Chapter Fifteen: Emily

Peter sat quietly in his office with his legs crossed, reminiscing about the events of the previous day. It was his breakfast hour, but he didn't feel like going for it. The news of his sudden promotion had spread around the bank like wildfire.

 Early that morning, almost all the bank staff had come in to congratulate him before going their separate ways for the daily assignments.

 Agnes, his secretary, had come too, but she had come in a special way. She was one among many that he could vouch had wished him success from the depths of her heart. He knew she adored him, though he could never see her as more than an ordinary secretary. Moreover, she had brought a bottle of wine along with her, to which she and Peter had toasted to celebrate his success, and they had chitchatted for a while.

"Do you think I still stand a chance to be your secretary?" she had asked Peter curiously.

 Peter paused while regarding her briefly, then smiled cheerfully at her. "Well, I don't think you'll remain a secretary for long," he replied.

 She gaped at him in a surprised gesture. "Why would you say that?" she asked curiously.

 Peter hesitated for a moment, and then said, "My current position will soon be vacant for a while, and I believe you'll be asked to run it before they get another able hand to run the post." He stopped and gazed at her, but she stared back blankly at him, not comprehending what he was trying to point out.

"Well," Peter continued, "I believe your job here during my absence in this post might convince Rodney not to bring in an extra hand. And come to think of it, who'd best fit to occupy my vacant position than my efficient and diligent secretary?" he asked and halted while observing her reaction.

 She giggled and smiled at him with genuine anticipation, a bright expression written all over her face as she smiled. Peter noticed she looked prettier when she smiled.

"Do you think so?" she asked with a giggle.

"I don't think so, but I know so," he replied. "And mark my word on this, because I won't tell you something I'm not certain of," he added.

 She stood up while smiling, walked a couple of steps toward the door linking her office to his, and stopped abruptly. She turned to him briefly and giggled again. "Thanks for the compliment," she said with a cheerful smile on her face.

"You are welcome!" Peter replied, raising a thumb-up at her. As she opened the door to leave, Peter called to her.

"Agnes!" he called, and she stopped between the door and turned to stare at him again.

"Thanks for the wine!" he said to her.

"You are most welcome!" she replied with a shrug, and she walked out of his office, shutting the door after her.

 Since then, he had sat thoughtfully in his office, thinking. He thought of the sudden promotion and how it would change his lifestyle. The new raise in income meant new responsibility; nevertheless, he weighed it and still felt some gap.

 He thought of Ed's sonorous words, "I have given you that card you've always wanted, just don't mess it up." He wondered what that phrase really meant. He had also thought of the two billion dollars inside the chest in the vault. However, even with the promotion and salary increase, he still believed that it was nothing compared to getting hold of all that money inside the vault.

 He'd come up with an idea the previous night. He thought, since he would be delivering the chest and since the laptop would be given to him three days before delivery, he could easily activate the chest using the laptop from inside his office, then go into the vault with two large empty boxes with his name already inscribed on them, which he must have taken there earlier, and then he would empty the money into them. Well, that was just an idea, he thought to himself. However, he was certain that it wouldn't work. If only he could get someone who is professional with a good understanding of crime, who could also help him with a better idea of how he could siphon the lot. And somewhere deep in his thought, he heard a voice.

"Hello there," it said.

 The voice was unmistakably that of a female, for it sounded soft and sweet to him. The "hello" was said with a thrill that sounded like a line from a musical composition. He was certain that the voice had come from someone inside his office. Agnes, for all he knew, couldn't have possessed such a beautiful voice. But on second thought, 'Who could have crept into his office without Agnes first informing him?' He stopped and raised his head quickly to see who the intruder was.

 And then he saw her. Standing by the door was the most elegant and gorgeous-looking girl he had ever come across in his entire life. She had a mass of brunette hair that fell heavily over her shoulders. She had blue eyes that glittered like diamonds, a beautiful nose, and lips with a perfect sensual curve that could suggest something impure even to a saint. Her body was so curvy in a sexy, appealing shape. He could swear that she looked more beautiful than any model he had ever seen.

 He sat there breathless, gaping at her for a moment, marveling at how gorgeous she looked. She was just the kind of girl in his dreams, the kind he craved for as a wife. If only he could have one-quarter of the money inside the chest in the vault. He knew that girls like her didn't come in handy, and they sure cost a pocket of money if you had to take them out on a date. It would be very unreasonable to expect her to go for a cheap restaurant or travel in a second-class flight. He was certain that she'd only settle for anything other than the best.

 He gaped at her still, surprised at how she had mysteriously crept into his office.

"Hello," she said again, this time with a cheerful smile that showed the dimples on her face. That got Peter smiling back at her involuntarily. "I have been to the office of the former public relations officer, and he asked me to check on you, saying he no longer was the P.R.O." she explained and hesitated for a moment.

"Well," she continued, "I checked at your secretary's desk, and it was empty. I guess she went for her breakfast, so I took the liberty to check on you and see if you're in myself. Though I would have chosen to wait even if you weren't in, since I was certain you wouldn't be long from wherever you were." She explained while walking in his direction with amazing confidence.

"Emily Hudson!" she said, introducing herself to him and reaching out her well-manicured hand to him.

"Peter Holman!" he returned, reaching his hand to her and shaking her soft hand in return. "It's nice meeting you," he said.

"Same here," she replied. "Sorry for the bad start. I'm sure we're going to get to know much of each other since I'll be doing a lot of business with you," she said.

"It's nice meeting you again!" was the only thing Peter could manage to say, feeling cool with himself to have had her in his office. "And how may I be of help to you?" he asked while walking toward her and adjusting a seat by his desk for her to sit.

"Thank you," she said with a charming smile and settled herself comfortably with her legs crossed on the armchair. "For an introduction, I'll tell you, I'm a model, and I do a lot of modeling endorsement contracts for Playboy magazine, Shell, Hilton, and some TV soap promos. I also have contracts with some big automobile companies, which I believe you will get to know about sooner."

 Peter nodded in response. He wasn't surprised at her identity. The expensive way she was arrayed and the diamond necklace and earrings explained it all. She paused and stared at him for a while, then continued again.

"To cut a long story short," she said, "I'm new here, and I possess a lot of valuable jewels and other items," she said and paused to see the reaction on Peter's face. Then she continued again. "A lot of them, as I was saying, some gold, some silver, but mostly gemstones of various diamond stones, and they sure cost millions of dollars," she analyzed and hesitated again. "Well, I need not bother you with all these needless boring details," she said.

"No, no, no," Peter stammered. "Please go on," he pleaded. "Besides, if we have to do business, there is a need for me to know every detail," he said in an attempt not to annoy her.

"Well, there's not much to say. I moved here a couple of weeks ago, and I'll be staying here probably a couple of months or more. A friend introduced me to this bank, telling me it was the best and most secure bank in the state," she said and stopped abruptly as if she was contemplating the fact. Then she asked, "Don't you think he was a bit overstressing that?"

 Peter regarded her for a moment, and her face showed no expression. She was a model, he perceived, and she must have learned to hide her expression. "Well," he said, "I'm surprised you've never heard of it before now, but if you must know, money loaned to less developed countries and other funds not necessarily needed for usage in the state often stays in this bank before it's moved to its final destination. Besides, the bank is often compared to the Central Bank of the United States." He explained.

 At his remark, she gaped hard at him in a surprised gesture. "Wow!" she exclaimed. "You mean to tell me it has such a great reputation, and how come I was never aware of it?" she asked.

"Well, perhaps you haven't inquired about it," Peter said in a rather casual, composed tone in an attempt not to offend her.

"That's not true." She retorted with a smile in a friendly defense gesture.

 She hesitated and brought her attention to examine his office with genuine interest. She stared around the office for a while, and her eyes finally rested on the bottle of wine, half-wrapped in decorated leather with some of its content half gone, and the two wine glasses that Peter and Agnes had earlier used, which still stood at the center table of his office. She turned and smiled at him.

"Are you celebrating something?" she asked and turned her gaze again back at the items on the table.

Peter followed her eyes and saw what she was referring to by the question. "Oh, that was just a gift from a well-wisher," he replied.

"Oh, I see!" she said. "I forgot that I just learned you've been promoted."

"Yes, that's right," Peter replied.

"That is good to know. Congratulations." She said, at the same time offering her hand to him again.

"Thanks," Peter replied while shaking hands with her again. "Do you care for a drink?" he asked, pointing at the wine.

 She hesitated for a moment, regarding the wine briefly. "Thanks," she replied politely with a shrug and a sly smile on her face. "It's been a while since I tasted those brands," she explained as she declined his offer.

 This offended him a little, but he tried to conceal his emotions. They both paused for a second, and suddenly, something began to buzz from somewhere he believed must be in her shoulder bag.

 She reached her hand into the bag and brought out a device that looked like a digital memo or time reminder. She read its content quietly and turned to him with a smile.

"Sorry," she said. "I must be on my way now. It's almost time for my appointment with my advertising agent. They want me to come do a modeling for a new product."

 Peter stared ironically at her for a moment. "But I thought we were yet to conclude on a business deal here?" he asked curiously.

"Yes, we are still having a deal," she replied emphatically with a pleasant smile while staring at him. "How about a date?" she asked, staring straight at him in the eye.

 He gaped at her for a moment, surprised at the sudden invitation. He would have given anything just to go on a date with this girl, but hearing her ask him out on a date brightened his day.

"When and what time?" he asked calmly in an attempt to conceal his emotions.

"Will you be free by 9 pm today?" she inquired.

"Yep, 9 pm would do," he replied with a quick smile. On an impulse, he stopped and asked, "To what do I owe this date?"

 She gaped at him with a bewildered expression, making him feel rather silly. "A business date, of course," she replied firmly. "I still have some doubts to clear with you before I decide to invest with your bank," she pointed out bluntly.

Peter felt a little disappointed in himself. He had expected she'd say a sociable date or some get-together night date. A business date outside the office wasn't what he had expected, but for all he cared, a date is a date. Besides, he never expected she would ask him out on a date.

"Well," she said while rising to her feet, "I got to be going now before I miss my appointment."

 Peter checked his time, and it read fifteen minutes before 11 am.

"Let me see you off," he offered. "I'll be going to the cafeteria for a coffee while coming back," he explained as he suddenly regained his appetite.

"That will be good," she said, and they both walked to the bank exit toward the parking space outside the bank premises. She strode to a big black Lincoln Navigator, and Peter stood still, staring at her. He marveled at the power of her wealth. He could tell the car must have cost a fortune.

 He walked quickly to the car and opened the door for her. She stopped and regarded him with a light smile on her face for a while.

"You're such a gentleman!" she complimented.

"Umm, hmm," he hummed. "Just wait till you get to know me better," he replied with a sheepish smile, in an attempt to impress her.

"Don't forget it's 9 pm at the 57th Avenue bar," she reminded him curtly. "I hate to be kept waiting," she pointed out to him with a firm tone.

"I won't be late," he promised.

She smiled at him and hopped into the big jeep, shutting the door from inside. She ignited the engine, then turned and stared at him for a moment.

"It was nice meeting you, Mr. Holman!" she said.

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Hudson," he replied.

"Call me Emily!" she corrected. She put the car into a drive mode and drove off.

 Peter stood there, gazing after the car as it glittered under the sun's rays and disappeared into the street. Little did he know that the journey to his endless nightmare was just about to begin.