Chapter 3

Gabriel

I got to work earlier than usual probably because the pills didn't do its work. I walked into my office and buried myself in some of the work that I couldn't finish yesterday. My phone rang and I already know who the caller is without even checking so I ignored it. A text came in few minutes after the ringing as expected so I opened it

        I miss you son... Just wanted to know how you are doing. Rachel was at the house yesterday, she extended her greetings... Call me if you can. I love you

I deleted the text as usual without replying. If she misses me as she implies she knows exactly what to do.

The door to my office opened and Persefoni walked in looking smart in her red dress and black heels. She smiled at me just as she dropped my cup of coffee on the table.

"Good morning sir"

I stared at her in confusion "how did you know I was in the office already?"

"I saw your car parked outside"

Is she serious right now? "You saw my car outside?"

"Yes sir, so I decided to fix your coffee before coming to meet you"

I relaxed back on my seat "I decided to park my car in the parking lot today so my car isn't parked outside. How exactly did you say you knew am here?"

She blinked rapidly "I saw a car that looks exactly like yours outside so I confused it to be yours"

Why the hell is she lying? "Am the only one that drives a Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport in this company Persefoni and its too early to have a visitor in the building so am going to ask you for the last time, how did you know I was here?"

She bit her lips "when I walked in here, I perceived your cologne so I knew you were in the office" she looked at me through her lashes "am sorry I lied, I just thought it will be kind of embarrassing to say I can already identity your cologne in the air"

I was already tired of questioning her and tired of her lying to me, so I didn't correct her that I didn't apply any cologne because I was allergic to them. Whatever she said she perceived was definitely not mine so I switched to business related matters. 

Searching through my drawer, I presented a file to her "take this file to Miss Clay once she arrives, tell her to sign it and bring it over to me herself"

She nodded as she took the file "okay sir. I'll get your schedule for today ready"

"Free my lunch; we will be having lunch with a client"

She pointed towards herself "we? You mean am going with you?"

"Aren't you my secretary?"

She laughed nervously "yes sir I am, I'll just go free your lunch"

I watched her leave my office with a huge smile on her face. I guess it takes little or no effort to put a smile to her face.

My sister never returned the file and when I asked Persefoni if she delivered the file to her personally, she said her secretary collected the file from her since she is yet to come to work.

Immediately the long hand and short hand stroke twelve, I left for the lunch meeting together with Persefoni. I guess the lunch is going to be strictly business since am having lunch with my cousin who happens to be a distant one or so I like to believe. For reasons unknown to me, I am a little distant from them all the way from home, even before that incident.

"So who are we having lunch with? Because it isn't on your schedule"

"You're in no place to ask me about my meetings and who am meeting with"

"Am your assistant" she mumbled

I turned my sharp gaze to her "you won't be for long if you don't keep your mouth shut"

"That wasn't meant to come out loud"

"Just shut up Persefoni"

She made a show of zipping her mouth and putting the key in her purse. I shook my head at her childish behavior and I opted silence as the best option.

We arrived at the restaurant a little early, so I ordered us wine. Five minutes later, my client/my cousin walked in looking like he owns the damn restaurant.

"Hello Gabriel" he ran his gaze up and down Persefoni's body. "Who's the lovely lady?"

"It's Mr. Washington to you and that lady is my secretary"

He sat down on the seat closest to her "drop the formality man, am Peter to you Gabriel, so please stop"

I leaned in a little closer to him "if you want me to hear your business proposal Peter then we will have to keep this meeting strictly business"

"Are you also like this with Gabriella? Or is your new found formality just for me?"

"Gabriella is family"

He barked out a short laughter "and what am I then? A stranger?"

"Right now, you are a business man looking for some company to partner with and later, we'll figure out what you are?"

I expected the fucker to become upset or serious but he grinned instead

"Let's just get to business Gabriel"

I nodded and he commenced with his presentation. He kept on talking for God knows how long while Persefoni kept on taking notes.

"So what do you think about the proposal Gabriel?"

"So you want to merge our names for a year then we go our separate ways right?"

"When you talk like that you make it seem as if it's a bad idea"

"Just answer the damn question Peter!!"

He smiled "so much for formality Gabriel. Yes that is what I mean"

I stood up from my seat and Persefoni followed suit. "I'll get back to you after consulting my lawyer"

He stood up too "you mean Gabriella?"

"That isn't any concern of yours. Have a lovely day Peter"

I almost walked past the door when I heard his damn voice again

"Why are you making your parents so unhappy Gabriel? Why are you distancing yourself from them?"

"Don't" I gritted

He stepped closer "don't what Gabriel? Tell you the fucking truth to your face? Come on man, the fact that you still have any contact with Gabriella is because she is persistent, because she is the one constantly and stubbornly reaching out to you"

"What's your deal Peter? Why this sudden interest huh? You never gave a fuck about my family so what's with this new found interest!!!"

He stepped closer to me "oh please Gabriel...I attend every fucking family dinner!!"

"That's because your father told you to and because you are your father's fucking puppet"

I felt someone's hand on my arm

"We need to leave sir, everyone is beginning to stare"

I pushed her hand away from my arm as I stormed outside the restaurant. I walked straight to my car and got in. I looked out through the window expecting to see Persefoni rather I saw a small crowd gathering around someone that happens to be Persefoni. 

I opened the car and ran out, pushing people out of the way to get to her and when I did, I saw her bleeding through her nose and ears and she kept uttering words that definitely isn't English.