On a normal day, Derek would be driven by his driver Hector to his office at the Quinton Tower. On this day, Derek had a change of mind.
Not only did he want to drive on his own, he also wanted to make a pit stop before going to the Quinton Tower; and he felt it would be better to go on his own.
Besides, Derek felt it was time to take steps in living the Quinton family lifestyle. A change in cars was a first step.
Before heading to Quinton Tower, Derek made a detour and parked at BDT mall. His purpose was to visit his childhood friend Nick Lopez, the owner of NL suits.
Coincidentally, Nick just opened his shop for the day when he saw Derek approach him.
"Derek, brother. Good morning to you. How have you been?" greeted Nick.
"Nick my brother. Top of the morning to you. I'm doing fine. How's business?" Derek greeted back.
"It's better now with your presence. Haha. So, what can I do for you today?" asked Nick.
"Haha I'm sure you'll be fine even without my patronage. Anyway, I'll boost your business. I'll need a suit for an event in a couple of months' time." replied Derek.
"Oh, is it the event where Quinton Consortium is going to announce who will win the bid to rebuild this mall?" asked Nick.
"Wow, genius. That is correct. How did you know?" replied Derek.
"I received a notice email from the mall this morning, mentioning the event taking place at the end of next month. All tenants are invited to attend the event. I think it's a nice gesture to find out the architect or artist who is going to rebuild this mall." Nick explained.
"Yeah, that is nice on Quinton Consortium's part. Anyway, I received an invitation too. That's why I need a suit for that. Do you have any suits befitting such an occasion?" asked Derek.
"You came to the right place, my brother. I have the best three-piece suit, just for you. Please come in." Nick replied.
Derek proceeded to enter Nick's shop and had a seat while waiting for Nick. A few minutes later, Nick reappeared with a suit in hand.
"Here Derek, try this suit on." said Nick.
"Sure thing." replied Derek before taking the suit and walking to the fitting room.
A few minutes later, Derek emerged from the fitting room, looking at himself in the big mirror on one of the walls.
The suit Nick recommended Derek was astounding. What Derek was wearing was a three-piece suit, comprise of a jet-black shining blazer and pants with a cobalt blue shirt and black bow tie to match. The shoes matching the suit were pure leather.
The sleeves of the blazer, the collar outline and the blazer pockets outline were embedded with small diamonds, about 0.20ct each G-coloured and VS-clarity. The diamonds gave the suit extra glitz and sparkle to make the suit stand out.
"Mama Mia, my brother. You look amazing. If you don't show up to that event with a hot date wearing that suit, something is very wrong with you. Hahahah." Nick teased.
"Haha very funny, Nick. This is a nice suit, though. I'll take it. How much is this?" asked Derek.
"This suit costs about 60 grand with the shoes. I'll give you a discount." Nick offered.
"No need, brother. I'll pay the full price." Derek replied and passed his black card to Nick.
Just like his first visit, Nick paid no attention to the black card and proceed to charge the card. Needless to say, the charge was successful and Nick proceeded to wrap the suit up for Derek.
"Thanks, Nick. By the way, do you have a date to bring with you to the event?" asked Derek.
"Haha, I wish I do. Most likely, I'll go there alone." Nick replied.
"Alright then. See you at the event." said Derek, bidding goodbye to Nick before going back to his Maserati and driving straight to Quinton Tower.
Heads turned to the sight of Derek's Maserati pulling up to the open space parking lot reserved only for Derek.
Visitors to the Quinton Tower who were waiting in the reception area quickly took their phones and took pictures of the car.
Fortunately for Derek, the weather was sunny. This gave him an excuse to put his shades on and exit his car. Even if strangers took pictures of him, no one would recognize him.
Derek entered the Quinton Tower reception to be greeted by Jocelyn the receptionist and her new colleague and fellow receptionist Kimberly.
"Good morning boss." greeted both ladies.
"Good morning. Oh, hi Kimberly, I remember you. I see that you are now our new receptionist. Welcome aboard." said Derek.
"Thank you, boss. Jocelyn has been a great mentor. I'm settling in fine thanks to her." replied Kimberly with a smile on her face.
"That's good. Keep it up, both of you." Derek complimented.
Just as Derek walked past both receptionists, something unpleasant caught his attention.
"Jocelyn...show me your wrist." instructed Derek.
Jocelyn was very hesitant at first; but after seeing Derek's stern expression, she had no choice but to roll up her sleeve.
Derek was shocked. There was a nasty bruise on her left wrist.
"Jocelyn. What happened to your wrist?" asked Derek.
"Sorry boss." replied Jocelyn, her eyes tearing up. "I didn't want you to tell you because I didn't want you to worry."
"My ex-boyfriend confronted me over the weekend. He wanted to get back together with me but I refused."
"We had a bad argument and he took a pipe to try to hit me. I used my wrist to block his attack. I kicked him on his shin as hard as I could before running away. I barely escaped him." Jocelyn was in tears as she explained to Derek her situation.
Derek was fuming upon hearing that someone would harm his employee.
"Listen to me Jocelyn. Go to our medical floor and get the proper treatment. Take the rest of the day off. I'll get security to escort you safely back to your place. Kimberly, can you handle the reception on your own today?"
"No problem, boss. Rest well Jocelyn. Leave this to me." replied Kimberly.
"Good. Get going Jocelyn. I'll see you back here tomorrow."
"Thank you, boss." replied Jocelyn with gratitude.
Derek then took his private elevator to his office while Jocelyn sought treatment for her wound.