Chapter 10 - Did you say friends? - Mduno
I opened my mouth, Rata stood three meters from his Boss. I saw several men moving under Rata's command. I burst into a huge laugh in his face, without saying a word, and turned around to catch the taxi that was passing by.
Thank the angels for getting me out of this. I heard my name called repeatedly and quite loudly. I didn't care; he needed to learn that not everything was about money. There was a code of decency he completely disregarded with me. His mother didn't teach him manners, that not everything could be bought. At least he won't buy me with money... I'm worth much more than that, you win me over with a heart in your hand.
On Monday after my Mandarin class, a black SUV stopped at the entrance, and Rata got out. Is the boss not planning to give up? However, an emerging tingling sensation swept everything away, hundreds of butterflies galloped through my stomach at the mere hint that Roland wanted to see me. "That's being crazy about someone."
"The Boss needs to talk to you."
His appearance was like those in TV shows where the feds apprehend a hostage. But the shock that he wanted to see me overshadowed the scene. It would be a big lie to say that in these days since the incident at the nightclub, I haven't thought about him. That would be a huge blasphemy.
I didn't know anything more about him, and despite showing indifference, when I closed the door to my room, I wasn't lying to myself. I can do it in front of my friends, although I doubt that too, they know me. In any case, in my thoughts, reasoning, and feelings, his name was front and center, and I was aware of the time I wasted on memories.
"I don't want to go anywhere. If he wants to see me, he should come here."
I had already taken a better look at the man known as the boss's right hand and in charge of Roland's security. He was a tall, strong man despite being thin, his muscles were pure fiber, you could tell he worked out; his eyes and hair were black.
"I didn't ask if you wanted to go. I'm telling you the Boss needs you. Get in on your own or I'll force you." He walked toward me with that look of don't test me. "You decide."
This man had a particularity in his character that inspired fear. He was without any prejudice, and would do whatever necessary to carry out his boss's orders. I got into the car, not saying a single word during the ride to the estate where I had been locked up a couple of weeks ago.
The house remained quiet and there was no more staff than the bodyguards of the "Boss." They took me to the pool area, where the most terrifying man was waiting, showing tremendous calmness. No one could tell he was that person. He was wearing a sweatshirt and a military green T-shirt. For God's sake! Is there anything that doesn't look perfect on him? He was sitting, reading the newspaper. He looked at Rata and then at me.
"Verónica Vázquez. Do we have to bring you by force to visit me?"
He closed the newspaper and gestured for me to sit next to him. He had several documents and a laptop; this man was strange.
"You must be hungry. Please, inform Ana to bring us lunch."
What does he intend by bringing me this way? "And if he proposes once more to sleep with him, what will you say, Verónica?" —That's a good question. You've dreamed of his company every day since the nightclub incident.
"I've never been invited as a friend, and if he intends..." He interrupted me.
"Don't be... I brought you here because thanks to you, the day you stayed in my room, you translated a letter in Mandarin, and as you can see." He pointed to several on the table. "I'm hiring you as a translator."
I didn't know whether to feel happy or disappointed. I'm here for matters unrelated to the turmoil I felt inside. I took a deep breath, whatever happens, don't show any interest.
"If I translate this letter, can I leave?"
He laughed heartily, his look was a mix of "poor fool, I don't want you for anything else."
"The longer you take, the longer you'll stay."
They brought us lunch; the meat smelled incredible, my stomach growled. When we finished, Roland took some letters in English and handed me two emails in Mandarin. I translated them. One was the confirmation that they would be arriving in ten days and would need a hundred men; that was the demand for the security of the Hong Kong organization. Three important men would be coming.
They also discussed matters related to drug shipment, requesting the delivery of the ten new routes to be used for the shipment of goods, plus the three routes they would give to government institutions as bribes. "Corruption, corruption." I handed him the paper in Spanish, watching him read seriously.
I took the second sheet, which contained information about the three girls who had been selected as his companions. Among them, Lorena's name appeared, and she would be Mr. Yan Lee's companion. They also listed the daily service fees for providing pleasure. I couldn't help but gape.
"Is something wrong?"
He remained calm, but I detected a hint of concern in his voice regarding my reaction.
"Nothing, it's just that... Being a call girl is profitable." His eyes sparkled.
"I knew you had a price. I'll give you five times what they pay for a couple of hours."
I glared at him, ignored him, and resumed translating the rest of the document, listing the names and fees of the other two girls. I handed it to him, and as he read it, he raised an eyebrow.
"Wow, we would have to negotiate the hours; that's a lot of money for just two hours."
"Am I done?" He kept analyzing me.
"Do you think you're worth more?"
"Roland, I believe I told you that not even all the money in your vaults would be enough to sleep with me. I'm not interested in money; I'm interested in other things you lack." He burst out laughing.
"Romance and that idiotic paraphernalia?" He drank the rest of his juice. "You know, you're right. With this money, I could have you for a week, and honestly, I don't like repeating the same woman consecutively."
I took the glass of water and choked on the liquid. How rude! He handed me other documents written in Italian and French.
"As you know..."
He silenced me with a look that conveyed an order without speaking, reminding me of what he had said when I woke up here.
"So, do you know my favorite color?"
"That's not important and doesn't matter."
I raised an eyebrow. That was the main reason I would never sleep with him. No matter how much he appealed to me as a man, he was a complete animal.
I began reading the letters he had given me and translated them. As time passed, the atmosphere turned into a pleasant afternoon. We were brought juice, and before I knew it, hours had passed. I had done several translations, some via email and others were documents he handed me. Unintentionally, I learned about several movements of his organization abroad.
But everything changed when I was translating an email he had just received, and we were interrupted by a stunning woman. With black hair down to her waist, she looked at me with hatred.
"How long do you plan to keep me upstairs?"
She came down wearing a very short and transparent robe, revealing her curvaceous body, her large breasts, and buttocks. Her gaze was one of superiority, like a lioness stalking her prey. She felt I had invaded her territory. I felt a burning sensation in my stomach and closed my laptop.
"It's time for me to go, Roland."
The woman opened her mouth. Mr. Rat appeared as if by magic, keeping a safe distance in case anything happened. What could possibly happen?
"Don Roland!"
The exhibitionist shouted. I stood up, looking at him and raising an eyebrow. Letting him know I would never let this slide.
"Brenda, can't you see I'm working? Go back to where you were and wait for me. Understand?" He spoke firmly, but the old woman didn't obey.
"Don't think you can treat me like you treat all the others, much less replace me today with this one!"
Her gaze scanned me from head to toe. I couldn't help but laugh. This was the last straw! I was about to speak when she beat me to it.
"Although... What do you see in her? She's not your type, and looking at her closely, she doesn't compare to me." Roland stood up from the table, but I spoke before he could say anything.
"Of course, I don't compare to you! Or any of the women who beg to be in this man's bed. An important fact: nothing in my body is artificial, and don't worry or feel inferior. I will never be a rival to any of his preferred women. Unlike you, I don't have a price, something you must have.
"My type of man is far from what Roland could offer me. Let me tell you this. The moment you have some decency, dignity, self-love, character, and value yourself as a woman, maybe, just maybe, you could be a rival to me. Otherwise..." I couldn't help but laugh. "Never!
"And you know why. Because I would worry about my body being known only by him and no one else." I looked at him; he was already looking at me with a furrowed brow, very serious.
"Brenda!"
He called her by name, making his stance very clear without saying another word. The only option was; if you don't leave, I'll kick you out. I understood that the pleasant afternoon had ended. I grabbed my bag and offered my hand to say goodbye.
"How much do I owe you, Veronica?" I opened my mouth. "No. How much do you charge for language translations?" I subtly shook my head.
"I never charge my friends."
For a moment, his eyes showed confusion. For the first time since I had known him, his gaze was disoriented.
"Did you say friends?"