"What’s the problem?" Alrik asked as he pushed the button to bring down the divider between the driver’s side, and the back where they were.
"Some idiot swerved into our lane. The car probably has a dent now."
"Don’t bother getting out. Let the guards behind us handle it. Keep driving." Alrik ordered, but before the car could move, the driver of the other car got out and stood right in front of the vehicle.
"What on earth is wrong with him?" Eliza asked with a frown. "Does he have a death wish?"
The man standing in front of the car was gesturing, and yelling.
"How dare you hit me and try to run off. You must compensate me for the damages to my car. This is attempted murder!"
"Two of the guards that had been following behind Alrik’s car got close enough and stood in front of the man. Thıs text ıs hosted at novel_fіre.net
"Move out of the way. We were driving behind you, and we saw what happened. You’re at fault for swerving without warning."
The man scoffed. "So you even have bodyguards? Is that why you haven’t come out of that car to see the damage you caused? You think you can look down on me and others just because you drive a fancy car?" He yelled.
"Mister, I suggest you move, before we move you. If you have a problem, take it up with our lawyers." One of the guards gave the man a card, while the other pulled the man away so Alrik’s car could drive off.
The next day, the ’accident’ was all over the headlines.
"Crestview CEO involved in a hit and run with one casualty."
The news totally misinterpreted the situation, and Alrik was accused of intentionally harming a citizen, and not even taking responsibility.
"How do you want us to handle this?" Gaya asked.
"Release the dash cam footage of the incident. Then investigate. I’m sure that person was paid for that, find out who paid him, and sue them both.
Just as he promised, Alrik followed Eliza to work. There was a mixed reaction to his presence. Some employees were afraid, wondering if they may have offended the CEO of such a prestigious company by mistake when they didn’t know who he was. Some were in awe that they were sharing the same space as Alrik. Some were more confused, not really knowing how to act around him, especially since he was running errands while assisting Eliza for the day; delivering documents to some departments, conducting reviews with managers, joining client meetings, etc.
"Alrik! You’re here. How nice of you to help my daughter out at work. You’re such a sweet man." Eliza’s mother said as she walked into Eliza’s office.
"Mum, what are you doing here? Especially during office hours? You always avoid coming here."
"Can’t a mother come to see her child at work? It’s been on my mind, but I just had to make sure you were settled first. How’s work going?" Janet asked with a smile, and Eliza sighed.
"Whatever it is you want to ask, just go ahead. I don’t have time for fake pleasantries. I’m busy as you can see. Alrik, do you have the invoice?"
"Yeah. They just sent it over from the finance department. It was signed and dated just like the file indicated, so the error isn’t from here." He said as he came closer to her.
"Since you’re so busy, I won’t disturb you. I just wanted to invite you both over this weekend. We’re having a family dinner, and I would like you to come with your husband."
Eliza and Alrik both looked up at the same time, with twin expressions of disbelief. Eliza scoffed, and Alrik looked away, focusing on the document on the table.
"I haven’t eaten dinner on your table for years. Why now all of a sudden? And let’s not pretend you want my husband there for his presence. So what’s this really about? Are you secretly trying to use him for some sort of event?" Eliza asked, and her mother began to stutter.
"I just wanted... Can’t I... Must you be mean? I’m trying to patch things up between the family."
Eliza laughed. "How funny that you want to patch things up now, just because you know my husband’s identity. What? No more complaints? No arguments? No side comments? No more talk about how I’m disgracing you by being with a pauper?"
"Eliza! Don’t be rude. I raised you better. I admit that there was some bad blood. But we’re all family. You shouldn’t hold grudges when..."
"Just go, mum. I don’t have the energy for a quarrel right now. Alrik, let’s go. We have a meeting in two minutes."
"Come on, Honey. Don’t just walk away. Alrik, talk some sense into her. I’m just trying to..."
"Mrs Pratt. My wife has urgent matters to attend to, and I’m here to assist her for now. Whatever you want from me, go through her. If she doesn’t want to listen to you, then it does not concern me." Alrik said and followed behind her, leaving Janet gaping, and stunned.
Eliza began speaking when they got into the elevator, and away from her mother.
"Did she really think it would be so easy? I expected this from them, but I had no idea she would be so bold. Come to dinner my ass. She hasn’t set foot here in weeks, and shows up all of a sudden to try and harass me into having dinner with everyone. Where was their dinner invitation when I was working my ass off to feed us both in that tiny room they forced us to stay in."
Alrik chuckled. "No need to get worked up. If you don’t want to go to dinner, we won’t go." He kissed her cheek, and she smiled.
"What if I say yes? Will you really go?"