" Even if the recovery rate is ain't 100 percent i think KLING ltd is worth our investment referring to all the data we have analyzed." I said.
We were discussing investing on an enterprise name KLING, a LA based real estate that has gone bust.
" What is your opinion on it Jeremy?" I asked my direct superior who was too present in the meeting.
" I agree with Inessa's decision. Success rate is not 100 percent but failure is also not above 50 percent. This deal indeed carries risk but it will be our loss if we let go. Carry on the procedure and call the representative of KLING ltd for further discussion." Jeremy replied.
With some more minor discussion our meeting ended. Work this week is way heavier than it was the previous weeks. It's my third day in the office, I mean the third day that I have not gone back to my apartment. After working for almost one and a half years I have got accustomed to it. At first I was not able to take it. Crying everyday in the bathroom till all my tears soak up and then again I get back to work. Well, another thing I have learned was crying in the bathrooms of the investment banks is quite normal. So maybe I wasn't the only cry baby here.
It's been two weeks since that mortifying incident happened to me. That day at the café I thought maybe Rafael was expecting more from me considering his behavior about us going out holding hands and telling James that we are not strangers. But no way was I going to let him do that. Saying James about it means announcing the whole New York about it. So I used my manipulative skills. As an investment banker, this is an untold skill that helps you with almost everything. And it worked with him too. But now that he hasn't contacted me for the entire two weeks maybe he wasn't expecting more about it. And that's a good sign because I don't have the energy to worry about another guy when one is already hanging on the hook, almost falling down. Actually, he has already fallen, it's just that he hasn't realized it yet.
After wrapping up my work I was finally able to go back to my house, to my bed. After reaching my apartment, I showered, changed into my pajamas and sat back down with a laptop to deal with my personal business. It's the only time I can work on my own business. It's nothing big, just some real estate that I bought at various places which were going downhill at a cheap price and applying my own resources and people to change and re-run it. Along with it I also make investments in various start-ups which I think have potential. I started this extra job when I was in college by buying some shares of my seniors start-up and it was a blast. With the revenue I bought my apartment in CA. But I rented it out rather than selling it when I moved to New York. And like that I started buying assets and making money out of it.
...….
"He was cute but you know he was the kind of guy that gives off the vibes of a best friend rather than the boyfriend." Carla said while we were waiting in the line for coffee in a café near our office. We were talking about her blind date last night.
"How can you even know which one gives off a boyfriend vibe and which one gives off a best friend vibe. Are there any criteria or what?" I asked her.
"Oh c'mon it's not for girls like you who have the most perfect guy waiting on his knees to marry you whenever you want. It's for people like us who have a jinx in love." she said, rolling her eyes.
Okay, here we go again people reminding how perfect my douchebag boyfriend is. Since the last activity meeting, when Matthew practically flew from London to just attend that event even though I told him there's no need for it. And then telling every freaking person present there that how lucky he was to have me and how one day he is going to make me his wife. A.k.a how lucky i am to marry him as he is such a successful and rich guy. And me being a dumb little shit was actually blushing hearing this shits. Coming back from my thought realizing Carla is still going on with her shits of me being lucky. Normally i don't hate her, she is a loving girl who is quite good with her work except for times like this when i feel like slamming her head in the nearby wall so that she would stop talking. While thinking about Matthew to controlling the urge of cracking Carla's head, our turn finally came to place order.
" One americano and one caramel iced coffee please." i ignored Carla's gossip as she have finally shifted from me being lucky to the nearby lady's purse which she claims to be fake.
"That would be 7.70 bucks." The lady behind the counter told me as I took my card out to swipe into the machine.
" Let me get does" a voice cuts in. A hand reaches forward passing the note to the lady behind the counter. "Keep the changes," he said. And she blushes while taking it.
I turned around to see someone I was manifesting to not to see again. The almost puking guy, oh i finally know his name, Rafael. Standing very close to me with a down sided smile on his face. He was wearing a suit of dark gray, clean shave, no messy hair and those green eyes that can make you shiver all over your body. And I hated it. Well you love the way you hated it.
" We can afford our own coffee in case you think we are too broke that you showed off your generosity that much." I said with a fake smile.
He lifts one eyebrow and then shakes his head with a smile. As if he didn't get my sarcasm.
Annoying.
"Hello, I am Carla. Thanks for the coffee." Carla said practically throwing glitter out of her eyes.
"You're welcome Carla. I am Rafael." he said with a genuine smile looking at Carla. " You could have probably said that rather than throwing a lame joke" he said, turning to me.
Annoying, again.
I smiled, narrowing my eyes and started to walk away after taking my coffee. Just before I could reach the door he grabbed my arm to turn me around. " I am not saying thank you," I said.
"You don't have to. I just wanted to talk." he said with a soft but firm voice.
"About what? I don't think we have anything to talk about."
"Yes we do. How were you these two weeks? Are you still going to that club? You better not cause the way you three drink is mortifying."
"Oh c'mon. That day was exceptional. We are not that dumb to lie around getting drunk."
"Are you free on Saturday?'' he asked.
"No I am not."
"Then what about Sunday?"
"No I am not free on Sunday either" I said and before he could say something more I said " and I won't be free the next day or the day after next day either."
"Are you busy because I am asking you out or are you genuinely busy?" he asked, being all innocent.
" Finally your brain is working. I thought you were born without brain cells." I replied with my very common signature fake smile. " And yes I am busy for you. Now that you have gotten your answer please move because I have a meeting to attend."
"You and your lame jokes. And i don't have your number or else i would have called you everyday since that day." he said with a wink. No he wouldn't. But I don't even care. Maybe that's a lie.
"What a coincidence I don't have either." I replied and started to walk away but again he grabbed my arm.
One day this guy will die in my hands.
I turned around to look at him with a face that screams I-will-kill-you-if-don't -let-my-hands-go!
" What I mean is give.me.your.number." he said, raising both of his eyebrows.
"I am not giving you. BYE." I said practically pushing him and running to the exit.
"You know I can get it from James," he said laughing.
"Exactly." I replied without turning back. Because I know he was laughing. And that will give me butterflies even though it shouldn't. But you enjoy those butterflies.
"Can I ask now who that was?" Carla said, almost whispering. Now this is going to be a hell lot of work to explain it to her.
"Just some random friend I met a few days ago." I replied.
"Dang, he is hot. Does he have a girlfriend? If not, please set me up." she said with her puppy eyes.
"Didn't a few days ago you asked me to set you up with Stefan? And I don't know whether he has a girlfriend or not. He is a full time player, believe me." I said as we walked back to our office.
"Well that face is enough to ignore all the red flags. Please do me a favor Inessa. I'll cover you up in future when you'll have a date with Matthew."
"I don't think that will be necessary," I replied.
(to be continued)