THE BILLIONAIRE'S BARGAIN

CHAPTER 35

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“ Ahhh, Ling's aunty is one tough woman. I haven't seen this side of her before”, Martinez said , stretching the stiffness off his body.

After exiting Ling's room, the four of them made their way into the parking lot where Martinez car is being parked.

“I parked over here,” he said, taking the lead and gesturing towards the silver sedan nestled among the rows of vehicles.

“You’re still the same guy who thinks he can park in the front row because you’re an officer, huh?” joked Leo prompting a laughter that lightens the mood as they followed Martinez.

Once in the car, Martinez exchanges glances with Leo. Leo on the other hand, runs his hand through his hair but suddenly catches his glance and quickly removes his eyes, knowing what will come next.

Settled in the car, Martinez turns the key in the ignition, and the engine starts , punctuating the silence that had settled in after their banter. He begins to reverse the car backwards before driving ahead.

Minutes after still during the driving, Martinez begins to clear his throat countless times and Leo sitting next to him felt uncomfortable.

Leo sighs from Martinez childish attitude.

“ Just ask what you want to ask”.

Martinez turns his face to him and then back to the road.

“ What do mean”, said Martinez clearing his throat again.

“If you don't want to, then drop the act”, Leo respond, looking out the window of the car into the city.

Riley and Sam sat quietly at the back seats observing the two of them.

“ Uhmm..about earlier. I noticed you and Ling are covering up something. What is it?”, Martinez questions, his hand still on the wheel as he make a turn.

“ It nothing serious”, Leo answers.

“ Seriously? Then did you interrupt me when I was talking to Mei. You are surely covering up something”, Martinez argues, feeling a little bit disappointed in Leo.

“ I think aunt Mei doesn't know about officer Ling taking over the drug raid”, Riley utters.

“ Ya! Why can't you keep some things to yourself”, Sam said, raising his hand as he hit Riley's head lightly as a form of caution.

Leo turns to the back seat and faces Riley, surprised on how he could catch on.

“ Was it obvious?”, Leo questions Riley, facing the front.

“ Yes.”, said Riley.

Martinez scoffs

“ So you are hiding it from her family. What if she lost her life, during the raid, what will you tell the auntie then. I suggest you let her know immediately to avoid more problems”.

Leo didn't say anything instead,

“ Let's drop by at your place, I need to shower before we head to the precinct”.

“ Look at you. You can't even put a please first. And why my place of all choices”, Martinez said, throwing a childish look on his face.

“ It closer to the office, that is why”, Said Leo.

Martinez quickly glances at Leo's body size.

“ Even if you shower at my place, what are you going to change into. I don't have your size in my house”.

“ I have slept over at your place before, I left my clothes too Incase something like this happens”, Leo replies, relaxing in the seat as he faces Martinez.

“ Don't look at me with that face of yours. I can drop you in front of the police station if I want too”, Martinez said, glancing at Leo.

Martinez chuckles on driving.

“ Okay, let freshen up”.

“ Thank you sir”, Riley and Sam greeted Martinez.

“ I've wanted to shower”, Sam whispers, cracking his knuckles.

“ Then didn't you say so before”, Riley said on a low tone, to avoid the attention of Martinez and Leo.

Sam just laughs silently.

“Just a couple blocks away,” Martinez said, navigating the familiar streets.

Arriving at his building, Riley and Sam was stunned by the house. They didn't expect his house to be this beautiful and cozy.

“ Why are you staring like this isn't what you expected to see”, Martinez said, using the mirror in front to see their expression.

“ No..no. this is what we expected”, Riley and Sam echoes together, turning down his statement.

Martinez pulls up to his house, he took a deep breath. The comforting aura of his home envelopes him as he steps out of the car with the others.

“Thanks, Martinez. I swear, it won’t take long,” Leo assures, glancing back at the others.

“You don't have to thank me, I too need a shower for refreshment. Take your time, just don’t be carried away, we’ve got work to do,” Martinez said with a wink.

Riley and Sam nods, hurrying to the front door. And rushing through the hallway. Sam went first into the bathroom, he quickly shut the door and turns on the shower. As the water cascaded, he inhales deeply, letting the warmth envelop him, washing away not just the dirt but the weight of the week.

Leo made his way into the masters bathroom and showers. Minutes later he changes into his uniform, settling in the sitting room as he patiently waits for the others to be done. Once they were all done, they headed out to the car. The car began buzzing with energy as Riley and Sam slips back into the passenger seat, while Leo and Martinez in the front leaving Martinez as they driver.

“Feeling better?” Martinez asked, starting the engine as they prepared to head over to the precinct.

“Much. I’m ready to dive back into work,” Riley replies, a renewed sense of purpose pouring through him.

“ Thank you sir, for letting us shower”, Sam added.

“ We all needed it”, Martinez responded.

“ At your place, I received a text. Chief want to see us once we arrive at the precinct”, Leo said, busy with his phone.

“ Seriously, it must be about Ling. Did you tell him she is stable already”, Martinez replies.

“ No. It not something to discuss over the phone. I also have something else to discuss with him”, Said Leo, who places his phone in his laps.

When the finally reach the precinct, the once-active warren of law enforcement officers had seemingly taken a collective breath. The sound of distant conversations and phone rings forms a backdrop that felt overwhelming and invigorating.