Chapter Nine

INFERNO OF THE HEART

As she approached Billy, Alex was dumfounded, her mind racing with questions and emotions. She was lost for words, unsure of what to say or how to react to his sudden appearance. She stood there, her eyes locked on his, her mouth agape, as if time had frozen. The silence between them was palpable, filled with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Billy, however, seemed calm and collected, a faint smile playing on his lips as he waited for her to break the silence.

"What are you doing here, Billy?" she asked curiously.

"Aren't I welcome in your place of work anymore?" he questioned, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

"The last I could recall, we broke up. We are no longer in good terms," Alex replied, her voice firm but laced with a hint of annoyance.

"So, why should you visit me in my place of work?" She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly as she waited for his response.

"I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry to say, but can I get a minute from you, at least? Let's hang out and talk things out," Billy asked politely.

"What are we talking about, Billy? I don't want to recall past occurrences, please," Alex replied, her voice firm but cautious, unsure of what Billy wanted to discuss.

Billy took a deep breath, his eyes locked on hers.

"I know I hurt you, Alex, and I'm truly sorry for that. But can we talk things out?"

"There's nothing to talk about, Billy. Please, you have to leave before my boss arrives here and sees you talking to me. We're not allowed to talk to our clients like this. Just come and go," Alex said, her voice firm and urgent, trying to avoid any potential trouble at work.

Billy's face fell, and he looked disappointed, but he nodded slowly.

"Okay, I'll leave. But can I at least ask, are you doing okay? Are you happy?" he asked, his eyes searching hers for answers.

Alex sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness.

"Billy, please. Just leave."

And she was still urging Billy to leave when the result of her worst fear emerged: Julian, her boss, entered the reception area, and everywhere became quiet. The atmosphere instantly became tense, and all eyes were on Julian, who was known for his short temper and strict rules.

Alex's eyes widened in anxiety as Julian's gaze swept the room, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene before him: Alex standing with Billy, a man she was clearly trying to get rid of. Julian's expression darkened, and he strode purposefully towards them, his presence commanding attention.

"And what is going on here?" Julian asked Alex, his voice stern and authoritative.

"I'm sorry, sir, but he was just about to leave," Alex replied hastily, trying to defuse the situation.

"And who is he?" Julian demanded, his eyes narrowing at Billy.

"He's someone I used to know," Alex explained.

"He was just passing by and decided to say hello."

"Let him out the door and get back to your duty post before I lose it, okay?" Julian ordered, his tone dripping with disdain.

As Alex was about to urge Billy outside the resort, Billy suddenly turned to Julian with a furious expression.

"Is that how you order her around?" Billy demanded, his voice rising.

"And who gave you the right to ask me such a question?"

"In case you don't know, I am her fiancé, and you don't have to talk to her in such a manner!"

The room fell silent, with all eyes on Billy and Julian.

Alex's eyes widened in shock, and she felt her face burning with embarrassment.

"Please, I'll have to take my leave," Billy said, his voice still tinged with anger.

As he turned to Alex, he added, "I'll call you. We'll meet up, maybe later, after work."

With that, Billy turned and strode out of the resort, leaving Alex to face the wrath of Julian.

"Alexandra Thompson, meet me now in my office," Julian said authoritatively, as he turned and walked towards his office.

Alex followed behind him, her heart racing with anticipation. As they entered the office, Julian sat down in his chair and turned to face her.

"What was the meaning of that in front of all my staff?" he demanded, his voice stern. "Did you call someone here to insult me?"

"No, sir, that was not my intention," Alex replied, trying to defend herself.

"He actually said that out of his own will. I was not aware of that."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "And what does he mean, he is your fiancé?"

Alex took a deep breath before responding. "Sorry about that, sir, but he is my ex-fiancé. We were betrothed together, but under some circumstances, we decided to break up and move on with our lives. But he just suddenly showed up today."

Julian waved his hand dismissively. "Okay, that's your business. Handle it your own way. And get out of my office," he ordered.

Alex quickly exited the office, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. She walked back to her workspace, sat down, and began going through the computer system, trying to focus on her work and push the encounter with Billy and Julian to the back of her mind.

As she was still going through her computer, Julian came out from his office. "I am leaving the office now, and I will like you to…"

As he was still about to finish his sentence, Alex's phone rang. "Pick up your call, pick it up," Julian said, nodding towards the phone.

"Okay, sir," she said, as she brought her phone out from her back pocket and pushed the answer button.

"Hello, who is this?"

"This is Billy," the voice on the other end replied.

Alex raised her eyebrows, looking at Julian as he stared at her while she answered her call.

"Oh, okay," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"What's the problem, Billy?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation brief.

As Julian heard the name "Billy", he already knew it was the ex-fiancé. He only stood there, waiting for her to be done with her call.

When Alex was done with the call, she faced Julian to complete his sentence.

"Who was it?" Julian asked, already knowing the answer.

"It's my ex-fiancé, sir"

"Okay, that is your business, but don't bring it to my resort ever again, okay?"

"Sir, can I leave early today, since you are already on your way home?" Alex asked, trying to change the subject.

"Okay, that is your choice," Julian replied. "you've got plans?"

"Yes, sir, I have plans already," Alex said, trying to sound casual.

"I need to meet up with my ex-fiancé and sort things out."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "Okay, that is your business, though."

Julian was trying to feel indifferent about the resurfacing of Alex's ex-fiancé, but he couldn't hold it in anymore. He had to wait in front of the resort and watch as Alex left to meet Billy, he tailed her feeling a growing sense of unease. He monitored her from his car till she got to where she was to meet with Billy. Alex sat opposite Billy in a round table in the bar and Julian's anger simmered as he saw how Alex smiled when Billy was talking to her. He didn't even know what they were talking about, but the fact that Alex was smiling at his jokes was enough to fuel Julian's irritation. He drove off and went home, his heart seething with anger.

The next day, Julian arrived at the resort, still feeling the effects of his anger.

As he walked into the resort, he saw Alex already seated at her workspace. But before he could even take a deep breath, a word sparked out of his mouth: "Alexandra Thompson, you're fired!"