Given Up


    “What did you just say, Matthew?”


    When I saw her face, I felt angry. “Both of you, get out of my office! I have work to do.”


    Ryan rushed in, holding a stack of documents. He frowned when he saw them.


    Carol quickly gestured for them to leave. “It’s time to leave, Mr. Matthew.”


    I


    Seeing that I wasn’t alone, Matthew


    de away.


    Mnie shot me a re. “Are you trying to seduce him again? Can’t you live without a man, you


    fucking


    whore?”


    I grabbed the registration form, tore it into pieces, and threw it at Mnie’s feet. “Keep a leash on your


    man. Don’t let hime here again.”


    Mnie grew infuriated. “How dare you?”


    I said calmly, “You should leave now. We’re having a meeting.”


    Then, I turned my attention to Ryan. “What do you have for me?”


    Ryan approached and handed me the documents. I nced at them and saw two contracts for the new


    development at Hearnd Estates.


    I was surprised. “We got it?”


    Ryan smiled. “Grayson did.”


    “That’s great! I’ve always liked this development,” I said, thrilled.


    Mnie stormed out.


    Ryan waited until she was gone and said, “There’s something else.”


    “What is it?”


    “I heard that ATL Empire failed to get thend in Operose.”


    I sat up straight, stunned. “Do you think it’s true?”


    Ryan nodded. “Word has it that there’s quite a buzz over at Echelon Group.”


    “How could this happen? I muttered, feeling worried. Had ATL Empire encountered some kind of


    I gave Lauren a call. She confirmed that Echelon Group had offered only 2% more than ATL Empire,


    and it appeared that thetter had withdrawn their bid.


    Withdrawn? Why would As give up on something he was so close to acquiring? I tried calling him,


    but


    he didn’t pick up.


    That afternoon, Echelon Group invited us to a celebratory party tomorrow night. It would be at Towers.


    It seemed like they couldn’t wait to tell the world about it.


    Echelon


    I felt anxious for As. He had been trying to secure thend for a long time. Why would he give up at


    this crucial time? When I tried to call him again, his phone was turned off.


    Shit, not again! Frustrated, I sank back into my chair.


    I was about to have dinner with my daughter that night when As returned my call. I quickly


    answered,” Hey, why’d you switch off your phone again?”


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    He chuckled and asked, “Why? Did you miss me?”


    I was exasperated. “How could you sound so rxed?”


    “Well, you do have a calming effect on me,” he said casually. “I was on a flight, so I had to turn off my


    phone earlier.”


    “Huh? You’re not in Foswood? Why did you let Echelon Group have thatnd in Operose?”


    He saidzily, “Why would you say that?”


    I was stumped. “Well, they’re throwing a celebratory party tomorrow night, and I’ve already received an


    invitation.”


    “Then attend it,” he said calmly. “I’ll bring you a gown.”


    “Can’t you just tell me what’s going on? I’m worried about you,” I protested, annoyed by his


    unpredictability.


    “Okay, don’t worry. I’ll see you at the party tomorrow,” he said soothingly.


    “You’re going too?” I asked eagerly.


    “Yup. Don’t stop thinking about me, okay? I got to go.” He hung up.


    I held my phone, bewildered. Suddenly, I started to look forward to that party.