Chapter 55 CHAPTER 55
ALINA’S POV
“Sir,”
“Consultant,”
Okay.
Guess that’s our greeting then. I cleared my throat, feet stepped forward to approach his desk even more now. He didn’t look at me, not with his face focused on the folders on his desk. I had to ask myself how he knew it was even me to begin with when I didn’t see him look up.
“I have a erm… there’s a matter that needs your attention, sir. It’s about the wing.”
No response. No looking up either to acknowledge me or what I was saying at least. “There’s been a mix up, sir.” I pressed, stern. “A mix up with the last batch of equipment needed to begin our setups at the Seraph wing. Our order has been called canceled by the suppliers. They said to resend our specifications or wait for another supply line, that can take months from now. Meaning more time needed, an extension of the wing launch.”
“Extension?” he paused, setting his folder down. Guess that finally got his attention. “How did it happen? How did any of this happen, why did you let it happen, Consultant?”
He looked up. Finally looked up. Eyes green and dark, hooded. Focused on me. Attitude all over, coupled with black dress shirt he had on. Several buttons undone, tattoos and toned muscles creeping out. Somehow he seemed slutty all over. Reminding me of his gaze back then at the pool. The way he looked at me.
“I can see you’ve been occupied, Consultant.”
“What?” I blinked. Blinked away from those thoughts, focusing on what was in front of me. But it was too late.
“You’ve been occupied with other matters, personal matters...” he smirked. Slowly. Bastardly. “That can be why you didn’t spot this issue on time, isnt it? You’ve been distracted consultant, you’re distracted right now.”
I grind my teeth, holding it all back.
Bastard.
Bastard!
Using the happenings of recent to judge me right now. Bringing in affairs that happened outside of work…
It was my fault anyway. My fault.
Who told me to go around sucking people’s thumb. Who told me??
“Do you have something to say?”
“What?” I blinked, pretending all the way. “Nothing sir. Nothing to say.”
“You sure?” he pressed, staring at me. Intently too. I could literally feel him trying to bore holes into my brains. My mind. But I knew what this was. I’d seen him play this game way too many times, he was just trying to get a rise out of me.
He was trying, but I wouldn’t let him. I couldn’t anyways, not with what I’d done recently.
“I’m very sure sir. I have nothing to say.”
“Hmm. In that case I’ll just sign you to over there then.” he picked up his folder again. This time with a pen to sign.
“What? W-what do you mean, sir?” I pushed to his desk, staring at his documents. He simply looked up at me, normal.
“The suppliers are threatening to cut us off else we offer fresh set of specifications, correct?”
“Well…yeah.” I stared at him, “What does that have to-
“You’re the consultant here, aren’t you? The one in charge of this project.”
I dressed back then, looking at him. “I am in charge of the project.”
“So you’ll go over then.” he concluded. “You’re in charge and this issue came up on your watch, you’ll go fix it.”
Fix it?
That’s like going all the way to the suppliers region, half way across the city, scratch that, another country!
“You mean to tell me to leave the country?” I stared at him, perplexed. Saying the words slowly. Hearing them myself. “The suppliers…the equipment are all imported. Our tools are all imported, structured to suit and accentuate the wing. You want me to go over there? To the suppliers??”
He stared at me, casual. Relaxed. “Yes Consulant. Clean up your mess.”
Wh-what?!
Clean up what mess, I wasn’t the one that told the suppliers to act up! I didn’t do any of these, and most definitely didn’t neglect my work no matter what. No matter all I was feeling, my struggles with the workers, my body, I never neglected my work once!
I never neglected, how then was this my fault? This man…he just kept looking for ways to annoy the heck out of me each day, doesn’t he?
Let’s even leave aside all these absurdities, leaving the country to meet the suppliers, that meant I needed a passport, right? I needed my passport, a good standing to travel and…
I don’t think I had any of that.
To be more exact, I knew I had none of that. I wouldn’t be able to travel.
“You’ll go over there, sort out the issue with the suppliers, give accurate specifications and see these equipment for yourself. Inspect them. You can do that, can’t you?”
He looked at me. I looked at him. Not even knowing where to start from in all of these.
“Sir,” I started, shaky. Kind of. “Sir I-
“You’re easily distracted.” he said, “I know. I know how distracted you’ve been, all through last week even.”
Jerk.
He was bringing up the pool stuff again. Or maybe the incident with that couple in that room. Or maybe the porn issue, how would I know right now. How would I know what was going through this jerk’s head.
“I’m very well aware of your problems, consultant. Have no fear, I have a solution.”
“Solution?”
“Yes solution.” he said. Bragged even. Seemingly getting slightly excited right now. “I’ll go over with you. We’ll go see these suppliers together. You the consultant, and me the boss just trying to keep his staff from getting distracted. Again.”
“Wh-eh?”
This was the part I would laugh if he wasn’t staring at me directly now. But he seemed serious. Serious saying those words.
“I don’t think I understand you, sir.” I said aloud, voicing my mind. “First you say I have to leave the country, no warning, no permission, no before hand information… and now you’re saying that you’re coming as well. To keep me from getting distracted.”
I didn’t even know whether to be upset or insulted right now.
“You got all of it then. Go prepare we’ll be leaving this weekend.” he concluded. Just like that. Just like that.
This wasn’t happening, was it?
“Is there a problem?” he asked me. Surely wondering why I wasn’t leaving his office jumping with excitement yet. Cause I mean, this was exciting information. Wasn’t it??
“Yes there’s a problem sir. You-
“Is there really a problem or you just don’t want me around?” he cocked his head, smirking. “Do you have a problem meeting the suppliers or… do you actually have a problem with me. Avoiding me perharps? Embarrased?”
“What?”
“Are you avoiding me, and now uncomfortable that I’ll be going along with you. Are you avoiding me, Alina?”
Hmm.
You know if I didn’t know…
I’d think this bastard set this whole thing up.