Chapter 4

HOT OR COLD- PICK A SIDE

“What took you so long? We need to be at the Hotel Subsidiary in fifteen minutes. I don't know if you are aware, but I really detest when people don't keep to time.” These were the first words my Boss said to me immediately I got into the car.

I wanted to flip him off in my head, but I remembered that sometimes one had to learn to be the bigger person. If there was one thing I was learning on this job, it is the ability to be patient because Ryan pushes all my buttons.

I took a deep breath and said, “You might not know this since you have a driver who takes you everywhere. The transportation to that place is quite weird and buses are inconsistent, so I had to run to and fro to get your coffee which you told the receptionist to tell me to have after the hassle I went through to get it.”

“The coffee was always for you. I need coffee to start my day and I thought you hadn't gotten yours because you came in late, so I assumed you overslept. I told you it was mine so that you'll prioritize the importance of getting it. I also told Freddie it was mine so he wouldn't compromise the quality.” He explained.

“Why didn't he just say so?” I said it under my breath, low enough that he didn't get it.

“So, you don't have a car?” He asked in a typical ‘wealthy’ person fashion that if not that I sweated bullets on his assumption that I had a car and he sent me on a ‘Journey of no return’ because he assumed everyone had a car.

“No, I don't. I am a starving artist that pumps every money I get back to my craft. There is no way I could have gotten a car.”

“Hmmm... I can't have that. I require speed for my P.A. I am going to give you a company car so that it's easier for you to attend to things and you come in late less. I would hate to hear a ‘I missed the bus excuse.’ This evening a car would be delivered to your address.” I wanted to protest but he said it with a tone of finality that I knew not to.

I turned to the window as he began tapping on his iPad signifying the conversation was over. I peered at his screen stealthily and noticed he was replying to emails. Not wanting to seem less busy, I picked up my phone too. I replied messages from Rainie and Annie on how my first day was going to which I said— like I was hell's keeper, if you don't know what it means, bad. Then I saw the time on my phone was 8:45a.m and I remembered the message I got last week from the I.T team about letting them know if I wasn't going to be in the office today. I sent a quick message, letting them know that I wasn't around as I went for field work and I'll let them know of my availability.

“We're here.” A voice interrupted my game of home scapes. I looked up and noticed that he was looking at me again like the day of the interview— as if he was trying to place where he knew me from or I possibly had something on my face.

“Do I have anything on my face?” I asked, touching my face lightly with my fingers. I wished I listened to Rainie about always having a compact mirror in your bag as a lady and I accused her of being vain to always want to stare at her face. Now, I knew she was right.

“Oh, no you don't. It's just that...” He started then shook his head, “Never mind. Just come out of the car and let's get going. I don't want the Director here to find a reason not to be available in his office because our coming is an ambush. He is one sneaky rat. Always has a trick or two up his sleeves.” With that he was out of the car.

“He's wise to avoid you. I would do so too if I were him.” I muttered and got of the car. When I stood on my feet, I felt a sharp pain at the back of my legs possibly from running with tight stilettoes. I tried not to wince as I stood. 

I waited until Ryan rounded the car, he started walking towards the building. I took a step and that was when I winced visibly. I felt the pain in my core.

“Any problem?” He turned back, obviously hearing my wince.

I thought to tell him what was wrong, but I realized since this morning all I have been is a basket full of excuses.

“Oh, nothing. I stepped on a pebble. Let's go.” I smiled and he nodded as I forced myself to take steps after him. Every step was painful until I got used to it.

As we got inside a lot of people were bowing to him like those Korean CEO Dramas that Rainie forces me to watch sometimes. For a moment I remembered Celebrity and wondered if he took of his shoes himself too.

“Hello, Joyce. Brian is in his office, right?” Ryan said as we got to the receptionist desk.

“Yes sir. Do you want me to tell him you are here?” She grinned at him. Wow! Another Fan-girl. They must see something in him that I don't. 

“Oh, no please. We both know Brian. The moment he discovers I am here, he'll find a way to vanish. We'll hurry up now before one of the workers here will slip up and tell him I'm here. I don't want to miss him.”

With that said, we walked to the elevator, got in and Ryan punched in the floor while I stayed behind him like a dutiful P.A.

The ride up was quiet apart from the quiet hum of the elevator. When we got to the designated floor, we got out and got to what seemed like Brian's office. When we opened the door, we were opened to an uncouth sight.

Brian had a lady on the table who was unclad from her upper body down to her waist. Then her leather skirt was bunched up and her legs were spread apart on the table while she moaned loudly. Brian himself was trousers down and well, in simpler words they were having sex. Funny thing though is that they didn't hear us come in. Another funny thing was Ryan immediately used his left hand to close my eyes like I was a child he was shielding from the world's immorality. Unconsciously a chuckle escaped my lips.

“What in the world is going on here?” Ryan bellowed, his voice going up a number of decibels. It did the job as the two lovers tore apart from each other.

“Does your office perhaps look like a brothel where you bring your flavour of the week? What if I was a potential investor, this is the sight I would walk up to? You didn't have the decency to even lock the door you doofus.” Through the crack of his fingers that covered my eyes I looked at his face for his reaction. His face was blank, I couldn't register any emotions on them. My brows furrowed in confusion. I would be angry if I walked in on one of my directors having sex in one of my hotels that was rated as a Five Star Hotel. But his face showed none of those emotions. Perhaps, were they friends? Is that why he didn't show any anger?

The lady hurriedly came down from the table after the shock of getting caught wore off. She hurriedly wore her bra, and snatched her chiffon shirt off the table and rolled down her skirt. The Brian in question got down lazily from the table and buckled his trousers. It was only after this that Ryan's hand came off my eyes. It seemed this was his first time doing this because I could still everything through the cracks in his fingers. I looked closely at the said Brian and I noticed he looked like he was high on something and now I knew why Ryan planned a surprise visit. He was the poster boy for an incompetent worker.

“Do you work here Miss?” He asked the lady, as she tried to exit the office. She nodded meekly whilst looking so sorrowful and pitiful like she was going to burst into tears any minute.

“Were you coerced into sleeping with him?” He asked so suddenly that I gasped in surprise. You can't just ask a lady if she was forced to sleep with someone with no consideration for her feelings. The lady's expression mirrored my own, before she shook her head.

“So, you both willingly had coitus in the office when you both work in an hotel where rooms are available? I am bewildered by your unprofessionalism. I advise you start looking for another employment because from this moment you are fired. When the period of proper information by the labour law elapses, your dismissal letter would be processed. Please, see yourself out.” He concluded with his usual tone of finality.

The lady burst into tears and ran out of the room like an animal whose tail was on fire. I felt like calling her back to console her but I knew Ryan would definitely not appreciate that.

“You have no right to do that Ryan.” The Man said.

“It's Mr. Ryan to you. Also, just because you are under my Father's umbrella doesn't mean you are untouchable. You know me and what I can do to you. And you can also be sure that I would do it without batting an eyelid.” Ryan told him, his eyes steeling. I could feel tension coming from Brian's side, but Ryan still remained as cool as a cucumber while saying all these things. Does he not feel emotions or maybe it takes time for things to faze him?

“Yeah, whatever. Why are you here anyway?” He asked rudely.

Once again Ryan didn't even feel shocked. Was he used to this rudeness or was I the only one overly sensitive?

“I heard that you treated two customers who came here for their Honeymoon badly. So bad that when they complained about the bad treatment, you said poor people don't have a choice. Simply because they said they saved up for months to be able to come here. I had the Human Resource department give me that as a report two days back.”

Brian shrugged nonchalantly and said, “They were unbearable and I couldn't stand them. Complained about every little thing.”

“I don't think if I am served cold spaghettini by the Kitchen I won't complain. Or if my key card doesn't work anymore and what the director tells me is I could sleep in the hallway and not disturb his precious sleep I would be so pleased. You know what? I can't stand you too, but here we are. If you don't know already, I am a meticulous person and I hate people like you because I call them loose ends. You know what you do with loose ends? You snip them off. The reason I am letting today go is because of my Father, but if you don't get your act together after a month's time, I am going to cut you off, regardless of the hailstorm my Father might rain.” He stalked out after that declaration with me practically limping behind him.

I limped all the way to the car, trying not to make my discomfort so obvious. My toes felt botched up and I knew that my feet would be a bit bloodied up at some places because of how tight my stilettoes were. I can't believe I let that storekeeper convince me that 36 would be the perfect size for me when I knew very well that I wore 38.

The drive was silent except for Ryan's tapping on the screen. I didn't even pretend to be busy this time around because my feet hurt too badly. Not wanting to look unprofessional, I didn't remove them in the car.

When we arrived at the office, I looked forward to getting to my desk and finally removing these death contraptions I called shoes when Ryan burst my bubbles.

“I need you to go to the file room, check for a file labelled B. Falcon Enterprises. It's at the top of one of the ten shelves in there, bring it to me.” Then he left my side and entered the elevator.

I groaned and went to the receptionist to seek for directions. As a sweet guardian angel, she gave me directions patiently.

When I got there, I showed the security my card and after that used it to gain access to the room. Immediately I got there I kicked up my shoes and got to work. Forty minutes after, I got the document and was feeling relieved from the pain the shoes brought. I willed myself to put my shoes back on and I went to my floor.

When I got to Ryan's door, I knocked and entered inside after hearing him say “Come in.”

“The File Sir.” I said.

“Yeah, you can drop it on the table. You are dismissed. Just sit at your desk until I ask for you or until it's time for you to clock out.” He instructed.

“Okay sir.” I replied, dropping the document on the table and exiting his office.

When I got to my table, I noticed a box I didn't see there when I hurriedly passed to give my boss the file. I opened it gingerly and noticed it was a black pair of flats. I checked the size it was a 38 and I saw a little note.

The note read: 

Another thing I hate is when people do the thing called wincing. Next time don't wear tight death contraptions as I need my P.A on her feet and at her best always. Looking at your feet I knew there is no way you are a 36, so next time, buy your shoe size. 

R.F

Who exactly was Ryan Falcon?

The way he spoke to the lady and guy minutes ago felt so mean and emotionless.

But doing this for me shows a sweet side.

I hated when people blew hot and cold.

Ryan Falcon, please pick a side.

*************

“I want you get my suit from the drycleaners and bring it to the office. I am tied up at the office and would be unable to make it there and I have a flight by 6:00a.m. The dry cleaner is waiting for you at his laundromat. I'll send the address over now.” These were the first words I heard immediately I picked up the call, sleep still laced in my eyes.

I looked at the nightstand, it read 3:45a.m. Who in their right sense would be calling me by this time and talking gibberish about laundry?

“I'm sorry, you have the wrong number.” I said sleepily preparing to hang up the phone.

“Violet, isn't this you? You are my P.A, so of course I can't have the wrong number.” The voice said.

“You must be crazy and think I am stupid to fall for a cheap prank. I am no one's P.A.” I replied, yawning very loudly, sleep was beckoning me and this person was the only stumbling block to that desire.

“Violet Sanderson!” The voice bellowed jolting me out from sleep and fully conscious. I rubbed my eyes quickly replaying the conversation. My eyes widened when I realized I just called my Boss stupid.

Why don't I have filter most of the times? 

I must really be losing my mind.