Chapter 11

"Good morning Mr Westfield."

"Good morning Nora. How was your weekend?" I asked as I made my way towards the private elevator.

"Fine thank you sir."

"Whats my schedule like today?" I asked

"Sir, You have a board meeting to attend by ten this morning. And a lunch meeting with Mr Brown at twelve."

"Okay, is that all for today?" I asked.

"No. The contract we have been battling to seal was given to us."

"Oh! that's great, we gotta celebrate our victory." I said with a smile as I made my way into the elevator. Nora fast on my trail.

"Well, actually there is a tiddly bit of a problem sir." She said with an odd expression.

"What's the matter Nora? You look troubled. Is something wrong back home? Is your boyfriend pressuring you?" I ask drawing closer to her. Placing my hands on her shoulder.

I don't know if its what I said, but she seem to grow alarmed and then flustered. Cheeks turning that lovely shade pink that makes me glad that what ever I said was getting me to see her this way.

"I-its noting like that sir!" She said shaking her head furiously.

"Oh? Then what."

"It's the contract sir..."

"What about the contract."

"It's due by the end of this year"

"That's not a prob- what?!"

"Yes sir. "

"B-but that's a month from now!!"

"How does he expect us to build from the scratch within a month?!!"

"Well, that's not all sir. It was written in the contract that, if you are unable to construct the building up to average withing a week, they can call in extra help to join in."

"Wait you mean a new construction company?"

"Yes sir."

"Well its okay. Am sure it would be one of our partners for sure."

"Hmmm, actually sir, am afraid that's not the case."

"Ten company applied for this contract. And then were shot listed to five."

"The company picked the two best. Our company coming first, and then," she paused. Hesitation clear in her voice. This can't be good.

"What company are we dealing with!" I said loosing the little patience I have left.

She doesn't speak. Too terrified by my reaction. Being that I hardly loose my cool.

"Nora?!"

"I-i-its FRANKtech."

"Oh..."

"Yes sir."

"Do we have a say in this deal?" I asked. Not so happy with the news.

"No, n-not really sir."

"Nora, when I ask a question, I want a direct answer got it?" I asked in a stern voice.

"S-ss-sorr-ry Mr Westfield." She said backing away from me.

"Now, Do we have a say in this." I asked again.

"No, not at all sir." She said a little too quickly.

I never realized how violent I look till I saw my reflection from behind her. A man with dark hair that was previously gelled down now having it sticking in all directions. Brown eyes that burns with anger. And fist clenched so tight, knuckles turning white.

This was not how I planned to spend my Monday morning. And taking out my frustration on Nora wasn't the best thing to do.

"Nora?" I called as I found out she was no were in sight.

"Nora?!" No response

"Nora, am sorry. I didn't mean to talk to you in that manner." I said out loud as I moved into her office only to discover she wasn't there either.

Taking a deep breath, I sigh in frustration.

I was about to leave her office when I heard sounds coming from the restroom in her office.

Moving closer, I discovered it wasn't just any sound, it was Nora who was crying silently at the other end.

Great, I made her cry. Just what I need to make her see me in the light I see her.

"Nora..."I said quietly.

The whimpering stops but no response was made.

"Nora,"

"Am sorry okay?"

"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or make you feel insecure or incompetent. Its just, you no how I am about FRANKtech... They are our topmost competitor. This project can't be done in a month without extra help. And them bringing in Franks company would not be us working together, it would be us competing against each other. Which would definitely not speed up work."

Still, no sound made from the other end. Not even body movement was heard. It's like she was standing perfectly still.

"Nora, open the door." I said as I made my move to open the door only to find it locked.

"Nora..."

Nothing.

"Fine." I said Sighing loudly,

"Am sorry okay?"

"Please don't cry. "

"Come out and let's talk thing's through."

After waiting for some time and realizing she wasn't gonna be out of there any time soon, I left.

Hours had passed by since the incidence. And Nora hasn't said a word to me about it. She just went about her daily duty like nothing ever happened. Like she wasn't crying her heart out few hours back. She smiles at her co-workers. But I knew she was faking it. When she smiles it always begins from her eyes. But today, the spark in her eyes are gone. And it's a shame to know I caused it.

"Mr Westfield!"

"Yes? Sorry, I didn't hear you come in." I said raising my head from the monitor screen only to see Nora standing right in front of me. No playfulness in her eyes. Only seriousness.

"Nora.. I.."

"I came to remind you of the lunch meeting you have. Its in 30minutes"

"Nora,I"

"Sir you should hurry. The drive to the reserved restaurant is 25minutes." She said trying to divert the topic.

"Ok. I guess we should both get ready then."

"Both get ready? As in me and you?"

"Sir I'm not meant to be there." She stated.

"And I say I want you there."

"Now stop talking and start parking we leave in five." I dismissed the issue.

Storming out of my office, she made sure to shut the door with loud bang. Had it been someone else, that wouldn't have gone down well for her. But Nora? She could get away with murder. That's how deep my feelings run for her.

Shouting down my device, and picking out the needed files and document for this meeting, I walk out of my office and head towards the private car lot. Were I wait for her to arrive.

It doesn't take long before she did. And she definitely didn't look to happy about going out with me.

I had plans for us after the meeting. Something just to make it up to her. Get to know her, and apologize all over again if need be. So I am not one bit feeling guilty about ordering her to escort me.

On getting to the restaurant, we made our way to the reserved table and made ourselves comfortable pending when Mr James gets here.

I was about to make my oder when I got a call from James's PA saying he wouldn't be able to make it today and we should reschedule.

"Okay, Congratulations to your boss. And his wife. You can discuss any further arrangement with my PA tomorrow. "

"Alright then. That would be all."

I hang up only to discover that Nora had been staring at me with a blank expression. "Back to earth Nora. Is everything okay?" I ask concerned.

"He was just like you were this morning." She said out of the blue.

"He would always get furious when things didn't go the way he planned. Always, he would blame me for everything. Even when it rained on a sunny day. I took the blame, the yells... but that wasn't all. He wouldn't stop there. I took the hits too... It's worse when he comes home drunk."

"My mum would try to intervene most times, and he wouldn't spare her. No. He never spared anyone. "

"And my body soon became a canvass for all types, colors and size of scars."

"Did I mention I attempted killing him once?"

"And today? Seeing you change from composed to lethal, it was a nightmare springing to life."She said as she tried catch her breath.

What she just disclosed to me must have took a lot from her. I notice the little color she had to her skin was no were in sight. She was all shaky and totally distabilised. If she were to be on her feet, am pretty sure she'd have collapsed.

"Nora, breath okay? Just breath."

Seeing that she had gained a little bit of composure, I was more relaxed.

"Nora, am sorry for every bad thing that happened to you. I really am. If I could go back in time, I would change those things."

"But sir you can't. Besides, it's not your fault. You aren't my father. You're a nice man."

"No, I am a bad person. I made you cry, I made a mountain out of a mole hill. And for that, I am so sorry. Forgive me please." I said sincerely. Looking at her though she hardly made eye contact.

"Why do you keep calling me Nora?" She asked. Acting like nothing ever happened. Like she didn't just have an outburst. Like I didn't just step out of my comfort zone to apologies to her.

"Why do you keep ignoring me?!" I asked clearly frustrated.

"She doesn't speak."

"Why aren't you making eye contact with me?" I said in a pleading tone.

This time she looks at me for a second then looks away as quickly.

"Noraa..." I whined

"Sir, its not professional to call me by my first name."

"Who cares about what's professional and what is not? I don't care. Do you? Cause I don't."

"I knew you as Nora from the very beginning. I won't stop calling you that. Not for any reason in the world."

"Mr Westfield,"

"No, its Jack to you." I said leaving no room for argument.

"But sir, I,"

"Leonora! I warned." Calling her by her full name for the first time. Taking us both by surprise.

"Stop, just stop okay. We are not going to argue over silly things."

"You think this is silly?! She said with a raised voice as she stood up banging her hands on the table. Everything to you is silly. Don't call me Nora!!" She said eyes wild with rage as her pupils dilate. Face turning red from her excessive cries and yells.

At this point I don't no what to do. This day is getting worse by the moment.

"Please...please don't call me Nora" she said as she fell to her feet. Tears now flowing freely. Now on all fours, her head nulls from side to side with silent tears. This sight in front of me, is something neither my mum, Angel or school not even my years of working experience prepared me for.

This is a woman am starting to care about falling apart right in front of me. And the worst part is I have no clue on how to help her ease the pain. Make are feel secured. It's torture.

Running to her side, I knelt down holding her tight and whispering sweet nothings into her ears hoping it would calm her down.

"It's OK dear, it's okay. Everything would be fine." I said quietly one would assume I was trying to reassure my self about this not her.

"How do you know that? How are you so sure?" She asked with a shaky but quiet voices, as her baby blue eyes look at me with so much innocence so much pain so much expectation. Looking at this woman who is so vulnerable, I can't help but fall a little more in love with her. As I stare at a big blue eyes, all I want to do in this moment is kiss all her worries away. But I know better than to do so.

Taking a look at our surroundings, it's now I apericiate the fact that this is a private area. We don't want anyone seeing this.

Bringing my attention back to the woman in my arms I smiled down at her. Already knowing what to tell her.

"I know things are going to be great because good always prevails over evil... And you, Miss Frost, have the purest of heart."