CHAPTER 7 THE GAME

           "Maya, can I talk to you alone for a moment?" Tom asked suddenly....

I choked on my drink as I asked 'Me'?

           "Unless there is someone else called Maya"....he replied teasingly. I wonder how he clicks with Mark because they are totally opposite in character. He is very good looking like a cover page model but very smart, gentle and kind. He is a younger version of Sir Max and at the juncture, he made me miss Sir Max so much.

          Ofcourse, why not, I said getting up from my chair. Right then, he pulled my chair backwards and held my hand. 

          "This way, he said". Leading me away from the table. Tracy was just staring at me like she had a thousand and one questions for me and for Kira, I couldn't understand her expression. Whether it was pain or disappointment. 

          So he led me to his table and luckily for me, Mr. Snowman was in a chat with our CEO so he was not seated with them at the moment. I sat there, feeling uncomfortable eventhough the third investor Marcus was also very nice to me. I think the reason why I was not comfortable was because I kept feeling that Mr. Snowman might return to the table anytime soon and put up another show.

            I don't know what makes him this arrogant. He is rich, good looking, smart and intelligent but couldn't he add a little kindness? The more I thought of this, the more confused I was. But why should I care so much if he was good or bad? I should be hating him and not having good thoughts about him.

          "So you've brought her here to challenge me....Marcus signed immediately I got to their table..

          "Yes, I told you she is the smartest." Tom remarked.

          Smartest? I thought to myself. What kind of games are they playing? I was even more scared and started having instant hot flashes but I decided to stay calm. Afterall, they cannot hurt me with all these people here. Tom is too good for that. Too good for that, do I even know him?

          "Okay, Miss Jacobs, the rules of this game is very simple. Said Tom, bringing out a sticky note pad. Here, we will each write our questions relating to anything other than sports or business. Then we will pick randomly and anyone who gets the wrong answer, will have to answer a personal question from whoever's question he/she picked. Simple right? And one more thing, the answer must be an honest one?....He ended with a grin.

          I think these guys have somethin up their sleeves. But perhaps I can get the advantage of knowing something related to Mr. Snowman. Okay, lets start, I said enthused. So we each took a sheet of the sticky note and wrote our questions, folding it afterwards. Then Tom took blank notes, folded them and mixed them all up.

         "Ladies First", said Marcus Smiling.

          I smiled and picked the first paper and opened it but it was blank. I Turned over so they could see. Blank, I said, so I nominate Marcus to Pick his question.

         "Blank" he also said, turning it over and looking at Tom. It's obvious he was next. 

          "My question goes to Maya. Mention a country music from the 80s." He said smiling...

          He got me there, didn't he... I love country music but I have never thought of which year they were released but I mentioned my favourite country music. 'Islands in the Stream' by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. With the look on his face, I knew it was correct. Yes! I exclaimed.

            "Hmmm...correct but were you even sure of the answer in the first place, you looked confused." Tom said teasingly.

           Does it matter? I replied smiling. Now I wanted to get even so when I picked, I luckily picked a question this time and I directed it back at Tom. It was my question too...Hmmmm. Tom, this question goes to you. He signed. 'Who is the oldest person in the Bible'?

          "What, in the Bible?" He asked confused.

            Yes, I said in a winning tone as I realized he had no idea. His gaze changed from me to Marcus who also shook his head meaning he didn't know as well. Should I tell you?

            "Errr.....Yes," he said defeatedly as we all burst into uncontrollable laughter. We were so much in our own world that we had not realized everyone was looking at us. Everyone including Mark, as he gazed in our direction with an angry look on his face.

          The answer is.... 'Methuselah'...I said with a winning voice.

          "Wait, was Marcus curious voice. I have to confirm the answer", he said as he brought out his phone typing the name. Ohhhh she's correct, he said admist laughter. Good one, Maya," he exclaimed picking a question. 

          "My question goes to........Maya! He said like a kid."

          No, no, no, no, I retorted, that is cheating I said as we all burst into laughter again. This time, I saw Mark walking angrily towards us so I stood up to leave but Tom held my hand as he exclaimed,

"And where do you think you are going". Just as I was about to tell him,  Mark yelled at me...

          "What are you doing in my chair with my friends, he asked angrily."

          "I brought her here Mark, we were just playing a game." Tom said in my defence with an indifferent tone.

He totally ignored Tom as he barked at me again. "I said, what are you doing here? Do you think that because you got your presentation right, it qualifies you to sit among my investors and chat with them like friends?"

          The way he said those words, shattered my heart in pieces. Everyone was watching us and it was the worse embarrassment I faced with  him. But Tom did not tolerate it this time. He stood up, facing Mark as he spoke...

          "You heard me when I said I brought her here. Do you have a problem with that? He yelled as he continued. What does it matter to you who we want to be friends with and what is your business with her anyway? Ohhhh maybe you love her and you are hiding it because....

          "Because what?  Mark interrupted Tom but he was shouting this time around..If you have to know, She is just a low life girl. She is not worthy of my Love. Don't forget that I am getting married to the heir of the largest shipping and logistics company you have ever heard of and her name is Tilda Shaw. Now those are the kind of people you should mingle with, he said furiously as he turned to me again...and what are you still doing here? He said again, looking at me" with a stare that could burn my eyes like fire.

           I stood up to leave only to realize Tom was holding him on his shirt collar as he shouted at him..."Don't you ever talk to her like that again. He said furiously, shaking him but thank God Marcus separated them, as Tom turned and held my hand, leading me back to my table.

         I was very glad he accompanied me because I don't even know how I was going to walk all the way to my table with all eyes staring at me. I just wanted to disappear and appear on a lonely Island where I could cry my eyes out.

          "I am very sorry Maya, please don't believe anything he said about you," He said as he gently pulled a chair for me and pulled one for himself, making Tracy and Kira give us some privacy, which I was grateful for. Please let me make it up to you, he continued, Let me take you somewhere tomorrow before the Dinner."

          Thank you very much Tom, I only met you today but you have been soo good to me. I am very grateful for all you have done for me today but I am really sorry. I have decided not attend the Dinner tomorrow.