CHAPTER 004
1129 Words
Rude Awakening
"Beep beep...beep. Beep beep...beep."
The sound kept drilling into my head until it pulled me out of sleep. I groaned as I pulled the blanket over my head hoping to shut out the sound.
"Beep beep...beep. Beep beep...beep."
It wouldn’t stop.
"Who the hell is dying? Shut it off!" I barked, squeezing my eyes shut. I was returning to sleep when my phone started ringing.
"Great. Just great." I grabbed it without checking the ID. "What?"
"S-Sir, it’s Rafael. Your PA," came a hesitant voice.
I exhaled sharply. "What is it? Why are you calling me this early?"
Your meeting starts in sixty minutes. I wanted to remind you."
That got my attention. My eyes flew open. The clock mocked me—8:45 AM.
"Shit." The blanket slid off my body as I sat up. "Everything set?"
"Yes, sir. All prepared."
"The clients?"
"On their way."
"Fine. I’m coming." I cut off the call and rushed to the bathroom where I took the quickest shower I've ever had.
When I finally exited the bathroom the time read 9:30 AM. "Damn it." I quickly put on my suit and took my watch and bag before running downstairs.
At the dining table my grandmother sat in wait while leisurely drinking tea as if her schedule allowed endless time.
"Good morning, Leo. Come have breakfast."
"Morning, Grandma. No time, I have a meeting." I reached the halfway point to the door before her voice came in to stop me.
"Alright, go. I didn't mean to joke about what I said last night. I expect your answer before your birthday."
I bit my lip hard and exited the room without saying anything else.
When my driver opened the car door I refused by shaking my head and said I would drive. "I’m driving today."
After entering the driver’s seat I accelerated out of the driveway while exceeding the speed limit. Usually, driving cleared my head. Not today.
My phone rang. Rafael again.
"What now?"
"Sir, the clients are already here."
"Take them to the meeting room. I’m coming."
The moment I ended the call my heart violently collided with my ribs as I returned my attention to the road.
A girl blocked my car at the front.
Suddenly I slammed the brakes hard while the tires screamed across the asphalt surface. My pulse pounded in my ears.
"What the hell?! Is this some kind of joke? Why didn't she choose any other vehicle instead of this one to crash into?
I forced the door open as I prepared to unleash hell. But then—I saw her.
For a moment my breathing stopped completely.
She was stunning. Her beauty was so powerful that it froze time. When she looked at the small boy standing beside her and began to check on him I was suddenly hit by a wave of reality.
"She has a kid. She’s married." My chest tightened, anger bubbling up.
How could your child have ended up in the middle of the road? Are you so sure you own this street? Because of you both, I’m late!" I snapped.
She spun around toward me and her eyes filled with surprise. A second passed, then another.
"Doesn’t he have any manners? He almost hit a kid but refused to apologize and chose to yell instead. she muttered under her breath.
Her words sent my anger into overdrive.
"Move! Both of you! What do you want, money? Is this your act? Your child stood in front of my car to demand a payment from you? Name your price!"
She stepped forward, fists clenched. "Listen carefully, you arrogant jerk. You almost hit a child but now you’re deflecting blame onto me? Do you even know how to drive? Did you steal this car before taking off like a thief?
I blinked. Did she just—
She did.
I laughed. "Apologize? To you? A middle-class girl? Do you even know who I am?"
She smirked. "Who are you? Abraham Lincoln?"
I stiffened.
"No? Then Barack Obama?"
What the hell was wrong with her?
"Not him either? Then maybe Joe Biden?"
I gaped at her. Was she insane?
She folded her arms. "Oh, wait, I don’t need to know. I already figured you out. The world has created yet another spoiled rich kid who thinks manners don't apply to them. Actually, scratch that. You’re a spoiled, self-absorbed, annoying—"
"That’s enough!" My patience snapped. I grabbed her wrist, voice dropping. You have no awareness of the power I hold over you. I can ruin you."
She yanked her arm away and—
Slap!
I jerked my head to the side as my cheek started to burn.
"Don’t you dare touch me," she spat. "And for the record? You’re not just arrogant. You’re heartless. A third-class excuse for a man."
She picked up her son and left without turning back.
I remained motionless with my fists clenched tightly as she walked away down the sidewalk.
"You’ll regret this," I muttered. "I’ll make sure of it."
Returning to my vehicle I held the steering wheel so forcefully that my knuckles turned white. I drove to work in a fog with anger building beneath my skin.
Upon reaching my destination a security guard had already opened my car door. Stepping outside I felt my jaw clench as I relived the slap in my thoughts.
As I walked through the space everyone stood up while bowing their heads to show respect. Her voice filled my ears as I moved forward.
I walked straight into the meeting room. The clients were already seated. I suppressed my anger to focus on my responsibilities at work.
Two hours later, the meeting ended. The clients departed the room while I remained seated at the table with her words resonating in my thoughts.
"Rafael."
"Yes, sir?"
Retrieve the CCTV footage showing the Sun Market road immediately. Now."
He nodded and left.
I reclined in my chair and closed my eyes. I experienced the violent moment again when her hand struck my face. My fingers curled into a fist. I hit the table with force and felt pain surge up my arm. My knuckles started bleeding as I hit the table but I hardly noticed it.
I covered my hand with a bandage when I heard someone knock on the door.
"Come in."
Rafael entered, hesitating. His face said it all. He had seen the footage.
"Do I need to spell it out?"
"No, sir. When you get back from Paris you will receive all necessary information about her.
"Good." I grabbed my phone. "Tell my pilot to prepare the jet. I’m leaving now."
Rafael hurried out, and I exhaled slowly.
"You think you got away?" I murmured, voice low. "Think again."
- Writer
