Chapter 10
"What?" Octavia's mother stood up in outrage.
Travis sat unaffected like he didn't hear her outburst.
"How dare you say such a thing to your elder? These youngsters these days have no respect humph! You want me to bow to you. For what?"
"I didn't say that. You did."
"You're talking to your mother-in-law in such a manner."
"My mother-in-law is dead."
"Umm, Brother, you don't have to talk like that. If you want someone to bow to you. I'll do it for my mother." Octavia said, fake tears brimming in her eyes.
"This isn't a theatre performance Octavia. There are no hidden cameras so you can stop the acting now and take off that cast. We know your hand isn't broken. "
Octavia stood awkwardly looking at her mother for help.
"Don't speak to my daughter in such a manner, and you," She said, pointing at Alice. "You sit there unbothered and watch as this man insults your family."
Alice glared at her, standing to meet her. "You say they're unbothered as your daughter accused me of a crime I didn't commit that would have led to my suspension, and yet you didn't do anything,g, but you want me to talk when they're only asking you to do what you said you'll do."
"I didn't say such a thing! You have no proof." She panicked, looking around.
"What are you talking about? She pushed my daughter and broke her arm, and there were eyewitnesses. If my daughter is at fault, I'll know tow to you seventeen times."A voice said out a recorder pen.
"That was you barely thirty minutes ago. You said you were going to know gow 17 times if your daughter was at fault."
"I-i" She stuttered.
"You should know when someone is kidding and when they're not. That was a joke. I'm sure you misunderstood." Octavia's mother said laughing.
"That tone didn't sound comedic. So you can start bowing now, or do you want to go back on your word?"
"It's not that serious. Come on, let it all just go."
"No. This could be counted as some sort of crime. I could get you put in jail for this."
"No, I'll do it." She said shaken, scared about the mention of arrest.
She gritted her teeth as she looked at Alice.
She began to kneel, her head down and her complexion reddening.
"Begin."
She began to bow counting loudly as she did.
After she bowed, she stood up, looking at Alice with such hatred and anger. If looks could kill, Alice would be six feet below.
"I hope you're satisfied." She said to Alice, grabbing her bag from the reclining chair.
"Goodbye, mother-in-law," Travis said with spite.
She looked at him with anger, turning her head quickly like the sight of him disgusted her immensely.
"Your father will hear of this." She directed to Alice.
She harrumphed as she left the room leaving with Octavia trailing behind her.
"They're quite some characters," Travis said turning back to Alice.
Alice threw her hands around him giving him a very big hug.
"What's the matter? Did she do something you didn't like, or should I have made her bow like fifty times?" He asked confused.
"No…" She murmured into his neck.
"Then what's the matter?"
"No one's such a nice thing for me."
"Nice? That's the least of things I could do if anyone tries to insult or note my wife."
Hearing him say my wife made her ears tingle. It was like she was his and only his.
"Thank you." She said meekly into his neck.
"Ehem." A voice said.
Oh, they were still in the board room. Alice left Travis embarrassedly.
"Thank you. We'll leave you to it now," Alice said hello to Travis out of the office.
"I'll be right back," Alice said walking to the vending machine.
Travis waited as he looked around.
"Uncle?" A voice said.
Travis turned to see Lee, his uncle's son and the heir of one of the smaller companies under his.
"Lee. How are you?"
"I'm fine uncle," Lee said excitedly.
"I hope studies are going well?"
"Yes, uncle. I'm studying to be the best business head the company's ever seen."
"That's good."
"Uncle, what are you doing here?"
"I came to drop off your aunt, she had some issues she had to deal with."
"My aunt?"
"Yes, I just got married that means you have a new aunt."
Lee was surprised and motionless for a few seconds but he quickly schooled his expression.
"Oh! Is she a professor here?"
"No."
"Is she a dean, or must she be a visiting colleague to the school?" Lee thought his aunt must be one of the smartest people on earth for her to catch the attention of his uncle.
"No to both. She's a student."
"A student? She's doing her PhD then or her Master?"
"Neither. She's just a regular student. She's a Sociology major."
"Huh? She's a sophomore?" Lee was surprised.
"You may have even passed her on campus or shared a few classes with her. I'll introduce you when next you come for dinner."
"That's nice Uncle. I'll come after the finals."
"Yes.
"Uncle, what's her name?"
"Why? Do you want to stalk my wife?" He said as he shot him a glare.
"No no." Lee laughed. "Just in case I meet her in school so I could say hi to her.
"Not necessary." He said gruffly.
"I'll meet you later, Uncle," Lee said running off.
Alice was just coming back when Lee bumped into her throwing one of the chocolate bars on the sandy pavement.
"Watch where you're going." He said arrogantly moving away from her.
"You're the one who should watch. You bumped into me. All face but no brains tch." She tsked walking away.
"I knew it. You're one of my fan girls. What is this new tactic because it's not going to work? I mean I've seen a lot. Jumping into my car, Smashing my car, Leaving secret gifts but this Enemies to lovers trope? Y'all read too much Wattpad." He said rolling his eyes.