Chapter 58 —Matteo

Dead silence filled the place after Ria walked away. "What's wrong with her?" Greg mumbled with a crinkled nose as he watched Ria's retreating figure. "She thinks I stole you away from her, " Lena sighed. She ambled to the table and picked up her bag from it. "What? Why would she think that?" Greg's face contorted in a frown, his eyes narrowed in confusion. "Well, I don't know." Lena shrugged. Her chin rested on her palm and she nibbled on her lower lip. "What was the need to counter her words when she said she made the meal?" Lena questioned. "Really? Ria is my friend no doubt but why were you willing to take the blame for her actions even though her attitude towards you is shitty." "I don't know, but I felt she needed it. She is your friend, you should talk to her. I don't want it to look as if trying to take you away from her or something, " Lena sighed. Lena and Trent went home after exchanging goodbyes with the rest of the workers. On their way home thoughts about the tension between her and Ria filled her heart, she could only hope that things get resolved. She didn't want her fresh start here in Oxwey to get her an enemy that too a co-worker, it was going to be hectic. She wanted things to be cool with her and Ria, she was used to people hating on her but she wasn't cool with it. Lena wanted peace as much as it lay in her hands. Henderson swirled the glass of whiskey in his hand gently causing it to move in a subtle motion before chugging down its content. Grabbing the bottle of whiskey he poured some into the now empty glass. "Drinking isn't going to help you find Lena or bring her and Trent back." Henderson turned his neck in the direction of the voice. A hiss left his lips as he met Cleo's gaze. She sighed, shaking her head she took steps toward him. "Why do I have a feeling that you are hiding something?" Cleo sputtered her eyes boring into his, at the same time she studied his facial expression to get clues which could serve as evidence for her suspicions but she found none, Henderson wore an unreadable expression. "You are spewing nonsense, Cleo." Henderson huffed averting his gaze from her. The other day when she walked in on him telling Brian not to let Cleo or Matteo know that Kyra's lady was in his room the night at the party, Brian was able to convince Cleo that it had to do with some business deals. "I hope I am, but the way you've been acting these past few days makes it really difficult to believe your words," Cleo stated. Henderson didn't say anything else to her, he just got off the chair and ambled away. 'Something was definitely off, ' Cleo pondered and she was going to find out what it was. At Zel's Empire... "Sir, sir, " Matteo called. He was standing in front of Henderson but Henderson didn't even seem to take notice of his presence, he was lost in thoughts. "Mr Henderson..." This time when Matteo spoke he raised his voice slightly. He was informed by Chelsey that he was needed in Henderson's office and when he got there the door was wide open so he just walked in. "Yes, Matteo." Henderson drifted out of his thoughts and hoisted his head. "Sir, are you okay?" Matteo inquired. Realising he knew the answer to that question Matteo sighed. Henderson wasn't okay, Lena's disappearance had had a huge effect on him, and most times Henderson was either absent-minded or deep in thought in the office. "I know you are not ok. I'm also trying my best to find Lena. I believe we'll find her soon, sir." Matteo encouraged. Matteo missed Lena a lot, he was very worried about her and Trent, how they were doing and how she was coping. He knew leaving the city must have been a tough decision for her to make and the aftermath as well. "Thank you, Matteo," Henderson mumbled with a smile. "You are welcome, Sir. I was told you sent for me." "Yes. Concerning the Pexa group of companies, schedule a meeting with them." Henderson informed. "Yes, sir." Matteo nodded bowing slightly. SAVOURYUM RESTAURANT "I need to talk to you, " Ria started blocking Lena's way as she tried to pass. "I have to attend to a customer, I'll be back after that," Lena muttered. She made to pass through the other side but Ria obstructed her again. Lena let out a sigh, "What is wrong with you Ria?" "You are not leaving here until you listen to me!" Ria barked. "What going on here Ria?" Mike questioned when he sauntered to them. "It's none of your business!" Ria snapped rolling her eyes at Mike. "Mike, can you please help me attend to table fifteen?" "Sure, " Mike smiled when his gaze shifted to Ria who was staring daggers at him he wriggled his head before ambling away. "What is it you want to talk about?" Lena asked placing her hands on her hips as she peered at Lena. "I came to tell you to stop saying bad things about me to Greg just to make me look bad. We have been friends long before you came and you have no right to come here and try to ruin things." Ria raged leering at Lena, her eyes filled with contempt with each word that she spoke. Lena stared at Cleo with pursed lips," It's been two days since the kitchen accident. Why don't you direct your energy to something else? I do not have the time to pick up a fight with you." Lena sighed, this time her mind was made up she was just going to walk away from Ria. It was pretty clear that all Ria wanted was a fight, and she would stop at nothing to provoke her just to get it. Lena had taken a few steps away from Ria when she felt a hand on her arm which pulled her back. Lena would have fallen to the ground if she didn't try hard to regain her balance. Now Ria was starting to piss her off, if she continued that way she was going to be getting what she wanted. Lena took a deep breath and slowly exhaled as she remembered that giving into Ria's provocations was going to make Ria's false accusations and feelings about her true, so she was just going to ignore her. "Are sure you are ok?" Lena's eyes crinkled as she peeked at Ria. "You are bitch, a whore. I'm pretty sure you are tired of your promiscuous lifestyle that led to the birth of your son. So you are trying to trap Greg into your web and make him father your son." Ria snickered her eyes holding disgust as they sized Lena. Ria's words made Lena boil with rage, her tummy was bubbling with fury. She clenched her fist trying to keep her cool. "Watch your words, Ria. I was wrong and stupid trying to understand your rude attitude. You need help!" Lena mouthed with a scrunched-up expression. "What's happening ladies?" Greg gleamed when he sauntered to Ria and Lena. Lena and Ria stared down at each other none saying a word. "Lena, are you ok?" Greg inquired his voice laced with concern as he raised his hand to touch Lena but she shoved his hand away. "I think it's best if we stay away from each other, " she started with a straight face before scooting away. Lena exhaled as she crouched on the floor. Ria's words hurt her, her chest clenched as the words played in her head. 'You just have to avoid her, Lena.' Lena muttered to herself as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Zel's Empire.... "What are you talking about Chelsey?" Chelsey flinched, her lips trembling as she took in the sight of Cleo who standing before her, staring at her with a pinched expression. "How do you mean?" She mumbled feigning ignorance. Cleo glared at her, "Don't give me that, I heard you Now tell me what you know." Cleo just heard Chelsey telling Cynthia one of the company's employees that Henderson was with a lady in a hotel room. "So this what you have been hiding?" Cleo rasped as she barged into Henderson's office. He was in the middle of a call with Brian but she didn't care not at this moment. She needed to speak with him, she wanted a confirmation from his mouth not dwell on hearsay. "I'll call you later, " Henderson mumbled before hanging up. Henderson's sighed his gaze darted to Cleo and then his brows furrowed. "Why would you barge into my office?" "That's not the problem Henderson. The problem is why have you been lying to us? You cheated, didn't you?" "What!" Matteo gasped. Cleo turned around when she heard his voice and there he was standing in front of the door.