THE CEO’S VENDETTA

Few minutes after Claire got arrested, I went back in to my office, to breeze out the anger and I heard a gentle knock on my door.

“Come in please, the door is unlocked.” I managed to say because I was furious about the incident that had just occurred.

“Good afternoon Alex,” she said as she entered the office.

“Good afternoon, please have your seat.” I said and continued. “I guess you witnessed what just happened, I am so sorry for that”.”I have it all under control,” I assured her.

“How may I help you ma’am?” I questioned.

“I am Grace, Claire’s best friend. I came to see you.” she said with a broad smile.

Her smile seems like a cooling air, it suppressed the anger boiling in me.

I felt calm.

“Ms Grace, it seems we have met before.” I returned the smile.

“Yes we have Alex, at Highview college, THE BAS set.” she reminded while snapping her fingers.

“Ohh, yes… yes Grace. I remember now.”

I said slowing nodding my head.

“We are the BAS!”, I said “Brilliant and Smart,” we chorused.

“How have you been?” “and where do you work now?” I asked her sounding curious.

“I’m doing great, thank you.” she said and continued. “I am self employed, I’m a brilliant interior designer and event planner. I could turn anything into a beauty”, she boasted.

“This beautiful! and interesting,”I commened.

“Thanks Alex” she whispered.

“Please, I am not here for pleasantries we can keep that for another day. I am here because of Claire, I don’t work in your company, but I can categorically say that she is innocent” she paused maybe to see if I was following.

“You see, Claire and I have gone a long way back, we are now sisters and I know what she’s capable of doing” She said convincingly.

“I got a message from a friend around here, who told me Claire was in trouble.” “I knew the only way to solve this is to get to you personally.” she continued.

“She has nothing to do with the company’s data, she works here because of her family issues”.

“That is money right?” I interrupted. “Yes,” Grace said probably thinking she has finally won me over.

“Then, she could leak the data, because of money”. I tried to convince myself.

“I think I am done with this meeting”. I rose up to my feet, I wanted to listen to her but I had to end the meeting to show her I was angry.

“Please, Alex hear me out”, she begged.

“Grace, you can use the door now”, I said.

I was amazed, she stood up and left as though, I hadn’t shouted on her.

She was so calm, I knew she would be back soon and honestly I can’t wait for her to prove her point.

(Narrator POV)

Throughout the night, Alex was tossing from one end of the bed to the other. He lost his peace, and as well lost his sleep.

He was convinced beyond doubt that Claire was innocent.

“Let’s look at it this way, Kelvin came to VisionTech all of a sudden, and I accepted him immediately without prior apology of disappointing me?” he said to himself.

“Why was I that stupid?” he screamed at himself, in front of the dressing mirror.

“To get to the bottom of this, I have to act smart.

I will play along and plan ahead, who knows if there are other accomplices,” he said sounding determined.

“Get me on the phone to the police station,”he ordered.

His secretary running in with the phone already connected, “here you go sir.”

“Hello, Mr Alexander. How may I be of help early this morning?” said the voice from the other end.

“Mr Rogers, hope I am not interrupting anything. I want to confirm some things, first, has the criminal in your custody confessed yet?” he paused as though waiting for an answer, then continued.

“Second, when is the date for the trial?” he asked.

“After much torture, Miss Claire hasn’t said anything different yet. She has maintained her claim, and has been weeping uncontrollably”. Mr Rogers explained.

“According to my men, she has rejected any meal offered to her.” he added.

At the last statement, Alex began to feel uncomfortable, he regretted his action of calling the cops on Claire.

“I think you people should be gentle on her, she’s a female,”he said stylishly pleading.

“We have to get the truth out of her filthy mouth” he said harshly.

“I must be promoted through this case”, he muttured under his breath.

Unknown to the police officer, Alex heard his statement.

(Alex POV)

As I heard the last statement by the police officer, Mr Rogers, I knew this could be so complicated and Claire would be in a tight corner at the station.

“Alright, Mr Rogers, when is the trial date?” I asked him.

“On the 28th of this month”, he said.

“So soon!” I exclaimed. “I needed time to plan”, I said unknowingly.

“Plan what Mr Alex?” Rogers asked.

“Nothing really, a personal issue,” I explained.

“Okay, I guess we will meet at the court”, I added and hung up.

“I have to do everything in my power to get Claire out of the cell”, I said sounding determined.

(Mrs Reynolds POV)

I heard from my assistant about what happened at the company yesterday. Alex has been troubled ever since he got back from office, I had to hear the story from the horses mouth.

“Hello son, how are you doing today?” I asked as i walked into his room.

He simply turned and looked away.

My son simply keeps quiet when he is pissed, and he won’t say a word until you force him to speak.

I don’t want to beat around the bush, I don’t want to add salt to the injury. I asked him the question directly.

“Alex, I heard what happened at the company yesterday. Could you explain?” I asked Alex.

“Mum, please I am not in the mood right now.” he replied coldly.

“You sure heard the news, why make me say it again”, he added.

“I demand an explanation, Alex” I scolded.

“Would your dad be happy, when he hears the news”, I asked.

“I owe you none, mum,” he said.

“I owe nobody any explanation” he added.

With those words he stormed out of his room.

“Just fix this, Alex. Make sure you fix it”. I screamed.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.