It was a call, a call that woke him up and made sure he didn't sleep for two days. His assistant had called him, achieving a task he had given him for two years ago, but he didn't want to believe it. He needed proof, and that's why his eyes kept moving back to the door, waiting for Andrew.
Two days ago kept him awake, creating scenarios in his mind; scenarios that will likely never play out in reality, if Andrew had chosen to perform the greatest prank. He was making one right now, tapping his fingers on the mahogany made black table – big enough to fit his whole library. He looked at the door again, and got lost in his thoughts.
"Mr Leonardo." a voice opposite him called, halting the interesting scene in his mind; he almost held the woman's palm.
He sighed, finally looking at the white haired man sitting in front of him. "So…the time can't be extended, Mr Nicholas?"
He shook his head in defiance. "No, Leonardo. We agreed to hide you away from the media for two years even though that was…unconventional-" Leonardo stared hard on him. "Now, you have to make a statement to the public. It is a must." cursing almost too silently.
"You know…" he swirled the red wine in a short glass cup. "I have always wondered how easy it was to get you on the edge, now I know."
"You are changing the topic, Leonardo." Not bothering with horofics. "You need to make your statement as the CEO of this company. The stakeholders are beginning to think you are incompetent." shock ran through his face, realising what he just said, but comported himself immediately.
"You will make a bad representative, Mr Nicholas." he darted to the door again but returned this time. "Did my brother send you to convince me? Obviously, you are doing a bad job."
The man opened his mouth but closed it immediately, lost of what to say.
Leonardo shook his head. "As for the statement, I will think about it. Don't take this as an assurance." He glanced at the door for the umpteenth time, what kept Andrew away for this long?
"But sir–"
"Next time? Tell Jonathan to come to my office by himself," he advised, staring down at Nicholas. "Instead of sending lousy men that do not have a hold on their mouth."
He gulped, nodding fervently. Leonardo hated these kinds of meetings, his eyes reaching for the door again. He almost groaned loudly. Where the hell is Andrew?
Maybe telepathy was real because the door handle turned and Andrew stepped inside but – paused, sensing the tension in the room.
As if reading his thoughts. "You can come in, Andrew, this meeting just ended."
Nicholas gritted his teeth at the dismissal. He grabbed his box beside him – with anger twinkling in his eyes, he left the office, almost slamming the door.
"Hmm." Andrew approached the table, his eyes darting between Leonardo and the door. "That seemed intense.
"Not in the least. Where have you been?"
Andrew laid his phone on the table to answer, and pushed it towards Leonardo. "I've been doing what you asked me to do."
The smug on his face suddenly disappeared when he realised what he was looking at. "...finally," he muttered."Where was this again?" still glued to the pictures in the phone; Andrew feared he would be given a broken phone at the end of this conversation.
"Memphis Club. It is downtown, a stone throw from Alan towers."
His eyes widened at realisation. "Alan tower isn't far from here!"
Andrew nodded, slumping in the chair like a bag of foam. "She was with the doctor."
Leonardo raised his brows. "Tell me why I'm not surprised-" he shook his head, finally dropping the phone.
"Well…" he started, adjusting his wristwatch. "She will be here anytime soon."
His head snapped up. "What did you just say?" Andrew always said crazy things to get the best reaction from him, but the smug expression on his face told him enough; Andrew was not joking. "What did you do?"
"Nothing extra." which normally meant the opposite. "I heard that she has been looking for a job."
Leonardo raised an eyebrow. "Where did you hear that from?"
"Does that really matter?"
"Actually, yes," he stated. "But continue your story." leaning on the leather chair meant only for him.
Andrew rolled his eyes. "So I met with the doctor–"
"And I'll take it she didn't recognise you." he smirked knowingly.
"Of course, I disguise well. Long story short, she's coming here to apply as your assistant. You are welcome." bowing with a palm on his chest.
Leonardo paused for some minutes before he baulked in laughter. "She's taking up your position that fast?"
He snorted standing up. "Whatever you-"
A knock erupted from the door, and Leonardo unconsciously sucked his breath in. The door opened; groaning loudly. It felt like everything took a pause as the woman walked in. This was the woman he thought he was never going to see again; the woman that kept him up for days looking and searching where she might be hiding until he decided to stop. It's just been two years, and yet looks like she took an eternity to command such beauty.
She flushed, clutching her bag to control her anxiety. Leonardo noticed it too. "Good morning," her voice, flowing like honey. "I'm here for an interview. The receptionist this is where it will be taking place." He watched her as she scanned around the room. "Am I in the right room?"
Leonardo then smiled; slowly and softly. "Yes. Of course, you are in the right place. Come seat. " He darted his eyes to Andrew, his friend understood and left the office with a smile that glowed like an achievement.
Her hair swayed with each step she took. She sat down comfortably, placing documents on the table-
"That won't be necessary," Leonardo knew what ran through her mind as confusion was evident in her face. "I will take a look at your CV after the interview." he lied but it made her shoulders to relax. "Well, let's begin. Miss?"
"Sylvia. Sylvia Mallory Hudson," she finished.