Hard to Love

by S M Mala

  Then she noticed her mother storming towards the meeting room, her face like thunder.

  ‘Lately in the office, she seems to look at me like that,’ mumbled Mabel, before seeing her mother wiggle her finger to summon her into her office. ‘Fuck!’

  ‘Talking about having your five a day!’

  Joanna was laughing hard, much to the annoyance of Mabel. ‘God, you cheer me up!’

  ‘This isn’t anything to laugh about. I thought you might be a little but more sympathetic and concerned.’

  ‘I told you never to go to a man’s home without doing a background check. And did you listen?’ Joanna stopped laughing. ‘In a way this has taught you a good lesson.’

  ‘No, it hasn’t and I was upset about lots of things. I wasn’t thinking straight and…’ Mabel scratched her head. ‘I hated every moment of it.’

  Her mother sat down next to her, grabbing Mabel’s hand.

  ‘You are my daughter. You’ve been upset for a long time.’ Then Joanna sighed. ‘But some people get their kicks this way. It’s normal.’

  ‘It’s worrying. Why would he film me?’

  ‘Have you still got the picture of Lee?’ Her mother let out a raucous laugh. ‘Maybe you could do some bargaining.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘Threatening to tell his wife.’

  ‘I couldn’t do that!’

  Mabel felt her breathing become erratic.

  ‘Oh no you don’t!’ her mother gasped. ‘It’s a waste of breath.’ She held Mabel by the shoulders. ‘Now if he said he edited his head out of it. Which head was he talking about?’

  ‘His face obviously!’ hissed Mabel. ‘You’re making it worse!’

  ‘Leave it to me. I need to think.’ Her mother frowned and looked at Mabel. ‘And he didn’t do anything else to you that we need to know.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘And he was a gentleman on other occasions?’

  ‘I needed some company; that’s all. I felt flattered at the time.’

  ‘That’s a bit pitiful, don’t you think, May?’ her mother said, trying not to laugh. ‘A banana! I mean!’

  ‘Stop laughing! What happens if I meet him alone? What do you think he’d do then?’ Mabel asked, getting upset.

  ‘I don’t know,’ sighed Joanna before laughing. ‘Use a pineapple?’

  ‘This isn’t funny!’ She buried her head in her hands then looked up. ‘Alex shouldn’t have told you.’

  ‘He’s really worried. Even by normal standards, Lee Appleton’s behaviour is strange. I hope he doesn’t think because we handle his advertising, he can handle our commodities.’ Joanna sat back. ‘And speaking to my grandchildren is not acceptable. How long have you known about this film?’

  ‘Lee told me weeks ago but with one thing or another, I thought I could handle it. I don’t want him to show anyone. What do you think Lottie and Jess will say? And if it leaks to Baba, how is she going to react? Whether I was married or not to her son, it’s going to look bad.’

  ‘Honestly, I find this a little odd.’ Her mother frowned. ‘Do you know if he has done anything like this before? Goodness! How could you! I’m going to have to have a word with him.’

  ‘He knows I’m called Mabel Day, not Drake.’ She watched her mother’s eyes widen. ‘And therefore, a shareholder. I’m not sure what he wants to do with this information.’

  ‘I think you do.’

  ‘I’m not sleeping with him again.’

  ‘I agree, but how are you going to get him to erase it, other than breaking into his flat.’ Joanna smiled. ‘We could try, don’t you think?’

  ‘The last thing we need is to get arrested for breaking and entering.’

  ‘Talking about breaking and entering, have you forgiven Alex for breaking your heart?’

  ‘Why do you ask?’

  ‘Jess said he spent the night on Saturday, in your bedroom.’

  ‘Only because the girls broke the news about Lee turning up,’ she replied, avoiding eye contact.

  ‘That it?’ She touched Mabel’s chin so she could look into her eyes. ‘That man adores you. I can see it. Even when you weren’t on speaking terms, he’d just sit and stare in your direction. I thought it was very sweet. He cocked up. He’s human I’m afraid.’

  ‘I cocked up with Lee. And I don’t think Lee’s got a shred of human decency, that’s the trouble.’ Then she realised now was a time for calm as she looked at her mother. ‘I need to tell you something. I know you might go mad, but I had no choice. And remember, I did this because I love you.’

  ‘What have you done now, Mabel Day?’

  ‘It’s brilliant!’

  She was speaking to Bob Jones on the phone and waiting for Alex to return home. He had popped out to the supermarket, given he only had three oranges in his fruit bowl.

  ‘I think it’s pretty amazing, even if I say so myself. You owe me one.’

  ‘Get it off Iona.’

  ‘And how do you propose to do this?’ he asked, as she frowned. ‘Just be very careful it doesn’t blow up in your face.’

  ‘I have everything covered.’ She heard the door open and noticed Alex walking in with a big smile, and a bigger bag of oranges. ‘I better go. I’ll tell you what happens.’

  He was wearing a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops, which he then kicked off, before walking to the kitchen.

  ‘Who was that?’ he asked, unpacking the shopping. She noticed the three large bags of fruit. ‘Are you sure you didn’t want anything?’

  ‘It was Bob,’ she replied, watching him dart a look. ‘You know him and Iona are fiddling.’

  ‘Fiddling?’

  ‘They’re sort of seeing each other, in an adult way.’

  ‘He got a replacement? And you don’t mind him going with your friend?’

  ‘I was never with him so let them get on with it. She can cope better than I can.’ Mabel walked up to him, putting her arms around his waist. ‘Alexander Chambers, you smell good.’

  She heard him laugh. While her head was pressed against his back, all she could think about was potentially upsetting him.

  ‘Lauren mentioned the other today that she thought you were very smart,’ he whispered, turning to look at her. ‘Why would she say that?’

  ‘Because she’s intuitive.’ Mabel worried if Lauren was going to let the cat out of the bag. ‘What else did she say?’

  ‘She understood why you were annoyed with me, because of the way I treated you.’

  ‘I never discussed you with her or anyone at work.’ Then she hesitated. ‘Other than mother.’

  ‘I want you to know,’ he said, touching her face gently. ‘I think you’re wonderful. When you came to my dad’s funeral, stayed with me and wanted to help; that was kindness beyond boundaries. And I was grateful for your support. You didn’t even know me.’

  ‘Maybe I could tell there was something about you. I don’t know.’

  ‘I just…’ he mumbled, his eyes full of emotion. ‘You know, don’t you? I hope you do.’

  ‘You like me.’

  ‘Much more than like.’

  ‘You like me a lot.’

  ‘I want to be with you.’

  ‘I love you,’ she whispered, kissing his lips gently. ‘And if you never say it, as long as you feel it, it’ll have to do.’

  ‘If I do say it, then I worry it‘ll all go wrong.’

  ‘Or you’re lying?’ Mabel let out a little laugh. ‘That wouldn’t be nice.’ But Alex wasn’t smiling and seemed hurt by the comment. ‘Hey, what’s wrong?’

  ‘I don’t want to lose you again. It hurt.’

  ‘No, don’t say that.’ Mabel put her fingers over his lips. ‘It could have been a good thing to make us both realise what is real and what’s not. And for me to have a forgiving heart.’

  ‘Have you forgiven me? Really?’

  ‘We all make mistakes; look at me. My error of judgement might just cost me my company’s reputation, and that’s because I wasn’t thinking
straight.’

  Alex started kissing her face and stroked her neck.

  ‘And if I make more mistakes,’ she said, looking earnestly up at him. ‘You would forgive me, wouldn’t you?’

  ‘Oh shit!’

  That’s all Mabel could say when she saw people enter the room around lunchtime. Not only were the agency team there but seven from ‘Love to Love’. All the key players.

  Now she realised how monumental it was.

  And this morning she found out something that could have changed it all.

  It only took a second for her to realise she had no choice but to proceed.

  ‘Are you okay?’ asked Tommy. ‘Why do you look so worried?’

  ‘I’m not,’ she replied uncomfortably. ‘I’m going to mingle.’

  As she walked away, Mabel felt a hand grab her arm.

  ‘Stay chilled,’ Joanna said, bending down. ‘He can’t take advantage and manipulate my baby. I’m not having it! And I support you all the way, just in case you think I’m going to wring your neck later.’

  ‘Thanks, mum.’

  Mabel looked around at the smiling faces before catching Lee staring. There was a wry smile as he held up his glass in her direction.

  Now she hated the idea he thought he had something over her.

  Her eyes wandered across the room until they stopped at Alex, talking animatedly to someone from ‘Love to Love’. She felt a surge of love and wondered if he would feel the same for her later.

  Then Lauren looked over, moving closer. Mabel stepped away from her mother. The woman seemed like she had something on her mind.

  ‘Are you sure you know what you’re doing?’ she whispered to Mabel. ‘I know it’s right but it’s going to cause problems.’

  ‘Are you thinking about the women or just between you and Alex?’ Mabel knew the answer. ‘You know what Lee’s doing. And he crossed the line. I have so much to lose if he thinks that manipulation is the key.’

  ‘He wins, Mabel. That’s what men like Lee do. They love a challenge but they intend to win.’

  ‘Why did you tell him about me?’ Mabel asked, knowing she hadn’t mentioned it before. ‘It doesn’t make sense.’

  ‘Because.’ Lauren’s eyes landed on Alex. ‘I could see he liked you, and this time it was different. I thought if Lee got in there first, Alex would dismiss it. But he didn’t. It made him want you more.’

  ‘Did Lee know who I was?’

  ‘No. When we spoke, I mentioned there was someone he should keep an eye out for.’ Lauren looked shamefully away. ‘You know Alex rejected every man who was interested in you, don’t you?’

  ‘Considering what he wrote about me, he should have. He thought I was making it up about Lee.’

  ‘We all did until-.’ Lauren looked worried. ‘When you said that someone approached you and there was no sign, I knew Lee had made contact. He has things over me too. I did it so he’d leave me alone.’

  ‘Has he?’

  ‘Not since he decided that you were his target. He asks me things about you all the time.’

  ‘The only person I want to hurt is Lee, no-one else.’

  ‘Here’s the new set of commercials.’

  Alex looked on proudly as he stood at the front. ‘I hope you like them as much as we do.’

  To Mabel, he was the sexiest thing on earth. She glanced around and realised she wasn’t the only one who liked him. Her mother was drooling.

  Then her heart sank.

  Everyone in the room would hate her soon.

  The lights were lowered, and the commercials were played. They were slick and very sexy. Mabel then looked at Lee, who seemed delighted watching them. She wondered how many of the women used in the reel he had intimate personal contact with.

  After they had been played, there was a round of applause as the lights came up.

  ‘They’re brilliant!’ Lee said, standing up and walking to Alex. His team of people also seemed suitably impressed. ‘Well done!’

  Then the lights came down, confusing everyone as a caption came up on screen. Mabel looked at Lauren, who had helped line it all up.

  ‘The uncut version…’

  What Mabel had shot played out.

  One by one, the women that Lee had targeted spoke to the camera on how he had manipulated them. It was done as a 60-second commercial, the styling identical to Alex’s.

  Lauren then came up, saying how Lee blackmailed her after a one-night stand and had done since then for his own benefit.

  It was when Mabel came on screen saying,

  ‘I had no responses then one came in. How was I to know he was the owner of the agency? And now he won’t let go but I’m not standing for it, and neither are these innocent women.’

  Then a caption and voice came up saying ‘Love to Love, more like Hard to Love’.

  There was a heavy silence in the room.

  ‘Turn this off!’ Lee said, standing up, his body shaking with rage. ‘What the hell is this?’

  Alex glanced over at Mabel before replying, ‘I’ve no idea.’

  ‘This is an outrage and a lie!’ shouted Lee.

  She noticed his fellow colleagues looked shocked and didn’t know what to say while eyes were pointing in her and Lauren’s direction.

  ‘No, it’s not!’ Mabel replied calmly. ‘You know it and I know it. I wouldn’t have allowed myself to do it, or the other women if there wasn’t a shred of truth.’

  The lights were turned up, and everyone was looking at her.

  ‘I did my research and I found out so much about your dating agency. What sort of man hand picks vulnerable women, the ones who will give him a challenge, and then targets them?’ she continued.

  ‘I think you’re confused here!’ he laughed, looking at Mabel as if she was mad. ‘I don’t know what-.’

  ‘I have the files, the details of the people you approached. The comments you made about them. Emails outlining what you wanted and what you would do if they didn’t agree. The blackmail and most of all, the misuse of their personal information for your own need. The footage of intimate relationships. Do you want me to continue?’

  ‘You can’t do this!’ another man said, visibly shaken. ‘This is slander.’

  ‘It’s a violation if details are taken for someone’s benefit. Some of these women have lost their partners and self-esteem. Even now, they can’t have faith in a man because Lee Appleton has abused their trust.’ Mabel then cleared her throat. ‘He even did it to me. Trying to blackmail me over something, knowing it would hurt my family if he did.’

  Lee gave her the filthiest look and walked towards the exit.

  ‘You won’t hear the last of this!’ he shouted with a sneer. ‘You can say goodbye to our account and we’re not paying you a penny for the work!’

  ‘Oh, you will,’ Mabel said, walking up to him but feeling her mother touch her arm. ‘You will pay the agency every single penny you owe us, or I will go to the police. These women are all too willing to do something, and you know why? They thought it was their word against yours, and that they were all alone. Little did they know over a dozen women have been used like this.’ Mabel turned to one of the senior people at ‘Love to Love’. ‘This information gets out, then what do you do? The reputation of the company is at stake. Not to mention the possibility of a criminal investigation.’ She cleared her throat. ‘I’m going to financially help the women take your company to court over this, including me.’

  ‘What?’ she heard Calum say, looking shocked.

  ‘And I’m going to fight to make sure you don’t pull this agency’s name through the mud!’

  ‘I’ll see you in court!’ Lee said, looking at his colleagues while heading for the door. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

  ‘How’s this going to look when your wife proceeds with the divorce?’ She walked closer to Lee. ‘So, we have seven of your people here and eight of ours. Think very carefully about how you want to play this. We have the evidence to back up our story, w
hat’s your justification?’

  ‘Keith was right about you. You’re a fucking bitch!’ he snapped, trying to lunge for her.

  ‘Don’t you dare!’ Joanna said, stepping in front. ‘Get out!’

  ‘I’ll break your company!’ he said, readjusting his jacket. ‘Wait and see.’

  ‘Then you’re going to have to cross me, aren’t you?’ her mother said threateningly. ‘My daughter was right. Your company wasn’t to be trusted.’

  ‘Your daughter?’ Lee said, looking confused.

  ‘Joanna’s my mother and that’s why I own thirty percent of the company. Calum’s my half-brother.’

  The loud gasps came from the agency people.

  ‘I’d advise you to go and seek legal advice,’ Calum said, stepping closer to Mabel. ‘Because we’ve not done anything wrong.’

  ‘And like you did to me,’ Mabel whispered, unable to hide her smirk. ‘I filmed it all as insurance. It’s a family business and no-one fucks with us, okay?’

  ‘There’s a lot of activity out there.’

  Mabel was watching from her mother’s office. Everyone seemed to be on the phone. Within seconds the rumour was Mabel had scuppered the screening, upsetting the new client. ‘How are we going to stop this from getting out?’

  ‘Alex pulled everyone from the agency who was there into the meeting room and told them if he found out they’d spoken about it, it would turn serious,’ Joanna replied, typing furiously. ‘And I’ve spoken to our lawyers. All in hand.’

  ‘Will he pay up?’

  ‘Darling, his wife will find out about this, you know. And you could be named.’

  ‘Don’t care. What he did was wrong. The fact he approached my babies is testament to that.’

  ‘He could still make the footage go viral. There’s nothing to stop him.’

  ‘The footage of me and him exists no more.’

  ‘Pardon?’

  She walked up to her mother and smiled.

  ‘The person who handed me all this information can’t be named. But they said they had sorted it. When I went to look through the file, wanting to see what was filmed, there was a caption saying it was deleted. No evidence of me with him.’