Chapter Nine

Ray carried Amanda to his car, as he bid goodnight to his family.

The Next morning, Amanda woke up in Rays shirt with a pounding head. she wondered how she got back the night before with Ray no where to be found. She didn't want to believe the time on the wall clock. She managed to get her phone to confirm if the time was really past twelve pm. Well, low and behold it was.

Her phone had immediately started to buzz, it was Lang.

Hello she heard Lang say.

"Hello"she responded sounding sluggish.

So the day it all came crashing down you decided to leave us and not show up for work.

Lang said as she struggled to seat up.

"I'm not in town" she answered.

Matter of fact myself and Ray...mond is on a business trip in Mexico.

Oh, business trip, Mexico? That's new, and really sudden.

Yea, I guess he is new everyday. Amanda said trying to avoid further questions.

So, where is he now?

His suit, I guess. she said casually to mask her own curiosity of his where about

What were you talking about "everything come crashing?"

She asked completely diverting the topic.

You have not heard? 

Heard what? Amanda asked.

Apecx suddenly decided to terminate our partnership.

What? What are you talking about? 

Why?

No reasons yet.

Amanda noticed the hotel room open, Ray was back, as he walked to the wardrobe.

Let me call you back. She said.

Okay sure. Lang said as the call dropped.

Pack up, we leave for for Canada today.

Amanda noticed how rigid he looked and sounded, she guessed it was about the deal they lost with Apecx but she hoped he didn't mind sharing that with her.

Is everything okay?

He totally ignored her as he reached the wardrobe, changing his shirt to a white one.

Pack everything up and let the porter take it downstairs.

Amanda didn't appreciate how he snubbed her, but managed to speak when he needed her. She didn't beg to be taken to this trip, she didn't beg for this job and she won't act like she did.

Why do you treat me like I'm someone without choice? Someone who begged for this job?

And yet you think addressing me as your girlfriend was okay?

She noticed him keeping a mute face as he proceeded with buttoning up his shirt.

Don't ever call me your girlfriend, to your family, your dad or any one. She managed to complete that sentence as she struggled with breaking down and crying her eyes out.

Amanda! Right now is not the time for a little drama. I'm a man with a little temper who happened to find it really necessary to be in Ontario within the next five hours. His voice had began to pitch, his anger now written all over his face as he turned, facing her.

Your my assistant, and I'm damn sure you don't need me reminding you of the agreement you signed to be disposed at anytime should I be needing your assistant!

So..... do your god damn job!

He said before furiously leaving her by her self.

She noticed tears building up in her eyes, as she collapsed on the one of the couch in the room fighting her own tears.

Their ride back to Canada was the longest five hours of her life. Ray was no where in her view. He was in a secreted part of the plane. 

Scott had picked her up, dropping her off before biding her goodbye.

The next day was a Tuesday, she had gone to work early as usual. Tyler was a bit edgy but he mostly remained in his office. Lang noticed her reserved behavior as she came to know if she was okay.

She said she wasn't as she asked if it was because of Ray and their last trip.

She had said no but Lang had given her a look that showed how her cheap lies wasn't selling anymore.

What? I'm serious. It's not about Ray.

Yea, definitely not because of "Ray"

Could never be "Ray"

Amanda heard Lang emphasis on the Ray as she knew where exactly she was getting at.

Stop! Putting her head down avoiding further humiliation from Lang.

You are such a terrible liar and i hate to keep pretending like I believe you. 

I'm that bad? She asked as she slightly raised her head off her desk, making a little crying face.

I'm sorry, but yes. Lang said with a sarcastic pity face. 

Hey. Her voice now became softer and comforting, she raised her hand, placing it on Amanda's shoulders to comfort her.

Do you wanna talk about it?

I think I love him. Amanda said as she looked up at her friend with a sad expression.

Oh dear. Come here. Lang said as she moved closer, hugging her.

He is different sometimes, and he gets really hash when he is different.

It's okay honey, maybe he will come around, he is probably having a hard time Now.

Ray immediately stepped in as the two women separated from each others embrace.

Good morning sir. Lang greeted him, but Amanda was too disoriented to speak.

Good morning Lang. He quickly responded as he proceeded to his office.

Later. Lang said as she was set to leave.

We will talk about this over dinner, my place seven pm. She added before leaving.

Ray now settled in his office. He had decided to not worry himself about the outcome of Apecx, they had other bigger clients and the public market all blowing the business up. 

He had his target on the new ones, and so far, the response has been positive. New features were developed within the last seven months, one of the best tech assemblers was their partner and that did great marketing for the company. He spoke to his dad earlier that morning as he made mention of a new deal but couldn't speak more on it as it wasn't set yet. 

He had a lot on his mind now, but he somehow had his mind on Amanda. Was she crying earlier? And was it because of him? 

He seemed to have heard a little knock on the door before Amanda stepped in. She walked in with his cup of coffee as she placed it just beside his hand. Maybe it was consciously, maybe it was just reflex, but his hand had moved just as she dropped the coffee as their hand brushed each others. Her skin still soft as he remembered, scent still as alluring. He turned, now facing her. 

For all the days to wear a skimpy dress, it was today, the day he swore to avoid her and his growing addiction to her. She wore a black and white doted mini gown with a stiletto high heel that looked like one she got from their recent shopping. 

He looked up at her, he tried so much not to looks at her thighs which she chose to be sampling that day. Maybe if it was on a more slender girl, the dress could have looked more decent. 

Maybe you should watch your hand and where you place things around my table. He spoke as he rested his back in his office chair.

I think your hand moved to a wrong direction when I dropped the coffee. 

He watched her struggle to keep her cool as she spoke.

There is no such thing as wrong when I do things around here, where I chose to place my hand at any point should never be referred to as wrong.

You could have placed the coffee somewhere else.

He watched her expression change, she wanted to immediately speak but she didn't.

Why have you decided to taunt me with every given opportunity? You know I haven't done nothing but do everything you ask of me. Your behavior towards me isn't fair, but just cruel. She spoke with an almost teary eye.

The world is not always a fair place. He said as he now removed his focus from her as he tried reading some documents before him.

She had a much more visible teary eyes now, she managed to form words to utter. 

You know I use to think maybe you are not so rude or cruel, that it was just a cover, maybe you didn't want people to see how nice you were on the inside. 

But no, I was wrong, you are rude inside and out, sad, and bitter, always trying to rub off your frustration on other people.

Ray paused, as the office became cold silent, he returned his gaze at her as he noticed a tear drop from her eye.

I will take it that you are having a bad day, and maybe need a break. So I will let you take the rest of the day off and I will be seeing you tomorrow or....

Whenever.

Amanda wiped her eyes as she stumped out of his office, ignoring the fact that she had ran into Tyler on her way out.