Seated in his office Alexander was in deep in thought. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Sophia's sudden decision to help him than she had let on. He knew she had been through a lot in the past two days, and he didn't want to push her too hard. But he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she wasn't telling him. Just as he was lost in thought, his phone rang. It was one of his boys. "Alexander, the men are on their way up," the boy said.
"Bring them to my office," Alexander replied, hanging up the phone.
Sophia wasn't the only one who had plans up her sleeves, he has too. Getting help from Sophia was never part of his plan, but he accepted to do so just so he can get himself out of the situation. This right here had been his plan for years and finally he could see himself achieving it.
One of the most satisfying experiences of Alexander's adult life was the horror he saw on Charles's face the instant he realized he was confined in a room with his biggest foe. He had been waiting for this moment of truth for five long years, and he was going to relish every last second of it. He intended to relish Charles's fear and helplessness. the same fear and helplessness he had experienced in the past. Charles wouldn't be killed by Alexander, but his life as he knew it would be destroyed. Alexander beckoned kindly from his place behind the enormous mahogany desk that dominated the room, "Gentleman, have a seat."
Behind Charles and Michael, two of his security team's most dependable men flanked the closed door. There were four comfy leather chairs in front of Alexander, and he had added one so Gabriel could sit next to him and across from the two guys who had built their life extorting money from unwary people and small businesses that were already struggling to make ends meet. Alexander was one of those individuals who had been harmed by Charles and Michael's avarice. Charles glanced from Alexander to Gabriel while exhaling an angry breath that did little to hide his growing anxiety. "What kind of arrangement is this, by God?"
The other man received a mocking look from Alexander as he relaxed back in his chair. "Charles, come on," he sneered. "Did you honestly believe that the invitation to pick up your daughter was extended to you because you are the best in the community? As a result of your compulsive gambling, you obviously have a sizable obligation that is past due, and according to Gabriel, both the principal and accruing interest are due. I'll be taking over the note if you can't pay what you owe Gabriel, and you'll have to comply with my demands for payment. By the time I'm done with you, I can assure you that you'll wish you'd never come into contact with me or my family."
Michael growled like a pit bull in a rage, "This is complete and absolute crap. You won't get away with it since this is extortion."
Alexander scoffed at the charge. "Coming from two individuals who have earned a profession by killing and extorting helpless victims who are barely able to make ends meet, it is fucking rich. Sit now. Fucking Sit Down."
Michael and Charles complied, if reluctantly, as a result of the angry and oppressive echo of each word that was spoken in the room. Alexander didn't hesitate to get up when he heard a strange noise on the other side of the door to make sure no one else was on the balcony level, which he had expressly forbidden today for this private meeting.
Alexander opened the door after one of his security guards moved forward as a precaution, and he was startled to see Sophia standing on the other side. His assertion that her father was a criminal and worse was confirmed by the shocked expression in her big blue eyes. In response to this unexpected change of events, Alexander tightened his jaw. He was against her being here. She had no place in this place, where corruption was poised to erupt and Alexander himself would exact brutal retribution. But didn't she have a right to know what a jerk her father truly was? Another element of retaliation that couldn't be avoided was embarrassing Charles in front of his daughter.
He said "Sophy," purposefully trying to hide his anger and loathing for her. "Why don't you come in and join us and hear the rest of it since you've already heard our private conversation?"
She came inside hesitantly while wringing her hands, her eyes leaping to Charles right away. She swallowed tightly before speaking, her lovely features etched with pain and bewilderment. "What have you done, Father?"
It was uttered in an agonizing whisper. Charles gritted his teeth and replied, "I don't want her here," disregarding the query and avoiding Sophia's eyes. "She is not involved in this at all."
She asserted, "I'm your daughter," more strongly this time. "I have a right to know whatever is going on with you.
Michael cut in, his voice sneering, "Stay out of this, Sophia. Nothing here affects you."
She walked the few steps necessary to stand in front of the other man who was seated, her hatred for Michael almost tangible. She appeared to be resisting the urge to slap him in the face for speaking to her in a superior manner by flexing her fingers in front of her. "If it affects my father, it affects me as well. I won't be leaving. She then sat down in one of the empty chairs as Alexander returned to his desk chair, repressing the desire to congratulate her on her bravado. Alexander leaned back in his chair and put his hands on his desk, saying, "Let's get down to work."
He gave Gabriel a quick look to indicate he had the floor. The man seated next to him was a close friend of his. Alexander had been mentored by Raymond, Gabriel's father, who had also provided him with financial guidance and the funding to launch his software company. Alexander had long since paid off his obligation, in contrast to Charles. He never liked being in debt to anyone and never would.
Without further ado, Gabriel remarked, "I'm calling in your loan, Charles, as of tonight." "You can't carry out that." The last thing Charles said was to beg. Smugly responding, Gabriel pushed a piece of paper with his signature on it across Alexander's desk and said, "According to the contract you signed, I can and I simply did."
"More time is needed," Even though the room was a cool 68 degrees, sweat beaded at Charles' thinning hairline and flowed down the sides of his face. "It's not like I have 1.5 million dollars just hanging around at home, you know!"