"We have places to go," he informed me and resumed his eating.
I stopped chewing at the new information. I thought I was going home after breakfast, not to mention. I need my fucking wig to be fixed. It was not glued. It would have fallen off if I move my head too much.
"Can we stop by my apartment on our way?" I asked him hopefully.
"No," the reply came instantly without any hesitation.
That bastard!
I thought everything was going great so far, but I judged too quickly. I was doomed.
"At least, can you tell me where we are going?" I tried to get something out of him.
"No," his answer was curt. He didn't even spare me a single glance.
My attempt ended in vain. After our breakfast, I was apprehensive about the upcoming disaster. I hope we were not chased by some goons, this time. My wig would have probably flown away for sure if I attempt to run.
"Have you seen my bag, sir?" I asked him suddenly remembering about my bag.
"Yes, your bag is in my room. Michael retrieved it from my wrecked car." He informed me.
My eyes lit up with optimism, I hope I had something useful in my bag. Thank god, my phone is in my slack pockets. I was keeping it in my slack pockets since I started disguising myself as a guy. The male bottom wear was really comfortable with four pockets in it. If it is a female dress, I had to carry my mobile in my purse.
When I woke up this morning, I received four missed calls and six messages from Arsenio. Today was Saturday, so he will be at my apartment since he could return home during his weekend.
I didn't call him, I just texted him that I was fine and I will be returning home today. But, the way my day started, I was not sure when I was going home.
"How wonderful, can I have my bag?" I asked him with big shiny eyes for which he just raised his eyebrows at me.
"Sir," I added on second thought and he looked satisfied.
"Follow me," he led the way and I followed him like an obedient little girl, in this case, little man. We entered his room and it smelled like him, so manly and fresh.
"Oh, there it is," I exclaimed as soon as I spotted it.
I walked further into his room to retrieve my bag which was lying on his desk. When I turned around, he just stood a foot away from me with his unruffled look. His hands were tucked inside his slack pockets. As I made my way closer to him, as usual, my foot got tangled with the carpet and I tripped.
On reflex, I grabbed the lapels of his blazer with a yelp. My heart leaped out of my chest. Before he could fell on top of me, he wrapped his muscular arms around my waist and pulled me closer to his chest.
My heart was thundering against my ribcage. I could feel his arms flex around my waist. My eyes were completely shut. I could feel his hot breath fanning my face.
"Why are you being so careless? It wants me to protect you," he whispered something. But I was so stunned to listen to his words. As soon as I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was how close he was to my face, his nose was softly grazing with mine.
His dark eyes were connected with mine in an unwavering intensity. He gulped and I could see his Adam's apple, bob, up and down. My stomach fluttered and I felt like I was having my first roller coaster ride.
He shook his head and gave me a confused look as if, he couldn't understand something. He steadied me gently with his hands on my shoulder and pulled away. I was so flabbergasted by his gentleness.
I had never seen him handle anything with tenderness. It almost felt like he cared for me or something? Maybe it was my imagination. My face flushed with embarrassment.
"Could you please repeat it, sir? I didn't hear you, properly." I asked and startled him in the process. He looked like he was in deep thoughts.
"It is nothing," he waved me off and returned back to his usual brooding self.
"And, Mr. Sandros," he began.
"Yes, sir,"
"Quit being so clumsy," he gave me a stern look which made me flush further with mortification.
"I…I'm sorry sir. I swear, I am not this clumsy but lately, I am tripping… a lot." I stuttered, looking at my shoes. I could feel my ears turning red. He gave me a disapproving glare and began exiting his room.
"Enough of your tardiness, let's get going." He ordered me.
"Yes, sir," I murmured and trailed behind him. It was going to be a long day.
************
We had arrived at the dingiest places of all Seattle, which was located closer to the port. The neighborhood looked daring and abandoned. I felt like, I was entering a place where all the illegal things happen in a movie.
But, little did I know that was the case. There were only a few people and they looked like they would kill you without an eye bat.
There were few homes in which the paint was peeling off and they were kissed with cracks and bugs. The place looked daunting. If it was evening, I would have pissed my pants by now. I made myself closer to Jedrick as we walk by the alley. Jedrick raised his eyebrows at me but he didn't say anything.
"Eeek…," I squeaked and clutched onto Jedrick's arm like, my life depended on it when a rat ran through the gap of my legs. I placed one hand above my heart and tried to calm myself.
"It's just a rat, Mr. Sandros." Came, his cool voice above me
"I have noticed that much, sir" I grumbled under my breath and cursed the petty creature back and forth for scaring the hell out of me.
"Can you tell me why we are here, sir?" I asked him as my eyes scanned the area for any incoming danger.
After making sure that no more rodents were going to attack me, I focused my eyes on him. My boss looked down on me as if, I was a measly peasant. And from the look on his face, I knew, what he was going to answer me.
"N…."
"I want to know!" I cut him off in mid-sentence and demanded an answer.
I crossed my arms under my chest and glared at him as if, I was challenging him to refuse, answering my question. I didn't know where this sudden act of boldness came from.
But I knew that he was not going to hurt me anytime soon. He was…nice to me? He looked at me with amusement. I could see his lips turn upward with a slight twitch to it.
"I would have never guessed that you have it in you to question your boss,"
Was he teasing me?
Of course you dumb girl, he was making fun of you. My nose flared with annoyance. I felt like punching him, but I restraint myself from getting myself hunted by a group of thugs. I took a deep breath and strained my neck to look up at him.
Curse his height. It seemed like he was enjoying my little outburst. I probably, looked like a toddler, throwing a tantrum at him.
"Would you be kind enough to answer sir?" I gritted out with a very fake smile.
"That's much better." I raised my eyebrows expectantly at him.
"We are here to take care of our guests." He replied and we both entered an old pub. His answer was not clear, it made me more puzzled than before. I decided not to ask him further, so I just nodded my head at him.
As soon as I scanned the pub, my breath was knocked out of my lungs. I had dealt with many cases in my journalist career, but the thing related to this man was always spine-chilling. It was not just any pub; it was filled with thugs and strippers.
There were few men chugging their alcohol in one go. Some were being pleasured by the strippers on the couch. Some were fighting among themselves. The place looked chaotic and I scrunched my face with discomfort. Even the strippers looked daring and menacing.
I felt like a stupid lamb jumped into the lion's den to poke fun at it.
We passed through everyone and my boss took a seat opposite to a guy, who was accompanied by two women. I sat closer to Jedrick, not wanting to be left alone in this ungodly place.
His face had a long scar that starts from his left eyebrow and ran down to his jaw. He was bald and his entire body was covered with tattoos except for his face. He was so buff. He looked like a real-life hulk, except for the green skin.
I gulped with anticipation.