Richmond felt his heart shatter. He gritted his teeth and tried to smile amid a storm of rage swirling in him. He had many questions to ask but he couldn't afford to watch her cry any longer.
"Lola..." Richmond placed his hand on Lola's intertwined hand but she unconsciously flinched as though he was a monster trying to hurt her. She shot up to her feet and moved three feet away from him.
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to touch you..." Richmond also stood up and raised both hands in the air.
"No...I...I... it's not you...I....umm...my h... husband said y...you have something f...for me." Lola stammered hopelessly. She was about to say something when another wave of nausea hit her.
She clutched her stomach and sucked in her breath.
"Yes...yes...I will do that right away."
Richmond had a worried look on his face as he hurried to commence the transfer. He could tell that Lola was battling a series of guilt, anxiety and pain but there was something more that he could feel from the way she clutched her stomach. Her face was getting paler and paler as she seemed to be holding her breath.
"Can I have the account number you would like me to transfer the money to?" Richmond asked.
Lola nodded her head in reply. However, when she opened her mouth to speak, an explosion of a repulsive yellowish substance forcefully flew out of her mouth.
"Lola!" Richmond almost somersaulted in his attempt to sprint over to her.
Lola shook her head and raised her trembling weak hand in the air to stop him from coming any closer.
Unfortunately, Richmond's face and well-tailored designer suit were decorated with more of the exploding gooey yellowish substance.
"Oh no...I...I didn't mean to do that. I'm so sorry...I'm such a mess..."
"Shh... don't worry about it. Are you alright?" Richmond ignored the foul smell coming from the vomit on the floor, his face and clothes. He simply off his suit jacket and wiped his face and shirt, before leading Lola back to the couch.
"You are burning, Lola..." Richmond observed her alarming temperature spike. "Let me call my doctor. He will..."
"No!" Lola's eyes flashed with panic. "No doctor."
Richmond was at a loss for words but he was grateful that she was no longer terrified of his touch.
"Can I at least get my secretary to take you to the lady's room to clean up?" Richmond was almost going on his knees.
Lola shook her head in response while staring at the vomit stain on Richmond's white inner shirt.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
"It's just a shirt, Lola," Richmond said reassuringly. "I'm not angry, I promise. I just want you to be fine.
Richmond brought out his ball pen and picked up a note from the fancy round table in front of them.
"Here, write down your bank details on this notepad while I get my secretary to take you to the ladies' room."
"Thank you," Lola said weakly, a thin smile framing her lips.
Richmond's heart fluttered like a free-spirited butterfly as Lola smiled at him.
"You're most welcome."
He stood up to go to his desk when his office door was flung open.
A tall, fair-skinned, flamboyantly dressed lady in pink sunglasses strutted into the office closely followed by Richmond's whining secretary.
"Jasmine!" Richmond's narrowed eyes shot dangerous flares at his trembling secretary.
"Eww... Where is that stench coming from?"
Lola batted her thick curly lashes severally as her gaze fell on the slim sexy lady that just barged into Richmond's office like she owned the company.
The lady was adorned in an elegant pink boat neck sweater dress that accentuated her alluring hourglass curve. Holding a custom-made K&N luxurious handbag in one arm, paired stylishly with matching suede stiletto heels, she was an epitome of beauty and class. Her youthful vibrance and enigmatic aura made Lola feel ten times older than her actual age.
The pretty fair lady, whose name was Jasmine Malcolm was the youngest daughter of Benjamin Malcolm, the billionaire real estate developer and the owner of Malcolm Gemstone Gallery, one of the biggest importers and exporters of precious stones.
Jasmine wasn't just the daughter of an affluent family, but she was a well-paid and sort after brand influencer and ambassador. At just a young age of twenty, she was one of the richest young ladies in all of Westler City. Also, she happened to be Richmond's betrothed girlfriend and soon-to-be fiancee in a matter of days.
"Baby!" Jasmine took off her sleek sunglasses to get a clearer picture of the mess in front of her. She crinkled her nose and started fanning her breath as if Richmond had an infant poop all over him.
"What the hell happened in here? Did a sewer pipe rupture or is there a rotten corpse in here? Who did this to you, baby? What is that ....eww...so gross... My eyes hurt from just looking at it. Shall we call the exterminators?"
Jasmine's contoured face made Lola wish the floor would open up so that she could bury herself in shame.
"Of all days, why today?" Lola lamented within.
"Sir, I... I... I'm so sorry." Richmond's secretary's tiny voice echoed from behind Jasmine.
"You!" Richmond pointed menacingly at his secretary. "Shut that hole in your stupid face."
"Yes Sir."
"You..." he directed his gaze to his over pampered and overbearing girlfriend. "...keep quiet and go into my inner office room, now."
"Richie...don't talk to me in that manner." Jasmine pouted cutely. She turned her piercing pretty hazel eyes to the sickly looking, woman seated on the couch.
"Who is that thing and why is she comfortably seated like some overpaid maid? Is she one of the janitors?"
Richmond's gaze darkened. He massaged his forehead and clenched his fist to shuffle the fire burning inside of him. He wanted to get mad at Jasmine for showing up earlier than scheduled and barging into his office unannounced. But he knew how fragile her emotions were and how quick she was to make trouble.
Taking a deep breath to cage his brewing temper, he spoke in a delicate tone.
"Jas... P...please, go into the inner office and make yourself comfortable while I take care of business here."
"Business..." Jasmine sized up the sickly woman on the couch like an imperious governess assessing a malnourished new maid.
"I don't see any business here except a sick-looking old hag spewing her gutters all over my man and turning this office into a freak showroom. Is this the kind of business GXL is now known for? Or is there something else going on in here?"
Lola shrunk even deeper into her shell. She was regretting stepping foot into Richmond's office and exposing herself to the riddle of a lady young enough to be her baby sister.
"Jasmine!" Richmond bellowed, his eyes flashing with terror.
"Fine! You don't have to raise your voice at me, Richmond. I'm not deaf." Jasmine hissed.
"I'll be in the inner room. But make sure you clean up very well and if possible have a thorough bath before you come any close to me. Because you, my love, stink of rotten fish." Jasmine rolled her eyes and left for his inner office room.
Immediately Jasmine left the scene, Lola briskly stood up, in readiness to flee Richmond's office.
"Lola...wait," Richmond called out to her but she was done making a fool of him and herself.
Without sparing Richmond even a second glance, Lola apologized for making a mess of his office and thanked him for the anticipated money before dashing out of his office.
"Mia...," Richmond barked at his secretary, who seemed engulfed and lost in the drama that just unfolded. "...follow that lady and ensure she gets all the assistance needed."
"Yes, sir." Mia speedily left in order to avoid incurring her boss's nasty temper.
Richmond watched with conceited ire and helplessness as his secretary left the office. He was unperturbed by the smell all around him as he pondered on the reason behind Lola's sickness and her dread of being seen by a doctor.
"Damn!" He struck his fist against his palm. "I need answers."
Without wasting much time, he quickly picked up the notepad that had Lola's account information before sauntering back to his desk to consummate the transfer.