The taxi pulled over at Gem and Diamond Corporation. Alejandra paid her fare and got out of the taxi. She looked at the name of the establishment on the building sign and how it has changed over the years. She took a deep breath and walked to the door. She pulled the door open and went to the reception.
"Excuse me,miss?" Alejandra said as she approached the lady at the front desk.
"Yes," The lady replied,
"How may I help you?"
"I would like to see Mr Gracia, please." Alejandra said politely.
"Okay! One minute,please!" The lady said, picking up the telephone and dialled a number.
"Mr Gracia, there is a woman who is here. She wants to see you."
"What is your name?" The receptionist asked and covered the mouthpiece of the telephone with her hand.
"Alejandra Ortega!" She said.
She notified Mr Gracia about Alejandra and nodded to his instructions.
"Okay, sir!" The receptionist said and hung up the call.
The receptionist stood up from her chair and came out of her desk.
"Right this way,miss."
She led Alejandra to Mr Gracia's office. The receptionist knocked on the door once and opened it.
"Sir-."
"You may go now, Carmen." Mr Gracia said plainly without making eye contact.
He had his eyes on his phone and smiled. Carmen left his office and left them alone. Alejandra stood at the door and surveyed the office. She noticed a slight difference in Mr Gracia. He wasn't the one she had seen five years ago.
"You know I can't go a minute without hearing that mellifluous voice of yours. It's been months since I have seen that gorgeous body. Let's do this. Let's meet up at the hotel,the one you like so much. Sounds good?" Mr Gracia said, leaving a voice note for his secret lover.
He still had the smile on his face and looked away from his screen. He saw Alejandra standing at the door.
"Have a seat!" Mr Gracia offered.
She held on to the strap of her handbag and walked towards his desk. She pulled out one of the chairs and sat down. She looked at his desk and saw his nameplate.
According to it,he was,'Roman Gracia Jnr.' He was younger than the previous Gracia and had no facial hair. She noticed the wedding ring on his finger.
"You're Miss Alejandra Ortega, right?" Mr Gracia asked as he opened the folder on his desk.
"Yes! I'm the daughter of the deceased miner,Mr Ortega." Alejandra said, shedding light to her identity.
"I can see that." He replied and looked at her lustfully.
Alejandra followed the directions his eyes went. She felt nervous and angry by his lustful gestures.
"Your father was a miner at our mine?" Mr Gracia said, reading the information from the document.
"Yes. He died when the mine collapsed." Alejandra said.
"Okay." He said and closed the folder,
"And why didn't you come for the compensation five years ago? Weren't you informed about it?"
Alejandra didn't respond. She didn't want to narrate how her mother tore up the cheque that was given to her. She didn't want to reveal the encounter she had with the previous Mr Gracia.
"Well, considering the fact your father was once an employee and you're such a beautiful lady. I want you to name whatever you want." Mr Gracia said and pulled open his drawer.
He took out his cheque book from it and closed it.
"Any amount,sir?" She asked doubtfully.
"Yes,any amount! This is my way of repaying your father for his services to the company." He said and uncapped the top of his pen.
"Oh! Thank you,sir! I'm really grateful!" Alejandra thanked.
"Stop with the sir,it sounds formal. Just call me Roman." Mr Gracia said and appended his signature on the cheque he wrote.
He tore it out from the book and handed it over to Alejandra.
"Wow! This is too much,sir!" Alejandra said as she was surprised at the figures on the cheque.
"It's nothing. See it as an additional payment." He said.
"Thank you,sir! I'm really grateful!" Alejandra said.
"I've told you to stop with the formality and just call me by my name." Mr Gracia said and stood up from his chair.
"Sorry sir! I mean, Roman!" Alejandra said nervously.
"You know, you're a beautiful lady. You've my desired physique in a woman and the perfume you wore brings out that irresistible scent I crave for." He said seductively as he walked behind her.
Mr Gracia raked his fingers through her hair. He sat down on the chair opposite her. Alejandra moved her chair backwards a bit.
"So where do you work?" He asked curiously.
"I-I work at a graphics company." She replied nervously with her eyes on him.
"Okay! That's nice!" Mr Gracia said and placed his hand on her thigh.
Alejandra became uncomfortable and stood up from the chair.
"I think I'll take my leave now." Alejandra said.
"Wait!" He said and picked up his phone on his desk,
"Give me your phone number so that I call you whenever I need you."
"Whenever you need me?" She said inwardly.
"Need me for what exactly?"
Alejandra furrowed her brow at him.
"Don't try to act all innocent with me. I know you know exactly what I mean. Women like you do extra jobs to earn a living. Besides,any man would pay a fortune just to have you in his bed." Mr Gracia said bluntly and stood up.
"Sorry Mr Gracia but I'm not that kind of woman whom you speak of." Alejandra said boldly.
"Quit pretending to be a saint,I know you..."
Before he could complete his sentence,a slap landed on his cheek. His hand was on the cheek in which he was slapped.
"You think I'm one of those ladies who go around cheaply and use their body to make money? You think I'm one of those women who would quickly jump at the sight of a wealthy man? Well,I am not!" Alejandra said vehemently.
"I won't stoop to your level and agree to your wishes. And as for this cheque you gave..."
She raised the cheque up to his face and tore it in front of him. She threw the pieces at his face.
"I don't need your money. If you need woman to quench your thirst,you know where the brothel is."
Alejandra vent her anger and walked to the door.
"If you leave this office, forget about your father's compensation." Mr Gracia threatened.
Alejandra turned to his side and hissed at him. She turned the handle and stormed out of the room, banging the door loudly. His workers looked at her curiously and wanted to know what has transpired between to have result to the slap they heard. She walked to the reception and out of the building. Mr Gracia came out of his office minutes later with Alejandra's handprint on his face.
"Carmen!" He called angrily,
"Carmen!!"
"Yes,sir!" The receptionist replied as she came out of her desk.
"I don't want to ever see that lady around my office or anywhere near this company. Is that clear?" He said.
"Yes,sir!" Carmen replied feebly.
"If I see her here again,even if its her shadow,I won't think twice to fire you. Am I clear?" Mr Gracia said vehemently.
Carmen replied in a nod and went back to her desk. The others were still standing idly and he noticed.
"And what are you all looking at? Get back to work!" Mr Gracia barked.
Alejandra arrived at work later than she had expected. She thought collecting the compensation would be a breeze but didn't go well as she thought it would. She opened the door of her office and went straight to her seat. She placed her head on her desk and rest for a minute.
Her phone bleeped from her handbag. She unzipped her bag and got it out. A notification appeared on the homescreen. It was a text message from Maurice.
"Alejandra,where are you? Mr Anderson and I are waiting for you at the P.P.E's conference room. The presentation is about to start and Mr Anderson doesn't seem happy with your absence."
"Oh no!" Alejandra said and stood up from her chair,
"I completely forgot about the meeting this morning."
She put her phone in her bag and zipped it. She gathered the necessary files needed for the presentation and left her office. She hurried out of the building and walked to the bus stop.
<
Patricia and Ivan were both dressed to go to the amusement park. Patricia knew Ivan doesn't go anywhere except to school. Sofia had filled her in on how the house has been after Agnes' death.
"Hurry up Ivan or else will be late!" Patricia said from the living room.
She sat down on the sofa and waited for Ivan. Ivan ran down the stairs with a cheerful smile on his face and his favourite toy car in his hand. Patricia stood up from the chair as soon as Ivan ran to her.
"Ivan, what did I tell about running on the stairs?" She said.
"I shouldn't on the stairs or I might get hurt." Ivan replied softly.
"You know Grandma loves you and wants the best for you. That's why we those rules you keep you safe." Patricia explained,
"Now give Grandma a hug."
Ivan hugged her and she stroked his short hair.
"Ready to go to the amusement park?" She said happily.
"Uh-huh!" Ivan replied.
"Okay,let me just..." She said, looking for her phone on the sofa she was sitting on.
"Oh! I forgot my phone in my room. Ivan honey, would you mind staying with Nanny Sofia while I go and get my phone?"
"Okay, Grandma!" He said.
"Take care of him until I get back." She instructed Sofia.
"Yes,Mrs Patricia!" Sofia replied.
Patricia went to her room and found her phone on the bed. She grabbed it and left the room. She was walking pass the study and stopped at the door. Her eyes caught something on the desk. The door was wide open and the lights were still on. She was curious to know what was on the desk and walked in. She walked towards the desk.
"Nicolas left his phone at home. I'll have to drop by at the company and give it to him." Patricia said and picked up his phone.
She left the study and closed the door behind her. She went to the living room and saw Ivan playing with his toy car.
"C'mon Ivan, let's go to the amusement park." Patricia said.
"Yay!" Ivan cheered.
Patricia held his hand and led him through the archway. They walked out of the house. Gustavo opened the backseat door for Patricia and Ivan while Sofia sat on the passenger seat. He got in and turned on the ignition. He drove towards the gate and the gatekeeper opened the gate for them. They drove out of the compound.
"Gustavo!" Patricia called.
"Yes,Mrs Patricia!" He answered.
"Could you pull over at the company? I want to give Nicolas his phone." She said airily.
"Okay, ma'am." He replied with his gaze on the road.
They arrived at Prime Picture Enterprises and drove to the underground car park. Gustavo put it in park and turned off the ignition.
"Sofia,stay here with Ivan until I get back." Patricia said as Gustavo opened the door for her.
"Okay, ma'am!" Sofia said.
"Grandma, where are you going? I thought we were going to the amusement park?" Ivan asked curiously.
"We are! Your dad left his phone at home and I want to go and give it to him. I won't take long. I'll back before you know it." Patricia said.
"Can I come with you, Grandma?" Ivan asked.
"No dear, you can't! I don't want you to distract your dad while he is working. Plus,he is busy and we wouldn't want to disturb him, would we?" Patricia said coaxingly.
"No!" He said ruefully.
"I'll back before you know it. Then we can go to the amusement park. Sounds good?" She said and Ivan replied in a nod.
Patricia smiled at him and got out of the car. Gustavo closed the door and returned to the driver's seat. She went to the lift and pressed the button. Ivan watched her get in and the doors closed from the backseat window. The ding of the lift notified her that she had arrived at her desired floor and got out as soon as the door slid open.
"Good morning, Mrs Gonzalez!" An employee greeted as Patricia got out of the lift.
Patricia smiled at the employee and walked to Nicolas' office.
"Mrs Patricia,it's so good to see you." Mady said when she saw her in the hall.
"Matilda, how are you?" She asked.
"I'm good,Mrs Patricia. And how are about you?" Mady asked.
"I'm good!" Patricia said friendly.
"Looks like Mr Gonzalez has been taking care of you than focusing on his retirement." Mady said jokingly.
"What can I say Mady? He never wants to be idle. He loves keep his hands busy." Patricia replied,
"Is Nicolas in his office?"
"Yes,he is! Is there any problem?" Mady asked.
"No! It's just that he forgot his phone at home and I wanted to give it to him." Patricia said.
"You can give the phone to me. I'll give it to him." Mady suggested.
"Thank you,Mady but that won't be necessary. I want to see the workaholic in action." Patricia said.
"Okay,Mrs Patricia! It was nice seeing you!" Mady said and left the hall.
Patricia went to Nicolas' office and knocked on his door. She got no response and opened the door and walked in.
"Can't you knock?" Nicolas said plainly with his gaze at his computer screen.
He was unaware of Patricia's presence.
"I did but you didn't answer. So I decided to let myself in." Patricia said calmly as walked towards his desk.
"Mum?" Nicolas said and recognized her voice.
He looked away from the computer and furrowed his brow at her.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home with Ivan?"
"Can I at least sit down first?" Patricia replied.
Nicolas didn't respond and watched her pull out a chair in front of him.
"Why are you here?" He asked sternly.
"I came to see my son but it looks like he doesn't want to see me." She said calmly and surveyed the office.
"Well,I'm busy! You have Ivan to keep you company. Shouldn't you be taking care of him?" He said flatly.
"I am but I decided we should go out and have some fun. It's not a school day after all. And the best way to spend it in the amusement park than being bored at home." She said happily.
"Aren't you a little old to go to the amusement park?" Nicolas asked.
"No,I'm not! No one is limited from having fun. Not everyone will like to live their lives on schedules and meetings like you." Patricia replied,
"Anyways, that's not why I'm came. I came to give you your phone."
She took it out of her handbag and kept it on the desk.
"My phone?" Nicolas said doubtfully and touched the pockets of his trousers.
"You left it at home." She said.
"Thanks!" He said, picking up his phone.
Nicolas kept the phone close to the stacked files.
"Wow! This place has changed over the years! I almost thought I was in the wrong office." Patricia said.
"Where is Ivan?" Nicolas asked, concerned about his son.
"He is fine. He is in the car with Sofia." Patricia said.
"Shouldn't you be on your way to the amusement park?" He said dryly and stood up from the chair.
He walked over to the fax machine.
"Why are you in a hurry to see me leave? You should be at least grateful I'm here. After all,this used to be my husband's office." Patricia said.
"Used to but not anymore." Nicolas said flatly.
"On second thought,I think I'll stay a bit longer." She said and crossed her legs.