Derricks Pov
I was working in my office, analyzing the new biogometric series we were about to launch, it could detect any weapon from a mile away and immediately disarm it, detect intruders and provide maximum safety for our consumers, I am currently looking for a way to make it perfect, when Anika's voice interrupted me
"Boss, your personal phone line is currently ringing", she said
"Is it Anna?" I asked there were only four persons in the whole world who had my personal phone number, Anna, Luke Ross, and Ava
"It appears to be an unidentified phone number sir, do you want me to check it out for you" she asked.
"No, put the call through", I said with a knowing smile, aware of who was behind the call.
"Hello, Mr witson", I heard a sweet soft voice, she obviously was not sure of what to say.
"Caroline", I said my voice sounding very amused,
"How do you know, it was me", she asked
"Let's say I was expecting your call", I said with a smirk,
"And why are you so sure I would call", she asked again
"Basic instinct,I said humans are emotional beings, very predictable, they are not as strong as they think they are, especially when it comes to losing things that holds sentimental value, there would do anything to hold on to it, including losing their pride" I said
"You sound like you are not human", she said
"Well unfortunately I am, but I'm definitely not average" I replied
"So, she began, you said you could help me earlier, what are you going to do about it" she asked
"Well, the question should be what are you willing to do for me, in exchange for my help".
"I'm not having sex with you",she screamed
"And I chuckled, Caroline, get your mind our of the gutter, don't get ahead of yourself, You're not really my type, I'm a businessman Caroline, so I can't help you without getting anything in return, I did not get to the top by being nice my philosophy involves give and take, I give and I get something in return"
"So what do you want in return?" she asked
"Well for a start let's say you'll owe me for as long as i want, do anything I ask for no questions asked and you have to save my number and pick my call no matter the time", I said fiddling with my magnetic pen.
"Okay", she replied taking a deep breath, "so how long is it going to take", she said, sounding vulnerable but trying really hard to conceal it
"Give me a day", I said knowing that all I had to do was make a damn phone call
"You're bluffing",she scoffed
"You underestimate me sweetheart", I said playfully.
"What are you going to do", she asked curiously
"I'm Derrick wintson", leave that to me
"Fine, I'll count on that", she said, and hung up on me rude woman, but I couldn't contain the smile threatening to break out on my face.
Few minutes later I saw a message from Caroline with the name of the agency in charge. I asked Anika to run a scan on the agency and immediately got the person's at the top and their phone numbers.
*****
The next day, I was up as usual going through my routine, picking my outfit for the day as with Anika's help, I was going for a casual look today a white long sleeve, Jean trousers,canvas and my glasses as usual, Lenin style's life quote for the day was playing in the background, "You never know you lack something, until it's finally here", my mind drifted to carol, her sudden appearance in my life made it very glaring how much my life had become boring and how much I craved a little bit of entertainment, I went to my garage and drove out in my Lamborghini
I entered into my company and received the usual good morning sir from every corner, and I replied with a nod I was really not in a chatty mood today, I walked into the elevator and press the top floor, I entered into my office and was greeted with Ava's smiling face
"Hey boss", she said cheerfully
"Hi Ava", I replied, "what's that in your hands?" I asked noticing she was holding a red envelope,
"I didn't mean to invade your privacy but You were invited to Mrs Clarissa birthday party last week and its holding on the 26th of this month, which is tomorrow by the way and you are required to come with a plus one, and since I know you are extremely single I volunteer to be your plus one, to avoid you getting embarrassed", she said like she was doing me a favor, "there's so much to do I'll have to find a stunning dress that would be just perfect for the event, I'll have to visit the salon, and all that , I feel so overwhelmed"
"Ava, you are not going with me", I said calmly opening my laptop
"What, why, I have always been your plus one for events like this, you always said you don't like taking your sex buddies, and you need someone capable by your side" she said angrily with her eyes wide open
"That was before we had sex Ava", I replied
"It was just sex, Derrick why are you making a big deal out of it, you said you weren't interested in me and I understand".
"You took my number from Ross, you have obviously been stalking me to gain access to my personal activities , I said glancing at the envelope In her hands, you are getting attached and I don't want you getting ideas in your head about us Ava, that would remain a bloody fantasy, I'm doing this for you Ava, because you are valuable to me and the company", I said
And she hissed obviously pissed, "Fine if I'm not going to be your plus one, then who is"
"Someone unattached" I simply replied
Caroline
"Hey Doc", Bryan said as he entered into my office with a file and a bald middle aged stranger dressed in a suite
"Good day miss, I'm Rochester Williams from the property regulating act, he said showing me is ID and I'm here to personally tender my apology and formally declare that you and your team are permitted to use this facility for as long as you want"
"I'm really happy about this" Bryan said "but if I may ask why the sudden change of heart"
"Well we received a call from a profound source that we couldn't ignore that all I can say and we are very sorry for the misunderstanding" Mr Rochester said
"It's fine Bryan,I said I wasn't perplex at the sudden change because I knew the "profound source" was obviously Derrick, Thank you very much Mr Rochester and your apology is accepted", I stood and shaked his hands
"I'll take my leave now", Mr Rochester said with a nod and exited my office
"Wow, that was crazy, isn't that a miracle"
"Yeah I know right, I'm just really happy that everything is taken care of ", I said with a deep sigh of relief.
"Yeah, he was silent and it seems, like he had something to say, Okay spill it, what's the problem"
"Hum Carol, I'll have something to ask you" He said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head, He looked really scared
"What's the problem Bryan, I asked you know you can tell me anything right", I said with an encouraging Smile
"Hum, I just want to ask if you are free tomorrow. I promise I won't take much of your time or anything, I know you don't like going out, but I just want us to grab some food, it's nothing just burgers or pizza anything you want". He rambled in one go.
And I giggled, really amused, "Bryan it's fine, I'm free tomorrow, you don't have to be scared, I'm not a monster and we are friends, friends hang out all the time right"
"Well about that, I was hum wondering"..
"Wait" I interrupted him, my phone was ringing, I checked and I saw it was weirdo (PS I saved his number as weirdo) what does he want, I really wanted to ignore his call when I remember we had a deal last night
Bryan said something that looked like he was leaving, and I gave him an acknowledging nod.
"What is it", I said annoyed that he was calling at this time,
"A bundle of delight as usual, he said in his usual annoying tune, I guess you received my little gift", he said referring to Mr Rochester,
"Yeah, I got it thank you very much", I said really grateful,and i'm not an ungrateful person so don't act so surprised, and if I am been sincere, I'm impressed but he doesn't have to know that
"You are welcome sweetheart", so I need you to do something for me
"Wow, you really took your Give and take philosophy really seriously, Mr wintson, can't you be a kind sir and help a damsel in distress" l said in a fake British accent
"You and I both know, you are far from being a damsel in distress, and I'm no gentleman" he said in a husky tone that did something weird to my stomach, but I totally choose to ignore it, "What do you want" I asked seriously
"Your time, he simply said, I need a date tomorrow and you are best suited for the job"
"I'm not some arm candy, derrick I'm a doctor, I save life not design arms", I said furiously
"And that's exactly why I need you there, remember our deal, you have to do whatever I want no questions asked", he said
"Fine", I said defeated, why does it feel like I'm really going to regret this
"Time is by 8pm but we will be there fashionably late, send me your address, I'll send a car to pick you up" , he said and hanged up
"What did I get myself into"? I said looking at my phone with so much hatred imagining it was Derrick's head.
***
I woke up and shit it was tomorrow already, I came back from work extremely late and now I'm too tired, Today was supposed to be the only day in the week when I finally get to rest and have an uninterrupted relationship with my bed, but Derrick Witson just had to ruin it, now I had to look for a stupid dress for his stupid founders day party. I looked at the time and it was 10am i still had time maybe I could rest a little, so I slept again for what was supposed to be some few hours only to wake up to the sun shining brightly upon me , i look at the wall clock and it was 3pm
"Can this day get any worse", I said
I stood up and walked towards my wardrobe like a dehydrated zombie and looked through it hoping I could get something a little bit descent, and all I saw were oversize trousers, hoodies,t-shirts and long sleeve, the only thing that looked like a dress was the blue dinner gown I wore for graduation from med school, I brought it out and it was all dusty, I can't were this, what I'm I going to do, I only have few hours left, Suddenly I remember I have Mel as my best friend and she was the one who got me into this mess in the first place, and now she has to help me out. I picked my phone and dialed her number and she answered after the second dial
"What's up my bitch", she said in her usual chirpy tone
" I need your help, and a cup of coffee" I said, I guessed she detected the urgency in my voice.
"Give me ten minutes", she says and she hanged up , and after some few minutes, I heard a knock on the door. I opened it and Mel stepped in with a cup of coffee which she handed to me.
"Thanks I say, really grateful" I took a sip and it was really soothing
"Now can you tell me why the heck you had to call me like there was fire up in your ass".
"I need a dress, real quick"
"Wait are you going out on a date, finally have been waiting for this day all my life, she said wiping an invisible tear from her eyes, I thought I was going to have to sign you off on tinder she said really excited
"You are nuts Mel, I'm not going out on a date and I'm still going to die single, and a awesome godmother to your kids", I said sasily
"Then what the heck do you need a dress for", she asked curiously?
"Well your advice got me here, you told me to swallow my pride and chug it down, so I did and derrick helped but in exchange for my peace, joy and my life, He asked me to be his date for a stupid party" I said really pissed
"Aren't you one lucky little little bitch, you get to hang out with derrick wintson, the derrick wintson girls would kill to be in your position right now including me" she said shamelessly
"Don't murder me and I prefer sleeping the whole day away than going out with that crazy person". The doorbell rang interrupting me
"I ordered a begging chicken on my way here so I'm sure it's here", Mel says
"Alright, I'll check it out, thank God I'm really starving", I opened the door to see a cute guy with curly black hair, and three gorgeous ladies who looked like runway models and we're definitely not from beggings
"Hum, who are you" I asked really confused
"Good day miss, I'm Pedro and I'm looking for a certain miss Carolina, I was told she lives here", He said with a mexican accent
"Its caroline, and how may I help you" I asked
"Wonderful,let me reintroduce myself. I'm Pedro, the owner of Swiss and sexy fashion house, and I was sent by Mr Wintson to make you look fabulous". He said excited at the prospect of dolling me up
"Umh… give me some few minutes thanks", I said shutting the door,
"Where's my chicken", Mel asked
"There's no chicken yet, but there's a Pedro at the door, He said his the owner of Swiss and sexy fashion house"
"Holy shit, did you just say Swiss and sexy fashion house, get out of my way woman", she says pushing me and I fell on my ass, "outch", i picked my phone and dialed Derricks number, and he picked up
"What do you think you're doing" I asked really upset
"I guess you've met Pedro", he said with a tired voice
I hesistated for a second before speaking "Why is the owner of Swiss and sexy fashion house at my doorstep?" I asked
"To make you look presentable, You can't be my date looking like a crazy hobo, look I'm really busy right now see you at 8" he said and hung up. "Rude" I muttered.
"Wow, I can't believe I'm seeing you in the flesh, I have watched all your fashion shows and I think your designs are simply marvelous and creative", Mel said ushering Pedro and his entourage into my living room.
"Thank you, miss… "
"Mellisa, it is really nice to meet you". She said again, "Can I take a picture with you?"
"Of course you can, I can't refuse a fan, but only after I'm done with miss Caroline over here" He said looking at me like I'm his latest project.
"That's okay" Mel replied
"Oh forgive my manners this are my assistants Eleana, Lucinda and Frankie", Pedro said
"Hi" they said at the same time
And I waved at them awkwardly, "I don't have a choice do I"
"No, you don't, Mr wintson paid millions for this session and we have to give him is money worth", Pedro said," alright let's begin"
Eleana and Lucinda brought out a chair and pushed me to sit on it, "you have such a flawless skin, and a rich hair texture, you are already so beautiful so i really don't have to do much, I just have to make your prominent features stand out", Pedro said examining my face
"Alright baby girl I'm your fairy godmother and about to make you sparkle" and he began his makeover, adding different kind of stuff to my face, while Eleana and Lucinda attended to my finger nails and my toe nails, I literally felt so suffocated, and I couldn't wait for this torture to end, Pedro then attended to my hair and after what seem like forever the torture finally came to an end.
Frankie came in with three dresses, "i think the Red one would be the best, hand it to me, miss caroline would you change Into this please", Pedro said handing me the red dress,
"Alright, excuse me", I said going into my room, the dress was really silky and felt nice on my skin, it was an off shoulder dress and was just perfect on me, I looked at myself in the mirror and was shocked at my reflection, my hair was curled and not in its usual scattered ponytail, my makeup was flawless and really light, it really enhance my features, and the dress, the dress was…breathtaking, I knew I wasn't bad looking, but I really looked.. gorgeous
I came out to see Mel, looking awe struck, and speechless, "Cat got your tongue", I said playfully
"Oh my god, bitch.. you're beautiful, I could take you to the altar right now but I'm straight", she said her eyes teary
"Thanks boo, don't cry, you crazy woman"
"I'm strong, I'm not going to cry" she said
"You are breathtaking miss Caroline, Mr witson really did a good job choosing that dress", Pedro said
"Wait, Derrick picked this dress?" I asked really surprised
"All three of them, he paid for them, but he said the red one was just perfect and he was right. You look gorgeous".
"Thanks", I said still shocked that he could find a time out of his busy schedule to pick a dress for me
The doorbell rang and I looked at the time and it was almost 8pm, he came early I thought, I opened door and it wasn't Derrick but Bryan with flowers and my favorite chocolate in his hands, He was dresses in faded jeans and a t-shirt, Shit I totally forgot, that I made plans with Bryan today
"Hi, Wooh" he said looking shocked, "you look… amazing Carl, you took our hangout seriously", he said staring at me jaw dropped, "I feel so underdressed I could go back and change to something more formal"
"Hum about that", I didn't even know what to say. How do you tell a guy that you have unwanted plans with another guy and totally forgot about him without sounding like a witch. "Well I have hum.. crazy story I hum have a thingy that came up all of a sudden" I said sounding extremely stupid, I was still thinking of the best way to explain the situation without hurting his feelings, when a limo pulled up and a middle aged man in suite stepped out of the driver's seat and walked towards me
"Good day miss", the middle aged man greeted with a smile, "I'm Robin, Mr witson's chauffeur and he awaits your presence" he said pointing at the limo
"Wait, what's going on Carol, why is Mr witson waiting for you", Bryan asked obviously hurt and pissed but was trying not to yell at me,
Can you give me a second, I say to Mr witson chauffeur, "I'll explain everything later, it's really not intentional", I say softly, I was in the middle of my explanation when Derrick came out of the limo and trust me when I say he looked really good in that black tuxedo with his hair styled liked that and two of his buttons opened walking towards me in a slow motion, and I was speechless for a moment, I guessed he noticed because he smirked annoyingly
"Hey, Brieanna nice meeting you again", Derrick said stretching out his hands for a shake, but Bryan ignored him and focus on me.
"You know,I thought you were different and have been really looking forward to everything we were supposed to do tonight, I thought of ways to make everything perfect,you just had to… do this to me, I'm out of here", he said and left me feeling really guilty