CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT: A REAL MAN!

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT: A REAL MAN!

~Mira’s pov~

I didn’t go home. My mind was reeling too much and home was the last place I wanted to be. I could call Grey but K
Grey would bring calm to my life and calm wasn’t what I needed right now. I needed to be angry for what I was about to do.

The driver made a turn in the direction of my house and I cleared my throat. “Do you… do you know where they sell guns?”

The car screeched and a few other drivers cursed at my driver for his abrupt stop. He apologised and resumed the ride. I wasn’t bothered by his reaction. I reclined in the backseat and crossed my arms. We exchanged a look in the rearview mirror and the driver shook his head in disapproval.

“Well, do you?”

“No, ma’am.”

I had a feeling he knew but he wouldn’t tell her. My phone beeped. There was a text from my husband. My smile didn’t come immediately but my heart fluttered. He wanted to know how I was doing, if I needed him to stop by for a few minutes.

Mira: No need, baby. Everything is fine. My mum’s fine. Seeing Lisa made everything better. I’m still at the hospital but I’ll let you know when I’m about to leave.

A pang of guilt hit me for lying. My fingers hovered over the text, I hit send and sent him another message almost immediately to assuage the guilt.

Mira: I love you, Grey. I hope work is going great?

Grey: I love you too. Work is fine. I’ll be expecting your call. If I don’t get it before 5, expect to see me there.

Mira: lol. Bye, baby. My attention is needed here.

I pushed the phone into my purse. When I looked out of the window, we were already at my apartment. I brought out money to pay him but hesitated.

The driver’s head snapped back in annoyance.“Ma’am, I don’t have time for this.”

“Can you take me to Tech Valley?”

“Sure. But that would cost you some extra bucks.”

Shuffling back to my former position, I said, “No problem. Just take me to Tech Valley right away.”

The driver gave a curt nod and made a 180 degree turn. I closed my eyes to gather my thoughts. My phone vibrated but I didn’t check it. I needed my head to be clear and calm for this mission. What exactly was the mission? I didn’t have an answer to that but I knew I wouldn’t be leaving James without enough answers. I already dilly-dallied for too long.

Wearrived at Tech Valley in no time. I didn’t count properly before pulling out wads of cash to give the driver who thanked me profusely. The security man stopped me at the gate, I showed my ID and was let inside after I lied about having an appointment.

The receptionist was tougher. I wasn’t allowed upstairs. I paced the reception area, watching the elevator door slide open and close as it brought in new guests and took in some more upstairs. Seconds later, I took a seat on the many seats in front to calculate my moves. I needed a moment with James Rivera and I wouldn’t get it here. The seat was cold against my legs and a chill ran up my spine. A girl walked inside and headed directly to the elevator. I didn’t know what possessed me but I stalked to the receptionist again. My lie about having an appointment flopped after the receptionist dialled James’ assistant.

“James Rivera wants to see me,” I stated.

The receptionist didn’t look up. The click-click of her fingers on the keyboard gave me the impression the woman wasn’t listening. I banged my fist on the table and the red hair receptionist jumped.

“I said, James Rivera wants to see me. Let him know Mira Anderson is here.”

The receptionist paled but managed to nod. She grabbed her telephone and put in a call. My fingers drummed on the cool surface. The red hair caught my eye and whispered something into the mouthpiece.

“That way up,” she told me once she dropped the receiver.

My finger jutted in the direction of a corridor that made my brows draw together in suspicion.

“There’s an elevator that will take you directly to his floor. Director James will be waiting for you there.”

With a curt nod, I left the receptionist. My palms grew clammy as I pressed the button on the wall. The elevator opened and I stepped in. I still didn’t have a plan beyond storming into his office but that didn’t worry me. I needed to see James Rivera.

In a few minutes, I was at my location. Heart pumping with anxiety, I stepped out of the elevator. The receptionist was right. James was waiting for me. He spread out his arms in a hug I ignored and the bastard only laughed at me.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked, already walking towards what I assumed was his office.

My eyes scanned the corridor for the nearest exit. There was only one door on this floor. My heart picked up speed at that fact. My decision didn’t sound so reasonable anymore. What if James pulled a funny stunt? I shook off those thoughts. James knew who I was married to. He wouldn’t dare mess with me.

We stopped in front of the door. James didn’t open, instead, he leaned back on it with a smug smile. His wedding ring was absent and the knowledge made me nauseous. Was he already cheating on his wife? Not that Olivia as a person deserved anything good.

“Does your husband know you’re here?”

“That shouldn’t concern you,” I fired back.

James’ crazy laughter itched my ears. He opened the door and we walked in together. We passed the office of his assistant before we arrived at his own.
It was big, as spacious as Grey’s office. At the thought of my husband, my heart constricted. I lied to him but it was for good reason. He wouldn’t have agreed to let me confront James on my own. And I needed to do it alone. I believed I could use my wits against him.

James sank into his seat and motioned for me to take one of the two seats reserved for guests. I rolled my eyes and moved to stand behind one of the chairs. His ashtray was on the table with a burning cigarette. Documents were arranged in a neat pile. Pens and pencils were in the right container. I almost gave in to the urge to scatter the neat arrangement.

“What do you want, Mira?” James asked. He clasped his hands behind his head and smirked. “Did you miss me? Are you already tired of your husband? Came to meet a real man, huh?”

I scoffed. “There’s only one real man and that’s Grey.” His eyes twitched.

I had hit a spot but I wasn’t content with that. I wanted to hurt him even more.

“You know nothing about being a real man."

“Then what do you want? Why are you here?”

“What did you do to my mother?”