Beyond Redemption

CHAPTER FIVE

Lena was now a little relaxed. He saw the tension in her dissolving. That was what he wanted. He knew he scared her but he wanted her to feel comfortable enough to brainstorm ideas for his casino. She was an architect after all. A tensed atmosphere wasn't of any help to him.

He smiled at her. "I'm super glad to hear you love what you do. Now, my business proposal for you, Lena, is a casino. I want to build a casino."

"You guys already own a casino. 'The'Eclispe', right?' Why would you want another?" She said enjoying her Foie Gras.

"Do you question your clients like this?"

"I'm sorry. I was out of line." She takes her glass of water and sips.

He continues. "Well, I want to make this particular casino a landmark, something that'll put our city on the map. What's your vision, Lena?"

She clears her throat a little. "Well, I think that's brilliant. But that is one of the reasons I wanted us back at my office so I can show you similar architectural designs and...."

Cutting her off, he said. "I don't want my casino to look similar to others. I need it....Unique."

"No. I meant there might be designs to certain things you might like, Kieran."

He drops his cutleries. "When you think casino. What comes to your mind, Lena? I want to hear your thinking gears churn. What do you envision for mine?"

Lena closes her eyes. She started picturing. Five minutes and all she did was move her head and hands slightly. Kieran had stopped eating and just watched her.

Lena opens her eyes to find Kieran staring at her in anticipation. "I'd suggest a curved, futuristic design that incorporates plenty of glass and steel. The entrance could be a sweeping canopy. Seeing as you wanted something unique....we could design a theater-in-the-round for live performances."

Kieran frowns. "For what?"

"For international and local artists. You could have jazz music....hell even an opera." She said drinking her water.

"That's a lot of crowd." He said thinking.

"That's money. It's a casino. Wouldn't you want it to be crowded?"

Kieran wanted a casino for a different reason all together. He was going to use the casino to smuggle the guns in and hide them there.

"That sounds interesting. What else?"

"We could also focus on luxury amenities, like high-end nightclubs..."

".....I already own a nightclub. Scratch that."

"Doesn't matter if you own ten of it... It'll set the whole atmosphere going. Casino, music...girls."

He grabs his wine. "If you say so. What else?"

She flexed her fingers slightly and that was the sixth time she was doing that. Kieran made note but ignored it. "Let's see...." She closed her eyes again

Kieran crosses his hands across his chest. "What about sustainability? I want this casino to be eco-friendly."

Still eyes closed. She spoke. "Environmentally conscious, we could incorporate sustainable design elements, such as a green roof, solar panels and a state-of-the-art HVAC system to minimize our carbon footprint. I'd also recommend using locally sourced, sustainable materials for the build. I'm thinking a water feature that sets the tone for luxury."

Silence. She didn't hear Kieran's response. Does he not like it? She could suggest other ideas. She opens her eyes to find Kieran smiling not smirking but actually smiling at her. For the first time, she's seen this man genuinely smile. And it's directed at her. She felt her stomach do a happy flip.

He said. "You get flustered real fast and I can tell you're quite shy but when you're in your element.. You go off. Look at you go." She smiles shyly and blushes. "I like the way you think, Lena. What's the next step?" As he starts eating again.

Lena said while eating along with him. "I'll start working on some preliminary designs and sketches. I'm the architect so I'd appreciate it if we used my construction company. I'd begin assembling a team of experts, including engineers and contractors, to help bring this vision to life."

He said nodding and chewing. "I like the sound of that. What about something really unique, something that'll set us apart from every other casino? How about an aerial performance space?"

"An aerial performance space?"

Kieran nods and chew. "You could design a retractable roof or a space for drone shows or aerial performances."

Lena pauses. A drone? For what? "Why would you want a drone show?"

He raises his index finger and Lena waits until he was done chewing and dabbing his mouth.

"Infact, Lena, I'd like to make some... adjustments to the design. Can you create some hidden spots for me? Invisible to the eye. Something known to just me."

Lena said clearly surprised. "Hidden spots? What do you need those for?"

"You can do it, right?" He asks blankly.

"Yeah...but why would you want them?"

"I'll tell you all about it after you sign a non-disclosure agreement."

"An NDA? This sounds serious. What's going on, Kieran?"

"Agree to sign it, Lena. You'll understand soon enough."

She hesitated. "What's the real purpose behind this casino? "

"Not. Your. Business."

She scoffs. "I'll be building this casino of yours. It's pretty my business, I think." Pause. "You're not just building a typical casino, are you?" She asked feeling uneasy.

"Nope. But if I wanted hidden spots?"

She continued, despite her reservations, professional curiosity got the better of her.

"If I were to incorporate hidden spots into the design, I'd suggest using false walls, hidden panels, and maybe some cleverly designed storage spaces. But I have to be honest with you, Kieran... I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable working on a project that'd seem to hoard so many secrets."

Kieran's expression darkens, and Lena senses a hint of menace beneath his polished exterior. He said. "Let's just say, Lena, that this casino will be a front for something much bigger. But, for now, let's focus on making it the best casino in Vegas."

"Okay, Kieran but I'd...."

His phone rings. He uses his index finger to pause her.

"Yes?" He answered.

Lena couldn't hear the other person on the phone with him but from his shift in energy she had a feeling it wasn't a pleasant call.

"I'm in a meeting. I'd appreciate you not wasting my time." He said sounding upset. "What did you say?"

Lena watched him grip on the glass cup tighten and she hoped it was strong enough because it felt like it could shatter at any moment. Her heart began beating fast.

"Where's Tahir?" He growls angrily. "That motherfucker has the worst timing." His grip tightened. He closes his eyes, looks up and sighs heavily. Then spoke. "Where's that damn fool?.....Good. I'm on my way." Then he hangs up and looks at Lena whose eyes haven't left his face for one second.

"Everything alright?" She asked suprising herself with how her voice came out whisper-like.

"No. I have to be somewhere. Let's conclude on this deal." He brings out a blank cheque. "Your price, miss blackwood."

Lena stares at the blank cheque. Who gives a blank cheque? Very tempting but she couldn't take this deal. He didn't seem legit and the hidden spots without reason threw her off. So, Lena pushed the cheque back.

"Kieran, I'm sorry. Your offer is tempting and as much as I'd love to have a new client, I can't take up your project. I don't know why you want hidden spots and whatever it is you're trying to achieve...I don't want me and my company getting caught up in it. So I'll have to refuse. I hope you understand."

Kieran stares at her for a few seconds which seemed very long. Then he chuckles. "Lena, I don't have all day. Your price." He said gesturing towards the cheque.

Lena stands up. "You're very stubborn, Kieran. I'm not going to. You're not going to tell me why I need to build a hidden spot in there. You can find another architectural company."

Kieran stands abruptly earning a little startle from Lena. "You must think I've got all day. I did...After that phone call, I don't." He grabs her by the arm.

"W-What are y-you doing?" She said fearfully.

He snickers. "I'm going to work. You're coming."

She forcefully pulls her hand and backs away. "No. I'm not. I'm going back to my office. I've got things to do."

"And I don't?" He walks towards her and grabs her hand only tighter this time. "Think about how much you'll charge me for the casino on the way. I'll hate to ask what your price is a third time." He said pulling her along.

"You're crazy, Kieran." She said angrily.

"Oh! You have no idea."

Lena was struggling to pull free but she was nowhere close to matching his strength. She felt like a five year old being pulled with very less effort. He wasn't even breaking a sweat.