not forget on purpose. Why would you ever question my love for you? Maybe we should call off the wedding since you don't trust my love for you anymore". I really hoped that she would agree to call off the wedding. Really crazy. " I love you and if this is going to work, you'll have to trust me", I said. "Okay babe. I love you too. We'll leave by 2pm for the photoshoot". "About that, I kinda scheduled a virtual meeting with my investors today by 2pm. I've been busy lately so, it skipped my memory. We can reschedule the photoshoot. Prolly next week. I'm sorry ". I was seriously looking for ways to get rid of her. I needed to strategize properly. I have a wedding to call off. She stopped eating when I said what I said. " You know what? I'm done with this conversation". She stood up, carried her food and left for her room. "Babe. Monica. Wait. It's not what you think". I followed after her then boom she closed the door on me. I tried knocking but, she didn't respond. I left after failing to get her to open the door. I took my food and returned to my room.

Monica's POV

I shut the door on him. I was so pissed. How could he forget? He's really being unfair to me. He's been acting really weird. I had to come over yesterday just so we could make love and sort things out and he left me after making me really horny. "Sort things out. Really", I thought. Ok fine. I came to seduce him to get me pregnant and ended up horny, alone and unsatisfied by him. What did I do wrong? Is it about my spendings? I mean his money is my money so I get to spend it the way I want. Is there another woman? Wait. Is he suddenly gay? Only a gay man would resist a sexy body like mine. "gurl, be for real", I thought. To think that I woke up very early to prepare breakfast for him and this is how he repays me?. I need to know what's going on. "i think you should give him space and time", a voice in my head whispered. So, I decided to pack my stuffs and leave with the little dignity I had left.

MICHAEL'S POV

My phone rang. It was Alex. I stared at Alex's name flashing on my screen for a few seconds before finally answering.

"Yo, Mike! Long time, man," he said, sounding cheerful. Too cheerful.

"Yeah," I replied flatly, forcing a chuckle. "Just been swamped with work and other things."

"I figured. Just wanted to check up on you. We should hang out soon. You free next weekend?"

I paused for a second. "Actually, I might have something in mind. Monica's been on my neck about us going out more. How about we all hang out together next weekend?"

"Like... the three of us?"

"Yeah," I said, keeping my tone casual. "Dinner or something. You in?"

He hesitated just a second too long. "Yeah. Of course. That sounds cool."

I smiled to myself. "Great. I'll send you the details." I ended the call. I went to the living room to get my charger.

That's when I saw her, Monica leaving with her bag. Joy bloomed in my heart but I kept a straight face. "Babe, what's going on? What are you doing?", I asked trying to sound sad and not excited.

"What does it look like I'm doing huh?", she asked rudely. "Since you've decided to treat our relationship like trash, I thought to give you some space and time. You left me hanging last night. I ignored that. I thought, prolly you were tired and stuffs like that. I still went ahead to make you breakfast and you still did not change". " Is she like this because of last night's sex?", I thought. "Wait, this whole drama you're trying to pull off is because of last night's sex? Are you being serious right now?" "Michael. I won't let you speak to me in that manner. You've been acting weird lately. You're not even talking about our wedding. What's wrong with you? I'm giving you space and time to think and reflect on what you've done. When you're ready to talk, do let me know", she said while leaving. "Monica, wait". "Bye Mike". She left.

She left.

And just like that, she was gone. I waited for ten minutes then peeked through the window to see if her car was still there and I saw that it was gone. Finally freedom. I can finally breathe some fresh air in my house.

I went to my room, showered, grabbed my controller, and started gaming.

The moment I picked up the controller and turned on my console, I exhaled like I hadn't breathed in weeks. No fake smiles. No seduction. No lies dressed in lingerie. Just peace.

I played for hours. Lost in pixels and action, my mind finally quieted until it didn't. Monica's words replayed in my head: "You're not even talking about our wedding"

Good. That's the plan.

This wasn't just avoidance. This was the setup. The slow unraveling. The seeds of doubt were already planted. Now, I needed to gently guide Monica and Alex closer just enough to make her fall and for him to catch her.

Because once they did, I'd be free.

Later that evening, I sat at my desk, staring at my laptop but not really working. My fingers tapped idly on the keyboard, my mind already racing ahead to the dinner next weekend. I could already see it. Monica dressed to impress, Alex pretending not to notice, and me setting the scene like the perfect host.

If I played it right, I wouldn't even need to break up with her. She'd do it herself, or better yet, she'd fall into Alex's arms, and I'd have all the justification I needed. No guilt. No questions.