Olivia was stunned. She couldn't understand what Collins was talking about. What did he mean by saying that she had gotten on the bad side of powerful people? She didn't know any powerful people. If she did, she wouldn't be wandering all around New York City, looking for a job!
"I don't understand what you are trying to say. What do you mean by powerful people? How did I wrong them? I haven't been up to anything dramatic lately. I told you, I have been spending all my time, trying to find a job." She said.
"Listen to me Livy." Collins said. "Look, I don't know if I'm supposed to be telling you all these, but I just can't keep being quiet about it, especially after seeing you like this." Collins began, then he paused to take a big sigh, before he continued talking in hushed tones. "So, you see. After you left my office that day, the day I promised you the job, some strange dude walked into my my office. He was dressed seriously, in black suit and shades, like a CIA agent and he looked so intimidating. At first, I thought he had come here to offer me a contract or something work related. But then, he told me that he was here because of you, and that I have been instructed to not give you anymore jobs. When I asked him who he was and who sent him, he didn't say. He just warned me that if I still desired to keep running my agency, then I must not give you any job. And then, he went away. Look, I thought it was some prank or wild joke, because he didn't return again or anything. But then, when I recommended you for the job I had promised you, the CEO refused blatantly, and warned me to never recommend you for any job to him. The guys in charge of several other jobs did the same thing, and it began to feel like you had been blacklisted everywhere or something like that! None of them told me the reason why they were canceling you, but I began to guess that the dude who paid me a visit probably paid them a visit too." Collins paused and let a long moment of silence pass. Olivia couldn't say anything, her mind was spiraling in circles as she tried to make sense of what Collins was talking about. Then Collins resumed again. "I tried to get some information about the strange dude, but everybody had been tight-lipped about it. Nobody is saying anything! It's frustrating. I was tempted to believe that he was indeed a CIA after all, but then I figured that the CIA don't work like that. If you got in trouble with the law, they would either investigate you discreetly, or outrightly reprimand you if they had enough evidence. So, that was not an option. The only other option was that you have messed with some really rich and powerful people and they are determined to teach you a lesson, slowly. Because with the power I sensed they have, they could take you out with one blow if they so wish."
Olivia took a long moment to think through all that Collins had told her, then she began to wonder who she might have offended that was so powerful. Someone powerful enough to instruct people that didn't work directly under them to do their biddings. Someone that powerful had to be someone as influential as the president of the country, or the governor or mayor. But Olivia knew she had never crossed paths with any of those, talk of to offend them. Who could it be? Who was trying to mess with her life like this?
"Think about it Livy, someone you might have offended recently. Even slightly. You know some people can be so petty and unforgiving, especially when they have power." Collins urged her.
"I can't think of anybody, seriously. I have not met anyone that powerful recently. I have just been attending job interviews, and of course all I have been trying to do is impress them. How could I have offended anybody like that?" She asked.
"What about back in the hotel? Did you offend any prominent figure when you worked at the hotel?" Collins suggested.
"Collins, you know me! I am always on my best behavior, especially at my job. I don't play wi..." She began to say, but she suddenly broke off. "Wait. There was one." She said as she remembered the troublesome woman she had met at the VIP suite. The very same woman who had been the reason for her dismissal from the Grand View hotel. Olivia had not thought of that all this while, because she still believed that the haughty woman had been in the wrong, and not her or her friend Ellie. Olivia believed that the female guest had been the offender, and not the other way round. If there was anyone who should feel wronged, then it was she and Ellie, because they had both been wronged and insulted and put out of their job, just because of that nasty woman. Olivia still felt that the woman owed them both an apology, and she was looking forward to a future where their paths would cross again and the guest would admit her wrong, take the blame and apologize to them.
"Really? You remember now? Who was it? Who did you offend?" Collins asked eagerly.
"Well, I can't exactly say I offended her. She offended me, actually. And she insulted my friend too. I only taught her a well deserved lesson." Olivia argued stubbornly.
"Who was it? What exactly happened?" Collins asked impatiently.
"Ellie made a mistake and apologized for it, but this nasty lady would not have it. And when I tried to beg on Ellie's behalf, she poured wine on me, and I returned the favor." Olivia explained briefly. Collins gasped as he put his hands over his mouth.
"Livy, you poured wine on a guest?" He cried.
"Look, Collins. I know it sounds horrible, but if you were there, you would know that this woman deserved it!" Olivia insisted.
"Still, Olivia! She was a guest!" Collins said. "Would you pour wine on me as your agent? We are quite close, yeah, but still, would you pour wine on me knowing that I hold the key to granting you jobs?" He asked.
"Collins, you are different. You don't understand. I'm telling you, if..." Olivia began to say again.
"No, I understand Olivia. You should have known better. She was a guest! What the hell came over you? I don't know you to be that rash!" Collins scolded her.
"Well, good thing you know I am very calm headed. Now I hope you believe that I wouldn't do something like that if she didn't deserve it." Olivia pointed out.
"I also know you to be stubborn and hot headed when the mood comes on you!" Collins said, rolling his eyes at her. "Did you at least get her name? This nasty lady, did you at least get her name?"
Olivia ransacked her brain.
"Uhm, yes... I think I remember ma'am Alma mentioning her last name when she was nagging the hell out of us for the last time." She said as she kept thinking. "It was some kind of strange name. Sounded latin. Sounded like a city too, uhm... Los Angeles? Yes! Got it now!" She cried, snapping her fingers. "DeAngelo! That's the name." She said victoriously.
"The DeAngelo? You got into trouble with the DeAngelos?" Collins asked, he looked terrified.
"What? Why?" Olivia asked cluelessly.