Enzo
I walked quickly to my car. My shoes were hitting the floor with a measured rhythm even though my mind wasn't in it. A thousand thoughts went through my mind, especially after the meeting with my PR team.
However, it was that irritating thought about the girl that kept me quiet. Who did she think she was, barging and threatening me like she did? I was now very furious as I approached my car.
I was greeted by a grin from Abel as I sat down in the backseat. It was his usual friendly smile which he offered every time but I was not in the mood today neither did I have the patience after what he did.
Without a word, I gave him a hard look, and without a word, he didn't need to know that today was not business as usual.
"Where are you going, sir?" Abel asked.
"Take me home," I mumbled under my breath and leaned back into my seat.
Abel nodded.
The engine rumbled to life and soon the car rolled out of the parking lot. I needed space to think and for a moment, the silence inside the car was very comforting.
I could see Abel looking at me through the rearview mirror and when he realized I'd seen him, he asked; "Is everything alright, sir? You look tense."
The question was quite irritating and I felt my annoyance surge again. "You're part of the reason I'm not alright, Abel," I snapped, "Let's say you hit that girl's car, why did you have to give her my complimentary card? Now she stormed into my office and threatened me like that."
"Oh…" Abel sighed, shaking his head gently, "What was the threat all about if I may ask?"
I scoffed. "I don't need your lecturing now, Abel," I said, "Just drive."
"I'm not lecturing you, sir," Abel replied unfazed, "But seriously, I haven't seen any real threat in this whole situation. If it's about the advertisement, then I'm sure it's something your PR team can resolve."
My jaw clenched in frustration. "Come on, Abel," I blurted out, "She just threatened me with potential lawsuits. Imagine the effrontery to come into my office like that and act like she owned the place. You should've told me at least before giving her my card. The insurance company could've handled this differently."
Abel's voice dropped to an even tone. "I know I should've called you first but you sent me on an errand and I was in a haste," he said, "How would she know who to tell the insurance company was their client especially since she didn't have your details?"
His argument made sense but it did little to pacify me.
Abel continued. "Look, I'm sorry, Enzo," he said, "But that girl wasn't trying to cause any problem. She didn't want to run a red light and that was how I hit her. Trust me, I know when someone is handicapped sir. Her father's car was towed because it couldn't start after I hit it and that was why she offered to do anything to get her father's car fixed. I was worried she might even offer… you know… more, considering how desperate she was."
His last words hit me like a slap and I chuckled despite myself to hide the guilt. "Anything huh?" I asked as I shifted in my seat.
Abel nodded. "Honestly, I was scared she'd offer her body next when you asked her what she had to offer," he said looking at me from the mirror, "And I saw the way you looked at her, sir. I just prayed things didn't get messy."
I couldn't help but laugh although there was an atom of truth in what Abel said. I'd thought the same but she looked young and I didn't want to get involved with any minor at this stage of my life.
"Do you think she was that desperate?" I asked.
"Coming from someone who lives in a low-cost community and works as a part-time waitress in a cafe, I think she was pretty desperate," Abel said, "And I don't think her family is well-off plus her boyfriend is paying off part of her tuition fees."
"How do you know so much about her?" I quizzed with a frown on my face, "Were you keeping tabs on her?"
"I had to do the needful sir. I drove her home after her meeting with you," Abel explained while gauging my reaction from the rearview mirror, "So we got talking in the car. I had to know where she lived so I'd try to understand the situation better."
"Take her home?" I said in annoyance, "You can't take such risks again, Abel."
Abel didn't miss a beat. "When have I not taken risks for you, sir? Huh?" he asked, "I caused this mess and I did what I did so we can fix it. But trust me when I tell you she's no trouble. Maybe if you threw a few bucks her way, this could all go away. I don't think she wants this to drag out too."
I paused for a moment to consider Abel's words. "What if this is a setup, Abel?" I asked, "What if I had demanded… you know… more from her and she obliged? She looks like a kid to me. This could be a PR nightmare for us."
Abel chuckled, although I could hear the unease in his voice. "True sir, that could've been bad," he said, "But she didn't strike me as the kind to play those games. I think it's an isolated case of desperation. Thankfully, I was there too. I won't have let you make sure a mistake."
"You trust people so easily, Abel," I said a little sad, "I'm younger than you but I've been betrayed more times than the number of my age. I'm scared someone is using her against me. If it gets out, it won't be just the real estate company- my other businesses would be hit too. This could be way bigger than we think, Abel."
For a moment, the air in the car was heavy even though the air condition was on. We were at an intersection and I caught Abel's gaze in the mirror; his brows were furrowed as if weighing my words.
"It will be fine, sir," Abel finally said as he coughed gently, "Just throw the cash her way and it'll be done within no time."
I smiled, but there was no humor behind it. "Don't worry," I said, "I've got this under control."
Abel glanced at me as he took the next right turn. "What do you mean by you've got this under control, sir?"
"Just what I said, Abel," I said leaning further into my seat with a smirk growing on my lips, "While you were busy chauffeuring my enemy and doing your little detective work, I called the insurance company to complain about insurance fraud. Also, I had to call my cop friends. They're investigating this as a case of insurance fraud as we speak."
Abel's eyes widened. "Insurance fraud?" he repeated in surprise, "But how…"
Before he could finish, my phone buzzed and I glanced at the screen and a grin spread across my face.
"Aah.. talk of the devil," I said showing the phone to Abel, "It's the cops."
I picked up the call. "Talk to me," I said, keeping my voice casual as the person on the other end spoke quickly, "Alright, I'll be there shortly."
I ended the call and slipped the phone into my suit pocket.
"Change of plans, Abel," I said, "Take me to the central police station."
Abel blinked as he tried to keep up. "What's happening at the station sir?" he asked.
I smiled, a mischievous glint in my eyes. "We're going to put an end to this matter once and for all."
Abel didn't ask any more questions as he turned the vehicle in the direction of the central police station.
'I have to end this now' I said to myself. It was for my good.