Chapter 21 Setting The Trap
The following morning, Amanda resumed work with enthusiasm. She is no longer worried about Mr. Kenny as she now has a plan. All she needed to do was get Mr Kenny's wife's contact.
Amanda's excitement knew no bounds when she received a message from Rowan that he would be coming to the hotel.
She is always extra energetic on the days he visits because she gets to spend time with him. She is the only one at the hotel who knows when Rowan will be visiting the hotel.
Alex noticed Amnada's enthusiasm.
"I guess the boss will be coming today."
"How did you know that?" Amanda asked.
"Why else would you be this happy? It is written all over you," Alex said.
"Yes. He should be here soon", Amanda replied. Alex is the only one she trusts at the company. She can freely talk about her feelings for Rowan with Alex.
"I hope this ends well for you though," Alex said before saying goodbye. He is done with his shift and is ready to go.
"Bye Alex. And learn to mind your business." Amanda said, jokingly.
Alex chuckled and left.
Amanda rushed to welcome Rowan when he arrived. She met Mr. Kenny in the hallway. Her heart began to race immediately. She has been avoiding Mr. Kenny like he was a plague. She does not want him to get suspicious until she can contact his wife.
"My little beautiful cutie," Mr. Kenny said, cornering Amanda.
Amanda became unsettled. She knows his intentions are unmistakably inappropriate. Her heart continued to race and a sense of vulnerability washed over her.
"Can we not do this here?"
"Come on, it is nothing. A kiss won't bite, you know." he said.
"Yes, but it could cost me my job," Amanda replied.
"Not while I am the manager." Mr. Kenny leaned in closer, seemingly undeterred by Amanda's attempts to push him away.
"Mr. Kenny, we have a plan. I am working on getting a very discreet place we can always go to without anyone finding out. Don't disrupt that plan with this", Amanda pleaded.
"A kiss is not a disruption. It is a sign of love and a blessing to him who is loved." He said, leaning in to kiss Amanda.
Amanda prevented his kiss with her hand. He was just about taking the hand out of the way when they heard Rowan's voice.
Rowan, unaware of the situation, had rounded the corner, catching them off guard. Although they had separated before he saw them, they were still in very close proximity.
He sensed something amiss and inquired about the situation immediately.
"What is going on here?"
"Nothing. We were just talking about one of the employees who just misbehaved. I want her to handle the situation professionally." Mr. Kenny said.
"Is that so, Amanda?" Rowan asked, concern etched on his face.
Amanda decided not to burden Rowan with her predicament. She downplayed the situation, dismissing it as a minor work-related issue with a forced smile.
Rowan knew something was not right. He respected Amanda's choice and did not inquire further. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was not quite right.
"Alright. Mr. Kenny, please call for a meeting. I need a report on all the activities in the past few days. The meeting starts in 30 minutes." Rowan said to Mr. Kenny.
He turned back to his bodyguard whom he was initially talking to before the encounter with Mr. Kenny and Amanda.
"Please, get what I asked for."
"Yes sir" the bodyguard replied.
Amanda followed Rowan to his office. They had a more relaxed conversation. Although the tension from the hallway encounter had quickly dissipated, it still lingered beneath the surface.
Rowan's bodyguard returned. He gave Rowan a package and left immediately.
With a warm smile, Rowan reached into the package and pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift box. He extended it towards Amanda.
"This is yours," he said.
"Really? Why am I getting a gift this time?" What is the celebration? Amanda asked. It has become a norm to receive gifts from Rowan. Although he always had a reason for it.
"Well, that is for checking up on me yesterday," Rowan said.
"I didn't check up on you yesterday," Amanda responded.
"But I got a message from you yesterday," Rowan argued.
"That was two days ago. You only read the message yesterday." Amanda rolled her eyes.
"Oh! Then let's say the gift is my apology for reading the message late", Rowan said softly.
"Rowan!" Amanda blushed.
"What?" He asked.
They were both quiet for a while as they stared into each other's eyes. Rowan's eyes reflected his feelings for Amanda and she wondered why he had never made a move or talked to her about his feelings.
"It's time for the meeting," Amanda said, interrupting their romantic silence.
"We should get going."
After the meeting, Amanda spent more time with Rowan. When he finally left, she began to plan her operations with Mr. Kenny.
She went through his Facebook and she was able to dig out his wife's digit. She already has another line, strictly for this trap.
Amanda texted Mrs. Laura. She didn't reveal any information about her. She had just informed her that her husband was cheating on her. She waited for a while to get a response. When she didn't, she deleted the message and gave up the plan.
That night, Mr. Kenny sent her a text. He apologized for the stress he caused her in the hallway and asked if she had not canceled their plan because of that.
Since his wife did not respond. Amanda faked her anger and said they were no longer meeting. Mrs. Laura is a big part of her plan and until she finds another plan, she needs to buy herself time.
Mr. Kenny pleaded with her to reconsider him and she said she would think about it.
She was already rounding up at work the following day when Mrs. Laura responded. Amanda was happy she could continue with her plan.
After work, Amanda booked a room at an affordable hotel. The expenses were covered by Mr. Kenny and she sent the address to him as well as his wife.
She also carried her mother along. She gave her a breakdown of the whole plan and the address of the hotel.
All things set, Amanda begins to anticipate the planned day.
""
It is D-day and Amanda is excited. If everything goes as planned, she will be free from Mr. Kenny's harassment.
That evening Amanda asked if Alex could swap duties with her as she had somewhere to be. Alex agreed but confronted her about what she had been up to.
"These days you seem worked up. I was about to ask you what was going on since I noticed your distress but today is different. You are excited and the boss isn't even coming." Alex challenged her.
"You are always in my business, you know," Amanda responded.
"Well, that's a very good way to avoid the question," Alex teased.
"I am not avoiding the question." Amanda retorted.
"Then answer it. Are you dating the boss already?" Alex asked, obviously curious.
Amanda covered his mouth.
"Watch your mouth"
"Is that it? Alex asked again.
"No." Amanda moved closer to Alex and whispered.
"I think I have finally found a way to deal with Mr. Kenny."
Alex's face widened. He knows about some of the atrocities Mr. Kenny commits at the hotel.
"What way?"
"That's too much information," Amanda said, walking away from Alex.
Alex seems worried about her.
"Be careful."
Amanda did not respond.
Amanda went home to change. She texted Mrs. Laura again to find out if she had not changed her mind. She got an affirmation from her.
When Mr. Kenny got to the hotel, he texted Amanda.
"Hello, beauty. I am already here, waiting for you to come play with Daddy."
Amanda reads the text out loud and they make a joke of him. She also responded to the message, informing him that she would soon be there.
Since he has been given the key to the room, he can relax while he waits for her.
After confirming Mrs. Laura's whereabouts, Amanda got into the shower and decided to watch the reality show with her kids. She ensured she deleted the messages so Mr. Kenny would not trace the incident to her.
It was a fun time with the family. She awaits a call from Mr. Kenny and a thank you text from his wife.