“For thirty years, I have steered Starcraft Technologies from fledgling upstart to influential powerhouse. And with our new-look radar systems project already set up to launch, you’ll be coming in at the perfect time.”

Mr. Pernell Ocran was over the moon with joy when Akwesi informed him of his acceptance of the position. He’d set up lunch with him at the ritzy Recipe for Joy restaurant in upscale Rick City, and he’d spent the time briefing Akwesi on everything he needed to know.

On his part, Akwesi was only too happy to listen, especially given how distracted he was. For one, his mind kept repeating his capitulation in the restroom at Mitzy’s. He hadn’t gone home, but he’d turned Clementine into the purring kitten she’d begged to become, and now he wasn’t sure what to do with himself.

“So I’m very excited. In you, I have found a worthy replacement. Your track record speaks for itself, and it won’t be long before you’re negotiating contracts with foreign aviation and space agencies to build their radar systems. I’m very sure of it. I have that much confidence in your abilities.”

“Thank you, sir. You won’t regret it.”

“I know, Akwesi. So, the next step would be to meet the board members so they can get to know you. You don’t have to worry about their votes; they’ve all signed off already. The meet and greet is just a formality. Just shake a few hands, crack a few jokes and that will be it.”

“Sounds good so far, Mr. Ocran.”

“Oh, and I’ve taken the liberty of setting up a meeting with the rep for our biggest customer. Their contract is up, but we’ve been doing business for fifteen years now. They’ve already agreed to renew, but I want to put you with them so they know you as well.”

“No problem, sir. When is that scheduled for?”

“Right now.”

As he said that, he waved over to someone a few tables behind Akwesi. He turned, and his heart immediately started racing. His eyes could not believe what they were seeing.

The two men stood up as Clementine walked over to their table. She gave Mr. Ocran a hug and then she turned to Akwesi.

“Mr. Macquaye, meet Miss Morrison. She’s the representative of Omen Systems, and she’ll be working with you on our new contract with them.”

Akwasi turned to Pernell as tried to take the surprise out of his voice when he asked, “Me? I thought you were handling that as your final act.”

“I want you to hit the ground running on negotiations. I’ll be overseeing the final deal, of course, but you’ll be doing most of the dirty work.”

Akwesi nodded and tried not to make his shock obvious. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss Morrison.”

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Macquaye.”

Before they sat, Mr. Ocran took Akwesi aside. “I’ve got some business to take care of. This meeting is all you. Don’t embarrass me.”

Then he said his goodbyes to Clementine and left the two of them alone.

*****

Forty minutes passed while Clementine and Akwasi sat in silence, both not quite sure what to say. Akwesi did his best to keep his eyes off Clementine, reading over the menu items like they were today’s news. He started one more time and Clementine gently pulled the menu down from his face and took it out of his hands. “Hi.”

Akwesi realized there was no more running. “Hello.”

“How you doing?”

“I’m doing well, considering the shock my brain is currently having to process.”

“Oh? That’s unfortunate. What happened?”

Akwesi gave her a look of bewilderment, but went along anyway. “Well, I was supposed to be meeting a representative of my new firm’s biggest client. It turns out that she looks a lot like my girlfriend, but with a different name.”

“That’s quite interesting. I just had the same experience, except I didn’t know the name of the person I was supposed to be meeting.”

If there was a level above bewildered on the scale of confusion, Akwesi was definitely there. “You didn’t know I was the one you were meeting?”

“Yet another thing you’ve hidden from me, AK.”

Right before Akwesi could fire at her, she calmed the waters. “But I’m not mad. I’m not mad, because I didn’t tell you I’d taken this job either. Also, I really miss you and I don’t want to fight with you.”

“I thought you worked with a toy company. How the hell did you get into radar systems?”

“You have your ways, I have mine. Besides, the pay’s three times what I used to make and I only work three days. I wasn’t about to fumble that bag.”

“Chessy, you know there’s no way we can do a deal now, right?”

“Why, because my name isn’t Polly Morrison?”

“That, and the fact that there’s a massive conflict of interest. You and I know each other intimately. We can’t be on opposite sides of a deal.”

“Who says they have to know? They don’t even know my real name, AK.”

“Well, they will know something’s wrong once I tell them I can’t take the job till after this deal is done.”

“AK, you can’t do that. You may not have told me about it, but I am super happy for you. Its more money all around. Besides, I’m only doing this job for the duration of these negotiations. Once we conclude, I’m out. There’s no conflict anymore.”

Akwesi tried to find a way to be okay with her proposition, but he couldn’t. “Nah, Chessy, I can’t do it. This is business. I don’t mess with my bag, and this could land me in jail.”

“Us, darling, us. But, for the sake of your sanity, I’ll tell you what: if you think that this position that you’ve worked towards for so long isn’t worth it cos I’m on the other end of the deal, I’ll walk away. I’ll call up my boss and tell him I have a long-term family emergency. I won’t hold it against you.”

She stood up and picked her bag. “Mr. Ocran’s throwing a banquet at the Sherry Plaza Hotel tonight. His way of getting us to know each other in different settings so we could negotiate better. I’ll be there. Let me know your answer. Between you and I, though, I think you should come anyway. I’ve got something private planned for the two of us that would make any of the patrons blush.”

******

Akwasi walked into Suzie’s office and found her packing her stuff. It looked like she was leaving the company entirely.

“Suz, I haven’t seen you in like three days. What’s up? You’re seeing other guys without me now?”

Suzie didn’t even acknowledge him. “Suz, are you okay?”

She just kept packing up her items into the large box on her table. Akwesi stopped her and took her hands. “Suzie, talk to me. What’s wrong?”

Suzie turned to him with a look of worry in her face. “Did you tell your girlfriend that you and I were sleeping together?”

“What? I would never do that, Suzie. You know this.”

Suzie took out her phone, hit a few buttons, and then handed him the phone and continued packing.

Akwesi read the messages and almost lost his mind. There were some exotic, expletive-laden threats to her life if she didn’t stay away from him. There was even mention of her son whom only Akwesi knew about in the whole office. This was worse than horrible.

“Suzie, I swear to you on my dead father’s grave, I never mentioned you or anything about you. You have to believe me.”

“Akwesi, look, I don’t know what you did or didn’t do, but I can’t jeopardize my son’s life. He’s all I have. If leaving this place protects him, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. You understand.”

Akwesi gave her back the phone. “Suz, look, I don’t think she’s going to follow through on any of this. You can still stay here. I’ll talk to her.”

“Akwesi, I consider you a friend, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t lie to me. Franklin told me about what happened in your house.”

Akwesi was resigned to losing her at that point. He took her hands. “Suz, look, if this is the best decision for you, then I respect it. But I need you to believe me when I tell you that I didn’t say anything to her about you or your son. Please, I need to hear you say it.”

Suzie gave him a look of compassion. “I know you didn’t, AK. But if this is the woman that you’re with, are you even safe at all? I believe you, but I can’t say I’m not worried for your well-being. Now please let me pack. You never know, she may have spies in the office. I don’t need her thinking you came to beg me to be with you.”

Akwesi headed out, and right as he got to the door, he said, “Suzie. Thank you for everything. I wish you best of luck wherever you go next.”

******

Clementine made her way through the crowd at the elegant gala at Sherry Plaza Hotel. She had worn a contrast sequin one shoulder dress, and her tall figure made it look like a royal gown. She’d also had her hair done in a ponytail, knowing very well how much Akwesi loved her face free of hair. She’d texted him an hour earlier, but she hadn’t heard from him.

“Wow. Miss Morrison, you look stunning.” As the live band played the instrumental version of Kotosa by Wutah, Mr. Ocran took her hand. “Please allow me a dance with you.”

Clementine wasn’t really in the mood, but she figured she’d warm up for when Akwesi finally got over himself and came. “Absolutely, Mr. Ocran.”

Once the dance was done, Pernell led her off the floor. “How are negotiations with my man going?”

“Very well, sir. We’re off to a great start already. We just need to iron out a few details.”

That response was music to Pernell’s ears. “Good. I knew you two would hit it off immediately. Mr. Asenseh knew what he was doing when he hired you as the lead negotiator for this contract. I hope you give us even better terms than he did.”

“Don’t worry, sir, he’s already instructed me to be as generous as I can be. I guess the friendship between you two has made business pretty smooth and fruitful. He doesn’t even want me to play hardball at all.”

“I have ordered Akwesi to do the exact same. No need to hassle when only one company is given exclusive bidding rights. Such is the depth of our relationship. Speaking of which, isn’t Akwesi supposed to be here?”

“He said he’d be a little late. He had some business to take care of.”

Mr. Ocran nodded, then kissed Clementine on both cheeks. “Enjoy.”

Clementine texted Akwesi again. “Where are you?”

This time, he responded. “I’m not coming. I don’t want to see your face ever again.”

A puzzled Clementine responded. “What is wrong with you? I thought we made peace already. What now?”

“When you cause me harm, that’s one thing. But when you threaten my co-workers, that’s crossing the line.”

“I didn’t threaten anyone, AK. Now get over yourself and come here. Mr. Ocran is asking about you.”

“Tell him who you are and walk away. Then I’ll show up. Until then, pack your stuff out of my house and never come back.”

Until he sent that, Clementine was calm. But the second she read that, all the fury of the world rushed into her bones. She fired back, “You clearly don’t listen well. I told you that once you’re in, you’re never getting out. You have all of me, and I have all of you. If you think that that whore leaving your workplace affects me, you’ve got another thing coming. I didn’t work for six months to love you only for you to leave me because of another woman. Either you come here by yourself, or I’ll make you come here.”

Satisfied that he’d come to his senses after that one, she was about to put her phone away when he responded.

“You do not own me, and I do not answer to you. Fuck you.”

Clementine smiled in full anger, doing her best to keep composed as Mr. Ocran got up on stage to make a speech. She opened up her Locations on her phone and looked up Akwesi’s phone. Then she made a phone call.

Oh no! That diss certainly didn’t go down well. As we’re close to the end of this, you can only fear the worst for Akwesi at the hands of this mad woman…