16. Standoff>Girls stare at me, and I know it’s a stupid plan.“Is it too dumb?” I ask.There is a moment of silence, and I want to hide under my sheets.“It is… bold,” Ira says, finally.“I don’t know how businesses work…. But can we even ask that much?” Natalie questions.My shoulders slump. With girls being skeptical, I am not sure anymore if I can follow through. I need someone in support. The fact that I cannot discuss it with dad, makes it worse. He would have known what to do. I plan to demand for a part-time job with full-time pay and benefits.“What if they offer you some low grade job?”I shake my head. “I will ask for a level 4 or above pay grade that starts from 100k a year.”“But what kind of work will they offer you?”I shrug. “Any internship is fine… It will give me job experience so I can apply at some better place after graduation.” It would be a fucking win-win if I manage to convince the lawyer. To be honest, anything that spares me from a minimum w
17. Neon Oasis>The bus pulls to a stop in front of the Dorm building. I grab my bag and make my way down the narrow aisle. I need to take a bath as soon as I reach my room. It’s Friday evening, and I babysat a 4-year-old who literally peed on my clothes.Yikes.Why do such things happen to me? Not even once, Natalie complained about anything like this. He told me a little too late while we were watching tv. I rushed him to the bathroom and… it happened.The bus leaves and neon lights casting a harsh glow around me slowly fade away. It’s barely six, and it’s dark already. Can you imagine that? This is why I like the long simmer days better.I walk towards my room with useless thoughts looming over my head. I take out my key to unlock the door, but I can hear the music blaring out of my room. Someone is in a good mood today. When I swing the door open, I see Natalie in a sexy and shiny dress with her makeup half done. Ira is carefully applying a coat of lip gloss, and I si
18. Too many drinks>As we walk through the doors of the club, a loud thump of music and energy of crowd welcomes us. The interior of the club is dark, with flashing blue lights. Dance floor is packed with people moving to the beat.Oh yes. Totally worth it.“Mr. Josef would like to have a word with you. If you would please follow me,” the bouncer says, and I realize he hasn’t left us alone. Not yet.I look at him perplexed and then at the girls, only to figure out Ira and Liam have vanished in the sea of crowds. Natalie is a few steps away, trying to find a sweet spot for us to take.“But why?” I ask and he sighs.“I have other things to take care of,” He mutters, but I hear him over the music, anyway. “I don’t know why. He knows you, Right? Please make it quick.”He tries to stay impassive, but I can tell he is annoyed. It must be hard for people like him to deal with stupidity of party-goers all night long.But do I care?Not much.“Please tell him I am not intereste
19. Inappropriate>When I picked up Jessie from her daycare and headed home, I planned to spend my time in peace. Little did I realize it would turn out to be an adventurous evening with a little sprinkle of annoyance. I am busy in the kitchen when I get a call from Jonas.“Can you meet me at Neon Oasis?”“No, I have a child to take care of, Jonas.” I sneer at him.“I have a lead that can help us with our meeting with Callum tomorrow,” he says in exasperation.His statement makes me pause and I glance back at Jessie. She is immersed in playing with her train set.“How did you manage that?” Sometimes Jonas pulls off the unexpected.“No time to ask. I am going there with Patterson. Can you come?”“Fuck,” I mutter. “Are you sure it’s good enough?”“Believe me for once, Uncle!” He stresses at the last word and I shake my head. He does that when he thinks I am treating him like a child.“Alright Big boy. I will be there in an hour.”I shoot a text to Camilla and get back t
20. Interview>My eyes dart towards the door, but my feet stay frozen. “Find me in my lounge if you are serious about the job,” He says, in a low voice and I blink.“Let’s figure out what you have to offer.”My heart skips a beat, and blood rushes to my ears, making it hot. I am not sure if I am offended by his statement or aroused. Something is wrong with me. I should get my head checked. When did I start liking mean men?He takes one more step closer and places his hand on wall above my head. I glance up at his face, speechless. His lips, wearing a devilish smirk. “And to answer your question, little Riley… It’s a men’s restroom. So I wonder what are you doing here at first place?” he says, towering over me. “No, it’s not!” I shutter and my eyes dart around and fall on a urinal. My jaw goes slack. How did I miss that? “I– I…” I shake my head, flushed, unable to process.“Th-The bartender brought me here… I thought-” His eyes darken. He pulls his arm away, and the
21. Garrett>We make our way into the hotel a little later than the agreed time. Jonas stays with Jessica in a suite while I make my way towards the King suite with Raylan and Patterson. I have left my bodyguards with them. I could have left them at home, but I have different plans for today.A guard opens the door for us, and we enter. The room is dimly lit, with a large table in the center. Callum, Garrett and Rose are sitting in the living area. Emma is nowhere in sight. The central table is cluttered with papers and documents. Rose picks up the papers, gathering it at one place. They have been discussing this meeting at the last minute.Does it mean Jonas’ contact did his job and they are unprepared?“Why do you need security, Callum?” I taunt him as I make my way towards them. “Do you expect some sort of ambush?”Although I admit, I have an urge to wrap my arm around his neck. Not that I will give in. After that incident with Riley, I haven’t heard the end of it
22. Shots>I leave the private booth, walking towards the dance floor and bass of music makes itself known again.“Tell me the good news!!!” Ira asks as girls rush towards me.“It’s done! I will sign it tomorrow.”Girls squeal & congratulate me. I am smiling ear to ear. I was so stressed about talking to dad. Now it’s not needed anymore.“I am so proud of you! We need a celebratory drink!” Natalie says, and pulls me to a table where Liam is sitting with his drink. His posture is relaxed. He nods at me.“We should go home… we will be wasted if we drink more…”“Loosen up, for fuck’s sake…. Half an hour. Then we will leave…” She leaves me and Liam alone while dragging Natalie to the bar.I look at Liam, and he smiles at me. “I guess there is some good news?”“Yes,” I tell him, grinning. “I-” I am not supposed to tell anyone. I bite my lips and shake my head.“I won a lottery of sorts.” I have to work hard for the money. But still, I feel happy from inside. The future look
23. Meeting>“Let’s get it started. I don’t have a whole day to waste,” I say as we get ourselves comfortable.“What do you want from Rose?“ Callum asks as he takes out a flash drive case and passes it towards me.“We can discuss my ex-wife later. If we are in a good mood after this meeting.” Which is highly unlikely. Especially for him.I feel the drive between my fingers, then pass it to Raylan. He turns on his laptop to check the intranet drive that caused so many freaking problems.Yes, I had an option to go cloud. But I am old school and I like to keep things offline. Like a secured cloud server, it’s hard to crack or clone a protected drive too. Raylan connects the drive while Patterson taps his fingers on the table, bored. I fix my gaze at Callum.“Did she tell you how she managed it?” I ask, out of curiosity. So far, we have figured out Emma was an ethical hacker, but she hid this information from us.Bitch.I’m sure she was planted in my company. Not by Call