"I make no promises." She replied to him.
"Whenever you are ready," he said.
"What about Rad?" she inquired.
"The weird guy. He hasn't reached out." He said.
"Doesn't mean he is bluffing," she said.
"Never said he was." He replied.
"Then what are you planning to do about him? He gave you two weeks, that's a threat. You know that right? " She asked.
"I do." He responded calmly.
"How can you be calm about it? He could hurt you or me. He probably thinks I am your lady. We stayed in the same hotel room. You should get the security service involved. " She said.
"Easy," he said.
"No one is going to hurt you or me and we don't need the security services involved," he told her.
"What do you mean? Sir, you cannot ignore this. He has only given you a long period to serve as enough reason to harm either of us when it expires." She said.
"I understand your fears but when you become a billionaire, you understand the phrase 'trust no one' not even the cops. " He said.
"Is it me or you are just terrible at picking words?" She asked.
"Why do you always have a negative outlook on everything?" he asked.
"Listen, I will handle it. If I give him the money he demands, what is the guarantee he won't return for more?" He told her.
"How much is he asking for?" Her voice seemed rather upset.
"He says Theo owes him thirty million dollars." He told her.
"He is lying! I know Theo. He would never work with a man of his calibre. Theo was a billionaire. Why would he need a loan?" she asked.
"Billionaires get broke, Mira. Nobody knows because the title is already there." He said.
—"and I have looked. He isn't lying. I will get to the bottom of it but I'm not sure if I will share the information because you hold him in high regard and wouldn't wish to ruin your mind. Trust me there is nothing like finding out all you ever knew was a lie." He added.
"I have to go. So much work to do." She said, getting up from her chair.
"It's okay. Report to me any update you get." He told her.
Seated in her office, She was focused on her computer. While getting work done, her fingers danced all over the keyboard. There were files stacked on her desk and she was checking on her mobile phone as well which lay on her right. She was engrossed until her mind drifted away. She remembered Lucian's words about Theo. They haunted her. She was unable to understand why until the thoughts gave way as she heard whispers outside her door.
Trying to comprehend the whisper conversation, she stopped working and three knocks on the door followed.
She gave the go-head for whoever they were to get in and Jacob walked in behind Kate.
Mira rolled her eyes.
"Seriously, guys?" she said.
"No. Not me. I told them you were earnest and wouldn't be here even if we came to confirm." Jacob said.
"And here you are— busy," Kate said.
"It is not what you think, okay? I just had to rethink." She said.
The two nodded their heads affirmatively with their lips curled into their mouths while maintaining a mocking expression.
"For real." She said.
"This isn't about the cranky boss. It is about Theo. Keeping up his legacy and not just quitting because his nephew is unbearable. I mean, what would he think of me if I did?" she added.
"Don't ask me… I am only here to collect my hundred bucks." Kate said.
"What?" Mira didn't believe it.
Kate gave no response, only had her hand stretched out.
"Fine," she added, dipping her hand into her bag and pulling out a dollar note from her purse. Kate collected it with a smile as Mira sighed.
"Anyways, we will be having dinner at Walter's. You will come right?" Kate asked.
"Oh, no. I am sorry I don't think I would. I have got a lot of work to do but I promise if I can finish on time, I definitely will be there." She told them.
They both looked at her with no expectations and exited the office. Mira sighed, knowing her response would get to Abby and knife her heart again.
Rather than leave, she stayed at the office to finish her work after closing hours. She finally raised her eyes to see her phone and saw the time read seven. Leaning her back on the chair, she stretched her bones and heard cracks. It was dark outside, she could tell from behind her.
She got up, packed her stuff and headed home. Got to the bathroom and soaked her body in hot water. She sighed and shut her eyes.
Beep-beep.
Her eyes opened. Reaching her hand for her phone which was just behind the tub top. She saw it was a message from Lucian.
"You kept me waiting." It read.
She hissed and turned off the phone, returning to enjoy the moment she needed.
"Get up and get out! I never want to see you again, devil child!" A harsh feminine voice broke out in her head.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she realized how sleep had taken over her. She breathed fast as her eyes rolled about in fear of the memory that had played out as a dream.
Not waiting for another second, she rushed out of the tub and wrapped herself in a towel as she walked into the room.
Her eyes were red. It appeared the memory was painful. She opened up her wardrobe and got out some clothes to change into—dark baggy pants and a hoodie top. As she stormed out of the apartment, she left her hair carelessly falling on the sides of her face and pulled up the hood cap.
She stepped into a bar and placed both her hands in her hoodie top pockets. It didn't seem like the day was ending there. A lot of people occupied the space. A crazy song was playing on a low and it felt just right for everyone present.
She approached the bar desk to place an order and sat on one of the empty stools.
"Vesper please." She told the barman.
"What are the odds?" She heard the man beside her say.
Her eyes blinked uncontrollably.
She turned her head slowly in his direction.
"I would recognise you even in a clown's outfit," Lucian told her.