CHAPTER NINETEEN: ERICA.
A few days later,
Vegas walked out of the Elevator that led to Raphael’s office. Mrs. Conner who was dozing off on her seat jerked up. She adjusted her glasses and was surprised to see him.
“Mr. Vegas? You’re here? It’s been a while.” She said.
“Thank you, Mrs. Conner. Is Raphael in his office?” He asked.
“Of course, he is.”
“See you later.” He waved at her and walked away. Mrs. Conner sniffed and rubbed her eyes with her hands, she almost lost her job there. Sleeping during office hours was prohibited but because she was the oldest among Raphael’s staff, she was given a pass by Raphael but she really couldn’t say for the rest of the business owners.
Vegas made his appearance known in the area as the fifteen staff stood up to greet him. Evelyn turned around to see who it was. Vegas nodded slightly at her as she greeted him too, she turned around quickly to continue working on her computer. She didn’t want to get with him at all.
Vegas just kept his words within him as he wanted to greet her individually but seeing the way she behaved, he kept it to himself.
“Mr. Vegas, you must be here to see our boss,” Rob asked as he got closer to him.
“If not him then who else would I be here for? ” Vegas replied sarcastically and Rob nodded.
“Then come with me.”
“You don’t have to tell me what to do. I know where Raphael’s office is, get back to work!” Vegas’ outburst shocked Evelyn who pretended not to have heard anything, she looked at the faces of others and noticed that everyone looked normal as if they had been expecting that.
Vegas pushed Rob away from him and exited. Rob scratched his head like a kid as he turned around. The majority’s eyes of mockery were now on him.
“You deserve it.” Savage was the first person who spoke. Rita burst into laughter.
“Your embarrassed face is such a rare sight to see,” Rita spoke.
“Is that how he always behaves? I mean Mr. Vegas.” Evelyn asked.
“Yeah. That’s why I prefer Mr. Raphael to Mr. Vegas. Although Mr. Raphael is a strict man and also very…very handsome, he has some characteristics that unfortunately Mr. Vegas doesn’t have.” A lady replied but for the next part got closer to Evelyn to say it.
“I heard he isn’t very good like Mr. Raphael when it comes to business but what can we say? This is the business world, darling. It’s a world of the rich ones, some things are hidden from us but opened to them. All we just have to do to keep our head safe from all forms of scandals and harm is to not get involved in their issues and affairs.” She advised.
“I agree.” Evelyn nodded and looked in the way that led to Raphael’s office.
______________
“I heard that you got yourself a new assistant,” Vegas said as he crossed his legs after adjusting his suit by touching the hems which were unnecessary in Raphael’s eyes if not because his brother wanted to showcase his pride.
Raphael sighed and placed his fingers under his chin.
“It seems like my office matters get to you firsthand before anyone. ” He replied. Vegas scoffed. There was silence between them for a while.
“Anyway, she is pretty.” Vegas complimented.
“What is it that you want?” Raphael asked.
“Good. I will be attending a meeting today with a new business partner and I want you to accompany me because it somehow has to do with building projects.”
“Anything else?” Raphael asked, he had no interest.
“That is all.”
“Jeremy will follow you to get whatever information it is, I have a lot of work going on.” Raphael rejected.
“Raphael, you are being ordered to do this by Father. This man in question is our new business partner, do you think that I have enough time to attend such meetings? But I have to because of the conditions so…you are not exempted.”
After a long while of talking, Raphael decided to follow him. He went in his car with Vegas leading the way. He wasn’t in the mood for any outdoor activity yet here he was… in his car…following his senseless brother.
Vegas drove into a Cafe and so did Raphael. He looked around with distaste.
“You sure lack skills.” He murmured but Vegas pretended as if he did not hear him. He walked in and was led to meet their new business partner in the VIP room.
“Mr. Vegas.” A pot-bellied man stood up to greet Vegas with a hug as he gave a dry laugh.
“It’s good to see you, Mr. Shaft. How are you doing?” Vegas asked as they sat on the chair. There was a beautiful lady beside Mr. Shaft, a lady in the prime of her youth. She was dressed in an orange gown with only a strap connecting it to her body. She was wearing different yet elegant jewelry. Her hair was well brushed and let down. She could easily fit into the occupation of an actress- an A-list actress or a model since it was something most high-class ladies were into.
“And who is this beauty?” Vegas asked as he shook hands with her.
“This is my niece, Erica. Erica, this is my new business partner, Mr. Vegas. She actually has a shoot nearby around 4 in the evening so she decided to accompany me.”
“Good to see you, Mr. Vegas. I hope that this moment of working won’t be in vain.” Erica spoke smoothly and flawlessly and Vegas got lost in her sonorous voice for a second.
“No, it won’t be in vain.”
Then Raphael entered casually with his hands in his pockets. His eyes searched for where in particular Vegas was holding the meeting when someone came to meet him.
“Mr. Vegas is right that way.” A man pointed at him and Raphael walked past him to the meeting arena. Shaft watched the elegant, tall, and handsome man sit down opposite them and he glanced at Erica who seemed to have reached her fairy tale world as her eyes were glued on Raphael right away.
“This is my brother, Mr. Raphael. He is going to be the one handling the building projects that you might have with us.” Vegas introduced.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Raphael. I hope to involve myself in more of this business too.” Shaft stretched his hand forward for a shake but Raphael only looked from the hand to its owner and then back to the hand.
Vegas used his elbow to nudge Raphael with an awkward smile. Eventually, he accepted the shake but didn’t say anything in reply.
“So, shall we start then?” Vegas asked.
“There is no reason to delay the meeting.” Shaft agreed.
The conversation began between the two men while Raphael only played with his phone. Erica tried giving her contribution while taking a peek at Raphael once in a while. This didn’t go unnoticed by Vegas and he somehow felt jealous.
Raphael had a better physique than him but because of his introverted and cold self, people had withdrawn completely from him which gave him[Vegas] the advantage to receive the praises that ought to be showered on Raphael.
After an hour of analyzing and stating the conditions alongside the contract signing, they were almost done when Vegas decided to bring up the issue.
“It seems like Miss Erica is interested in my brother.” He commented and Erica blushed as she stole a glance at Raphael who had now looked up from his phone to pay attention to her but then the look he had on his face was the ‘I am lost here’s look.
“Let me introduce you to…”
“I believe we are done here. I will be taking my leave now if that’s all. If there is anything else that needs my approval or my work then you know where you can find me. Excuse me.” Raphael stood up, pulled down his suit, and walked away in a poised manner.
Vegas bit his tongue. He had been put in a very awkward situation since he arrived here, he glanced at the uncle and niece pair.
“I apologize…”
“No, no, Mr. Vegas, there is nothing to apologize for. I am glad that I am allowed to work with the Theophilus family, it’s an honor for me and my company. I believe that Mr. Raphael must be very angry before coming here but still, I would want you to apologize to him on my behalf, I could have said something that he isn’t pleased with.” Shaft spoke professionally. Vegas sighed and shook hands with him.
“Thank you so much for your understanding, Mr. Shaft.” He then left.
Shaft poured himself a drink and looked at his niece. Erica too reciprocated the attention and smiled.
“He has changed.” She spoke.
“Do you mean physically?” Shaft asked and poured her a drink as well.
“He looks more manly and attractive. I never thought that I would see him this way again.”
“And I never thought you would come back for him after what you have done.”
“Don’t make me the only dirty one.” Erica eyes him. Shaft laughed and raised his drink, Erica did the same.
“Cheers to a new beginning.”
“Cheers.”
The tip of their glasses clicked against each other before drinking. Erica’s eyes beamed as she had the glass close to her lips. Things seemed to be moving quite fast for her and she loved it so much, being slow wasn’t her thing.
TBC…