"That wasn't an excuse Miss Bartley." Markus said, his voice calmer, trying to prove his point.
"Just call me Athena." Athena replied, a smile pasted on her lips.
"We aren't that close." Markus replied straightforwardly.
"We can be." Athena said, her smile turning into a smirk.
"I don't want to." Markus said, but before Athena could speak anymore, he immediately interrupted her.
"Anyways Miss Bartley, may I know the reason for your sudden visit." Markus said, not wanting to talk much with Athena.
It wasn't that Athena was lacking in any way. In fact there was a swarm of men running behind her. And why wouldn't they be?
Athena Bartley, only heir of Bartley family, being filthy rich, CEO of Glitter, beautiful and intelligent. If there was anything that she lacked, then it was her IQ whenever she met Markus.
She had first seen him at a meeting and since then, she couldn't keep a control on her heart. ;
She would stick to him like a little puppy, not leaving even when Markus gave her irritated look or death glare.
In fact, in the last meeting, Markus had literally shooed her away, making her dad go mad at Markus, but she still pleaded her father to not do anything against Markus, even going to the lengths of threatening her dad about how she would harm herself if he was to lay even a finger on Markus.
It wasn't that she couldn't see how irritated Markus would be whenever she approached him, but she just didn't care about that. She only had one thing in mind - Markus. And no matter what, she knew that she will have him one day.
"Off course it is about our collaboration Mr. Markus. I wanted to personally handle thid major project." Athena replied, her tone much more serious now.
"We can discuss the terms in the meeting room. Let's go there." Markus said while getting up from his seat.
Looking at Markus leaving ahead, Athena immediately got up, not wanting to be left behind.
But she lost her footing due to the sudden action, her heels making her lose her balance.
Thankfully Markus was quick enough in noticing this and held her, before she could fall on her back.
"Mark-" suddenly a cheerful voice stopped abruptly.
Kizy who was all smiles after joining the company for the first time, wanting to surprise Markus, was stunned at the scene playing in front of her.
Markus, her beloved husband was holding a beautiful woman in his arms, their proximity more than necessary.
"Young-" Joel was about to speak when suddenly Markus who was supporting Athena immediately removed his hands from her back, making Athena fall with a loud thud on the ground, her eyes wide in disbelief.
'Boss you shouldn't have saved Miss Athena if you were to leave her that way. Wouldn't that have been better. Neither would have Young Miss misunderstood you, nor would you have to take the blame of making a woman fall down.' Joel thought, shaking his head.
'I am dead meat! I had already told Nicole that partnership with Glitter would only be trouble. Now look at this. I have already landed myself in trouble even before starting the partnership.' Markus thought.
"Kizy it's not like what you are thinkin-" Markus was still speaking when Kizy cut him off, but her statement and action surprised both Markus and Joel.
"Markus, is this how you treat a lady? Let me help you." Kizy said politely before bending down and extending her arm towards Athena.
Athena just looked at her hand before getting up on her own, not wanting Kizy's help.
"You should always be good to females." Kizy said, not minding the way Athena ignored her help.
"Sorry Kizy. I thought you were angry because of the way we were standing." Markus said, bewildered that Kizy was responding so calmly.
In fact it was her calmness that was making Markus feel terrified.
"How can she be so childish! You can still leave her." Suddenly Athena said in between.
"Miss. Bartley, please talk nicely with her. I won't tolerate-" Markus was speaking in an angry tone when Kizy once again interrupted him.
"Markus! How can you talk like that with a lady? It's her fault or maybe her parents fault for not teaching her basic manners. But why are you behaving the same?" Kizy said, her tone still calm.
'Yes! Finally Young miss is back!!' Joel thought, even clapping for Kizy's comeback in his mind.
"How dare you talk about my basic manners!" Athena said, her voice raising a little.
But this time Kizy ignored her, turning towards Markus.
"And why were you afraid of me being angry? I trust that you would never leave me for any random woman." Kizy said, her gaze fleeting past Athena.
'Trust? My foot! Let that woman go and I will show you what my trust is!' Kizy thought in her mind.
"Random woman?" This time Athena seriously lost it.
"Miss Bartley, I think we can talk about the project some other time. Or maybe send some representative from your side. I think you must have work and responsibilities and you won't have free time to come and visit me again." This time Markus seriously made it clear on how much he wanted Athena to leave and not appear in front of him again.
Athena took a deep breath to control her anger before speaking.
"I will take my leave now. But I won't forget this incident, especially you." Athena said, pointing towards Kizy before leaving the office.
"Wifey, are you fine? I told you to rest. Your health is more important. You don't have to attend the office." Markus said with an exaggerated smile as soon as Athena was gone.
"Why? So that you could keep helping someone?" Kizy said, her tone completely cold.
"Is someone jealous?" Markus said, his tone teasing.
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Our Thursday chapter! Sorry for the late chapter.. had a long day.. so couldn't upload early. Anyways drink water and stay hydrated!
- Kizy