Chapter 7: Are You Jealous?

"Ricardo Banks. By the way, I really don't mind you calling me dimwit. I like my little nickname." Since they had started talking, he decided to push his luck and said, "Let me drop you off at your place." "No, it's okay. I'll take the bus." Seeing she was cold, Ricky took off his jacket and placed it on her shoulder.

"I don't need it." Rea said taking it off. "Choose one. It's either you let me drop you off or take the jacket." "How about none?" "Not an option." Ricky had a smug smile on his face which annoyed Rea. "Thanks for the jacket." Rea said before she left to the nearest bus stop.

When she reached the bus stop, it was completely deserted. Seating on the bench, she wore the jacket and hugged herself tightly. Few minutes later, someone took a seat beside her. She didn't bother looking at the person until he asked, "Would you feel warmer if I hugged you?" She cursed inwardly then asked, "What now?" "Well when you left, I went back to the restaurant and gave Andy the car keys then I came here deciding to take the bus." explained Ricky.

"To be honest, I came here to protect you from hooligans and gangsters that might want to kidnap you. I would loose my mind if you went missing. By the way, may I have your number?" Treasure was in a struggle internally, deciding whether to lash out at him or be patient with him. Luckily, the bus arrived.

"Great! Our ride's here." said Ricky following her into the bus. Unfortunately, apart from the driver, it was just the two of them. "Take deep breaths." Rea repeatedly whispered to herself. After they had their seats, Ricky said, "You seem rather annoyed. Should I sing for you?" "Please just keep quiet and I'll be fine."

Back in the restaurant

Andrew stared at the kitchen door like an abandoned puppy. Where is she? he asked internally. He had waited since afternoon for her to return and as the hours went by, he couldn't help but feel she was locked in a room with that guy. Just as his imagination was running wild, Regina entered through the kitchen door.

When Regina came back, she had originally wanted to go straight to her room and fall asleep but upon seeing the dim light in the

restaurant reflect into the kitchen, she wondered who could be here by this time of the night. Curious, she went to check.

Upon seeing Andrew there, the only question she could think of was, "Were you waiting for someone?" A feeling of relief washed over Andrew. Then he answered, "Yes,... you." "Why?" Gina asked taking a seat in front of Andrew. "Well I thought you had been kidnapped by that guy."

Regina raised her eyebrow and asked, "Really? You thought I was kidnapped in broad daylight? If that's so then why didn't you call me or file a police report?" He answered, "It's not impossible to be kidnapped in the presence of a lot of people. If you were really kidnapped, then your phone will be switched off which it was and it won't make sense if I filed a report without concrete proof as you willingly followed him."

Regina was really intrigued by this conversation. For the first time in her entire life, she felt like sitting down and talking with this guy forever. Making an effort to keep the conversation going, she asked, "Why didn't you follow me then?" With slight annoyance on his face, Andrew answered, "Well there's also a 0.001% that,... his your boyfriend." Regina didn't even realize how or when she burst into laughter.

"Your laughter is,... soothing." Andy said. After a long annoying afternoon, this was exactly what she needed to unwind. Forget sleep, this was way more interesting. With a smile on her face, she asked "Are you jealous?" Andrew didn't reply but paid attention to her every movement. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was foreign to these emotions.

"Marco and I just had a little problem to settle-" "And it took the whole afternoon?" "Yes." she replied, her mind going back to the activities that took place in the afternoon.

Earlier that day

Once Gina reached her estate, the only problem she met was half of Rebel Estate was a complete mess. "Jaguar report." Regina said as she approached her bodyguard. Jaguar Muldoon was a tall and good looking man dressed in a black suit. His grey hair moved with the wind and his golden-brown eyes quickly whipped towards Regina.

"Even I don't know what exactly happened, but from what I know someone let intruders in. They didn't kill anyone, they just wrecked everything." the man said. "Marco, clean this up. What is this I hear about the contract?" Her last statement directed to Jaguar. "Let's talk inside Boss."

"Three days ago, we found out that the contract had expired few years back. The crime reduced drastically and some people have threatened to withdraw from the organization." "I sometimes wonder how cowardly people are these days." Regina commented. "So who are the 'Almighties' we need signatures from?" she asked.

Jaguar replied, "We need a signature from you, that of the governor of New York, that of the mayor of New Orleans and Drake Baylor." "The contract expired 24 years ago, I wasn't even born yet and no one bothered to renew it. Lazy oldies, leaving all the hard work for me to do." said Regina. "You already knew?" Regina hummed then said, "There are a lot of secrets in Antonia's office." Calling her grandmother's name felt disgusting as if she could taste the betrayal all over again.

"The solution should be very easy. Create a new contract." Gina said tearing a pieced paper. Handing the paper to him she said, "Let it be a renewal of the old one but this time, with my little twist." When Jaguar read the note, an evil smirk formed on his lips. "Get to work old man." Gina said. For someone in his mid-thirties, Jaguar looked like a grown teenager. Once the estate was cleaned up, Gina went back home.

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Author's note:-

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