"What kind of fool doesn't know that if the person he has lent money is dead or alive?" Mr Sel Don was riled up when he didn't get a response from his son.
"So tell me, how will you get that money?" Mr. Sel shouted making James and Serene jump up in shock.
"Dad, he may have died but he must've left behind his fortune. Their family is an elite family" Rubben said as he sat up straight on his seat.
"Elite family, my foot!". Mr Sel Don hissed. "You said it was promising, this would reap 20 million dollars." Mr Sel Don added in deadpan tone.
"I'll take responsibility, Don't worry!" Rubben said in firm tone. "Don't get so worked up over something trivial. Who am I? I am your son, Rubben. No one has ever swindled money from me. I never play a losing game." Rubben said in sharp tone as he rose to his feet.
"Yes, Dad. I doubt Rubben would lent the money without back up plan. So, calm down. Right? Rubben". James said avoiding his gaze.
Rubben felt his hand fidget as soon as he walked out from his father office. "Are you okay?" Serene asked when she noticed he was a bit shaken up.
"Do you think I will be okay?" He raised a brow.
----------
"He died two days before we returned from California. Ninety percent of his assets gone to pay the bank loans." Serene informed.
"What...? Rubben gasped. "He must have his family members" Rubben lifted his anxious gaze towards Serene.
"His wife passed away more than a two decades ago and he has one Duaghter. She's is quite outstanding girl." Serene replied.
"I knew it!" Rubben said as he jumped up from his seat. "Tell me! Why she is so outstanding?"
"She got her masters and doctorate from University of Netherlands. She was the youngest to achieve and the highest score on her thesis. She is now working as chief research in California" Serene explained.
"So what..? Rubben demanded with an unbothered expression.
"Huh?" Serene blinked her eyes rapidly. She put a stiff smile and continued, "If I were to compare it to a pork, it's the best cut from an Iberian pig".
"What a load of rubbish!" Rubben smirked. "Simply putting, she's an incompetent, spoiled duaghter whose parents paid for all her tuition."
"If I didn't do anything, I might end up all my money. If she's naive and studios girl...." Rubben bobbed his head up and down engrossing in his deep thoughts.
"We must strike and pull out first. Tomorrow, 10 am, Okay?" Rubben said as he leisurely walk past Serene. "Don't forget my tattoo sticker, Okay?" He paused his steps and said without turning back while Serene reculatenly nodded her head.
-----
Thoubat gallery, 10am...
"Come out now!"
"You borrowed money and it's time you pay back. Did you think I can just pull money from hat. I won't take a step away from this gallery until you pay back" Rubben and his men screamed making some eyes of a few customers were glued to the scene.
"Come out now!"
"Come out now!"
"Give me, my 2 million...! 2 million!...
"What are you guys doing?" A sharp voice interjected him.
"Owner!... Rubben smirked and raised his gaze but his breath froze at the sight of the person walked towards him.
"Who do you think.... Jisonia swallowed back her words, with her eyes blinking rapidly. "Mr Sel?" She called softly.
Rubben was speechless as he stared unblinkingly at the lady standing before him. His eyes flew wide open for a split second but he quickly composed himself and in the next second his face was back to stoic expression.
------
"I can't believe I ran into you here. What a strange fate we have" Jisonia said as she placed a cup of tea in the table. "I almost couldn't recognised you. You look very different". Her gaze was intently boring into him.
Serene darting her eyes back and forth from Rubben to Jisonia. Rubben slightly cleared his throat and quickly buttoned up his shirt, hiding the tattoo sticker he was wearing.
"Right! You said you had an important contract. Does it goes well? I know it was a misunderstanding, but I hope it didn't messed...."
"Gosh! I can't take this anymore". Rubben interjected her. "Why do you act so close? Do we have a relationship or something?" Rubben asked ruthlessly.
"No, we don't" Jisonia replied slowly.
His face was scrunched up tightly and said, "I'm your creditor and you, my debtor. That's all there is to it. Got it?"
Jisonia nodded, lowering her eyes with displeased face.
Rubben took a sip of tea from the cup but in next moment he spat out. "This coffee tastes awful. What's wrong with this?" Rubben quipped.
"It's actually pu'er tea" Jisonia replied.
"This doesn't taste like pear tea. It must've gone bad!". Rubben said distastely. Serene handed a handkerchief to him, taking advantage she whispered, "It's pu'er tea, not pear tea."
"Whatever!" Rubben hissed as he stood up to his feet. "Did you see what I did back there? I can be merciless and brutal when it comes to money! So, don't try to squirm out of this by pretending like we are close?" Rubben warned.
"I see...but you weren't there on the lists of debt written by the lawyers". Jisonia said.
"I said...." Rubben snapped at her, slightly startling her. "I lent you guys 2 million. So, sell your houses, paintings or any organ that are value to pay me what you owe me" Rubben yelled.