Alejandro
Guards and employees scurried past us as Mikel and I rounded the corner. It was an important day today, no matter how I felt about it, but spending so much time down in underground torture room had made time fly so fast.
Now that I was fucking up here, I could see the flurry of activity everywhere. Shit. That bastard had nearly wasted my fucking time. With my mood darkening, I made a mental note to torture him thrice as hard, thrice as long when next I go down there. Mikel had been pestering me with questions since I mentioned that I have known Alexandra Vega since I was a fucking kid.
I was in no fucking mood to explain anything, so it was a fucking relief when my personal assistant suddenly popped out from a doorway, adjusting her glasses as she swung her head left and right, probably looking for me.
Mikel spoke first. "There she is."
As if she heard him, she looked straight in our direction and scurried over, "Good morning, Mr. Reyes, sir." She spoke in a firm, capable voice that was in contrast with her overall disheveled appearance. For a brief second, I wondered if she even got any sleep. She handed me my MacBook, ear radio and energy drink, because I don't fucking drink coffee. "The chopper is at the hangar on standby. The escort vehicles are lined outside, and HR team is dealing with holding the press back until the merging is complete and confirmed."
"Security sweeps?" I asked, resuming my pace down the glass hallway as I fixed the radio device in my ear. The sun was starting to rise outside, and the early rays filtered through the glass.
"Security sweep I, II, III and IV are clear and over, sir." She responded, scurrying after me.
"Re-do the sweep. This time, tell Top agent to give me a complete run down. Step by fucking step." I ordered, then glanced at Mikel at my side. "You know what to fucking do."
He grinned, slinking backwards. "Yes, boss." Then he walked in another direction.
"Where is the Chief Of Operations?" I asked. She looked up from her iPad, the bright screen reflecting off her glasses. "COO is on the in the board room, rounding up the other executives for the merging meeting."
I flicked my thumb through the screen, stumbling on a picture of Alexandra. She still looked just as I remembered. Unpleasant. Annoying. And infuriating. Only older. She was a tiny little kid to me all those years ago, she's still the same to me now. Fuck it. A wicked idea suddenly materialized in my mind, and I glanced at my personal assistant.
"Tell the pilot to get the fucking chopper ready, and leave it on my private hangar at the house." I ordered. She paused. "Do you want me to make provisions for a new ride to the Vega HQ?"
"Yes." I smirked. "There's this Limo I have in mind."
*
Alexandra
I was soaking in the large bathtub, in mineral soapy water filled with bubbles, beauty oils, scents and whatever else my beauticians and concocted in there. One of them sat at the far edge of the tub, with my wet foot on a towel while she scrubbed and ribbed some sweet smelling oil into the skin.
I sighed. I only told them I wanted a foot massage from all the thrashing I had received in the training room earlier, but now they were all acting like it was my wedding. A small smile appeared on my face. But I loved the attention and how they pampered me, even though I would never admit it out loud.
One of the qualities of a good leader is that they always look put together, even though everything might be falling apart.
"Miss Vega, your assistant says you have an important phone call." A beautician said softly from the large bathroom door, where she was spraying mist on the silk bathrobe I was going to wear after getting out of the tub.
"Let her in." I answered, running the scrub across my shoulders one last time before I placed it away. Then I grabbed the piping hot coffee from the side of the tub, taking a sip with my eyes closed. Hmm. I love coffee. I really can't live without it. And I really needed it after that intense training when I could have been sleeping. But I had a nightmare again, so I got Aunt Isla to go with me to the training room.
Everyone was here in my house. My mom, some relatives I don't give a fuck about, Aunt Isla and my personal assistant. Only dad stayed overnight at HQ, putting things in order in a meeting with the executives. Executives that would all look up to me when I am officially appointed the CEO today.
The door opened and Kim, my personal assistant walked in, in her full office wear. To think of it, I've never seen her resting. She stopped by the bathtub and leaned down so she wouldn't be looking down on her boss.
"Sheikh Nasir Al Omar wants to personally congratulate you, ma'am." She said in a voice that showed her awe. "I informed him that you would return his call."
Nasir was one of our biggest Abu Dhabi clients and investors. To think even the clients have heard about the heir into the Vega Conglomerate. Somehow the news of the merging had leaked out into the public, but the HR had it under control till it was official and I made an official press statement. These were powerful people. And they were all curious about the new Vega leader.
It sometimes made me feel overwhelmed and doubtful, but I was strong, smart and capable of leading. I'm a Vega, I never bow. I smiled at her and nodded. "I'll call him. Get me feedback from my escorts on how my Limo is coming along."
"Yes, Miss Vega."
Stretching out my wet hand, a beautician patted it dry with a soft towel and placed my phone on my hand. Then with a smile, I made the call.