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(Mr. Marcelo Hayes's POV)
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"I'm leaving for Taiwan," I spoke to Flowers on the phone.
"Is there anything I could assist with?
"No."
"Will you be back Mr. Hayes?" I chuckled when she said.
"Not sure, I'll keep you posted." I heard her exhale heavily.
"I'll be back… Flowers."
"Understood." A cheer in her voice, as I end the call.
I gaze out into the backseat window as my mind races with what I may encounter. Jules had been doing sanctimonious transactions with a company name Vnet Netrons locate in Taiwan. The car came to a halt as we pull up next to a glimmering grey private jet. My doors opens, and Max escorted me to the jet as I evaluated the numerous amounts of questions that were ahead of me.
The steep was tall, one foot by one I finally reach the entrance. I was greeted by the pilot as Max placed my bag in one of the sits fitted for at least twelve people.
"If there is anything new, inform me immediately," I spoke to Max, as I sat around a sheik leather creamed seat around a small silver table near a window.
"Yes, Sir," he said quickly as he left. The pilot then retreated the stairs and came into my presence.
"Taiwan," he stated.
"Yes, William," I said opening my laptop. William nodded and soon enough the plane finally took off and we were ascending from the ground.
From the window, I could see the dark blades spinning as a single white line spiral in one singular motion. Just to show, that things were still moving. The plane engine was semi-illuminated with the lower half shining around the rim, and the upper half several shades darker.
I had flown so much that it felt like home, as I looked at winds far above the ground. Even as the engines turned, I felt relaxed as if I were thousands of miles from my own problems. It was a long flight from home as I put some extra work on my computer.
A message popped up, 'P.S. Intel'. I opened the email and downloaded the file.
Soraya Harrison. Age twenty-six, born on May fourth, currently living in a small apartment in Paramount. Address, 93 Jackson Street, Apt. 11, whom she shared with Jada Punnett. I looked at Jada's picture… 'Aha, roommates.'
Her family is from North Dakota, but she grew up in Maine. Her parents had inherited their elders' lumberjacking business. Her parents haven't seen anything fortune. They mutually got divorced when she turned fifteen, grounds not stated, full parental rights, father. 'Daddy's little girl.'
A good student who excelled in high school and went through college. 'Soraya… you are a workaholic and overachiever, I see'. No criminal records, no misdemeanors. I continued to read through the other mundane things as well. Transcripts, leases, agreements she had signed, and previous jobs.
I smiled, when I noticed an uncharacteristic P. I. (point of interest) in the email. Attached was a thesis about the foreseen future of Redwood, the topic read 'The Impact of Board Future Profitability on Acquisition for Redwood' written by Soraya Harrison. I felt I was reading an erotic story. Yes. This turned out to be the most interesting part of the email after all.
*****
(Soraya's POV)
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I looked at the picture of me and my father at my graduation. Then placed it on a shelf in my new apartment. It was the last thing I had to put up. I spun around to smile at my place. My new humble abode, and was great.
Jada was upset at first, but she came to the same conclusion. Jonathan was a huge help, as well. He got a real estate agent who showed me a couple of places. So, when I saw this one, I said I would take it. She handed me the key and I excitedly paid the bond and the first month's rent.
Jada and Jonathan were helpful, but maybe Jonathan was a bit too much. He had apparently gone ahead and paid two extra two months' rent. I complained, but my mean eyes seemed to have no effect.
They came and helped me move all the stuff I had at Jada's. While I bickered all the way. I guess Jonathan still felt bad for eating my Cinnamon Toast Crunch and when he was done, I explicitly told him his debt had been repaid.
I really didn't have much unpacking. Plus with all this furniture it was a great start. I scurried Jada and Jonathan out, as I decided to take a few moments to clean up and unpacked what I had. After all, they did, I couldn't bear seeing them anymore.
I laid down on my mattress, in my own room, in my own place.
It had one bedroom that was very spacious and equipped with a king-sized bed and a decent wardrobe. The living room was accessible from the entry hall or the bedroom. It was fitted with a large sofa, cozy chaise lounge, work desk, and modern flat-screen television. I had a glass shower in my bathroom. The kitchen was fully equipped with all the appliances I need for cooking my favorite meals. It also had a big glass dining table fitted for two chairs. Then from the kitchen, you could access a small balcony.
My apartment was located on the 10th floor. The residence has an elevator for easy access. There was also a house porter who was available twelve hours a day. Which made this place so comfortable. I was satisfied and had a place to sleep, a night without the cats crying.
I sat up and went straight into the kitchen, I was feeling hungry. The fridge was empty, the cupboards were hollow, and I needed groceries. I opened a can of Beefaroni and placed it into the microwave staring at me. It didn't take long as and began eating as filled my apartment with a beef scent. When I was done, I was about to toss it into the garage pan, when I realize there was no bag inside of it. I placed the tin on the counter. I needed to go shopping.
I looked at the time, it was still early and if leave now I could make it to the supermarket before the night set. I tossed on a jacket and took my new keys and phone, and went straight to the supermarket. My apartment was conveniently situated near almost everything, located near hotels, restaurants, bars, and even a little shopping center. It was a great spot. So it was easy to find a local supermarket nearby.
I paced inside the supermarket, picking up what essentials and food I needed. It didn't take me long and then automatically I stood in a line waiting to be cashed. Apparently, one cashier was working, so I calmly waited as my eyes browsed the racks near me.
I saw a collection of chocolate and I felt tempted to buy it. I grabbed a handful and tossed it in my tray before my haunted conscience flared up. Then my eyes fell on one of the tabloid magazines, shining back at me. I took it up and began reading.
On the front, there was a cover story about the epic breakup of Trevor and Minky. I frowned, I personally thought they were a cute couple and now I feel somewhat disappointed. Headlines read 'After eight years of dating, Minky decided to cut favors and part ways.'
I immediately rolled my eyes slightly and got over it quickly. 'Minky can do so much better,' I thought. I skipped through the tabloids reading about a few more gossip. Then there he was, not too shy and not doing too much over the top. I then heard someone grunting and looked to see the cashier hinting with his eyes.
I looked away, with my fingers still marking the pages as I promptly cash my groceries and magazine still in hand. I gave the cashier an awkward smile and flew out of the store, grabbing my bag. I quickly as I could, I frenzied back to the pages that had grabbed my nerves earlier.
There. He. Was. Marcelo Hayes. Two weeks later, after our encounter at the restaurant, this was the closest I had gotten to seeing him. When I returned to work the following day, Flowers told me that he had taken a private jet flight to Taiwan that same morning. I felt relieved that I didn't have to face him from the night before so it didn't bother me.
I thought he would be back in days yet, three weeks and there was still no sign of him. I still was giving him reports to fumigate through and when that was not much, I would be assisting Flowers in any way I could. I didn't mind, at least I figured the awkwardness would have now boiled out. I flipped the pages about him.
There were a couple of spreads of him posing in expensive suits. There was a fourth spread with a picture of him in a tight-fitted casual shirt almost see-through, showing his extra personal properties. I didn't spend entirely too long looking at that, to see the fifth page containing an interview and also a profile. I walked pokily to my apartment as I read.
Marcelo Hayes, the CEO, and owner of Redwood. Founder Damian Hayes started the company twenty-five years ago, and left everything to his son two years ago after passing. 'I sighed, how did I not know this?' They specialized in web hosting, operating systems, and now computer engineering products. The combination made me laugh and glee at the same time.
Despite the founders' passing, the company had risen to fame over the past seven years. Where Marcelo Hayes has been co-piloting ever since he was twenty-one. 'So you're about thirty-one or thirty-two,' as I remembered our conversation. Despite being out of the spotlight for a year now after marriage to Jules Bart, now Jules Hayes.
I sighed heavily, as I remembered how his fingers were wrapped around that brunette's face as if she was some sort of offering to be devoured. The disgust that trickled down to my bones was enough to make me repulse. Just knowing he was with another woman rather than his wife.
Suddenly I realized I worried for her, in spite of her behavior towards me. The displeasure of actually finding out that the one you love and plan to spend the rest of your life with, had broken such trust. I believed no foundation like that should be eroded, with a lingering broken future and price to be paid.
No one would ever waste my time. If I don't have what you want, it was just as simple, you don't want me. Then the loathing thought of him touching my hand. With that I threw the tabloid into the recycling bin, it had served its ordained purpose.