Devil's In The Details

6. Chapter Six

Allegra's POV

To say I am hungover would be an understatement. I woke up with my head hurting even though I didn't have much alcohol last night. I remember every last thing that happened along with Mr. Anderson and Mr. Marshall talking to me. We went to his club after all. Taylor is still sleeping as she has taken a day off today while I have to go. My car arrived early this morning and thankfully, Mr. Anderson messaged me to come a bit later than usual as he has some business to take care of that he didn't bother telling me about and I am totally okay with it. 

"Why are you up so early?", Taylor groans as she gets up from the couch. 

"My car came in and anyway I was up so I decided to get up and get ready for the day". 

"You are going in early?"

"Actually, I have to go later than usual. I will get something to eat on the way before going in". 

"Great. I am going back to sleep in your room", she wakes up and stumbles her way to my room. 

"You need me to order something for you? I haven't been grocery shopping in a few days". 

"No, go ahead. I will order something if and when I get hungry". 

"Okay. See you in the evening". 

"See you. Have a good day and try no to smart mouth the boss unless you want get into trouble". 

"I will try my best not to", I chuckle while she shakes her head before closing the door behind her. I leave the house, closing it securely behind me. I descend the stairs quickly and get to my baby who looks as good as new. They did well with the polishing job and the matt black color looks badass and beautiful at the same time. 

"You ready for a run, baby?", I start the engine and the car purrs, coming to life. 

"Let's get you on the road", with that I am off in a second. I choose my favorite road to go to my favorite cafe in the entire city. If you ever want to taste the best macaroons and coffee, I suggest you go to Madeline cafe. It is small and a bit secluded but the taste of every food item they serve is extraordinarily good. I open the door and the bell chimes, attracting attention towards me. 

"If it isn't my favorite customer", Mrs. Randall chirps and comes wobbling towards me. She is a very sweet old lady who loves me enough to give me free muffins and cupcakes whenever I visit. 

"Aren't you looking really beautiful this lovely morning", I comment and she smiles before wrapping me in her arms, her motherly hug always brightens my day up. 

"You are too kind, sweetheart", she says and kisses my forehead before leading me towards a booth at the back. I slide in while she sits opposite of me. 

"How's work, honey? You look a thinner than the last time you visited". 

"The work is a bit hectic now that Derek's son has taken over but nothing that I can't handle, and I haven't lost any weight", I say. 

"I beg to differ", a new voice cuts whatever Mrs. Randall was about to say. 

"Mr. Randall, I missed you", I stand up to hug him and he returns it before kissing my cheeks. 

"I missed my doll too and my wife's right, you have lost weight. Do I have to talk to your new boss and give him a piece of my mind for overworking you?", he raises an eyebrow and I chuckle at his words. 

"No need, Mr. Randall. I already smart mouthed more times then I can count. I have no idea how and why he still has me around", he chuckles and pats me on the back twice. 

"That's my girl. Stay right here while I bring out your usual. Darling, there are a few customers that are asking for you'', he tells him wife and she nods before they both excuse themselves. 

I lean on the window beside me and look at the people outside, rushing to go to work. Some are jogging along with their dogs, some parents are dropping their children off while some loners, just like me, are walking along with their earphones in their ears, oblivious to the world. I stare at the clouds, making out weird shapes and then laughing to myself. As I child, I always used to be lost in my own world. I was oblivious to things in front of me and around me and I still am. I am naive and I know it. People have told me to be aware of everything that goes around me and trust me, I have tried, but it is just not in mature. I would rather be in the dark then be the bearer of all the secrets and the bullshit around me.

"Here you go, doll", Mr. Randall places my order in front of me and I smile brightly at him, Chocolate chip pancakes soaking wet with chocolate sauce, fresh fruit salad and a cup of coffee. 

"Thank you so much", he smiles gently before patting my head once and gets back to work. I start eating and moan at the amazing taste that invades my tongue. I quickly eat everything and as I am about to pay the bill, my phone starts to ring. Its none other than my boss and I look at the time before picking it up. I still have thirty minutes to get to work, thankfully. 

"Good morning, sir", I greet him in a polite way, hoping he won't remind me of yesterday's conversation. 

"Good morning, Ms. Tyson", Mr. Marshall's voice greets me and I check my phone once to see the name again and it is Mr. Anderson's number that's displayed. 

"Mr. Marshall? Is everything okay?"

"I need you to cancel all the meetings that Aiden has today. He is not in the best condition to come to work". 

"I will do that but is he alright?"

"Its nothing major, Ms. Tyson. No need to worry". 

"If you say so, Mr. Marshall", from behind I hear someone speaking and Mr. Marshall talks to them in a hushed voice. 

"Aiden wants to talk to you", he says and I straighten my posture as if he is right here. 

"Ms. Tyson", Mr. Anderson breathes from the other line and creases appear on my forehead at the sound of his voice. 

"Mr. Anderson? You sound really off. Are you okay? What has happened?"

"Ms. Tyson, I am flattered that you care so much for me, but I am okay. I need you to keep all the files that I have been working ready so my driver or Xavier will pick them up". 

"Sir, with all due respect, you don't sound too good. You should be resting. I can handle the work for you". 

"Do as you are bloody told, Ms. Tyson. Do not question my orders. Just because you are working here for years doesn't give you any right to interfere with the things that I say or do", before he could continue the phone turns silent and after a moment or two, Mr. Marshall's voice comes through.

"I am so sorry for his rude behavior, Ms. Tyson. Just please keep the files ready and I will collect them personally". 

"Okay, sir. Have a good day and please take care of him". 

"You too", with the he hangs up and with a deep sigh, I put the phone back in my bag. He had no right to take his frustration out on my like that but I will let this one slide. He seems unwell and talking back to a sick person is something I would never be able to do. 

I quickly pay for the food and get in my car, zooming towards the big building right in the middle of New York. Anderson Industries is a pretty big name as I have mentioned before and they have lots of daughter companies along with many buildings in their control but this one is the tallest and the main building. Andersons are spread across the world and many dealers come from different parts to strike a deal with them, not that each one of it is approved. I stop thinking about everything else once the building comes in my sight. I don't want to be distracted today as Mr. Anderson isn't in today and I have to handle everything. 

"Good morning, Ms. Allegra", Lyon greets me and I smile at the man. 

"Good morning, Lyon. How's the family?"

"Everyone's great". 

"That's good", with that I head inside and quickly take the elevator. Once reaching my floor, I see the schedule for today and take out all the files that need Mr. Anderson's immediate attention. There are a few contracts that he had asked to be made changes in and they are ready for his signature. Another of the projects that is being carried out under our name needs an approval from him and make a small summary of whatever the important points are. I know he will read the entire file and then go through my points as well, so I make it a point to place it at the last. When it comes to this, he is never beats around the bush. He always goes through each and every line and then decide whatever he wants to do with it. We also need new interns so I make a call to Nancy, the woman is in-charge of this and tell her to give an advertisement in the paper about it. The company is growing day-by-day and we need more and more people to work. 

"Allegra?", Jameson's voice invades my ears and look up, smiling at him. 

"Good morning, Jameson. What can I do for you?", he is the head of the chemical department, which is one of the most departments in the company. 

"Good morning. Is Mr. Anderson in there?"

"No. He isn't feeling well so he will be working from home. I can take a message and pass it on, you would like or you can wait until tomorrow". 

"Can you just tell him that I need a meeting with him as soon as possible? This isn't something that I need to tell face to face". 

"Okay. I will let him know", he smiles at me and leaves but not before thanking me. All the people that work here are really sweet and polite. They all come from really good backgrounds and I am not talking moneywise. 

I put all the files in one of the spare suitcases that Mr. Anderson keeps in his office, so it is easier for the Mr. Marshall to take them with him. I call the people who have meetings today with Mr. Anderson to postpone them to next week. Some want a meeting as soon as possible so I tell them, I will let them know after talking to Mr. Anderson. Maybe, Mr. Marshall can handle those meetings since he is, after all, the COO of the company. I make a mental note to ask him about this. 

Its almost lunch time when Mr. Marshall shows up in a neatly pressed Armani suit, his hair gelled back in perfection and a smile plastered on his face. 

"Good afternoon, Ms. Tyson". 

"Good afternoon, Mr. Marshall? I hope Mr. Anderson feels better?"

"He does. Do you have all the files with you?"

"Yes sir, here", I hand him the bag and he nods before taking it from me. 

"Sir, Mr. Jameson wants an urgent meeting with Mr. Anderson about something related to chemicals and he couldn't do it over the phone. Also there are some clients that also want a meeting with him as soon as possible, so I was hoping you could talk to them and tell them about Mr. Anderson being sick?"

"Who are the clients?"

"Mr. Ismail from Arabian United, Mr. Keith Walker, the owner of Walker Enterprises and Ms. Leona Zen, the model", his face grimaces at the mention of Ms. Zen's name. 

"Call Mr. Ismail and Mr. Walker and let them know I can have the meeting with them. Mr. Ismail can come in the evening while I will have a dinner meeting with Mr. Walker and as for Ms. Zen, Aiden can handle that atrocious woman when he comes back in two days. I hate that woman with every bone is my body and yet, Aiden keeps her around", he shakes his head and I suppress a chuckle. She truly is a irritating woman and is just one of the woman that Mr. Anderson has on his arm. That woman comes here once a week and once inside the cabin, no one is allowed to interrupt unless and until it is the matter of death or the company burning down. 

"I am pretty sure he can get a better woman but apparently they get clingy". 

"Mr. Marshall, I give her a month until she comes out of the same cabin with her mascara running down her cheeks and her eyes red with her throat sore after yelling at Mr. Anderson", he laughs at that and I join in. 

"Tears is fine but if she even thinks about yelling at him, he might just rip her vocal cords out, strangling her with them", he says and for a second, I see the seriousness in his eyes and his tone, making me freeze. 

"He wouldn't take such extreme steps. He would probably just throw her out". 

"Ms. Tyson, you don't know Aiden the way I do. Once he is pissed, nothing and I mean nothing can stop him from turning into an erupting volcano", he says and before I could say anything further, he shakes his head at the phone that vibrates in his pockets. 

"Hello?", I can hear Mr. Anderson screaming from the other line and I suppress a sigh. This man has no patience, I swear. 

"Aiden, I have collected the files and I am on my way out", Mr. Marshall sighs in annoyance and shakes his head at me, as if mirroring my thoughts. 

"Yes, I will let her know. Man, just rest while I come there with your workload. Don't even think about stepping out of the apartment or I will have to tell your mother about you being sick", he says and I chuckle quietly at his threat. Everyone and I mean everyone is afraid of Annalisa Anderson. That woman seems sweet and polite but once she gets pissed at you, no one can save you from her wrath. Derek, too, is scared of her and it was always a treat to watch him get scolded by her. 

"f**k off, man. I will be there in an hour", with that he hangs up and looks at me before we both start laughing. 

"How did you deal with him for all these years?", I ask him, all the while chuckling. 

"Trust me, I have no idea", he laughs and then bids me goodbye before leaving. I stretch a bit before getting up and leaving the floor to have lunch with my colleagues. I pretty much get along with everyone so if I ask them if I can sit with them for lunch, no one will object but they welcome me with open arms. As I said, these people are way too nice.

After having lunch and talking with everyone and laughing over stupid things, I finally sit back down on my chair, resuming to work. I call Mr. Ismail and Mr. Walker letting them know about their meeting with Mr. Marshall and they agree. Mr. Marshall says he will call Mr. Walker himself and let him know the venue so I am not worried about the reservations. As I was about to call the other departments for their monthly reports, the elevator door dings and opens, revealing none other than Ms. Zen. 

"Good evening, Ashlyn", I have no idea how she gets my name wrong every damn time but I let it slide. I am done trying to make her understand my name. 

"Good evening, Ms. Zen. Mr. Anderson hasn't come in today". 

"What? He was supposed to meet me today", she says, looking down at her outfit. It is an extremely tight dress and her hair are a bit unruly while her face is caked up with loads of makeup. I have no idea how and when she even gets the damn time. I know she is a model but that doesn't mean you have to wear so much make up when you are only going to visit your "friend". 

"Sorry, Ms. Zen but I told you the same thing over the phone this morning". 

"But, I thought he might come in".

"Sorry", I shrug and she rolls her eyes before they lit up. 

"I will just go to his apartment. That's where he will be", she says and rushes in her six inch heels before I could even stop her. 

"Dammit", I slap my forehead before hurrying to call Mr. Anderson so as to warn him. 

"Hello?", his raspy voice greets me and I feel bad for waking him up from his sleep.

"Mr. Anderson, I am so sorry for waking you up". 

"What is it, Ms. Tyson. Spit it out". 

"Ms. Zen came here to see you but now she is coming over to your apartment as we speak". 

"Seriously? That woman in intolerable", I nearly said it was all his fault but bit my tongue. 

"I will deal with it", with that he hangs up and I sigh before resuming my work. 

This man is going to be the death of my, I swear.