Bright Future 2

Chapter 20

Dera woke up earlier than usual and slipped out of the bed quietly to avoid waking her P.A. Considering it was weekend today, and she had less work to do, she had decided to exercise her body to keep it fit since it had been a while. Dera would've loved to go on a normal run, but since she wasn't yet familiar with the neighborhood and for safety reasons, she opted to go to the gym. Shrugging into her gym clothes, grabbing her earbuds and the hotel's magazine guide, she slipped out of the room noiselessly and left for the gym.

At the gym, Dera awed men [including women too] with her compelling beauty. Anyways, she paid them no attention as she gingerly began her exercise, indulging in: squats, crunches, light-weight lifting, skipping etc. About two hours later, she was certain she had accomplished the business of the day and she left the gym, drying her sweat with a towel she got along the way.

Dera trudged across the reception room wearily, the energy expended during the exercise taking it's toll on her. Her body was now beginning to ache her even. As she sauntered across the foyer, she began to recognize a vague figure at the far end of the foyer, leaning against the reception desk. Out of curiosity, Dera began to approach the strange figure, and as she closed in on it, a small smile began to form on her face. The strange figure was Buchi.

"Hey!" She said with glee, unable to hide her excitement as she spotted the luggage by his side.

"Hi" Buchi chuckled nervously, startled by Dera sneaking up on him.

"Please I'm sorry" Dera apologized as soon as she noticed the uneasiness on his face. "So what are you doing here?" she enquired.

"Oh me? Nothing." Buchi lied, but Dera frowned at him in reply, aware that he was lying. Buchi sighed, knowing that the truth was demanded of him and he gave it as it was compelled of him to. "Fine... my w-wife... I mean Jennifer (he corrected himself immediately, sensing how awkward the situation was) kicked me out of the house."

"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that." Dera apologized sincerely. "Does she own the house?" She asked out of curiosity.

"Well technically and legally, yes. I bought the house in her name after she gave birth to my little tiger, Strength. But she isn't exercising her legal rights if that's what you mean. She needed space to clear her head, so that's why I'm here." Buchi explained.

"I guess you telling her about us wasn't entirely a good idea?"

"I'm not certain anymore." Buchi muttered as he pondered over the question. "Either ways, I'm glad I'm not keeping secrets from her anymore. It's a huge burden lifted." He added.

"If you're trying to make things right, don't you think lodging in the same hotel as me is wrong? Wouldn't it make matters worse if your WIFE finds out about it too?"

"Well it isn't my fault that I fancy this place, regardless of what you two might think. Besides, someone would be upset if I lodged at another hotel..." Buchi was about to finish his statement, before he was interrupted.

"Mr Chairman!" A strange man whom Dera could not recognize called out as he approached them.

"Speak of the devil" Buchi muttered, speaking more to himself as his face contorted into a small frown. The strange man approached the two regardless, oblivious of the thoughts they had of him.

"John" Buchi regarded him coldly, but it was so subtle that Dera nor John himself noticed it. As John approached them, Dera began to observe his distinctive features, noting that he was almost the same height as Buchi. Judging from his hair texture and style, his hasle eyes and fair skin, she could easily surmise that he was a foreigner — and a very handsome one too; probably in his late thirties. John approached Buchi and both men exchanged pleasantries as they clasped their hands in a handshake. From how he spoke, Dera was certain John was English.

"Mr Chairman, don't you think it's time you introduce me to the fine lady?" John implored, smiling at Dera who in turn began to blush from the compliment, considering that it came from a younger person.

"John this is Dera, a client, and Dera this is John, a client too but a friend now. This hotel here, is part of John's many conglomerates." Buchi explained as he introduced the two to each other. As a gentleman, John extended his hand for a handshake and Dera brought forth her's. He bowed curtly as he took her hands and then proceeded to kiss it, in form of a greeting, throwing her a plain casual smile; perphaps seeking to smite her with his charms.

"Okay... if you'd excuse me then — as you can see I'm all sweaty and I need to go freshen up" Dera requested trying to excuse herself so the men would carry on with their business.

"Very well then, but before that... would you mind if I asked you for a favor?" John asked politely, leaving Dera confused as to what favor a stranger could possibly want from her.

"I don't mind... so long as I can fulfill it comfortably?" She spoke, sounding not-so-sure.

"You don't have to worry miss, it's nothing you can't handle." John assured, smiling at her. Meanwhile Buchi was still trying to understand what was going on. "Would you let me buy you coffee tomorrow?" John requested. Dera was silent momentarily as she pondered over his request and after a few thoughts, she consented

"Okay, sure... but where exactly?" she enquired.

"Don't worry m'lady. You get the honor to decide." John flattered her. Dera nodded her head, somewhat excited about the way things were going. As she turned to leave, John stopped her once more.

"Here" he said, handing her his phone. "Your details please... so we can be in touch." He explained. Dera nodded, managing a small smile as she inputted her details in his phone then she left. John couldn't help himself as he continued to stare after Dera; even after she disappeared from view. Buchi had to fake clearing his throat before he returned from his reverie.

"Sorry for that mate." He apologized, chuckling nervously. "I need to go now, but we'll catch up later." He excused himself as he left too. Buchi shaked his head in disappointment then turned to leave before his phone began to ring.

"Hello? Joe?" He called out as he answered the call.

"Yes, Mr Chairman." His secretary's voice came from the other end.

"Any progress so far?" Buchi enquired, causing his secretary to sigh briefly before he replied.

"The damage has been done. But... " he paused briefly as if seeking permission from an invisible body before he continued. "We've made a huge progress in turning the situation to our advantage."

"How?"

"Well since the person behind this has kept himself anonymous, we've decided to write it off before the press as fake and just a photoshopped tool which your opponents have used to fight against you. The story sounds quite believable because it will be assumed your opponents were being petty and decided to attack with a low blow. The only problem here is that the pictures have gone viral and it's quite a tedious task, if not, an impossible one to take the whole thing down. I guess we'll have to add the publicity the pictures have garnered to our advantage somehow... although it's not the type of publicity I had wished for us to gain." Joe muttered. "Either ways, it's a win win situation depending on your point of view." He concluded.

"Thank you very much Joe." Buchi appreciated his effort.

"I'm just doing my job sir."

"Fine... but please, do endeavor to keep an eye on my wife and kids. Protect them while I'm away." He instructed.

"No problem sir." Joe agreed before Buchi hung up.