The FIRE in You

Chapter 42: Leave your morals behind

I couldn't believe what I just heard. I really thought she had visited to make amends but I guess she's too deep in her fantasy to see that Lawrence was just using her.

"Lawrence is on the verge of losing his mind because of what you and Philip are doing. This is not like you Aubrey so, I'm here to ask you to stop... please", her voice was shaking, she was scared, which made me smirk.

She had guts.

"Does he know you're here", I asked before I could give her a piece of my mind. She swallowed hard then shook her head. I released a breath, trying to think of a healthier way to respond.

"Aubrey, time is up", Nico said making me stand up. I was about to walk away without saying anything but I changed my mind at the last minute and turned to look at Maya. "You know... I really hoped that the reason you reached out was to make amends. I was really hoping to get past this and get back to how we used to be but I guess it was wishful thinking.

Maya... Lawrence is using you, the sooner you see that the better. Helping him fix his problems won't make him appreciate you. By the way, not everything I do revolves around Lawrence, it is a good initiative and I felt like doing some CSR, I'm not responsible for the way people react besides, he claims to be unbeatable he should come up with a way out of this, don't you agree?", I asked Maya and it felt so good seeing her look so defeated.

We went to a strategy meeting and as much as everyone was excited with the numbers. Maya's visit made me want more.

"You look serious, tough day?", Philip asked while sitting next to me. "Something like that", I said while leaning towards Justin who was on my left side. "Did I see Maya?", he asked in a whisper and I nodded. "What did she want?", "To fight for her man", I said it in short and I saw the shock on his face. He wanted to ask more questions but the marketing team started the meeting and took our undivided attention.

"What do you think Madam? We're at 20% market share, right next to Forever Bright", one of the marketing associates asked with pride. "I like what I see, but you have become relaxed and you know I hate being in the comfort zone. I want more", I said making them look at me like I grew two heads. "What do you mean?", Philip asked with amusement. "I want 35% market share", I said making Lydia's eyes go wide.

"What is the timeline?", another associate asked. "I want to get an award in the next achievement gala", I said confidently. "The event is in six months! That's impossible!", Justin chipped in. "No it's not", Philip said while looking at the screen, it surprised me. He always liked to listen and talk only when I poked him. "Explain please", Justin urged making Philip turn to me.

"What puts us on top is the durability of the products that we're importing. The fact that they're not labeled means anyone can buy them and resell them. We can partner with only six of the major players in different regions, do branding for them, and wholesale our products", I left it that and saw Lydia's face light up. "Genius!", the marketing associate shouted while hiding her face. I think she meant to cheer privately.

"Ladies and gentlemen. We have the magic number and the magic move. Let's create a strategy and share it before the end of the month. Nico will schedule the final meeting accordingly", Lydia said making everyone stand up and leave the boardroom, leaving Justin, Philip, and I behind.

"What's going on Aubrey?", Justin asked the moment we were alone. "What did that idiot of an Ex do now?", Philip asked making me smile. "Nothing has happened. I just feel like this is where we should be heading. He has a 30% market share so if we get 35% then he will know how serious I am", I said making Justin furrow his brows. "Aubrey, I get the need for payback, just make sure you don't allow rage to consume you ok?", Justin said with a weak smile. "I won't, even if I do. Ajax will knock some sense back into me", I said and it made his smile even bigger.

"How is he?", he asked looking excited. "He's fine. Doing his fair share of giving me heart attacks every day. I'm telling you the fire department has been so busy that I think the fire is intentionally trying to mess with me", I said making him laugh. "Well if you ask me, I think the only thing giving you a heart attack is his stamina", Philip said making me roll my eyes. "Philip not everything is about sex", I said making him chuckle. "Keep telling yourself that. For what it's worth, I think taking over the market share is a good move, Justin. What's the point of having a nice campaign without an achievement to pack it with?", he said while standing up and closing his coat button-up.

"By the way the hotel maids said you have a nice moan Aubrey", Philip said with a wink as he walked out of the boardroom making my eyes go wide and Justin choke on his water. "I think he's due for a visit with Speranza", I said trying to recover from the embarrassment the idiot left me with.

"One thing that she failed to fix is that mouth of his but I'm happy that you and Ajax are still intact. These things tend to make us forget the world around us sometimes", he said then reached for my hand and squeezed it lightly.

"Philip is right Justin. Leave your morals aside on this one cause god knows neither Lawrence nor Elias have any", I said then patted his shoulder and left him to his thoughts.

I decided to leave the office right after the meeting.

I passed by Denice's and took her to Feed n Drink for dinner since Ajax was having a night shift and I was still avoiding Simone.

"This place is so cozy. I love it!", she said the moment Max found us a table. We tried to force Jenkins to sit with us but he refused and went to sit at the bar.

After ordering food and having our drinks in hand, I decided to tell Denice about my visitor. "So Maya showed up at the office today", I said catching her attention from the phone. "What? Please tell me she has come to her senses", she said with excitement. "She came to ask me to back off. She came to fight for Lawrence. Telling me that he's losing it and that I should stop attacking Forever Bright", "Are you kidding me? Is Maya on drugs?", her question made me laugh.

"You know she doesn't do drugs", "This is me, trying to understand what is wrong with her. Does he have a gold dick or something?", "No, but he has a way of making you feel like you're a Queen", "You mean he's a manipulator", she said then sipped her mojito.