Chapter 28 Chapter 28
ROMAN'S POV
"Good evening Boss,"
"Good morning boss,"
"Boss,"
Was all that followed me as I moved through the hallways. My first time since I left for the private meeting at Gumani Hotels this morning, since my interesting discovery at Seraph wing... since I left her.
And with every step, came the buzz. The music in the air, expensive perfumes, laughter, moans, drinks, lustful rich folks and over all... money.
Cash!
There was cash in the air and in my building, you could practically smell it!
Cash plus enough bodies to go round, that was Oxygen. This was Oxygen.
My lifeline.
But there was one more thing to make tonight simply exceptional and totally worth the relaxation!
Her.
"So," I started, stepping into my office. Jordan behind, shutting the door.
"How was it?" I asked, facing him. Taking off my jacket, pouring myself a drink. Smile on my face. "Was she excited when she saw it? She was, right? I bet she was surprised and asked you twice who it was sent from."
"Boss,"
"Tell me," I sipped, "Tell me everything as it happened, especially her facial expressions."
Jordan stepped forward, expression solemn. Serious. "Boss,"
"Go on, say it."
He didn't speak, just held my stare. His expression finally catching my eyes, making me pause for a bit. Leaning back on my desk, legs crossed in front of me. Drink in hand.
"What? Did she hug you or something after receiving it? Why do you look so-
"She trashed it," he said, cutting me off.
"What?" I paused, "What did you just say?"
"She trashed it," he repeated, "The items were sent over, she saw it, but trashed it. Right outside the building."
"What?" I scoffed in disbelief, not quite understanding right now. "You're saying that she trashed the gifts. The 'apology' gifts. Including the food?"
He nodded, "But she did eat the food, and took the clothes. I think? But she definitely trashed the flowers. Look,"
He grabbed the TV remote, racking up some pictures and viola.
There it was.
The dumpster.
The roses. The pink selected roses. They were all in the dumpster.
She did that. And I couldn't help but smile at the images. Laughter leaving my lips at some point even.
"You're laughing, Boss?" Jordan asked, confused.
"I am," I chuckled, "isn't it funny? Look at the way the flowers are in the dumpster, you can clearly see she had a hard time putting them all at once! Look how she shoved in everything, she was mad. Really mad. How's that not funny?"
Jordan stared at me weird, not a word. Making me laugh some more, sipping my drink as I stood erect.
"Do you have more pictures?" I asked, "Ones with her preferably. Like right in the action. She shoving them all in there."
"We don't exactly, but there are a few videos we can pull up."
"Good." I nodded, "Very good. Tomorrow, send more flowers to her. Bigger ones. 4 bouquets, breakfast, lunch and even dinner before she leaves. I'll like to see her try to shove in those."
He nodded silently. "Select a few things too, jewelleries, clothes. Women like that, right?"
He stared at me, "Boss,"
"She might not like that exactly though," I muttered, racking my brains to remember her preferences. "She wasn't really one for much expensive stuff... maybe she'll appreciate it now. She's all grown now after all. A woman. Women need jewelry, she'll love it."
"Boss,"
"Also, confirm a few things about her." I added, "Maybe more of her needs, check with her previous workplace. Her problems."
"You want to fix her problems?" Jordan questioned, staring at me. "She's an employee so-
"So I should pay more attention," I completed, "I made her my consultant and now I've agreed to be in some 'truce' with her, play her little game...you don't expect me to not win now, do you?"
"The more I do things she'll like, the more appreciative she's going to be." I stepped closer to him, "The more I fix her problems, the more I look like the hero, her hero. Then before you know it... she'll be crawling on the floor to me, taking back her words. I don't believe she won't eat those words! That is how I win,"
He stared at me, listening. I sipped my drink once more, returning back to my desk, for a refill.
"Aren't you worried?" He asked, calm.
"Worried about what?"
"About talks." He said, "Winning the game is going to stir up talks, you're not one for those. Some people might misunderstand, she might understand."
"So you think she'll misunderstand too, huh?" I turned back to him, smiled. "I actually look forward to her misunderstanding, that's the main point. Making her eat her words, I could care less about every other person."
"Still-
"It won't be for long, don't worry." I said to him, "It's just a little fun. We're finally getting some fun around here!"
He scoffed, shaking his head.
"It's all fun. So get me more details about her, her current life, past, everything from 5 years ago. Where she lives-
"Gravers Lane," he cut me off, quick. "She lives at Gravers Lane."
My eyebrows furrowed, "Where's that? In the city here?"
"Yes," he nodded, stepping forward and pulling out a file. Her file.
"Flat 9, Road 16 Gravers Lane."
"I've never heard of that," I muttered, "How far is It from here? How'd you find out?"
"The night drops," he said, referring to the free drive home after her every night spent in Oxygen. Since she wasn't a full Oxygen staff, she got to leave before morning, hence the free drive to ensure her safety.
It was standard protocol. Couldn't have her walking around drunk from my building.
"The driver spends approximately 4 hours to get to her destination, and then another 4 to get back." Jordan explained, surprising me even more.
"4 hours??" I repeated, confused. "Where the hell is that, and why's it so far if it's in the city?"
"It's the rundown part of the city, boss."
Rundown?
Impossible. Alina wouldn't live at the rundown part of the city however bad her finances.
She had a functional family, a support system. Her father wouldn't let that happen, most especially not her mom either.
I remembered how feisty the woman was, always so upset whenever she heard we were together. Said I was unfit and would do no good. Surely, a parent so strict and active in her daughter's life wouldn't let her live in such an environment.
They weren't even poor at all.
"You sure you got this right?" I asked again, to be sure. Now interested in the whole thing.
"I'm sure, boss," he said, "It is Flat 9, Road 16 Gravers Lane."
Hmmm.
"Is there a problem? I'll find out more things to help your... game."
Hmmm.
"No need," I muttered, dropping my glass.
"No need?"
"Yes," I said, "Cause we're heading there right now."
"Boss?"
"She's not on duty tonight, right?" I grabbed my phone,
moving already. Jordan behind.
"No boss,"
"Let's go then,"
"We're visiting?" We stepped out into the hallway. The lights of the second floor welcoming us, red.
"We're not visiting," I said, "We're inspecting."