Chapter 12: Chapter 12

What is the problem, Matilda, I was just trying to understand everything we are discussing, I tried to lie.

"That's not true, she replied accusingly. No matter what you have on your plate, you always get a grip on yourself". She was right I never drip of in a meeting no matter the problems around me.

"You always take promt decisions that always turn out well and besides, you never call me Matilda because you said it was old fashion." She ended angrily.

Trust me Matilda, I was thinking about what we were discussing....I tried to defend myself .

"Please excuse me gentleman, she said dismissing our bankers. I know you very well Mark, and don't take me for a fool.....she continued as the bankers left. Did you even ask me how I got to know where you are? I heard your voice from afar when I excused myself from the meeting to get a drink. I turned around and couldn't see you and when I asked them, they said you had gone the other way towards the garden.

Going closer, your voice was louder and louder in my ears. You kept arguing with Tom because of Maya. Since when did you become a relationship expert and suddenly, you have started calling me Matilda"...she ended with mixed emotions.

I can't tell her the truth. This is not the right time and place. 'Please forgive me, Tilda, I just care about Tom so much"...I lied again.

I have began such a terrible liar today. Yes I care about Tom but in this case, it was my heart I was caring about. Maya has clouded my thoughts since I met her on Monday. Thank God the lie worked as Tilda finally succumbed.

"Well it clearly shows he doesn't want you caring about him when it comes to Maya so just stay away from their relationship"...she said with a bitter tone. But I don't think she meant it. She looked sad when she said it. Is she still in love with Tom?

You are right Tilda, I will not interfere in their relationship again. After all they are a perfect couple. They look good together and since I know Tom, he has never expressed such concern and admiration to any woman so this clearly shows how much he loves her. This morning, he sent her twelve bouquets of roses with a lot of gifts so I know he loves her so much. You know what I am going to do, I will encourage them to get married very soon, maybe before us.

All that I was saying was not from my heart. I was testing Tilda to see if she still loves Tom and she fell for it. She couldn't controll it as tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.

"Why, why are you crying my love, I said in a fake affection."

"Please excuse me," she said as she turned to leave.

OMG, we were so engrossed in this conversation and didn't realize we were speaking loudly. We attracted everyone's attention. This so embarrassing. It is clear they have heard everything we talked about and the worst was Tom and Maya staring at us with so much shock in their eyes. Only if they knew I didn't mean those words.

Tilda run through the crowd towards the washroom and I followed her as a means of hiding my embarrassment.

Tilda, I kept calling after her as I followed her to the ladies washroom. I held the door before she could lock it. Tilda, tell me the truth. In my heart, I was very happy that she still loved Tom. I could use it as a means to call off the wedding. But If I decide to marry Maya, I will not have my family's support and what will happen to the empire. I decided to rather make my relationship with Tilda work and forget the empire. "Tilda, let's talk like two adults, I know you had a past with Tom and I also know that it's over between you two, she signed, I can understand it if you still have feelings for him and it's okay.

I promise to help you get over Tom, I said affectionately and I meant it. I am ready to sacrifice my love for Maya to have the empire I have always dreamed of. This was the only way. She seemed more calm after I spoke with her. She smiled...

"I am really sorry Mark, I didn't mean to cause a scene. I thought I had gotten raid of my love for Tom until I saw her this evening with Maya. When we were dating, he had nothing but I loved him. I was pressured from my family to give up our love. I wasn't strong enough to go against them.

Seeing how great he has become, I regret everything because my family will not reject him if they see him now. He is even more good-looking than when we dated and seeing him with Maya only worsened the case. I am so sorry for hurting you but I promise nothing will change. I will deal with my love Tom and move on. This empire means everything to me and I know that Maya makes him happy too.

When I saw you arguing with him, it wasn't you I was angry with. I was angry with myself for letting him go. I felt jealous of the way he defended her and the way he spoke about her. So I decided to turn it on you but it only came back to me. I think my trip tommorow will help me to get over him....she concluded sadly.

I wanted her to confess her feeling for Tom so I could use it against her but when she finally did, I felt so sad for her because I understand that feeling. It's the same way I felt when I saw him together with Maya. Tilda has nothing to lose. If she marries Tom, she will still have her empire but if I marry Maya, I will be the loser. But Tom doesn't car about wealth or power. He only cares about his love for her. He is selfless when it comes to her and that is true love. I felt so disappointed at myself. In everything, I could not decide on what to do at this moment

I totally understand, Tildy, I said hugging her tight. She gave her best smile which shows how much she loved me calling her Tilda or Tildy. Let me take you home, I said, using my suit to cover her naked shoulder. I held her waist as she put her head on my shoulder. I know we look like a perfect couple but it didn't feel that way. I felt I was holding a friend and not a lover. God, what am I thinking?

Thank God the crowd had dispersed when we came out. Only few eyes were looking in our direction as we headed into the private elevator. He went down the basement which is the parking lot for this facility. I could not believe my eyes.

There was Maya, as Tom opened the passenger seat of his car for her. She was also covered in Tom's jacket as Tilda was covered in mine. This is so wrong. She is supposed to be wearing my Jacket and riding with me, not him. I felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces. Where is he taking her? I immediately sent a quick message to one of my contacts to follow them and give me updates on their location as I opened the passenger seat for Tilda. She was also jealous when she saw them. It clearly showed in her eyes and she didn't question me anymore. I think we were both having the same emotions.

Our ride to her house was extremely quiet as I could not keep my mind off Maya.....I must see her tonight, even if it means going to her house, I promised myslef. I don't know there but I can easily find out. We finally got to Tilda's house and I gave her a kiss on the cheek as she stepped out of the car. "Don't worry, I will drop you off at the Airport myself tommorow." She giggled like a little child. Only if she knew that dropping her was my means of ensuring she really gets on board that flight. I need the time and space to put myself in order.

"Thank you". She whispered as she left. I watched as she entered her house and the security locked the gate. I immediately dialed my contact. "Where is she"? Sorry sir, she is still with Tom but I think he is taking her home. We are still following them. "Share your location" I said firmly which he did instantly.

I started driving towards the location with maximum speed. Thank God it was late and there wasn't any traffic to begin with.

My contact was right, Tom took her home. I stayed far from them but could watch from where I was. He lingered in front of her door for a while before finally hugging her. Then she smiled and closed the door. So you are smiling, Maya. Another man hugged you and you smiled. You belong to me Maya and only me...I kept saying to myself as I jealously watched them from the distance.

Tom stayed at the car park till Maya's light went off. Then he drove away. I gave sometime and headed to the car park. Then I knocked her door.

"Tom, is it you?" As I heard her sleepy voice. Why Maya, is your mind filled with Tom. I know I caused it but now, I will make the correction. I knocked again without a word as she turned in the light.

"Whose there, she yelled again. Tracy, she called out. I know she won't open up if she hears my voice so I faked a voice and said, "Parcel Delivery."

"What? at this time of the night, it must be Tom again"... I heard her whisper as she opened the door slightly to have a view but it was enough for me to take action.

I quickly pushed the door open and entered which made her to almost fell.

"I am very sorry", I held her so she wouldn't fall.

"You" she yelled with anger.