PROPOSITION.

CHAPTER 20: PROPOSITION.

Samantha knocked on the door, but there was no response from within. She felt it strongly in her gut that Joey was in there, with someone. 

She knocked once again, saying nothing, and this time also, there was no answer. She got furious and knocked on the door harder this time. 

"Who the hell's trying to take down the door?"

Samantha heard Joey's voice from within the room, further infuriating her, and causing her to bang on the door even harder, saying nothing. She wanted to implement the element of surprise.

"Fucking chill will you?" Joey said angrily as he approached the door. He opened the door slightly leaving the hook on the door, just to be safe, as he peeked to see who it was. 

"Samantha!" 

His eyes widened in utter shock at her sight. Her eyes peered at him hatefully.

"So, you're meeting with a client huh? In a motel room?" 

"Yeah. It- I- It was more comfortable to uh, to meet here," Joey gulped, stuttering.

"Is that so?" Samantha said.

"Baby, who's at the door?" 

A female voice spoke from within the room.

This got Samantha mad and she forced the door open, causing Joey to move aside, avoiding a direct forceful impact with the door. The hook was totally ruined as a result.

Samantha stepped into the room and found a lady wrapping herself in the sheets of the bed looking all fearful.

"Who are you?" the lady asked Samantha. But she glared at her, imagining all the wicked things she would do to her in a moment. 

"Joey, who is she?" the lady asked, fearfully. 

"She- She's someone I know," he answered, confusedly.

That was the last straw. Samantha pounced on the lady, choking her, pinning her down.

Joey rushed in to separate them. He was surprised to find that Samantha was much stronger than she looked.

"Let go of me you bastard!" Samantha yelled fighting off Joey, as she kept on choking the lady.

Joey was able to break off her grip, and held her from behind, dragging her as she kicked in the air.

"Let me go! Motherfucker! Let me go!" Samantha bit his forearm. 

"Argh!" he winced in pain. "Would you calm down?" 

The lady in the bed coughing, gasping for breath, and a bit disoriented. She still managed to get her clothes and ran out half naked.

"You'll hear from my lawyers, assholes," she said coughing, as she ran out haphazardly.

"Let me go," Samantha struggled to break free from Joey. He finally let go of her, holding his hand. 

"Jeez Samantha. Are you nuts or what?" Joey said, pressing down on where Samantha had bit him. 

"Why, Joey? Why?" Samantha cried. 

"Why? You're asking me why?" Joey scoffed, biting his lower lip. 

"It's because I can," he replied. "So what are you going to do about it?" 

Joey advanced towards Samantha threateningly. She stood her ground, refusing to be scared. 

"I swear to God, if I ever find that bit-"

Before she finished the sentence, she felt a sharp pain across her face. Joey slapped her.

She closed her eyes, holding her face, in utter shock. A buzzing sound filled her head. 

"So what were you trying to say again?" Joey asked, leaning forward as though he was straining to hear her talk. 

"What were you trying to say?!" Joey yelled, startling her, even with her eyes shut.

"Nothing," she replied.

"Yeah. I thought so," he remarked. 

"You're mine Samantha. You're mine. I can do the hell whatever I want, with anyone, but you're mine. Never forget that," he said, grabbing her by the cheeks lifting her head.

Samantha glared at him hatefully with red teary eyes, but could do nothing.

Joey sorted through the scattered beddings and clothes on the floor, and got dressed, as Samantha remained glued to the wall, sobbing.

"Let's go home, honey," Joey said mockingly. 

Samantha wiped her face, and walked out the room quietly, as Joey followed her behind. She got into his car as he returned the key to the room to the receptionist and returned. 

They drove back to the Adams residence in a terrible awkward silence.

_________

Justin and Mr Bishop had rounded up dinner, and Justin retired to his room for the night, to get some rest. But his heart wasn't at rest, so he couldn't bring himself to sleep. 

He knew he had said some things to Mr Bishop that were hurtful, and out of place. He knew he needed to seek peace with him, so as to have some peace of mind.

He got out of his duvet, and headed out of his room, casually dressed in his pyjamas. The first place he thought to go check was the study. 

He pressed the button at the control panel a couple of times but there was no response. He figured Mr Bishop wasn't there, so he intuitively headed to the living room. 

As he approached, he could hear Mr Bishop talking. As he got close and had a clear visual of him, he saw that he was on a call.

He felt like no longer going on with his plan, but he pushed himself, heading down the stairs to where Mr Bishop was, in the living room.

Mr Bishop saw him as he got to the living room and stood in front of him. He gestured that Justin take a seat, of which he did.

"So, Donald, I had noticed a drastic reduction in the patronage of the dairy products. Even our value in the stock market has been bearish for the past two months. So what's going on?" Mr Bishop asked.

"I really don't know sir. The workers have been complaining that they barely get any bonus for their hardwork. So I guess they are demotivated, hence the drop in the input, which has affected our output."

"Hmm. I see," Mr Bishop stroked his beard, thinking. 

"Alright then. I'll discuss a possible increase in their bonuses with the board."

"That'll be excellent sir. We know we can always count on you," Donald said, gratefully.

With that, Mr Bishop ended the call, sighing.

"What are you still doing up? Finding it hard to sleep?" 

"Yeah, something like that," Justin replied. 

"I uh- I came to apologize. I shouldn't have said the things I said. I know that you're just looking out for me," Just began.

Mr Bishop softly looked at his son, observing his body language.

"It's not like am not grateful for all you've done so far, but this, is all new to me. Well, what am trying to say is, thank you, and I'll do my best to be more careful." 

Mr Bishop nodded his head, admiring Justin's boldness in admitting a wrong. 

"It's alright Justin. It's alright. And believe me, this is all new to me as well, so you'll have to forgive me if am not world's number one dad sometimes." 

Justin chuckled softly, and Mr Bishop joined in also. This was the first sincere laughter they ever had.

"I understand," Justin said. "Also, I overheard your call, and I think things aren't the way whoever was speaking to you, says they are."

"What makes you say that?" Mr Bishop furrowed his brow, curious to get Justin's input.

"The demand for a product that was once on high demand by it's customers don't just deprecate all of a sudden, except if it no longer meets the customer's utility," Justin began.

"Okay," Mr Bishop nodded, paying attention.

"So, I believe the allocation for maximum production has never faltered, or has it?" 

"Never. We pride ourselves in meeting our customers needs," Mr Bishop answered.

"Good. Then, that therefore means, the allocation is no longer being used as it's meant to be used. Hence the poor supplies recently."

"Wow! You're absolutely right." 

It was though a veil was taken off of Mr Bishop's eye. He saw things much clearer.

"You know what? Why don't you come over to the office, with me tomorrow? Rather than being cooped up in here all day? What do you say?"

Justin looked at Mr Bishop, as he considered his proposition.