Healing Wounds (Completed)

Chapter 9 Part 2 (edited)

It's the unexpected that changes our lives for the better or the worse
- Anonymous

Martinez Marcello fully stepped into the office with a look of disinterest. Both physically and verbally, Mr. Angelo beckoned for him to come stand at his side, and so he complied. Martinez took his place with hands folded behind his back, silently waiting for introductions to be made.

Mr. Angelo cleared his throat and spoke up shortly. "Let's not waste time. This is Mrs. Adebisi Ade, CEO of Bee's Interiors."

The younger Mr. Martinez exchanged a handshake with Mrs. Ade before Mr. Angelo continued.

"This is Mr. Tony Adio the manager, Miss Alice Awani the accountant, Mr. William Obi the HR officer, Mr. Adejuwon Adediran the PRO officer..."

It hardly surprised Tara that Jay smirked widely upon hearing his name. But Mr. Angelo continued.

"... Mrs. Hadiza Ali, head of interior designing, and her team. And Mrs. Dara, our graphics designing head, and her team members."

Martinez shook hands with any staff he could reach, and those outside of arms' length received a curt nod instead. He locked eyes with Tara, but there wasn't a sign of recognition on his end. His eyes flickered away to acknowledge other members of the staff.

Tara's innards squirmed with unease at being around Martinez. She counted herself lucky she wasn't near enough for a handshake; that physical contact might've been enough to send her over the edge.

After all introductions ran their course, Mr. Angelo informed Martinez about the duties he'd do until his father returned, and then he closed the meeting. The staff dispersed immediately.

Later in the day, Tara pored over a sketch of a new design, adding a line here, taking one away there when-

"Boom!"

A voice in her ear sent Tara into a startled jolt that rattled her desk. She spun around in her chair only to see Alice's mischievous grin. Tara's heart took a minute to work again, and while she tried to catch her breath, she glared Alice's way. She searched for words to scold her with when she could utter them.

"Oh my gosh, Ali, what was that for?" Tara asked, a hand on her chest, "Please don't do that again."

Alice only snickered, plopping down on the edge of Tara's desk with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Oh please, don't be such a drama queen! You get so scared over insignificant things. Jumpier than a grasshopper, really."

"If I'm a grasshopper, you're a mosquito. You suck."

Alice burst into laughter at Tara's remark. She doubled over and held her stomach, looking about ready to fall off her perch. But most confusingly, her cackling went on and on. There was no reason to find it that funny; she must have gone mad. Workers at other desks craned their necks to see what was going on.

Tara stared at her blankly. "What's so funny?"

Alice barely suppressed her laughter enough to speak. "You remember the day we were walking toward the bus stop and a lizard crossed your leg? How you literally jumped on that woman walking beside you?"

"Yeah?"

"Oh my word, that was hilarious! Seeing the fright on your face, the way you clutched her arm so tight in fear. She was just as shocked, but because of you. She really struggled to peel you off, Tara!"

Tara laughed a little, but it was more out of courtesy than amusement.

"I saved you that day, you know. I saved her from you and apologized on your behalf." Alice flipped her hair in mock pride.

Now Tara blushed a little, and her eyes darted down. She still couldn't believe she'd done that in public. People always found it strange she could look a snake in the eyes and not be even a little afraid, but she could never share the same space with a lizard or spider.

"Anyway, that wasn't why I came over here," Alice said. "What're you thinking?"

Tara blinked. "About...?"

Alice rolled her eyes. "Of course, you'd play dumb. What do you think of our dashing young boss?"

How could she have expected anything different from Alice? Tara groaned inside; it wasn't the right time for Martinez to become an object of Alice's perpetual fantasies.

"I really can't say much about him." Tara said, as much shrug in her words as in her shoulders. "He just arrived here, so it'll take some time to know his personality."

Inwardly, Tara cringed and reprimanded herself. She wasn't exactly being truthful, because there had been a point in time she'd had a glimpse of Martinez's personality. But Alice didn't need to know that.

Alice hummed. "Fair enough. But still, I think it only takes a second to see he's eligible physical-wise."

Tara quirked a brow at Alice's dreamy sigh. "Are you kidding me? Physical attributes are definitely no reason to develop feelings for someone. You need to judge a person by their actions before you make such drastic decisions."

"I know, I know. But he does fit my idea of what my dream guy should look like."

Tara swallowed hard; it didn't surprise her Martinez had returned to charm ignorant ladies. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, seeing her best friend enter his clutches. Much as she preferred to keep certain parts of her life private, she'd need to warn Alice without revealing parts of her bitter past.

Tara leaned forward and put a hand on Alice's arm. "I know he's good-looking, but you have to be careful. Don't jump into anything, and let God take charge of everything."

Alice smiled brightly, her one-sided dimple showing. "Don't worry; I won't go around acting love-struck. For your sake. And if he does show any sign of having interest in me, I'll definitely give him a hard time ."

Tara removed her hand and sighed in contentment. She was glad that for that moment Alice had seen sense and wouldn't be a fast prey for Martinez.

Alice jumped up with widened eyes. "Oh, my gosh! I have to submit the company account file to Mr. Angelo in less than 25 minutes and I am only halfway through. Oh my gosh! I'm going to get sacked by the big bad wolf."

Tara shook her head at the childish antics of her friend.

"Alright, you mosquito, get going before you get smacked." Tara jested.

Alice barely acknowledged Tara before running off. Literal running, at that. After a brief laugh at Alice's expense, Tara let out a sigh of contentment. Thankfully, Alice had understood and wouldn't be easy prey for the "big bad wolf", as she'd called him.

But she tensed up as the events of the day floated through her mind. She scolded herself for not being suspicious of the name Marcello, especially with the familiar feeling she'd gotten from Martinez's father.

But then again, Tara wanted to do away with the memories connected to him.

She shivered at the thought of being in the same vicinity as him every time she went to work.

She deeply prayed she wouldn't have much contact with him for the duration of his stay here.

★★★★★

Hm...
Thoughts on the introduction of Martinez??

Nothing much to say today.

Question of the chapter: What are your favorite outdoor activities??

Mine are gardening, catching insects, and generally enjoying the sun and the breeze on my face.

The little star in the corner is an option to click on.

Until next time. Enjoy the outdoor life. XD