Enzo
My mind went haywire the moment she stepped out of the office. Of course, I tried to remain calm while she was here. Who would want to see a mighty force like me go berserk over the words of a little girl?
I didn't know how a school girl could know so much about advertisement and marketing more than my PR team. If there was a mistake, then I have to detect it instead of being blackmailed by a nonentity.
I pressed the intercom and picked up the phone to place a call. The accounting unit was on speed dial.
"Get me the ledger of the PR unit and get Mike up here immediately!" I barked as I dropped the call.
I knew there were forces in this city that wanted to ruin me because I was a rising figure in the New York real estate business. I remember that it wasn't always this way. I've faced betrayals from allies and frustrations from acquaintances. Despite the challenges, I weathered the storm to become the man I am today. This business was all I knew and I'd started from the scratch and worked my way up.
I looked at the seat opposite mine where she'd sat. I was visibly angry. What exactly was she after? Maybe she was sent to ruin me or maybe it was just an innocuous insurance claim.
Stella, my secretary, was standing in front of the door.
"Where were you when that riffraff entered my office?" I queried in anger.
"I thought…" Stella said.
"I don't pay you to think!" I said, "I pay you to do for fuck sake!"
I was never blessed with a good secretary as I had to get a new one every three months after probation. If you were lucky, you'd be moved to another department where there is a vacancy.
"Now, this would be the first and last time someone will come into my office without you checking with me first, is that clear?" I raved
"Yes sir, but…" Stella said.
I raised my right hand to interrupt her, "Another word from you and you're fired," I said, "Now get out and make sure the PR ledger gets to me in 10 minutes."
This was not what I bargained for this morning, but here I was, about to sweep through my company like an auditor based on the words of a young lady.
I know I thought out every possible scenario in case of blackmails or anyone tried to ruin me so I took a deep breath as my mind did another marathon around my plans and strategies.
"Think Enzo, think," I said to myself, "there is something up in this brain of yours with the right plan."
Then again, she came to me. She didn't file an action if she really had something up on the signpost against the company. What was she pointing at?
I picked up the phone to make another call.
"You know what to do," I said, "don't let this rest."
There were things I could never have imagined, and this scenario was never one of them.
***
Ella
I stared at my phone for some time. Jake was calling and I couldn't pick the call because I wasn't ready to answer his questions.
Abel had walked me out of the building and just turned to pick up what seemed like an urgent call.
Bless his heart. I couldn't have come this far if not for him.
I pulled out my phone and dialed the insurance company's number. I was still standing in the front of the Kingston building but my heart was pacing because I didn't know what to say or expect. As the phone rang, my anxiety grew.
"You've reached the Lead Insurance helpline," a female voice said, "My name is Linda, what's your name please?"
"Um… this is Ella," I hesitated, "Ella Anderson."
"Well, Ella," Linda said, "This call is monitored for quality assurance purposes, so how may I assist you today?"
I looked at the signpost again but my palms were already sweaty, "I was directed to contact you by Mr. Kingston of Kingston Real Properties."
"Please can you say that again?" Linda said.
"Um, it's about an insurance claim with Kingston Real Properties." I said holding the phone tight. My hands were sweaty and also shaky.
"Alright, please can you provide me with the details of the company?" Linda said.
"Just a moment please," I quizzed as I rummaged inside my purse to find the first card. I stated all the information I could find on the card and also answered all the questions Linda asked concerning how I got to know Mr. Kingston.
Soon there was silence on the other end.
"Please hold while I transfer your call to my superior, "Linda said with a very friendly tone and soon enough I could hear the familiar caller tune playing in the background.
My phone buzzed again and this time, it was a text from Jake that said 'Babes, call me when you get this'. I'm so worried. I ignored it just like the calls. Explanations had worked poorly when Jake was involved but I will sure look for a story to tell him about my whereabouts.
"Good day, Miss," a male voice interrupted my thoughts, "this is Lucas. I am an insurance investigator with Lead Insurance. I believe I'm unto Emma Anderson."
"It's Ella," I retorted.
"Alright, Miss Ella, you have to remain calm," he said, "I understand you're claiming against the Kingston Real Properties. Please can you tell me more about the insurance claim?"
I gave him a description of what I already told Linda but with the addition that Mr. Kingston asked me to call them.
I could hear the sound of pen on paper on the other hand so I waited after I'd finished.
"I believe you said Mr. Kingston told you to call us as opposed to you just calling us based on your claims?" He asked.
"Yes, I am calling based on his instructions sir," I tried to sound as convincing as possible.
"Very well," he said, "we are sending a team to the location of the towed car. Please bear in mind that it will take at least a few days for us to finish the investigation and we will also be in touch with the management of Kingston Real Properties."
"Very well," I replied, "just don't take much time."
"We will do our best," he said, "if the claim checks out, we will do the needful and call you on this line. Is that okay?"
That was fine by me.
"And please be aware that we will be speaking with Mr. Kingston directly as you shared his details to verify your claims," he said, "if we find any discrepancies…"
I cut the call on him because the phone bill was already accumulating. Jake's call came in again and this time, I declined the call. I had bigger fish to try and dealing with Jake wasn't one of them.
I know it's true that we can correct the mistakes of the past from the actions of today. So here I am, doing just that.
Suddenly, a car double-crossed me.
"Let me take you home," a voice said from inside. It was Abel.
"You've been through enough already," I said, "let me not add to your woes."
"Nonsense," he said as he waved me up.
"On whose instruction this time?" I asked. Honestly, I was too tired to walk to the nearest bus stop.
"Just hop in," he said, "you can ask all the questions on your way."
And I joined him. But then, I couldn't shake off that feeling that Mr. Kingston might deny me or break our gentleman's agreement.
What if the signpost saga was a hoax? I wasn't too young to be found guilty of insurance fraud especially when it looked like I wanted to blackmail him into doing it.