Bess had shut her office door closed so that nobody else could hear her conversation with Vincent.
"Fits her well!"
Ryan suddenly commented in his cubicle, right beside April's.
"What are you saying there?"
April couldn't help herself from asking, out of her curiosity.
Ryan abruptly appeared at her cubicle, with his arms crossed over his chest, ready for some chit-chat.
"Mr. Vincent Johnson owns most of the businesses in Atlantic City. According to my source, he is here in Washington to acquire other businesses."
Ryan dished out enthusiastically.
"So, what does that have to do with Bess?"
April knew the part about Atlantic City, but Vincent's plans to expand up to Washington was a surprise. That means, he would be here in Washington that often. She was sure that was not good news for her. However, she was more curious about Vincent's reason for talking to their boss, well, ex-boss.
"Mr. Johnson bought the Media House. When his face came out on the paper, before it was even distributed, his lawyer retrieved each and every piece, truly upset. The lawyer said that the face of their boss was private and outright looked for whoever put the photo there. Of course, Bess was credited for it. Talk about Karma."
Ryan clarified, with a look of pride for being on top of this whole news about their bitchy boss.
"Oh..."
That was all April could say.
"According to the printed scoop about Mr. Johnson, although he is the leader of the Mafia in Atlantic City, he has been whitewashed in recent years and opened a legitimate company to become the president of the group. Hence, Johnson Enterprise had been acquiring businesses, left and right. Now he is a very legitimate, rich CEO."
Ryan was unstoppable. That was truly very detailed news.
"How do you know all these? Where you the one who did the write-up for it?"
April asked, though she had an inkling already of Ryan's response.
Ryan gestured like he was zipping his mouth shut, shrugged his shoulders, then, returned to his own cubicle.
April sighed. That was it then. She resumed her packing quietly. Yeah, it did serve Bess right.
After a while, she was done and lifted her box of stuff carefully. She didn't have much stored things here because she's just part-time.
"This is it then, bye."
She whispered to herself. She stepped out of her cubicle and waved goodbye to Ryan who glanced when she passed his space.
She was at the door when someone behind her turned the doorknob for her. April was surprised, but appreciated that gesture, considering both her hands were holding on to her box to balance it.
"Oh, thank you..."
April said, she stepped out and turned around to express her gratitude to whoever opened the door for her.
But then, she was not able to hide the shock on her face when she discovered that the person who did the kind gesture was Vincent! She was not even able to formulate a full sentence, as she stared at Vincent. He looked gorgeous, as ever, in his suit.
"So, that Bess is really something. Such a sweet talker. She could have fooled me. But I knew her kind. She apologized profusely and was begging for her job instantly. I just told her to watch out and asked her to apologize to her writers if she wanted her job back. It's her decision."
Vincent started to report all that transpired in Bess' office. Although all that he said about April's ex-boss was music to her ears, she had to keep her poker face.
"What do you want, Vincent?"
April asked directly, trying to sound annoyed.
"I came here to talk to your boss. Well, she fired you but I own it now, so you can have your job back."
Vincent answered quickly.
"So, I've heard... but I am not interested anymore. I'd rather find a new one."
April replied as quickly. Now that Vincent owned the Media House, it was best that she got fired. Definitely, she didn't want to be working for him in any way.
"It's up to you. It's your decision."
Vincent said, agreeing with her.
Well, that was the first. He didn't even argue against it?
"But..."
When she heard Vincent start talking again, she knew his agreement was too good to be true.
"Of course, there's a BUT."
April reacted, sarcastically now.
"You have to meet me at the Johnson mansion later."
Vincent's words rang in April's ears. What did he mean by that?
"Pardon me, what did you say again? I am not sure I heard you right."
April asked, hoping she heard Vincent's words the wrong way.
"You're going to return to the mansion and live there again."
Vincent answered firmly, maintaining the calm in his tone, although his words sounded like an order.
"Excuse me, why would I do that? I don't think so..."
April refused immediately. But Vincent did not give her a chance to finish her words.
"You are going to do what I told you to do or else, I would shoot and kill all the servants who had served you in that mansion, until you get there."
Vincent's words were uttered in a level tone, but the threat in his words was very clear.
"You still are a Mafia thug!"
April exclaimed, but she could only agree to go back to the Johnson mansion. She knew Vincent well enough. He had the power to do what he had just said.
"Lastly, take this."
Vincent took a silver card from his pocket and handed it to April.
April stared at the silvery card in Vincent's outstretched hand. It was a bank card.
"What do I need that for? I am not accepting that from you!"
April finally snapped at Vincent. This was way over the top now.
"I said, take it! We have talked about this last night."
Vincent replied, starting to lose his façade of patience.
"No, we didn't! All I remembered was I almost drowned because you were stalking me!"
April found the fuel to her anger again.
This behavior from April ignited the devil in Vincent. He smiled mockingly and said.
"You are going to stop selling those sex toys! Should I start shooting people on the streets as well?"
Vincent pretended to ask April, but he obviously knew April could not refuse.
"You sick bastard!"
April retorted back, full of loathing in her tone.
Vincent dropped the card into her box, with a triumphant smile on his face.
April turned around to leave.
"Oh, April, the limo is right there. Go take that ride."
Vincent instructed calmly, pointing to the luxurious car parked inconspicuously by the side of the Media House building.
April gave him dagger looks, but by now, she couldn't do any other thing but follow Vincent's orders.