My Ex-Boss Wants Me Back

Untitled Episode

Chapter Seven.

TWO WEEKS AGO, LOS ANGELES.

Clyde's POV.

The hum from the city below filtered into the office as I fought hard to concentrate on the documents I was reviewing. Lately, my mind had been roving around quite a lot and I found myself thinking of the fact that I was doing something wrong.

A knock sounded on the door and a head peeped in. It was Neil. Evana had recommended him after Genesis disappeared suddenly. He had passed my interview excellently, and he had proven to be efficient. But he was effervescent, and most times, he overstepped in a bid to prove himself competent.

“You have a minute, boss?”

That was Neil's way of telling me he had something that he thought I needed to know. He never picked the right time to approach me with whatever it is he had in mind.

“Yeah, sure. What's this about?” I asked, dropping the documents I was reviewing. He sat down and began.

“I've been doing a lot of research about expansion, boss. And I'd like us to look into expanding into the San Francisco real estate market. Properties are constantly being put on the market and their locations could ultimately become lucrative spots if they are developed into mixed-use sites.”

The passionate look on his face as he raved on about this potential opportunity made it difficult for me to put a stop to the conversation as I wasn't in the mood for it.

“I appreciate your efforts, Neil. You've done very well. But, it’s a very consuming activity. Branching out into another city. It takes a lot of planning, human and financial resources. Before we're done with all that, most of those buildings you talk about will be gone. Purchased by the companies that are established there already.”

“That isn't an issue, boss,” he said, breaking into a self-satisfied grin. “I looked into all of that, and there are quite a number of Real Estate companies that are open to acquisitions. There's a potential one I actually think you'll be interested in once you look into it.”

He looked at me expectantly, waiting for approval to go on with his research. When he didn't get any, he pulled his last card.

“The San Francisco branch of Chase's Empire recently acquired one of such buildings for a significantly lower price than it would sell for if it was located here in Los Angeles.”

I saw the need to stop him right there.

“I'm not going to venture out into a market that I have not personally verified is profitable, Neil. While I appreciate your efforts, l can't make hasty decisions that may hinder the company from turning a profit. For your troubles, though, I'll look into this and let you know what I think about all of it.”

“Okay boss.” He surrendered, rising to his feet, disappointment visible on his face.

As the door clicked shut, I felt an urge to check out his claim about the property Adrian Chase's company purchased.

Our companies met in auction halls to bid for properties and most times, it always ended in a deadlock. Other companies would look on as both our companies tried to outbid the other for properties.

Even clients sometimes had a hard time picking who to work with. In the past, with Genesis' expertise, most of the clients ended up choosing to work with us.

I scrolled through the news feed of Real Estate Today, the i********: page dedicated to the Real Estate market in the States.

The news of their successful acquisition was first on the page.

“Chase's Empire outbids competitors. Buys Hartwick Industries building for 4 million dollars!”

I scrolled through the news feed, reading how shocking it was that a company that branched out into the San Francisco market just two years ago, won a bid for a building ahead of companies that have existed way longer.

I became uninterested in the news, scrolling back to the top to look at the pictures attached to the news.

It was Adrian Chase, smiling at the camera, surrounded by people who were most likely representatives of Hartwick Industries.

The woman standing next to him with a small smile caught my eyes. She looked very familiar, and I zoomed the picture in.

My heart skipped a beat, and my eyes stared, transfixed on that face that I would recognize any time and anywhere.

The same face that has haunted my dreams for the last two years. I couldn't look away even if I wanted to.

Genesis! She looked more alluring than the last time I saw her. And happier.

Her face had been streaked with tears the last time she scurried out of this very office.

I quickly looked at the bottom of the picture, hoping to hell that her account was tagged in the post.

I lucked out and found her handle tagged, along with Adrian's to the post. @genesis_simone.

I clicked on the handle and tons of her pictures rushed onto my screen.

I blinked twice at the sight on my screen. In all the pictures, she was barely alone. A small boy with her eyes and cheeky smile was always holding on to her hand or sitting on her lap as she showered him with kisses on his face. The picture was captioned with his name –Michael.

Genesis had a child!

Now, I didn't know which was more shocking. The fact that she had popped up on my screen unexpectedly after all these years of disappearance, or the fact that she now had a child.

I scrolled down her page in a frenzy, determined to find out who was the father of her child.

Who had it been so worthwhile for her to move on as quickly as she did, when I could barely go a day without thoughts of her invading my brain?

But, nothing came up. No man. Nobody else except a redhead I knew was Emma, her best friend.

Then, it hit me. What if?!

No, it was impossible.

I scrolled down faster, clicking on random pictures that piqued my interest.

Then, I saw it. The picture of him as a newborn.

I clicked on it and checked the date it was posted. With a loud bang, the phone slipped from my hand and landed on the mahogany table.

It was nine months after Genesis disappeared.

Could she have fallen pregnant on one of those nights?

Unable to think clearly, I did the first thing that came to my mind. I picked up my phone, not bothering to check it for cracks, and I dialed Genesis' phone number.

I listened tentatively, as the phone rang on the other side, sweat moistening my palms.

After trying several times, I realized there was going to be no response.

I dialed Neil's cell phone. He picked up on the first ring.

“Set up a meeting with the executives of the San Francisco company you were talking about. Make sure they accept our offer of acquisition.” I said.

On second thoughts, I asked coolly, to mask how queasy I felt inside, “Adrian Chase attends all conferences with his team lead, right?”

“Yes, boss,” Neil's response came at once.

“Then, be generous with the acquisition offer. We need to have acquired the company in time for the next conference Real Estate developers in San Francisco are to attend.”

“I understand, boss,” he said, and I hung up.

Thoughts of my last encounter with Genesis filled my head and I wondered how I'd approach her when we met.