I gently pushed Sandra away, trying not to lead her on while she was intoxicated. "I have to go," I said, attempting to create some distance.
Sandra clung to me, her voice laced with emotion. "No, stay. I love you, Dam. Don't you feel the same way anymore?"
Try
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I had never expressed my intentions to her, and it pained me to see her so deeply invested in someone else.
"I'll be back, okay? Davis is at the door," I said, carefully removing her hands from around me. I made sure she was comfortable before leaving.
As I stepped out of the room, I asked Davis,
"Which waiter gave her the drink?"
Davis replied, "He's downstairs at the back. Louis is taking care of him."
I instructed Davis, "Don't leave her side." Before heading downstairs to investigate, I added, "I need to find out who drugged her."
As I descended the stairs, the room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on me. The commotion hadn't subsided, it seemed. I caught Gloria's gaze but swiftly turned away, intent on speaking with the bartender. However, before I could reach him, Gloria approached me.
"Baby" she said, wrapping her hands around my shoulders.
I shrugged, feeling irritated by her clinginess. I detest women who are overly obsessed and clingy. They shouldn't care so deeply about my presence or display how much they miss me.
"Baby, have you been avoiding me?" Gloria asked, positioning herself in front of me and attempting to adjust my tie.
I seized her hands and squeezed them firmly. "Next time, I'll snap them if they touch me."
I released her hands, leaving a visible imprint of my fingers on her arms. Gloria's face reddened as she threatened,
"Daddy will hear of this."
I paused, turning to face her with a stern expression. I then hastened to the back alley, determined to uncover the truth behind Sandra's drugging.
I opened the back door behind the bar and found Louis grasping the waiter's collar, poised to strike.
"Wait," I said calmly, rolling up my sleeves as I approached them.
Louis released the waiter and stepped back.
"One word, just one word, and you'll spill the truth or I'll let my friend here take care of you," I warned, grasping the waiter's collar and slamming him against the wall.
The waiter grunted, "I don't know anything."
I scoffed, "Who?" I glared at him, raising an eyebrow.
Louis, standing beside me, gestured to the waiter to reveal the truth, clenching his fists. The waiter hesitated before confessing,
"It _It was a lady, sh_she paid me to give her the drink." The waiter stammered in fear.
Louis and I exchanged a knowing glance, both of us suspecting the same person.
"Clear the trash," I said, releasing the waiter and leaving him to Louis's mercy.
I swiftly re-entered the venue, adjusting my attire and rolling down my sleeves. As I scanned the room, my gaze landed on her - the first person I saw upon entering.
She mouthed
"Hey baby" as I approached, her eyes locked on mine.
I grasped her left hand, pulling her towards a secluded corner by the bar. With a firm grip, I took hold of her neck and pressed her against the wall. A sly smile spread across her face as she whispered,
"Oouuu, aggressive! I missed this." Biting her lower lip.
I glared at her, my tone stern.
"You're an old attraction, Gloria. Our business dealings with your father are over. So are we!"
She rubbed my shoulders, her voice laced with seduction.
"Baby, I know you miss me. Just admit it. A little alone time wouldn't hurt, would it?"
I tightened my grip around her neck, my anger rising.
"You're hurting me, James," she whispered.
My eyes narrowed.
"Why did you drug Sandra?" I demanded.
Gloria's expression transformed, a hint of amusement dancing on her lips.
"Oh, she was drugged? I wish I had done that." My grip on her neck intensified.
"You know I'd kill you and walk away unscathed," I warned.
"Stop playing games and tell me the truth." Gloria's demeanor shifted, her voice taking on a more serious tone.
"I didn't drug her, James, if I did I would've taken credit for it. You know I never lie."
I searched her eyes, and for a moment, I believed her. But the waiter's words still lingered in my mind - a lady had paid him to give Sandra the drink. If it wasn't Gloria, then who?
Gloria's next words ignited a fire within me. "Hats off to whoever did that, but I wish she was poisoned instead."
My eyes darkened, and I took a menacing step closer to her.
"Don't you ever say that again," I growled, my voice low and deadly.
"This is your last warning. Your words might be your demise."
Gloria's eyes flashed with defiance.
"What's your obsession with that slum girl?" she spat.
I released my grip on her neck, my voice icy. "She's everything you couldn't be Gloria. You were just a fleeting moment."
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving her seething in my wake.
The atmosphere in the hall became increasingly formal as the announcement for Businessman of the Year drew near.
Gloria trailed behind me, and we both pretended to be strangers. The host's voice echoed through the hall,
"And the Businessman of the Year goes to..."
I thought to myself,
"Just get on with it already."
The opulent surroundings were starting to feel suffocating. Suddenly, the host declared, "Damola Jefferson!"
I was taken aback, my eyes widening in shock.
"What?!" I exclaimed, my voice barely above a whisper. A figure emerged from the crowd, making his way to the stage.
Sandra's voice echoed behind me, "Damola?"