Welcome to Paris
"Why? Just why?" Tears surged out of her eyes. Her heart was in pain, she couldn't untangle why she had to be the one on the suffering side.
"I'm sorry, Alisha. I failed again…"
She let the tears cascade down her cheeks. She knew it wouldn't be worth trying to prevent them.
"Miss, the flight is about to take off."
The flight attendant hesitatingly told her. She saw Esther whimpering and weeping nonetheless she didn't have any other choice but to prompt her for the seatbelt.
Esther inferred the cues of the attendant and slipped on her seatbelt. The flight gradually sped up and flew up into the sky.
___________
"Carl, he is not qualified enough for you to award him such a deal in exchange for my mistake", Alex spoke out after the huge mess for the first time.
The old man felt his head would soon burst off as it was close to reaching beyond its limit.
"Sir, what are you saying?" Carl, the manager of the Seaside Hotel, played along with Alex.
At first, Carl hadn't noticed Alex when he appeared. His brain got immersed in solving the prevailing adversity inside his restaurant that he didn't take any glance around.
However, now that he finally observed, he saw his college friend, Alex.
Carl and Alex used to be classmates during their university days. They studied in the same university and had the same major. They graduated with flying colours. Carl prefered to be into Hotel Management while Alex had an interest in the business. Their paths got separated from then on, yet they didn't expect to meet again.
When he stared at Alex, he got dumbfounded and momentarily lost his concentration. Although it hardly were for a few seconds.
It was similar for Alex too, hence he used this chanced meeting. He subtly winked at Carl and as his once friend, he got the hint. Carl deciphered that the old man and Alex had some unfinished business from the tonality of Alex's voice. It entwined with bitter hostility and resentment.
Carl was surprised at the way Alex scowled whenever his eyes fell upon the old man.
"What am I saying? Manager, you should implore it from this old man." Alex pointed as his face grimaced.
"Who are you? What right do you have to criticize me? I don't even know you."
The old man roared in outrage. He wondered what he had seen in the daybreak since today came across to be his disastrous day.
"Of course you won't know of me as you belong from a low tier while I am someone who you would think of infinite periods before you talk back if I unveil my identity but I won't since I pity you and your brain which is smaller than a pea," Alex snickered when he watched the rapid changes in his facial expressions.
The old man's face twisted further. He couldn't fathom why he felt a bone-chilling aura radiating from Alex.
It wasn't his fault that he didn't realise the man, who stood ahead of him.
Like his devil CEO, he liked to keep his individuality under wraps. He wasn't a fan of attention. Alex believed fame brings along a barrage of problems and he doesn't have ample time to squander them.
The old man snorted arrogantly, "If you think so highly of yourself then why are you bothering to meddle with my issues."
He didn't know him nor was he interested. He thought that Alex only knew how to bluff and nothing more. He glanced at Alex's attire which appeared to be less valuable.
"Huh… you are talking as if you are a CEO or an assistant of a known celebrity." The old man scoffed when he got sure of his prospects, as Alex merely sought to look good.
"Hahahaha… So Mr Thomas is judging me based on my outer appearance and clothes. Well, I am not upset as I already predicted." Alex shrugged. Other bystanders laughed at the ridiculing of the old man. They could perceive the mocking tone of Alex for the old man as he had a typical mentality.
The old man felt his cheeks warming up with shame. He felt humiliated yet he didn't back down.
"So what if I am? I am not the one to poke my nose in others matters."
"Mr Thomas, sadly and certainly for you, but that is how I am." Amusement danced in Alex's eyes perfectly hidden behind his glasses.
Carl couldn't wrap his mind around the whole foreign situation, he got stuck with.
The old man, Thomas shut his mouth and grit his teeth using all the left patience within himself. "Does this honourable hotel allows to reside mentally retarded men?"
He couldn't fathom why an unknown stranger bickered and nagged at him as he had wronged him.
'Since you love to exploit and take advantage of people in need. I'll teach you the lesson of your life that you won't forget again.' Alex sneered as he recollected his memories where he found about Thomas's illegal works. It irked him. He didn't even imagine. Then Alex's eyes moved to the old man's companion, the young girl wearing a tight and short bodycon black dress. It emphasised her curves and slender legs. The dress had a deep cleavage, also it showed that she didn't wear any bralette but had pads.
The girl had fiery and smokey eye makeup, her lips painted with a red matte lipstick. She had pinkish blush applied to her cheeks, giving her a natural blush look.
She was the same girl, who had confidently presented the project in the morning. During the morning, Samantha was sporting a sophisticated and elegant appearance. After her startling encounter with Maria, she realized if she wanted Felix to fall head over heels for her. It would be best if she rather not act like a horny prostitute.
Alex itched to tell her that Felix knew her dark past and her family. So it won't do any better if she changes herself and becomes a new leaf overnight.
'Hehe… My Devil CEO had fallen in love with a mysterious lady.' It brought a smile to his face.
'Flowery days are coming. Now he won't have time to torture me.'
Alex adorned a silly smile on his handsome face and without knowing that his attitude had broken the walls of a girl's heart.
'He looks heavenly.'
'His smile can give a girl nightmares for a lifetime as she can't get over it.'
'I must be lucky. As I got the luck to see him smiling so beautifully.'
Her lips arched in a curve.
"Sir, you are crossing your limits. You should realize your words and actions won't be overlooked." Carl was getting a severe headache from the nasty and unpleasant behaviour of Thomas.
"Haaa…. Why are you pointing at me every time? Or is this retard your friend? I think it must be that."
Thomas's gruff voice broke Alex out of his fantasy. Alex clicked his tongue and the sound of it was heard by all.
Alex marched over to Thomas, "It would be in your benefit if you get that stinky ass out of this restaurant at this very instant. This is me being polite, nevertheless, you can't comprehend my decency. I have other ways. Also, say hello to your boss. We will be meeting him soon." Alex had leaned down to Thomas's height and whispered in his ears.
Hearing Alex's commanding voice, Thomas got goosebumps. Initially, he wanted to argue with the manager and get Alex thrown out of the hotel after he had begged him for mercy yet when he heard his powerful and authoritative utterances, it communed to him that the man he was confronting is not simple.
He paid attention to his voice and words and as if being struck by lightning, he moved away from him.
"Sorry, Sir. I am apologetic for my ignorance."
"I'll go right away."
"Wait."
Alex spoke up, "But before going you should apologise to the waiter. You had sworn at him."
Thomas didn't waste any extra minute and, "I sincerely apologise for everything." He handed him one thousand dollars.
"Go."
Just like a rabbit running for its life, Thomas left with his tail tucked between his legs.
_______________
"Sir, we are about to land."
Felix nodded his head. He had his eyes closed and his head rested on the headrest of his seat.
The flight attendant left. He knew his work was to only inform him. He went back to his position.
"Landing, in 3,2,1…"
"Welcome to Paris."
The pilot's affirmation could be heard through the inbuilt loudspeakers of the private plane.
Felix unlatched his seat belt. The flight attendants lined up at the entrance door of the plane.
Felix strode over to them and they bowed.
He walked the stairs. A black Bentley was parked at the runaway. He moved towards and slid inside.
"Greetings to you, Master."
"Start the car."
The driver didn't need to be told twice. The car zoomed on the road.