04

The clock ticked towards the end of day. Working hours were over, but Jerika was a little busy in her office, so she stayed behind for a couple of hours. She knew the rest of the workers would have left already - maybe not all of them. 

After a while, she rounded up and called on Reagan to come get her briefcase. It was his obligation to take her briefcase to the car daily; on most occasions, he even followed her home. 

When Reagan showed up in the office, he had his working glasses on with an iPad in his hand. That made Jerika realize he had been working before she called. 

Reagan smiled at how intact Jerika's beauty remained. Her lips were still red - matted, and her hair was still in even strands. She honestly didn't look like one that had been working tirelessly the whole day. 

"Alpha, are you done?" He asked as he stood in front of her desk. The office was so cold, he felt like sleeping in there all night. 

"Yes. Get the case," she mumbled while fixing the files on the table. 

Somehow, she noticed Reagan's mood wasn't so bright.

"What is it, Reagan?" She inquired, interlocking her fingers on the desk.

Reagan itched the back of his head nervously while staring at the screen of his iPad. 

"Erm.... Actually Alpha, I was trying to see if I could fix it without letting you know, but..."

"What is it?" She cut him off, her voice still cold and domineering as the first time. 

Reagan took in a deep breath, deciding to let it out. 

"It's about the launch date you fixed. You know, the new date. The thing is, that saturday, a different company will be having a launch as well." 

Now, that didn't sit well with Jerika. Her forehead developed cleft lines as she looked at him. Saying nothing, Reagan went further. 

"I sent the new invitation cards to some of our VIP clients, and two of them got back to me, telling me their challenges of the other launch. They said they've been invited by the other company about a week ago and wouldn't want to miss the launch as it would be crucially important to their businesses. It looks like we're trying to squeeze into someone else's schedule. I'm stuck, Alpha; I do not know how to go about this." He explained. 

Jerika dropped the current file she had in her hand and leaned back in her seat. For a while, she was muted as she racked her head around it. Why did there have to be a second launch?

"What's the name of this company?" She asked. And tapping severally on his iPad screen, Reagan presented it to her. 

"It's Winmax Limited," he added, even as she read for herself from the iPad. She scrolled down, reading the rest of the details about the company. She's definitely heard of it, but never gotten to do business with them. 

"They're actually a very big name here in the city, although, we've never done business with them, but a lot of people know them." Reagan explained. 

"Who runs the company?" Jerika asked, still staring at the screen. She wasn't seeing that info there. 

"Oh. Actually, it was founded by by a filthy billionaire - Mr Gustavo. He built the company from the scratch at a young age and ran it efficiently. However, he passed away few months ago, and since then, the company was being managed a director. But recently, his only son returned to manage the company. His son has been abroad his whole life, but returned a couple of weeks ago to manage the company - or something like that. So, I think right now, his son would be the one in charge." He narrated.  

Jerika dropped the iPad on her desk and with the tip of her fingers, tossed it away from herself. 

"This son - what's his name?"

"That's the problem, Alpha, I don't know yet. Nobody knows much about him as he's been more like...hidden the whole time. I even tried asking some of our clients that's done business with them, but none of them has been able to meet this son. According to them, he plans on making his first appearance during the launch and..."

"How do we fix this, then?" Jerika cut him off, sounding uninterested in whoever the might be.

Reagan reached for his iPad on the desk. "Erh...Alpha, I... I think the only way would be to postpone our own launch and..."

"That is never happening," her voice was rasp. "When I want something, Reagan, I get it done."

She got to her feet, grabbing her bag along. "I need you to write an official letter to them. Send out the letter today, so by morning, we'd be getting a response."

"And... what should be in the letter, Alpha?" Reagan's brows furrowed.

"What else? Ask them to postpone their launch date." She began walking out of the office. 

Reagan was muddled. Seriously, how could she assign something that tasky? Why would a company want to postpone their own launch date when it was there in the first place?

Badly, he wanted to argue it out with her, but it wasn't just anyone; it was Jerika Krester. She couldn't be argued with. Disgruntled, he grabbed her suitcase and followed her out of the office. 

...

The elevators slid open and they both walked out. Only very few workers could be seen, roaming around the first floor, and they all lowered their heads when Jerika walked by. 

Her car was already waiting in front of the exit door. Stepping out, Reagan went ahead of her to open the backdoor. 

"Um...Alpha, would you want me to accompany you home today?" He asked with a warm smile, holding the doors open. 

Jerika looked up at him, a scrowl on her face. She noticed his smile, and that irked her. 

"You only go home with me when there are things to be sorted out, I can't remember telling you we had such things today," in an icy tone, she said. 

Her reply was so blunt, it got Reagan embarrassed, but he tried to cover it up with a smile. 

"Uh...that's... that's true. I'm sorry, Alpha," he lowered his head. 

Grudgingly, Jerika went in, and the door was closed. 

****

The ride from her office to her residence was usually a long one. Enjoying the comfort of her car, she sat with her hands crossed while staring out the window. The city was one beautiful one, the uniformed skyscrapers was one thing she loved the most. 

She was so calm and still as she gazed at the cars, people and buildings that they zoomed pass. However, her heart gave a leap when she spotted the gathering of clouds. It was obviously going to rain soon.

Not wanting to see the clouds, she looked away and just closed her eyes.

Her eyes only went open when she felt the car slowing down, indicating they were home. She heaved a sigh of relief, staring at her duplex. The moment the car stopped moving, the driver rushed out to open the backdoor for her, then he took her briefcase as well before she stepped out of the car. 

Her housekeeper had already heard the sound of her car. So, she got the door opened before Jerika got to it. 

"Good evening, ma'am. Welcome home," the young lady genuflected with a smile, offering to take her bag. 

Jerika didn't let her, so she offered to get the briefcase from the driver instead. The driver left afterward, while the housekeeper closed the door. Jerika was already on the stairs. 

"How was work today, ma'am? Were you stressed?" She asked as she scampered behind Jerika who said nothing. It wasn't new or disappointing to the housekeeper. 

"I made dinner for you already, I actually made them varieties. We have some bean soup, maple and butternut squash, some roasted tornips and berry-mint sauce, and some potatoes," she paused and chuckled. "I'm certain you'd love them, ma'am. By the way, I already heated some water for you. So, the jacuzzi should be ready for immediate use. If you need any other thing, please let me know."

By this time, they'd gotten to Jerika's door. Jerika wasn't surprised her housekeeper had so much time to make four meals. The house was boring enough for her. 

Jerika unlocked her door and walked in with the housekeeper who was still dynamic. Jerika's room was just like she had expected - cold and filled with the cranberry fragrance emanating from her purifier. 

While she dropped her bag on her king-sized bed, the housekeeper dropped the briefcase on her dressing table. 

"So, ma'am, what would you like for dinner? How should I set the table?" She asked with a beaming smile.

"You can leave, Isabelle. That'll be all for today," Jerika said coldly, backing her.

The housekeeper turned sullen at once. She always wanted to spend time with Jerika, but unfortunately, Jerika was fond of sending her away the moment she was home from work. It was obvious the Alpha Female enjoyed staying alone. 

"O...Okay, ma'am," she muttered and with a bob, exited the room. 

Jerika brushed her fingers into her hair, and glanced round the room. She heaved a sigh of relief when she found her headset next to her bed. That will do just fine. 

She unclothed herself and went into the bathroom for a jacuzzi bath. And there she stayed for a long time. 

Done, she stepped out in her white robe with her hair being wet. Her light makeup had been washed off, but Jerika still looked as charming as ever. 

She walked out to the balcony of her room, her hands wrapped around her. The cloud was getting darker, she could hear thundering from a distance. Standing at the balcony, she took a nice view at the buildings closeby, and also at her duplex. The compound was large and glittered with colorful lights. Her eyes gripped the fleet of cars in her garage, her swimming pool, and even the fountain fall she had in front of her house. Her duplex was magnificent, no doubt, but it was so boring living alone in it. Well, Jerika hated being alone, but she always wanted to be alone. 

Getting enough view, she left the balcony and went downstairs for dinner. 

Isabelle had already set the four meals on the dining with several empty plates and spoons. Juice and water had been served as well. Jerika dished out the meal she wanted, took a seat and ate in silence. Done after a while, she stood up to leave, but her eyes gripped the sight of the TV stand. She couldn't recall the last time she watched something from it. Sighing deeply, she looked away and took the staircase, back to her room. 

It didn't take long before the rain came pouring down. Thankfully, she was already in her room at that time. The sound of the rain got her traumatic. 

Her fingers shook as she grabbed her headset, connected some music and put it over her head. Only then, was she able to stay calm. 

She went under the duvet and closed her eyes, feeling glad she'd escaped the sound of the rain.