HIS COME BACK

Chapter three

CHAPTER THREE

I couldn't shake the events of the previous day as I walked into the office. The fire alarm incident, Yen's anger, and Malika's stern reprimand all weighed heavily on my mind. But what truly surprised me was Malika's unexpected kindness when we were alone later that day.

She had invited me to her office, her tone soft and inviting. I had expected another reprimand but instead found myself in an entirely different situation.

"You seem tense, Derek," Malika had said, her voice a soothing contrast to her usual sharpness. "Sit down."

I had complied, bewildered by her sudden change in demeanor. She had leaned in, her perfume intoxicating, and before I knew it, we were entangled in a moment of passion I never saw coming.

Now, as I stepped into the office, I couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and guilt. How could she switch from being so harsh to so tender? And why did it feel like there was more to her kindness than met the eye?

My thoughts were interrupted by Mustafa. His presence always seemed to cast a shadow, and today was no different.

"Good morning, Derek," he greeted, his eyes scrutinizing me.

"Morning," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Ms. Badu wants to see you in her office," he said, his tone carrying an edge that made me uneasy.

I nodded, feeling a knot form in my stomach. As I made my way to Malika's office, I couldn't shake the suspicion that Mustafa knew more than he let on. The way he watched me, the subtle hints of a knowing smirk—it all made me suspect that he and Malika had a history.

When I entered Malika's office, she was seated at her desk, her expression unreadable.

"Derek," she said, her voice like velvet. "I need to discuss something important with you."

I stepped closer, trying to read her intentions. "Yes, Ms. Badu?"

"We have an investors' meeting today," she said, standing up and walking around the desk. "It's crucial for our lingerie line. The designs, the quality, everything needs to be perfect."

"I understand," I said, nodding.

"Good," she replied, her gaze intense. "But there's something else."

She moved closer, her eyes locking onto mine. "I need you to trust me, Derek."

"I do," I said, though my voice wavered.

She smiled, a predatory glint in her eyes. "Good. Because trust is everything in this business."

She reached out, trailing a finger down my chest. I stiffened, unsure of what to do. The door suddenly opened, and Mustafa walked in.

"Ms. Badu, the investors are arriving soon," he said, his eyes flicking between us.

Malika stepped back, her expression turning cold again. "Thank you, Mustafa. We'll be right there."

I couldn't shake the feeling that Mustafa's interruption was deliberate, a power play to remind me of my place. As we left the office, I glanced back at Malika, her face a mask of professional detachment.

The investors' meeting was a whirlwind of presentations and pitches. The intricate details of our lingerie line were laid out, the fabrics, the designs, the market strategies. Malika was in her element, commanding the room with ease and confidence. Yet, my mind kept drifting to the recent events, the confusion, and the growing suspicion.

After the meeting, I found myself in the break room, trying to gather my thoughts. Yen walked in, her presence a breath of fresh air amidst the chaos.

"Hey, Derek," she said, her voice softer than usual.

"Hey, Yen," I replied, offering a small smile.

"Rough day?" she asked, leaning against the counter.

"You have no idea," I sighed.

She laughed lightly, the sound easing some of my tension. "Hang in there. These investor meetings are always a nightmare."

"I know," I said, feeling a genuine connection with her. "Thanks, Yen."

She smiled, and for a moment, the world seemed a bit brighter. But as I left the break room, my mind returned to Malika and Mustafa. The web of secrets and lies seemed to grow thicker with each passing day.

Back at my desk, I couldn't help but feel that something big was on the horizon. The conglomerate's future, my place within it, and my feelings for Yen—all of it was intertwined in a way I was only beginning to understand. And as the day wore on, I knew one thing for certain: nothing in this place was as it seemed.

As the day progressed, I tried to focus on my work, but my mind was a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions. The recent events with Malika were impossible to forget, and my suspicion about Mustafa's involvement only grew stronger.

The investor meeting had been intense, but at least it had gone well. Malika's presentation had been flawless, and the investors seemed impressed with our new lingerie line. Yet, beneath the surface of professional success, a complex web of personal intrigues and hidden motives threatened to unravel everything.

Later that afternoon, I found myself back at Malika’s office. She had summoned me again, and I couldn’t ignore the uneasy feeling that accompanied every interaction with her now.

"Come in, Derek," she said as I knocked on her door. Her voice was smooth, almost too smooth.

I entered, and she closed the door behind me. The room was filled with the same sophisticated scent that had lingered in the elevator the day before.

"Derek, you did well during the meeting," she said, her smile enigmatic.

"Thank you, Ms. Badu," I replied, standing awkwardly.

"Please, sit down," she said, gesturing to the chair opposite her desk.

I sat, my heart pounding. She walked around the desk and perched on the edge, leaning towards me.

"I wanted to talk to you about your future here," she began, her eyes locking onto mine. "You've shown great potential."

"Thank you," I said again, feeling like a broken record.

"However," she continued, her voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone, "potential isn't enough. Loyalty, trust, and... understanding are equally important."

She placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch light but charged with electricity. I swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond.

"You do trust me, don't you, Derek?" she asked, her eyes boring into mine.

"Yes, Ms. Badu," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Good," she purred, leaning closer.

The door suddenly swung open, and Mustafa stepped in. His timing was, once again, impeccable.

"Ms. Badu, the investors are asking for a follow-up meeting," he announced, his eyes flicking to her hand on my shoulder.

Malika straightened up, her professional mask slipping back into place. "Thank you, Mustafa. I'll be there shortly."

Mustafa nodded and left, but not before giving me a look that sent chills down my spine.

Malika turned back to me, her expression unreadable. "We'll continue this conversation later, Derek."

I nodded, standing up and heading for the door. As I walked out, I couldn't help but feel a wave of relief. Mustafa's interruption had spared me from whatever Malika had planned next.

As I returned to my desk, I saw Yen walking by. My heart lifted at the sight of her. She paused when she saw me and gave a small smile.

"Hey, Derek," she said, her tone light and friendly.

"Hey, Yen," I replied, trying to hide my turmoil.

"How's it going?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Surviving," I said with a shrug. "How about you?"

"Same here," she said, chuckling softly. "Want to grab a coffee later?"

"Sure," I said, my mood brightening at the prospect. "I'd like that."

As Yen walked away, I felt a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Her presence was a welcome distraction from the twisted dynamics with Malika and Mustafa.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and tasks. As evening approached, I found myself looking forward to my coffee break with Yen. It was a chance to unwind and maybe, just maybe, get a clearer perspective on everything that was happening.

I met Yen at the coffee shop down the street. She was already there, sitting by the window with two cups of coffee. She looked up and smiled as I approached.

"Hey," she said, pushing one of the cups towards me. "I got you a latte."

"Thanks," I said, taking a seat across from her.

We chatted for a while, the conversation easy and relaxed. Yen had a way of making everything seem less complicated, and I found myself laughing more than I had in days.

But even as we talked, a part of my mind remained on Malika and Mustafa. The suspicion that there was more to their relationship gnawed at me, and I knew I needed to find out the truth.

As I walked back to the office, I resolved to keep my guard up. The stakes were high, and I couldn't afford to be caught off guard again. There was something going on behind the scenes at the conglomerate, something that went beyond the business of lingerie. And I was determined to uncover it, no matter what it took.

The next morning, I arrived early, hoping to get a head start on the day. But as I walked through the door, I was met with an unexpected sight. The office was in disarray, papers scattered everywhere, and the tension was palpable.

Malika stood in the center of the chaos, her face a mask of fury. Mustafa was beside her, his expression grim.

"What's going on?" I asked, my heart sinking.

"There's been a breach," Malika said, her voice tight with anger. "Sensitive information about our new line has been leaked."

My mind raced. Who could have done this? And why? As I looked around the room, I realized that the web of intrigue I had sensed was now pulling me in deeper.

And I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.