Chapter 30: She's a Judas
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Samantha stared at Tanya’s back as she walked out together with her companions.
“I really hate that woman’s guts.” She scoffed and turned to Marcus behind her. “Prepare the car. I’m going home, too.” She ordered and the man immediately followed. She looked at her secretary beside her and put on her CEO expression. “You can now go Ms. Sanchez, thanks for accompanying me tonight.” She said with a fake smile.
Moments later, Samantha’s already inside her car. But instead of going home, the convoy of hers and Alex’s car, parked in a private building meter’s away.
“How was it?” Samantha asked while she’s heading towards the elevator exclusive for VIP’s only.
Alex, who’s behind her, walked faster until he’s next to her. “I managed to arrange a meet-up with Mr. Lee earlier in a condition that we meet him on his private island in Palawan. He says that he will only meet us before the sun rises. So, I immediately arranged the chopper and it’s already ready upstairs.”
Samantha cursed. “Damn that old geezer. If only the police didn’t meddle with our last transaction, that ugly mother*cker wouldn’t be playing around like this. Can’t you still find that mole?” Samantha angrily asked Alex but it was Marcus who answered.
“We’re still looking into it, boss.”
After one and half hours of travel, the chopper carrying Samantha and her men landed on Mr. Lee’s private helipad.
“Welcome Ms. CEO. Mr. Lee has been expecting you. This way please.” A man in summer outfit greeted their group. She followed the guide inside and finally saw Mr. Lee inside a room full of women.
“Good morning, Mr. Lee.” Samantha faked a smile.
The old fat man turned to her direction and frowned immediately upon seeing her. He signaled his women to leave and all of them stood together then left while giggling.
“Sit down, Ms. CEO.” Mr. Lee motioned the couch perpendicular from his.
And Samantha did.
“It’s been a while.” The old fat guy; Mr. Lee said.
Samantha chuckled fakely. “Yes. It’s been what? Four? Five years?” She asked.
“Five.” Mr. Lee clarified. “And the very reason we met last time is the same reason we have today, right? It’s because you messed up. Again.”
Samantha’s expression hardened. Her hands are already itchy to shot a hole on the head of this perverted old fat guy in front of her but she has to suppress it. For now.
“I’m really sorry about what happened, Mr. Lee. We did a mistake on not catching the mole right away making the authorities sniff us out this time. But don’t worry, my men are already looking for them. And once they do, I promise that events like this will not occur again in the future. For now, accept my apology by giving you the promised conciliatory gifts I prepared.”
With that as a cue, Alex walked in front of the coffee table and opened the attaché case he has in hand, in front of Mr. Lee.
“This is from one of my greatest laboratories in tow. It’s a new product and is much better than the previous one that you’ve purchased. It’s still not in my market and you are the very first one to try this. I hope you’d like it.” Samantha confidently announced.
Mr. Lee leaned forward and grabbed a bag of those white powder inside. He stared at it for seconds first before handing it to one of his men on the side. That person took a knife and created a small hole on the bag. He then took a few and put them in his palm. He gave it a try and nodded to Mr. Lee after.
“Alright. Apology accepted. And since you flew all the way here, I decided to give you the quarter of the amount we agreed on from the last transaction.”
After saying this, one man standing behind walked towards the coffee table and open the attaché case in front of Samantha. It’s full of money.
Samantha signaled Alex and the man took the attaché case quickly.
Mr. Lee continued. “I really hope this time, there will be no problem with my packages. I’ll take your word on that.”
“Of course. I promise you that. Thank you for still trusting me, Mr. Lee.” Samantha stood and offered her hand to Mr. Lee and the man accepted it.
“No problem. You just messed up, but you’re no Judas.”
Samantha suppressed a smirk with Mr. Lee’s remark.
“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you Ms. CEO.”
“Me too.”
After that, Samantha and her men quickly hopped in back to their chopper and left the island right away.
----
Tanya’s
“What’s with this lunch date? Did I do wrong?”
I stopped slicing my steak after hearing that question from Rosette. I chuckled. “What? No.” I told her.
“Hmmm, then it’s you who did something wrong?” She playfully asked.
I laughed. “Maybe?” I hopped in to her antics and she chuckled. “But kidding aside, to answer your curiosity. I invited you for this lunch as an apology and to thank you, too.”
She put down her knife and fork after hearing what I’ve said. “For what?” Her brows, creased telling me that she’s not getting my point.
“Well, I heard about the completion of the second hospital from Gilbert last night.” I started to tell her the reason.
“Oh.”
I smiled and continued. “I was really amazed that you managed to complete it for a month and half. That was fast, really. But I also know that you put a lot of effort for such project while doing your work. And I feel bad about it.” I apologetically said.
I do really feel bad on giving her an additional load of work. She’s already busy as she is, yet I had the guts to give her my project. Take note. That project is for charity. Not her line of work.
But I was also busy with our mission. Though I can’t tell her that. She must have been thinking that I was just being lazy.
I saw Rosette crossed her arms and leaned on her chair. She stared at me. “I’ll accept the compliments but not your apology.” She firmly said. Then she sighed.
“I know we’re friends Tanya, but before that, I was your employee first. You gave me the opportunity to manage your business though I am not as good as my brother. And I am really thankful on you, for that. That’s why I will never complain. Besides, it actually makes me happy that you seem to trust me. I couldn’t ask for more.” She even winked at me, after.
I was speechless. How can I have such kind people like her, around me?
Rosette continued eating, so do I. Then after she finished her meal, she asked me something. “Have you called my brother?”
I sighed. “I did. But he’s not picking up. He just sends me emails and it’s all about business, nothing more, nothing less.”
“Tell me Tanya. Don’t you really like my brother?” She seriously asked me. I don’t know how we end up on this topic but I feel like I need to answer her question.
“I do like him.” I answered honestly. Then I saw one unfamiliar emotion from Rosette’s eyes but it immediately vanished in a second. I must just have been seeing things. I continued. “But I don’t think it’s the same as his.”
Rosette’s expression changed. She seemed… happy?
“Then, do you have someone you like?” She asked.
I looked at my champagne and think for a while. “No. I don’t think I have someone like that.” I answered.
She continued asking. “Say, what do you think about that type of relationship.”
I followed Rosette’s finger and saw two women on the television, kissing. “They seem in love.” I said while eyes still on the television.
“You’re fine with that?”
I looked at Rosette for that question. “I don’t see any error with them. Don’t love come on any shape? Theirs are just… unique. And beautiful.” I said, giving my honest opinion. I don’t really mind such relationships. I am not sensitive and I respect another people’s perspective. They are just people who happens to find love to people with the same gender. Why does that make them an error?
“I agree.”
Chapter 31
‘Where are you?’
“Rooftop. Do I really have to snipe?”
‘Yes. We know you can’t do shootouts.’
“That’s not my point. How can you expect a programmer to handle a sniping rifle? I don’t even know how to assemble this.”
‘And yet you’re already using the scope?’
“The hell! Are you really keeping a close eye on me?”
‘You’re still on probation Williams, you can’t expect the higher up’s on cutting you some loose. Besides, out of the three missions we gave you, never once did you do it on your own.”
“Is it my fault that some people are also after your target? Jeez. And giving such huge assignments to a programmer? What are you CIA’s are thinking?”
‘I am just also following orders, Williams. Better follow them too. That is, if you want better accommodations than what you have now. And also, your daughter is already living her life comfortably. The least you can do is finish this mission cleanly.’
“Psh. Whatever.”
‘And will you cut with your “just a programmer” nonsense? We both know you’re not.’
“You’re really no fun you know that? Oh! They’re already moving. Later, then.”
‘Ich wünsche dir viel Glück, Williams.’ (I wish you luck, Williams.)
- Writer
