Patricia looked surprised to see Melina in the cafeteria. "Melina, what are you doing here?" Mrs Taylor asked.
Melina couldn't answer that at once. "I....I came over to...see Mr. Manager." She shuttered.
"Mr. Manager!" Patricia howled.
"What was that for, mother?" Melissa repeated the question.
Patricia grabbed her daughter's hand. "Let's leave this place." She said.
"Mum!" Melina called, looking over her shoulder at Mr James as they walked out of the cafeteria.
"Why would you come to see Mr Manager?" Patricia asked her daughter once they were out of the door.
"I ..I just wanted to see him."
"Just wants to see him? So, this is what you do instead of studying?"
"Mother, that's not true." Melina said.
"Then, why would you be seeing him when he isn't your father?" Patricia said.
"I would love him to be my dad, mum." Melina said without reasoning.
"What did you say?"
Melina froze.
"I want you to go home now. We'll discuss that once I'm home." She told Melina.
"Mum, I'm sorry." Melina apologized.
"Home, Melina."
"I was wrong for saying that." Melina begged, moved backwards then raced home.
Patricia watched her daughter flee. She sighed, turned then started walking towards the company. She would give Mr James a piece of her mind. Yes, she did like him and was beginning to see herself in his world but she was wrong. Mr James was just unbecoming and a pervert at that.
She walked straight to Mr James office. Mr James was standing in front of his office talking to another staff when she moved towards them.
"I need to talk to you, Mr James." She said.
"You took ages. What were you saying to the kid?" Mr. James seemed concerned.
"Don't! I don't want you near my kids, ever. I don't want anything intimate with you. I'm only your employee and let it remain so!" Her voice rose.
Lizzy who was in her office had to come out to see what was wrong.
"I'm sure I've made myself clear." Patricia didn't wait for his reply, she turned and walked out on him.
Lizzy had to ask another staff if Mrs Taylor was indeed talking to Mr James. She stormed at once to Mrs Taylor's office once her fears were confirmed.
********
"You have no right to talk to him that way." Lizzy said. "Who do you think you are?"
"How is that any of your business?" Patricia asked back.
"Excuse me?"
"I only gave him a piece of my mind. Don't come sounding righteous in front of me."
Lizzy slapped her.
"I told him not to accept you. He spoils you with compliments and favours you all because he likes you. You are too rude." Lizzy spat.
Mrs Taylor held her peace and watched as Lizzy walked out.
******
Patricia was in the toilet washing her face when an elderly woman came in. He wore dark, baggy clothes and held a mop in his hand.
"You shouldn't have talked to him that way." The woman said after replying to Patricia's greeting.
Patricia turned to look at her. "He's your boss. Talking like that to him in front of the staffs has sent a wrong signal. Have you apologized to him?"
"You saw it too?" Patricia asked.
"Yes, that wasn't something that could be concealed. I understand you are a mother but don't base your actions on emotions. You should apologize to him if you haven't done so." The woman said.
Patricia nodded at that. "I regret my action." She subtly said.
"I have been working here for a long time and I can tell you that Mr James is a lover of children. He was married with three kids, he lost them all just in one day four years ago."
Patricia froze when she heard that.
"I'm telling you the truth. He wouldn't have told you that. Go to him and render your apologies." The woman said to Mrs Taylor.
*******
Mrs Taylor went back to Mr James office after she was done tidying up her desk. When he saw her, he stared back at her.
"I was rude to talk that way to you, Mr James." She started. "I'm very sorry for my actions." She said.
He gave a nod. "I'm only surprised why I haven't agree to the words of Lizzy to have you fired."
She was speechless at that.
"Apology accepted. I would stay off your kids like you want me to. Family related issues, I will never thrust it up your face. We will only discuss work related issues, so it shall remain." He told her.
Patricia bit her lower lip when she heard him say so. "I heard about what happened to your children and your wife. I am so sorry."
He waved it off with a smile. "It's been ages now." He scoffed.
"I'll be leaving the office now."
"Safe journey home." He told her to which she nodded and left his company.