2: his smart move

"What makes you so eager to get her? Dude, she's not even Stella!"

Raven's voice filled the whole conference room. From standing between seats, he pulled out a chair and occupied it.

"She looks a lot like her. If I can't be with Stella anymore, at least have someone looking like her," Kai raised his left brow at Raven.

Raven rolled his eyes. He's now close to believing his friend had gone insane from yearning Stella.

"I thought you're smart? Why don't you just move on?"

Kai's brows creased. He felt insulted by what he heard. Raven made it sound like he's gone stupid for not being over his past lover.

"You know what? Get out," Kai pointed to the door with an irritated face, still.

Raven massaged the bridge of his nose. What runs in his mind is how Kai is not growing up. Kai still doesn't want anyone blocking his life choices, no matter how bad it is. What's right in his mind is automatically right. No one shall tell him what to do.

"Didn't you hear me?" Kai once again spoke after the seconds of silence. He just wanted to throw Raven out if he'll just contradict him.

"What are you gonna do to Liana after?"

A smirk flashed on Kai's lips. Raven's already weighing his plan, which will lead to agreement.

"Hire her as my… secretary? I just want her near, but I don't wanna commit," Kai shrugged. From missing Stella, he came to have another impulsive decision.

"You have an excellent secretary, Kai,"

Kai chuckled as if the reminder was funny to him. "Then fire her. That easy, Raven! Don't think too much of it…"

In the end, Raven had no choice but to give what Kai wanted; Liana's information. As detailed as possible.

"Here," Raven boredly puckered his lips on the laptop. Kai got up from leaning on the swivel and dragged the laptop close to him.

Inside the ten minutes, Kai studied every information Raven provided. From her elementary teacher job, to her little brother diagnosed with leukemia.

"Let's go," 

Raven's forehead creased watching Kai get up and walk to the door. "Where are we going?" Raven asked as he put his laptop back to its bag in a quick manner so he could follow Kai.

"To Liana," Kai replied before he let go of the door and it closed. Raven muttered a curse as soon as Kai disappeared in his sight. He then rushed to the door.

"Hey, bring this to my office," Raven said to the random employee they walked past. The guy nodded politely and took Raven's bag.

"We're going right now?" Raven asked. Kai's sudden decision didn't suit right to him. Or maybe Kai is just being impatient like what he normally is.

"Yeah. The sooner we get her, the better," Kai nodded to himself as if he's a genius to think about that. They walked inside the special elevator, as what Raven calls it. It's made only for Kai and upper people, because he doesn't like to crowd in in normal elevators.

"Excuse me, do you know someone named Liana Garcia here?"

Being a worried friend, Raven asked for Kai. The great Ellis was just standing there, waiting for information to get out of the security guard's mouth. 

Kai does talk to people too, if he has to. In today's case, Raven just panicked that he'll sound rude to the older man.

"Ma'am Liana? Yes. She's a teacher here," The old man nodded with a friendly smile on his face.

"You could've just told us where she is. So where is she exactly?" Kai crossed his arms. His impatient tone and face caused a sigh to Raven.

"Ah, on the third floor of that building! Room twenty two, I think,"

Without a word, Kai walked to the room pointed by the guard. Raven cussed under his breath and said a quick thank you before following his friend.

"So impatient. You could've been nicer–"

"Shut up," Kai cut Raven off with furrowed brows due to the sunlight hitting his eyes. "Didn't you bring an umbrella?"

Both noticed the eyes darting in their direction from they first stepped in the school until they reached the twenty second room. Raven felt proud of his face meanwhile Kai doesn't care.

Kai grinned at himself in victory. There was a short haired lady seated on the teacher's table, writing something. There was no one else but her.

A single knock on the door caught Liana's attention. It caught her dumbfounded as her eyes met Kai's.

Confusion and shock hit Liana in a flash. Her number one question is why is he there? It has been a week since she saw that face. She almost even forgot about what happened.

She didn't know how she walked herself in front of a grinning Kai. Her feet just brought themselves to him.

There's Liana's face again that makes Kai long for Stella more.

Knowing they had to talk, Raven excused himself wordlessly. Liana threw him a single gaze as he walked away.

"What are you doing here?" Liana asked in a low voice, almost a whisper.

"I have something very important to say. Let's talk about it inside,"

Kai started walking in, leaving Liana with no choice but to follow him. Kai smirked. He knows after making the girl curious enough, she'll want to talk more.

"What important do you want to say? Can't you just say it quick because I'm really busy–"

"Not possible. I have many things to discuss,"

Kai roamed his eyes around to look for a  possible chair near the teacher's table. He found none. He was forced by himself to sit on the plastic arm chair in front of the table. Liana sat on her swivel without leaving her eyes on Kai. Kai smirked at how invested Liana looks in the 'important thing'.

"I'm currently looking for a new secretary, and you're the best candidate for it," Kai started. He clicked his tongue annoyingly due to the uncomfortable seat. The chair is small for him.

"What are you talking about?" Liana tilted her head, totally confused.

Liana looked at Kai like he's some maniac. His presence, and everything he says doesn't make any sense.

"I said I want you to be my secretary," Kai repeated in much simplier manner.

Liana scoffed. "After almost sleeping with me? What's your qualification? Someone you barely tasted?"

Kai replied, "No," The qualification is a face similar to Stella, and Liana is the best possible one.

Liana put her palms in her cheeks. Her brain is scrambling from tons of questions she has yet to say. Just like "How did you find me? How did you know I'm working here? How am I the chosen secretary when we don't even know each other?"

"Can I just say I chose you because you're my type?" Kai chuckled. "Don't get me wrong. I studied your background, and found you're qualified,"

"But I have a stable job–"

"I'll pay triple," Kai confidently cut Liana off.

Kai smirked as he observed Liana's surprised face. He feels the money can convince Liana. Hence, his money is actually beneficial to use for Stella's copy pasted face.

"Liana Garcia, work for me,"

Liana looked up quickly, her face flushed with annoyance. Kai's voice filled with authority and demand.

Liana must admit; the triple pay was such a clickbait. The only problem is Kai. He's too bossy and cocksure.

"Sorry, but no,"

Kai's jaw clenched. Instead of dismay, he felt mad. He's used to having everything he wants, but Liana just refused him. His ego was stepped on. He just couldn't believe it.

"Name your price,"

Liana closed her fists under the table. She felt even more insulted. Kai just treated her desperate for money, and it's offensive for her.

Kai raised his brow at Liana, challenging her. But what he did flamed Liana's anger. "Just get out," Liana angrily, but calmly said.

Kai's brows met in confusion. He couldn't understand Liana's reaction. For him, what he last said is even inviting. Every mid people loves money. Why is Liana getting mad at him for offering money?

"What?" Kai confusedly said.

"I said get out, Kai. I don't want you and your money,"

***

Liana let out a long heavy sigh just as her back felt the swivel chair. After a long day of teaching and making new lesson plans, all she could think of is sleep.

Not until her eyes caught an unfamiliar black handkerchief on the first row armchair. She reached for it and saw a name elegantly etched on the handkerchief.

Kai Ellis

Only for a moment did she realize that it was not an unfamiliar one at all, that it was owned by some strange man named Kai Ellis.

She stared at the fabric for so long with angry eyes like it was Kai who she's looking at. She was only cut off by a phone ring.

"Hi," She waved on the phone. Although she's tired, she's glad to talk to her family again. There's her mom holding the phone, her fourteen year old brother beside wearing a blue hospital gown being fed by her father who's on the other side of the bed.

"How are you there?" Her mom asked, fixing her eyeglasses. Her mom isn't that old. She looks fifty four; exactly her age. Though some white hair and wrinkles are already visible.

"I'm doing good, don't worry. How are you guys there? Samuel?" Liana raised her eyebrows to her brother.

"I'm alright!" The teenage boy showed a thumbs up with a friendly grin. "Papa and I are playing basketball these days,"

"Pa?" Liana furrowed her eyebrows. She suddenly felt worried. Her brother has a heart condition. Those activities shouldn't be done by him.

"We're playing online through the phone!" The father explained then got back to slightly scolding the playful boy who just kept laughing. Despite his condition, he still remains in a light mood all the time.

Liana nodded, feeling relieved. "How's your heart, little guy?"

"The doctor said he's responding to the medications just fine. Though sometimes, he get tired really easily," The mother answered for Samuel. The guy kept nodding as an agreement.

"Don't hesitate to tell me if there's something you guys need,"

"The money we're receiving from you is already enough, darling. Worry about yourself there. Do you have a boyfriend to take care of you?"

Liana scoffed playfully at the sudden topic made by his father. Samuel became loud teasing, though his mother made him behave, reminding that he cannot be too hyper.

"I don't. I'm fine handling myself,"

"It's still better to–"

"Hep! I'm fine alone! Don't worry, Juancho!" Liana showed her palm as a gesture to calm down. Her father laughed.

"Let your eldest have a boyfriend whenever she wants!"

Liana laughed at her bickering parents. It didn't last when someone wearing a nurse's uniform opened the curtains.

"Ma'am Sandra, your monthly hospital bill," The male nurse said. The phone was quickly handed to Samuel as Mrs. Sandra talked to the nurse away from the phone.

Liana sighed. Her mother didn't want her to hear about the bills. Though her parents offered to pay even just the bill, her father's work as a technician won't be enough to cover it all. They cannot even get Samuel a private room. The boy still stays in a public but curtained bed, which can be exposed to different bacterias. The private one is too pricey for them. Liana's salary is only enough for medicines, monthly budget and hospital bills, plus her own bills and rent.

When the video call ended, Liana thought about Kai's offer again. She took a deep breath. If it weren't Kai, she would've grabbed the job offer without doubts.

Liana leaned over her table to reach the black handkerchief. The fabric is too cottony for her palm. And it smells like a billionaire man.

Liana has decided to keep it for it looks so expensive to just throw away.

***

"Mister Chavez, good evening,"

Kai can be seen standing beside an enormous glass wall that allows him to see the city from it. Despite the cool air coming from the aircon, his body is only covered with a bathrobe. His one hand is holding the phone and the other a wine glass containing a red wine.

"Good evening. May I know who this is?" The old man from the other line responded.

Kai smirked. "My identity is not important. Let's talk about your failing casino, instead,"

"Ellis,"

"How come you recognized me?" Kai chuckled. "Anyway, I have some things to discuss with you. There's a teacher in your school that I want you to kick out immediately,"

Kai knew the man couldn't refuse him. Well, he plays the game too well. Offering help to different business owners isn't bad at all. It ends up with them owing him, and him making them useful whenever he wants to.

Chavez's long and deep breath was heard from Kai's phone. Kai continued before he could even speak. "Your flopping business will grow. Just do what I say,"

"What's her name?"

Kai smirked. "Liana Garcia,"