Deceptions

ATHENA ADAMS

The sound of heels trotting their way towards Raymond Clayton’s office a.k.a my boss’s office disturbed my trail of thought for the n’th time that morning. “Can I help you?” I asked from the model like woman who had just strutted so boldly in the office. “I can help myself but anyway thank you”. With that she strolled inside my boss’s office. Honestly I guess she was the 8th or 9th woman that had been in that office since morning. My boss, Raymond Clayton is Seattle’s most eligible billionaire bachelor and the biggest manwhore I have ever seen or have heard about. Believe me that’s saying something because I have encountered loads of such jerks in the 26 years of my life. Apparently I have heard that he works better while being serviced, if you know what I mean. He may be the most eligible bachelor around here but he is definitely the most cold-hearted and closed off person I have ever worked for. He throws a lot of bullshit my way but I keep up with him because this job’s pay is amazing and I kinda need the fat checks. So I don’t have much of a choice. And as the saying goes, “Beggars can’t be choosers.”

As I was replying to the last email today in my inbox, my phone rang and Clare’s number flashed on top of the screen. Her energetic voice was the only thing that could distract me from my never ending monotonous daily schedule. Her loud and chirpy voice filled my ear as soon as I picked up the call. “BABE have you seen this latest look of Liam Hemsworth from his upcoming movie. He looks absolutely, smoking, ridiculously hot and he has that signature panty-melting smirk on his face. Oh God I am feeling like I am about to die swooning.” She finished with a dreamy sigh. “Okay, Okay cool down babe you’re not gonna die swooning over someone like Liam Hemsworth atleast. I mean he’s not that hot or anything.” “Don’t you even talk to me. You insulted my love in front of my face. I won’t talk to you ever again.” She said in a voice that was totally giving away that she was trying to fake a hurt filled voice. So I just decided to play along, “Okay, Fine.” And then I hung up.

As I was just about to leave, my phone beeped signalling a message. “Okay I’ll let that comment slide this time because I really love you and you are my bestest babe.” Clare had messaged. I smiled reading it and typed, “I know and don’t fret I will make it up to you like I always do.”

As soon as I rang the doorbell, I could hear the shuffling and the sound of footsteps running. The door opened and there they were, my two little kids looking up at me with eyes full of excitement and happiness in their eyes. “Mumma”, both of them shouted in unison and hugged me hard.

“Okay, okay Ora, Ian both of you, move, atleast let your mom enter in properly. Don’t swarm her.” My mom’s voice said from behind them. We broke from our group hug and entered in. “How was your day sweetie?” she asked. “Hey Mum. It was fine. You know the same old tiring fucked up shit.” I said while ruffling Orabelle’s sandy blond hair out of her emerald green eyes. My mom instantly narrowed her eyes and jerked her chin and gestured towards the kids and mouthed “Language”. “Oh yeah”. It’s been seven years since Ora and Ian have entered my lives but I still can’t get used to this stupid language thing.

“Mumma please before dinner can the two of us go out and bring some ice cream, just the two of us. Please!!!!!” He gave me his unresistable puppety eyes, I couldn’t help but agree. “Sure baby. But why don’t you wanna take Ora along?”

“She already had ice cream today when she had gone to the park in the afternoon”.

“Okay fine, let’s go.”

The old man behind the counter, Henry looked up from his glasses when he heard us approaching. “So which flavour do you have in mind today young man?” He asked Ian.

“Mint ice cream with chocochips all over.”

“And what would you like to have something different today Tia?”

“No thanks, I’ll have the usual but with chocolate syrup today, Henry.” The people who knew me around here preffered to call me Tia not Athena. They said that Athena sounded way too formal.”

After collecting our ice creams, we headed to our home and suddenly I felt like I was being watched. Don’t you have that feeling sometimes that some weird kind of stare is stalking your every move. That’s exactly what I was feeling right now. I looked around and saw no one in particular. Maybe I was starting to become way too paranoid, even after all these years. Ian’s voice snapped me out of my trance, “What happened Mom? Are you alright and why are you looking around?”

“It’s nothing and since when have you started asking so many questions.” I said while putting on a smile.

Although I wasn’t so sure that it was nothing or my mind was starting to play tricks on me or I was becoming more paranoid than I usually am.