Chapter 6: I Need Cash!

On the other hand, Andrea is gasping for an air and her palms suddenly perspired when she was able to reach the parted parking area nearby the gateway. 'Andrea. Inhale! Exhale!' She repeatedly whispered while she keeps on calming herself. 'Ahhhhh... Andrea why did not you control yourself from his taunting?' She screamed as she keeps on stomping her feet. She was indeed pissed off by his taunting because if he would not criticize her appearance, then he would criticize her clothes. “Who is he to criticize me for my looks and clothes? So, what if I'm like this, he has no right to make fun of me. He criticized me twice instead of being grateful that I took care of him; that I didn’t run and escaped from that car accident.” She said infuriatingly.

Andrea closed her alluring eyes for a moment; literally subsiding her emotions, and when she opened it - she immediately looked up to see the sky. She beamed to see the good weather as it indicates that the storm was gone. She slowly approached her motorcycle and before riding, she slowly turned around and looked up at the center in the second floor of the 3-storey stair-apartment building. The second floor is divided into 3 chambers and they were staying at the middle one. When she perceived that there’s no single shadow of the person she was being pissed off, she then rides on her motorcycle and drove to deliver her customer’s order. Actually, she will deliver personally her goods if it’s within the vicinity of the city, and would send the parcel through a courier if the location is far and distant.

Nevertheless, inside the apartment, Miguel is secretly looking and peeping at Andrea through the curtained glass window. His lips curved up as he was amused watching her like a troublesome child stomping on her feet. “What she’s doing? Tsk! Tsk! I guess she was very annoyed.” He slowly chuckled as he interpreted her actions. He was bemused looking at her talking to her own self.

Suddenly…

“Shit!” he fretfully cursed as he abruptly hides when he noticed her turning around and looking up into his direction. After a while, he peeked at the window again to see her riding on her motorcycle and is ready to leave. When Andrea was completely gone from his sight, with grimaced, he repeatedly shook his head because he can’t believe that he’s slyly peeking for someone! That is definitely not likely him at all.

Hanging around, Miguel hastily apprehended that he was now left alone. He has an ample time to anticipate for his plans. Consequently later, he called someone who to him was like his own brother.

***

“Jessica, tell the creative directors, financial and budget department, and the event planning department to convene in the conference hall at exactly 9:30! Inform them ahead that I want to hear directly from them the checklists and updates about the company’s upcoming celebration.” Marcus commanded his secretary before he squeezed himself inside his office room.

“But, Sir – you have a scheduled appointment with Ms. Fuentes at 10:00 AM.” Jessica reminded him as she paused from being a keyboard savvy. She’s encoding a letter when her boss stepped in.

‘ring… ring…’

Marcus words are interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He was mystified by who is his first caller at that very moment, so he grabbed his phone inside his pocket and suddenly, his face shows befuddlement when an unregistered landline number flashed in the screen. Though, it’s not his thing to answer unsaved contacts, but thinking about Miguel, he chose to press the answered button as he glanced his secretary; responding, “Reschedule my appointment with Architect Fuentes at 3 PM.” After that, he entered at his office and closed the steel door behind him.

“I need cash!” Miguel immediately proclaimed.

“Miguel - it’s really you!” Marcus thought. He silently confirmed to himself the moment he heard Miguel’s voice.

He settled first on his swivel chair as he chuckles and quipped, “I can’t believe that’s the new trend of saying ‘hello’ now on the phone, man! Much more, I can’t believe that my rich cousin is asking money from his employee.”

“You’re not an employee! You are a Jackson - the excellent Architect, so you’re as richer as me. Besides, you know that you're not just a business partner, but more than like a brother to me!” Miguel answered frankly.

“Whoa! You flatter me, dude. What did you eat and you've only been gone for three days, but you seem-like to be talking sweetly now huh?” Marcus finds an opportunity to tease him.

On the other line, Miguel rolled his eyes as he replied, “Cut the crap, Marcus! I really need a cash. So, hurry up and give me money. I have cash in my vault at the office. Passcode is mom’s birthday.” He declared decisively. “Let’s meet and bring that one. I’ll tell you where I am but make sure no one is following you because it’s not yet the time to enact the plan.” He added straightly. His deep voice brought chills to the other person in the line.

Marcus took a deep breath before speaking, “You know what? I have a meeting today, but okay – okay! I think I could still make it on time.” He glanced the time on his wristwatch as he added, “See you Dude, Bye!”

Without further ado, Marcus has exited his office and was about to walk past his secretary when he was stopped by her, saying “Sir, your uncle - I mean the CEO has arrived and he would like to meet you in his office now.”

With his brow creased, Marcus immediately replied, “Call his assistant and inform him that I’ll meet his boss after I come back. If uncle will call you to ask where I’ll be heading, just tell him that I have an urgent appointment. It’ll be quick. I’ll come back in an hour.” He didn’t wait for his secretary’s response as he already walk-away.

***

Miguel looks so refined and elegant with his legs crossed. Even though he’s wearing a simple shirt with a bandage on his right arm, but it didn’t condense the prevailing sensation and fine-looking features he always possessed. He was now sitting in the couch while waiting for Marcus’ arrival. He already gave him the address and instructed him to call the apartment’s landline as soon as he arrives. Three days ago, he already turned off his cellular phone and he has no plan to turn it on again, not until with his situation because he doesn’t want to ruin his plan. He doesn’t want the police officers to track and trace his whereabouts. He didn’t even plan to use his black card, neither went out and withdraw at the bank because he’s certain that either among the local officers, detectives, armies or his enemies are finding ways to track and locate him. Actually, he’s planning to cooperate with the uniformed men, but not until his plan would be a success.

A ring from the landline has stopped Miguel’s silent thoughts.

“There he is.” He thought. He’s certain that it was already Marcus. Thus, he gets himself into the landline, waiting for the person next line to do the first talk. When he hears Marcus’ voice blurting out that he was already at the area, he then immediately gives him the finest direction and instructed him where to head and turn to, so he could find the building he was into.

“Oh god, man! Is this really where you temporarily lived? Are you sure you’re okay and comfortable here?” Marcus said shockingly as soon as he arrived inside the apartment where Miguel used to stay. “The whole house is just as big as your master bedroom and walk-in closet at your owned penthouse.” He remarked additionally.

“Where’s my money?” Miguel replied instead, ignoring his comments.

“Here!” Marcus said as he gave him the black bag formed like an attaché case. “I’ve seen your Rolex watch in your office too, so I bring it with me. Who knows, it would be useful in the future. Here!” He added as he grasped out the million dollars worth of wristwatch in his pocket and gave it to him.

Miguel accepted the mini bag full of money and his wristwatch that he left behind at his office during the night he leaves the company and had an accident on the way.

“Thank you. You may leave now.” He said after he received the cash and watch from him.

“What? It’s that it? You will kick me out now? I didn’t even survey the whole house yet, and... I still haven't check on you.” Marcus protested.

Miguel smirked as he adjusted his seat and replied, “What else do you want? You saw me fine, didn't you?”

“You know what? You’re becoming grumpy again. Don’t you know how I’ve become so dramatic in front of Aries - that cranky personal assistant of yours so I could get out your money without him noticing me?” Marcus said. He acted like he’s broken.

Miguel gently laughed at his cousin's act, so he replied, “I’m on the track of getting fine. My caregiver is good. So, I’ll be fine. Now, go away because she might be on her way and would be home now. I don’t want her to see you here.”

“Go!” Miguel commanded aloofly again when he saw his cousin is still on his spot.

“Alright – alright, I’ll go! But, are you sure you’re really okay here? How about that woman taking care of you? Are you sure she’s reliable? Marcus asked in defeat and out of concern.

Miguel suddenly became silent. He was in deep thought, ‘Can he really trust Andrea and her friend Trina? Won't the two of them harm him if they find out who he really is and what really happen to him?’

“She’s harmless.” Miguel replied the moment he caught Marcus intently looking at him with his bemused expression.

Basically, Miguel thought of Andrea as a good person despite of her freaky stances. A month ago, right in front of him, he remembered vividly that he once saw her on the highway helping a blind man crossing the street when the red light is on. Now he experienced her gentleness at first hand. As for Trina, he doesn’t know her, but knowing them as housemates and friends, he convinced himself that she is good as well, because if not, but with his background? Well, he could actually easily dismiss them at Brixton city.

“Alright, you said it then! So, I’ll take my leave now because I still have a meeting at the company and your dad wants to talk to me as well.” Marcus acknowledged. When he saw Miguel furrowing his brow, he added, “I assumed it has something to do not only about you but also with his position in the company. I’ll call you after our chat.”

“No! Don’t call me. I will call you. I don’t want the ladies to receive your call, so just wait for my call.” Miguel retorted abruptly.

Marcus left after confirming Miguel’s words and ensuring his safety. He glanced at his wristwatch and recognized that it took him almost an hour to discover Miguel’s whereabouts and had a conversation with him.

Marcus has started the engine of his car and slowly move forward when his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, his heart skips a beat to see the registered name flashing on the screen.

‘Grandpa’…