LIZZIE'S WORLD: Earth-shattering news

Liz is still basking in the glory of her victory over Bertha, when the company chairman drops a bombshell. ILLUSTRATION| JOSEPH NGARI

What you need to know:

  • “Awww,” Louise exclaims when I show her the card. “You know I have always thought that he still likes you.”
  • “Why would you say that when I haven’t even spoken to him in years?”
  • “I just know,” she winks. My phone rings. The display indicates that it is Peter, the company chairman.

I get to the office on Tuesday morning feeling all the worse for wear – I had an overindulgent night with the girls, and we really did overdo it with the wine – but happy, because Bertha shall no longer be bothering me. The first person I run into is Louise, who follows me into my office immediately I walk in.

“Wow, Liz,” she whistles after she shuts the door to my office, sits down and takes a good long look at me. “You could use some Visine for that,” she points at my eyes which must be as red as ripe tomatoes.

“Oh!” I blush. “Yes, well, I was celebrating with the girls yesterday,” I smile. “I’ll get some eye drops in, no problem.”

“So? So? Tell me everything!” she moves quickly to the point.

“About?” I ask blithely.

“Come on! What was going on with you and Bertha?”

“Well,” I lean forward on my desk to bring her into my confidence, “now that she’s no longer your boss, I can tell you everything,” I say. And then I break it all down for her – the drama with Philip, the way she harassed me and my friends, and what she did in an attempt to ruin my reputation. When I am done, Louise is silent for a few long seconds, taking it all in.

“My goodness,” she finally says. “You know I knew that woman was not all good up here-,” she twirls a finger near her temple, “-but I had no idea how utterly insane she is. And this Philip she is fighting for… Hmph.” She sucks her teeth in disgust.

“Yea, I know. He’s a cheat through and through. I guess they deserve each other!” We both laugh. “But seriously, I hope he doesn’t damage her more than he already has. I have a feeling she’s not going to make it through another round of heartache from him.”

“But he hit on you. He went out with your friend. And then he cheated on your friend with his ex, who also happens to be your boss. How much more selfish can a man be?”

“I know, right?” I sigh. “Well, I’m glad neither of them is my problem any more!” And then we high five. We are interrupted by a knock on my door. We both look towards it to see Ciku peeping round the jamb.

“A delivery for you Liz,” she says. There’s a slightly sour air about her as she enters the room to deliver a bouquet of lilies and a bottle of wine – as if I need another one – to me. I’m not surprised that Ciku is feeling a little off today. I am pretty sure Bertha had tried to induct her into her little circle of malice and to use whatever information they could get against me. Now that her only chance to stab me in the back is gone, she has no choice but to toe my line.

“Who are these from?” I ask as I receive the bouquet. She shrugs, turns on her heel and walks back to her desk. I don’t care any more how petulant she gets. I have other problems to worry about. I pick up the card that’s come with the gift. It indicates that Jason is the sender, and his message is simple: ‘Thank you’.

“Awww,” Louise exclaims when I show her the card. “You know I have always thought that he still likes you.”

“Why would you say that when I haven’t even spoken to him in years?”

“I just know,” she winks. My phone rings. The display indicates that it is Peter, the company chairman.

“Let me get this,” I say. Louise nods and goes back to her desk while I take the phone call.

SHOCKING REVELATION

“I’m sure you saw what happened yesterday,” he says. “Liz, I just want to say that I am very sorry for not listening to you when we spoke,” he says. I tell him that I accept his apology. “Meanwhile, I know that this is a very sensitive time to be without a leader given all the projects we are thinking of launching. We need to fill that post as soon as possible. I spoke with the other board members and agreed on a candidate we think will make a great addition to the company – mostly because he knows it so well.”

“Oh?” I am wondering who that is; the board’s choice of MD is very important to my position too.

“Yes, we think you will like him too – after all, you worked very well together in the past.” I sit up, my heart pounding. No, no. It can’t be. Not after all these years. I am not ready for this. I almost don’t want to ask Peter to confirm his name because I don’t want to hear it. But he does, without my prompting.

“It’s Chris,” he says happily. And just like that, my world collapses.