Saving Ms. Bad Girl

C H A P T E R – V: THE THORN HAS BEEN PASSED

C H A P T E R – V: THE THORN HAS BEEN PASSED

“

The red rose whispers of passion, and the white rose breathes of love; O, the red rose is a falcon, And the white rose is a dove.

John Boyle O'Reilly

JAMES LINDEN

MARCH 15, 2017

I have been here for quite some time and it’s better if I’d inform my mother of my engagement with Amary Anthur, despite that this will be good for our business this will set me to hell maybe for the rest of my life. Today, I will accompany Amary to the Anthur’s building, it will cause an uproar so probably I have to contact my mother.

I dialed my mom’s number, “Hey son, what’s kicking? What’s up with you and Anthur please tell her I am sorry for her loss” I heard her guzzle as she spoke, probably drinking wine again.

“Anthur,” I said, “I’m marrying her” I heard her spitting whatever she’s drinking.

“What? Are you serious? I mean, yeah that’s good business wise but son, we never pushed you to marry for our business” she said quite angrily,

“No mom, her father asked me to marry his daughter, it was a wish he asked, before he was shot we talked then he asked me to get to know his daughter in a hundred days and if I decide that she’s not of my preference then I can call it off.” I replied trying not to make her over react some more.

She left out a sigh, “The Anthur’s, I heard a lot about them, I just want you to know that I cannot fully entrust my son to a Anthur disregarding that they are really impressive with the standing of their business. I’m not sure what you entered son, you know, I will always be supportive whatever your decisions are.” She said to me as if she was also giving me a warning, I left out a sigh,

I needed to lie, “I was just at her birthday party because there might be suspicious men who’ll linger there, Mr. Henry Anthur and I happened to converse and he said I am his ideal man for her daughter it just so happened that due to twist of events he died that night and I can’t just disregard a dead man’s wish mom” I replied in a reassuring tone,

“Go on, there’s nothing I can do about it son. Just, you’d cause an uproar in the business world, be ready” I nodded as I responded, “Yes mom, thanks for the trust”

“No worries James, you are old enough and smart enough to understand all what’s about to happen, I wish you good luck and I hope to meet her soon”

“Thanks mom, I will tell her. It will surely boost our company’s stocks so be ready,” I chuckled, despite that my mom seems unsure, she does love money,

She giggled, “Okay son, just don’t marry off without a heart. f*****g doesn’t need a heart but loving does. f*****g only needs protection not to make anyone pregnant or spread std’s, ew, but the heart needs protection not to be impregnated with memories that will cause you pain.” Wow mom,

“That’s deep” I said, I chuckled as I responded,

“Well, that’s how love is, love is just bound to cause you pain in the end” she replied as I heard a clank, wine

“So do not be surprised now and inform George of it too, I’ll be going to Anthur’s board meeting with Amary. An uproar it is, for sure so don’t be surprised anymore, thanks mom” hmm hmmm,

“Be safe son, that’s a lion’s den” I guess my mom also knew of the Anthur’s shady business,

“I will,” I ended the call and just as I did someone knocked at my door, the phone call ended.

“Come in”

Amary entered, she just took a bath, wearing a robe, and her red hair looks like blood red as droplets of water fall from the tips of her hair,

“Hey, good morning” I said,

“Yeah, so you already know that we are going to our company building right?” she said, I nodded,

“You will not speak, please just be there, we have to show a powerful aura to those fucktards,” oooh, language.

“Great, no problem with that, but can you somehow give me documents which will help me learn about your business even just a bit,” I replied,

“No problem, I’d give you some later once we come home” I nodded,

After an hour, it was already 9 in the morning, I am already dressed in a suit and tie, black and white is my color combination,

“James?” Amary said from the other side of my door,

“Yeah?” she went in, wearing a black pencil skirt and a white fit blouse, her hair tied up in a ponytail as it was straightened and falls to the mid of her back,

A black strapped heels, or whatever you call it,

“Jewelries?” I asked,

“I kind of suck in choosing what to wear” she said shyly, I mean she looked excellent really but she has to impress the people out there of her wealth,

“Let me help you then?” I said, she nodded and made me follow her to her room then to her walk in closet,

“Here is my set of jewelries, all hand-picked by my mother,” I looked down to where she’s pointing at to show me a beautiful and extravagant set of jewelries, but something caught my attention more than anything else,

A set of gold and red ruby, a simple collar necklace with thin golden strap where a small red ruby stone resides, then earrings, and a simple cuff like bracelet,

She looked at me,

When I look at her my heart felt like it was going to get out of its cage, “Let me help you wear this one” I said, she nodded as I grabbed the necklace from the case,

She placed her hair to the side as I help her put the necklace on, she gave me a faint smile as she grabbed the earring, I sat down to the couch and watched her as she wears her earrings,

“Damn bro, is yo heart holding?” Levi spoke almost giving me a fright,

“f**k you” I replied while acting as if I was cleaning up my shoes.

I heard them all laugh in unison, fucktards,

“Hey you okay?” Amary asked as I got up awkwardly,

“Yep, let’s go?”

She nodded as we made our way out,

“You gave me a great choice of jewelry, it matches very with my simple clothes” I smiled as I looked at her from head to toe,

“You look excellent today Amary, except for the cigar you are holding” she chuckled as she annoyingly huffed the cigar and puffed the smoke on my face, I rolled my eyes,

“That’s the last one today,” pointing at the cigar, she gagged her tongue out like a kid,

“No, daddy” she replied to me in a mocking way,

“Good morning Amary, Good morning Mr. James” Caleb said,

“Good morning Caleb, when is Spotty going to come home here?” Amary asked, well who the hell is Spotty?

“Spotty?”

“Yep, Caleb’s gift to me, a dog, it’s a Pitbull” she replied enthusiastically,

“That’s very nice, where is it?”

“It’s still on the vet, trying to complete its first shots, maybe it will be home later this day” Caleb replied,

Amary nodded and signaled me to walk closer to the car, I opened the door for Amary before Caleb even tried,

“From now on, if we’re not attending any formal events I will be the one to open the door for Amary and I will be the one to assist her” I said emphasizing the word I, I saw Amary’s cheeks turn a bit rosy, I’m not sure if I’m imagining it or it’s just because it’s quite a warm day today,

Caleb responded to me in an okay bro, way as he raised both his arms stressing that he’s hands off Amary. Amary signaled Caleb to go to the driver’s seat, I opened the car door for Amary then she entered,

“You are becoming the boss of me,” Amary retorted with a chuckle, she opened the window half open and started igniting the fire to lit another cigar, I rolled my eyes and before the fire even kissed the tip of her cigar I grabbed the lighter leaving her speechless,

“Seriously James Linden?”

“Seriously, Amary Anthur”

I chuckled as she raised both her hands in defeat,

“You’re driving me crazy, Linden” she commented as she closed her window and gave me a sarcastic chuckle,

I did not make the issue even bigger when she might just shoot me in the head for annoying her, this damn red head girl has a fuming short patience,

“There will be tons of paparazzi for sure” Caleb suddenly commented,

“That’s for sure Caleb,” Amary replied as she rubs her forehead indicating her stress,

I suddenly remembered one instance when I was spying over Amary from afar, she came out from a bar and a paparazzi kept on taking her picture, she suddenly grabbed the man from his shirt and gave him an upper cut,

I smiled remembering how bad ass Amary is,

“What are you smiling about, you crazy?” Amary waved her hands in front of my face and I was startled,

“Nothing, I just suddenly remembered something” she gave me a disappointed smirk and flapped her back,

After a short while I saw the building of the Anthurs,

Gray and almost all glass, silver and black combination makes the building roar in power,

As the car parks in front of the entrance, guards stopping the media from blocking the way, I got out of the car and the crowd went silent, I opened the door for Amary,

I think I really needed that silence too,

She looks so perfect in her white blouse, her red hair pulled up, as if I wasn’t able to see her a while ago, she raised her brows on me and smirked,

“Stunned there Linden? Don’t be deceived by the beauty of the fire in my head, it might burn you” she whispered to me when I extended my hand and she grabbed for it as I helped her come out of the car,

The media was going crazy at the sight of the Linden and the Anthur together, two of the most powerful names in the business industry,

“When will be the marriage?” shouted one paparazzi, then that was when the people started going berserk over the image of us together,

I was supposed to ignore the questions but then Amary stopped in the middle and smiled at everybody, they became silent,

“I will be holding a conference two days from now, that’s when Linden and I will answer questions, right love?” Amary tangled her left arm to mine and placed her right palm to my chest.

I smiled and nodded,

The people became more ecstatic, I wonder what Mr. Black thinks of me right now, I haven’t reported a bit to him.

“You are so dead,” Levi said over the earpiece,

I chuckled, damn I am

Amary and I started walking to the building, I have entered this building hundred times as a spy but not as a regular human being,

“Why are you chuckling?” Amary almost gave me a fright as she asked,

“I just find these reporters quite funny,” I haven’t been involved with business since I started to train for this job, all that people know is I am Mr. Nomad rich guy who whores around for the past three years that I haven’t been in the spot light,

“They’re in a hurry to know how the hell I ended up with you, considering you aren’t the direct heir, you’re a w***e, and that you’re basically someone who seems like a no one but rich as f**k” she chuckled as she tried to mock me, I gave her a haughty smirk,

“Yeah yeah, speak for yourself. It’s not like I wasn’t able to see your drunk pictures on tabloids, I was once in Paris visiting a friend happens you were there as well and I saw you drunk and wasted but your red hair was too scary to approach.”

She rolled her eyes,

“Hmmkay Linden” I chuckled to her response,

A lady was approaching us as we walked towards the lobby of the vicinity,

“That’s Aria, my father’s secretary who will of course be my secretary, people here in this building who are employed knows nothing about Pharmakeia, only those who are in the house, the Earls and our buyers are the ones who are informed, but the people here? Not a single person.” I nodded,

“Got that” Levi said,

“So, Caleb is like your secretary at Pharmakeia right?” she nodded in response,

“You have a lot to learn but don’t worry here in our business it’s not very difficult” she gave me a warm reassuring smile that made my heart feel a bit cranky,

Damn the cliché on this,

“Amary, it’s so nice to see you and I am sorry that I wasn’t able to attend your father’s funeral. I know everything that happened had been such a rush, I was in Switzerland visiting my family since it was my grandmother’s 90’th birthday on the day of your birthday, I am sending my deepest condolence to you my dear.” Aria said the moment she approached Amary,

I saw Amary’s eyes went a bit teary, I caressed her back without really wanting to caress her back, damn.

I awkwardly and sluggishly removed my hands from her back and placed them to my pocket,

“I understand Aria, thank you so much and it seems that I’d be relying to you starting today.” Amary smiled and her then left out a sigh,

“By the way, the news is very noisy so you probably know about James Linden” Amary introduced me to Aria,

Somehow, this person seemed like a double-faced to me but I don’t really want to assume, but I kinda believe first impression lasts in the job of being a spy,

“It’s nice to meet you James” she extended her hand and so I did for a shake,

“Pleasure is mine,” I responded as she gave Amary and I a wide smile,

“Way too wide for a smile eh?” Levi commented, I blinked slowly three times which sends a message to my team without me speaking to make them search for this person’s activities,

“Turns out she’s a writer, she wrote To Execute the Eagle which was published 2 years ago, quite a hit tho, why is she still in that field?” Levi commented,

“Wait, are you the writer of To Execute the Eagle?” I asked to somehow make a good impression to her,

“Oh, wow, yes I am,” Aria responded excitedly,

“You read?” Amary asked with her brows meeting,

“Ugh, of course?”

“It’s a pleasure to know that my story has been read by you. I have worked for this company for over 10 years and I just couldn’t leave the job” hmm hmm,

“Quite a good alibi” Levi said,

“Yes, now she’s going to help us and her knowledge about Reich is enough to make us feel aghast,” seems like Amary trusts her too much,

“Very well, it makes me feel more delighted to meet you” I replied with a fake smile.

“I will be escorting you two to the former office of Mr. Henry, of course the meeting will be starting at 10am sharp and your future plans on settling down might be questioned by the board of directors” Amary rolled her eyes as we all walked towards the elevator,

“28 floors,” I said,

“Yes, it’s my father and my mother’s date of wedding anniversary, they got married on the 28th of March that’s why there are 28 floors”

But come to think of it, a person who worked for a certain someone for almost 10 years if I was that I’d probably do anything to attend the funeral. She’s already rich enough so for sure she can afford the flight tickets,

She’s staying for a reason,

But I must go along with Amary’s trust on her, for now.

“28th Floor, door opening” says the elevator,

The door opened as expected, I looked around to see a wooden table on the right side and a huge wooden door on the left, north of it as a glass window overlooking the view of Nashville,

“Beautiful view” I commented,

“I know” I looked at Amary whose eyes seems a bit teary, she changed her gaze quickly to the door and smiled keeping the tears from falling.

“You okay?” I caressed her back,

hmm hmm, she took a deep breath “Yep, I am. No point at being sad now right?”

I cannot help but give her a faint smile, because no matter what she’s now an orphan. She’s got no family,

“Amary, James, here will be whoever will take over the company. I do hope it is one of you” she said, why didn’t she say ‘I hope it’s you Amary?’

Amary didn’t seem to notice at all, she was too fixed being nostalgic over her father’s office. I guess the job’s on me,

“Board meeting for Anthur will probably be held at around 2pm this afternoon, here is going to be the content,” she handed us a clear folder, “the board will probably give you a month to prove yourself, including you James, that the both of you are qualified for this” she said, her tone made me feel like she’s rooting for us but just like I said, two faced, my guts says,

“Her husband is part of the board” Levi commented,

“Is it alright if you’d give me a copy of the board members? It will also be a good start for me. I of course will probably be this company’s largest stock holder by the end of the year” Amary and Aria’s eyes both squinted,

Of course I have to use my ace card, if Henry wanted to protect this company for her daughter then I have to make sure Amary will win every game to make her the champion,

“Largest? What do you mean by that? I don’t get it” Amary responded,

“Are you sure you’re gonna do that?” Levi commented,

Hmmm hmmm, just enough for Levi only to hear.

“I have my own company and the second largest share in our own company and your father basically asked me as well to invest to this company so you being my wife in the future wouldn’t be a big problem to me. You’ll have,” pointing at Amary “we’ll have the largest shares. You will be the CEO of this company while I am just an investor who has his own business. They will have no problem with us” I approached her and held Amary’s shoulder blades.

I saw Aria take a deep breath as I spoke, she probably noticed. Game is on then,

“Aria, we’ll be waiting for the list. Thank you” She was speechless and couldn’t add anything anymore, she ended up nodding and looking at both of us as she departed the room.

“Just so you know you need not to explain how this company goes, every company does the same it’s just that the product changes but the whole process everything is almost the same, Reich? You need nothing to explain about it to me, it is only the P word”

Her eyes squinted she gave me a malevolent smile and nodded her head sarcastically which actually made me chuckle,

“Yeah you’re right, this business is just for front happens that it became successful” Amary sat down at her late father’s chair and took a very deep breath.

“This is the real war,” she added looking outside the window.

“Would you like to eat something from McDonalds?” I asked her and she smiled like a little kid being offered a lollipop.

“That is an excellent idea!” she winked at me, SHE WINKED AT ME,

I’D BE DAMNED,

“She f*****g winked” Levi commented almost speechless,

Amary grabbed her phone and started calling, she mouthed “What’s yours?” I said “Double Bacon Smokehouse Burger and a medium fries” she replied with a thumbs up and another wide smile,

“You are going to be dead, because me I’m just watching and I admire her already and you f*****g inches away from her? It might be impossible not to be in love with the lady” As Levi said those words my eyes gazes from the floor to her beautiful smiling face,

It was the first time for me to see her beautiful smile,

A jolly her,

A bit after she finished her enthusiastic way of ordering Aria gave a knock and she entered with the list of board members,

I signaled her to give it to Amary, after all, I am just an investor who wants to profit from this company.

As Amary looks into it her brow raised,

“We’re missing one board member, hmm, I think your husband’s name is missing has your husband removed his shares?” she asked politely,

“Ohhh, I believe he is planning to, we’re planning to go and live a quiet life at Switzerland” she replied nervously,

“Of course, Switzerland” Levi said, “Nope, ain’t no plan like that, no house bought named under them”

“Oh that’s interesting, when are you guys planning to leave the country” I falsely fervently replied with a smile.

“Maybe in three months or so, we bought a house there already, near my grandma’s”

Cunning lady,

“What is your husband’s name again?”

“Martin Sherly, well we both have worked here for 10 years, even before this building was even built. It was when everything was almost at the edge” she said with a smile,

I’m sure she knows more, she probably has an idea about Pharmakeia,

Before things got more heated up the delivery for our lunch came,

“Oh here comes McDonalds!” Amary clapped her hand happily,

This is why she can’t be the queen of narcotics, she’s way too damn cute!!!!!

For the love of God,

“Please have your lunch, your father must’ve been shrugging his head if he sees you eating that. 2PM sharp at the meeting area on the 27’th floor.”

As soon as Aria left the room, Amary removed her shoes joyfully removed her heels and then sat at the couch where the delivery was placed in the coffee table in front it,

“Ohoookaaay” I chuckled at her silliness,

“What are you waiting for? Seat down!” I took a deep breath and sat in front of her as she enjoyed her Buttermil Crispy tenders, not one but two orders of it. I munched through the burger I ordered and then suddenly she started laughing,

“What?”

I probably got dirt on my face

“You got tons of sauce on your face,” she grabbed some tissue and approached me,

“Come here you little kid” she wiped the dirt on my face,

“Speak for yourself, who got all hyped up because of McDonalds?” we both laughed our asses off,

I guess this was the part her father wanted to protect, the still pure side of Amary’s heart.

Later after eating it was almost two in the afternoon already, she prepared and made sure she’s presentable at the board members which includes investors and those with position in the company.

“How do I look?” She asked,

“Excellent, now go and do your thing” I almost wanted to smack that as but I just damn had to hold the damn horses at the edge of my fingertips,

We arrived at the meeting hall and seems like everybody are all happy to see Amary. I guess they do underestimate her.

“Amaryllis Rose Anthur” she said followed by a deep breath “Your new CEO” the board members all whispered while some started to slowly and awkwardly clapped their hands and sooner all clapped their hands in unison,

They sure would like to overthrow this Queen.