Between Two Billionaires Chapter 3
GREYSONE
My phone rings on the side table beside the television. I put the newly washed plate on the dish rack before sauntering to my ringing phone. It's a familiar name on my phone screen.
[Ivy. Oh! I'm so relieved you'd call me.]
She chuckles on the other line while I can hear crashing waves in the background. How I miss going again to that island. Shelter Island was a whole lot different from other beaches here in New York.
[Hey, did you read my invitation? I requested to the landlady of your apartment gave it to you when you go home.]
[I did. But, wait a minute? Why are you telling me to apply to this Zircon Hotel?] I asked Ivy while looking at the paper. If I am not mistaken, this is the only seven-star hotel in New York City.
The wind shows its might on the phone as I hear Ivy's voice getting lose in the whistling sound. A few seconds later, the connection becomes clear.
[My dearest apologies, Greyson. I am nowhere in Vancouver with Cairo… I cannot invite you to our wedding day. So, I think a much better option for you, my friend. I need a break from that aloof CEO. He became stubborn after that incident, and it makes me feed on stress every time I need him.]
In her tone, it seems Ivy is upset. She heaves a heavy sigh before uttering the words she wants to say.
[Listen to me, Greyson. I know what Victor did to you… Sabrina is invited here, so I am not confident you will swallow the pill. I need a break, and you need work because you make your wallet and pocket ripped for a love that will drag you to hell. Accept the offer.]
I become mute for a minute as well as Ivy on the other line. We both hold onto our breath before I speak to her.
[Zircon has a connection to Iron Fist Agency… the new CEO at that time, which is still unidentified even at this point, has a connection to my father's death. And Victor is a shareholder in that company--]
[Can you stop being a pessimist Greyson? This will be my last offer for you, remember you need to help your sister Jasmine at Oxford. What will you do after you will decline my offer? Always reminiscing the past, and not moving forward to seek the truth?]
My lips are sealed when she pesters. Ivy is spitting facts on the line… I know about it, but this void inside my chest restricts me from doing anything progressive. I hate this hangover!
[Fine. I will go to Zircon, but don't expect that I will be accepted when I'm in my confused and lost state.]
Finally, I can hear Ivy laugh on the line—feeling alive and enthusiastic about my new journey.
[That's the spirit! Don't worry about Victor… that dumbass, you will find someone better and can fulfil what he lacks. Take care Greyson.]
AFTER Ivy's call that day. It's my first week after going home from a one-night vacation on Shelter Island. I swipe on my gallery and find something beyond my vivid memory.
The picture is a little bit blurry maybe from the moisture of the ocean water since I went alone at the front beach with a bottle of Heineken beer. I didn't notice that my camera was moist.
"Where did I get this photo?" It seems at the front bar of the hotel. I can remember many people I had encountered that night… However, I can still remember I kissed someone after drinking alcohol.
Gosh! Who is this? I cannot recall the person in the picture. I turn off my phone and get my things from the table. Today, I must go to Zircon Hotel and try to forget an old-fashioned love.
Freaking hell I have spent my savings, and now I need to accept this crazy offer from Ivy. When I go to Time Square, I walk with the bustling tourists and locals. When I look at the Zircon building, my chest is heavy and my heart is racing in an unknown fear.
I have been the lower manager at Marriot Hotel; I don't fear this kind of work. The one that is holding me back is to witness the same face, that shattered me to pieces.
For almost five years… I try to understand Victor because of his family. He told me to wait a little longer, so we can be together like we plan. Except for one day when Victor got into a crisis for diamond trading.
His father sent him a notice that he needs to marry Sabrina Smith Rice. My hands are trembling when thinking about it! I don't want to ruin my handsome appearance for today's interview.
Victor told me what happened. I cannot lift a finger when he told me we couldn't continue. He gave me so much pain! However, like Ivy said… I need to move forward with my sister.
I carry the excruciating pain up to the front office of the hotel after passing the strict security measures. I also need money for Jasmine's tuition—even she helps herself in Europe. She cannot afford her tuition and laboratories.
"Good morning, Madam. I have heard because of Ms Ivy's recommendation."
I give the letter to her as she reads it, I wait in the lounge area before she gestures to me. I smiled at her and waited for a couple of minutes as she comes back with an older man.
"Good morning, it's a pleasure meeting you, Mr Rodriguez. Please this way," he said and I followed him until we go to his office on the ground floor.
"What a relief that Ivy already found someone as his substitute."
"Thank you, sir. However, when will be my interview—"
He gives a beaming expression at me. "No need, Ms Ivy already set it up. Your essential information is nowhere on my desk because we are looking for someone like you."
My extreme confusion upon his response. Perhaps, Ivy will always do what she wants. I trust her verdict. My curiosity sinks in when he is so eager not to interrogate my background.
"My sincere apologies, Mr Rodriguez. I am Mr Antolin De Jose, the undersecretary of Mr Nolan Roosevelt. He is the CEO and owner of this Zircon Hotel and Iron Fist Agency. However, he gives it to his two sons."
I am startled when remembered what Ivy said to me on the call. Mr Nolan is a renowned tycoon in New York and it's impossible for him to be aloof. Is this because his son becomes the CEO?
"By this strict recommendation of Ms Ivy. I would like to offer you free accommodation in Manhattan. Would you like to accept the offer?"
"I-I may think about it sir," I stutter for the first time in an offer. This is so straightforward! What is happening here?
"I may be in rush, and waiting for your decision. I may go now and let you decide in a meantime. Please go to your locker and put your things…. You will be starting today—"
I stand up with a wavy forehead. "Sir Antolin, can I ask where? I am adjusting your company policies… Please give me time."
"I trust Ivy in this matter. The time is ticking for your adjustments."
I blew a loud breath as I sat again. I looked at his eyes with contempt and eagerness in getting this job.
"My sincere apologies for my reaction, sir. I will start from a lower position for my entrance into the company. I will never jump into something big when I am anew."
"That's a good reason. Nonetheless, I will be frank with you… you cannot be in that position for too long because we need someone for the royal VIP."
My lips parted when he said royal VIP.
"Yes, you heard it right. No one in the management wants to take the step to be the new assistant of the royal VIP. You only have a month to adjust and decide if you can really take the job as the new secretary, Mr Greyson Rodriguez."