Chapter 4 Double Booked

(Sebastian’s POV)

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I finally arrived Amberose city in a hurry.

Thankfully, I learned of the change in her schedule just before I boarded my flight to Bloom city.

Otherwise, I would waste another day and that might make me fail the promise with my son to spend some time with him.

The company of our opponent was right here in Amberose city. So that damn Akira West was really going to meet them.

I had to get in touch with her before that happens.

What mess had I gone into? I did not remember that I had ever chased for a woman like this. I pretty much hope it would all be worth it at the end.

As my city, Emerald City was closer to here, I still had some time to do more preparation, and being very rushed, I didn't book a hotel but an apartment would do.

A rustic looking building with Victorian fine furnishing. A one-bedroom studio apartment even had a pretty decent modern looking kitchen that was to my liking. And the bed was surprisingly comfortable.

Which finally brought my anger down a bit.

I stared at the table, willing myself to open a file that had the details related to our case and some basic information about that lawyer.

This case would affect our stock price, especially when we were preparing an important project. Only success was allowed, not failure.

So, if this Akira West was indeed the best, I would ensure she will be on our side at all costs.

“Akira West, you better not be trying to be my enemy.”No one ever dared to mess with a Strauss family. This enemy of ours had clear intentions to bring me down, personally.

A little meditation technique would help me calm my soul before the coming meeting with that lawyer. I closed my eyes and placed a hand on my heart. One.. two.. three.. breathe in.. and out.

Months of therapy sessions were something I hope to manage my anxiety and anger issues. Of course, I did it all for my son. I wanted to be the best father for him.

The calmness I felt was short-lived. In the middle of the serene silence I felt, I heard a tiny bell sound that had woke me up from my meditation state.

Who would that be? I was not expecting any visitors.

High heels. A woman.

“Oh, hello. You must be Gustav. My flight got delayed. Apologies for making you wait.” A stranger looked at me while pulling her luggage bag, entering my rented apartment like she owned it.

Who was she? Was this Westin’s doing in getting me a new woman in my life?

“Henry booked this place for me. We spoke on the phone yesterday, Gustav. Don’t you remember?” I raised one eyebrow not understanding a word she said to me in a foreign accent.

I was not sure if it was her hypnotic smile or her eyes that were obviously covered with coloured lenses, she got my attention, in a weird way. My mouth opened but no words came out. Who in the hell was Gustav?

“I need you to leave. I got work to do” waving her hand pointing at the door, she turned around while walking gracefully to the kitchen. Wearing a T-shirt with a blue jeans, she looked like a tourist who was clearly mistaken to think this apartment was hers.

Hey, wait! How did she get the keys to this apartment?

“Gustav –” she turned around to face me and pouted her lips.

“I’m not Gustav” I interrupted her sentence and was ready to kick her out.

This woman was pretty and charming looking but I did not have time to waste with some random woman I just met who clearly was too dumb to not notice this apartment was not vacant.

“What?” her smile with deep dimples on her cheeks faded, “Then, who the hell are you, Sir?”

“It does not matter who I am. I want you out. This is my apartment. Get lost” then, it was my turn to point my finger towards the door. Towering my height over hers, we were so close that I could smell her sweet scent.

She was not at all intimidated by my presence. In fact, she looked up to face me like I was at fault for this messed up situation we are in. “Sir, I paid for this rented apartment”

She pulled out her phone from the pocket of her jeans and shoved the screen to my face, “There. My booking details. You are one confused man”

Confused man? My eyes moved to read the booking at one glance. I swore my eyes were crossed reading those small tiny prints.

I took steps back and scoffed. I had no time for this nonsense.

Reaching out to the inside pocket of my blazer, I took out a stack of cash and threw it on the coffee table, “Take the money, get out. That should be enough, more than enough to get you another place. Out!”

I was sure this tourist would take the money and leave. It would be enough to get her a stay at a decent hotel nearby.

Folding her arms on her chest, she looked at me, “This is my place. I paid for it. You should leave, I don’t care a damn about your money”

“Fine” I took out another stack of cash and added it on the dollar notes on the table, “You want more? I’ll double it, if you just take that bag of yours and leave now”

She scoffed and shook her head. Pointing her finger at my face, she said with gritted teeth, “I don’t need your dirty money. I’m a lawyer, I have ways to make your life a miserable hell”

Oh, she had no idea the hellish life I have been through these past couple of days. Now, I have her to add to the list.

I looked at her from head to toe. A lawyer? She must be kidding me.

She looked more like a lost tourist to me. An opportunist too.

“You jerk! Typical rich man who thinks you can buy anything with money. You disgust me” her tone turned hostile. “Leave, or I’ll call the police. Then, I’ll take charge on suing you for trespassing on this place that clearly is booked under my name. I’ll bring you down. I have work to do, Mister whoever you are. I don’t have time for this. Get out!”

Sue me? A shabby looking lost tourist like her needed to be taught a lesson for disrespecting me, “Do you even know who I am?”

She smirked and wet her lips. She squinted her eyes looking at me. Perhaps, finally she recognised me and finally realised I was a man not to be messed with.

Sebastian Strauss, a name that many would have heard in the news lately for being a successful billionaire and influential with the right business connections. I was sure she would be trembling in fear knowing she had made a fool of herself in front of me.

I gave her a half smile. Waiting for her to apologise.

“Oh yes, I know you. And your type. You are a man, arrogant with thoughts that you are better or more important than others. Successful man, who feels proud of your achievement that you think you deserves to have. Egocentric, definitely, thinking that you are the centre of the universe and only think about yourself before others. Patronizing to those who you think are beneath you, especially woman” she moved forward and said in a whisper, “Behind that camouflage, you are alone and sad. A coward who thinks he could own anything with money. You are wrong, Sir. Money can’t buy everything”

I gasped. Did she just insult me?

“Yes, I know you, Sir. Your kind are many out there” she took steps back, “I’m calling Gustav, then I’m calling the police.”

Did this woman just insult me?

“Watch your tongue. If you know who I am, you would know I can make your life a miserable one”

“Bite me” she mocked me again and started talking to a man called Gustav commanding him to come over. I too took my phone and called Gianna, the landlord that gave me the keys to this rented apartment.

I heard her talking to Gustav in a language that were spoken by the people living in Bloom City. When my line got connected, I shouted at Gianna and asked her to come up and settle this shit soonest possible, I did not have time for this mess. I had an appointment to go to.

She then placed her phone on the kitchen table, so did I.

“Alright, Mr Arrogant. I don’t have time to waste. Gustav will come up and settle this matter. Pack your things and leave. If you touch my bag, I’ll haunt you down make you regret for ever knowing me. I expect you gone when I get back”

“Who do you think you are?” I yelled at her and had enough of her attitude and disrespect about me.

That woman took her phone and handbag before walked out from the apartment without looking back. I followed her from behind but then bumped into Gianna who stood at the door, “Mr Strauss, we will clear this mess. Don’t worry”

As Gianna was explaining to me about the double-booking situation, I could hear that woman talking to a man that would probably be Gustav.

I heard him called her Miss West.