CHAPTER 47: JEALOUSY.
The next morning in the company, Vegas took the elevator up to Jeremy’s worker’s office. Lately, he had been approaching that area quite frequently and under normal circumstances, he wasn’t supposed to come there…he didn’t like coming there but nowadays, he had changed. He now had a valuable and secretive reason to be there.
In his hand was a customized bag that one could have easily identified as a bag made only for a particular restaurant.
As soon as he got off the elevator, Mrs. Conner greeted him but did not bother asking what he was there for as that was none of his business. Walking steadily, he set foot into the arena. The staff was working tremendously and everyone was focused but his eyes were searching for one person in particular.
Savage was the first to notice him and stood up.
“Good morning, Mr. Vegas.”
“Good morning. Where is Evelyn?” He asked directly and Savage swallowed hard as she turned her head towards Evelyn’s seat which was empty before locking eyes with him.
“Uh…”
“Mr. Vegas,” Jeremy called from behind and Vegas turned around. He looked at him with distaste and disinterest while Savage went back to her seat.
“Where is Evelyn?”
“Evelyn?” Jeremy repeated, not sure if he meant the same Evelyn or maybe he lost his way.
“Are you dear?”
“If you are asking after the same Evelyn who is Mr. Raphael’s assistant then I hate to break it to you, sir, that she has gone on a trip with the boss and won’t be back until tomorrow evening.” He replied to his question and Vegas’s eyes turned gloomy immediately.
He placed his two hands on his waist and pushed the corner of his mouth with his tongue while nodding his head more than thrice. He threw Jeremy a dirty look before shoving the bag into the chest and he walked out while Jeremy held onto it.
His colleagues raised their heads from their work to check out what was going on sneakily.
“What is wrong with him?” He mumbled and shrugged it off. After all, he was yet to have breakfast, and here was a miracle, splendid!
On Vegas’s way back, he had turned grim and was ready to strike if not being avoided at that moment. Anything related to Raphael that was supposed to be his but was with him instead always angered him and pained him to the core.
How could he have made such a mistake? He considered this very terrible and brushed through his hand with his hand as he continued walking.
_*_*_*_*_*_*_
Kira had finished lectures for the morning an hour later and she was slowly getting to the end of wrapping up her volunteer teaching. As she was in the midst of the students, answering the questions and checking out their work, a girl came in and yelled.
“Everyone, Matriarch Gulf is here.” She announced and the whole mood changed as the student started murmuring amidst each other. Some went to the window to check while others came out fully. Kira looked at the entrance with indifference to the name as she didn’t pay attention to it at first.
“Who is that?” She asked them.
“Come and have a look, Miss Kira.” A guy pulled her to the entrance and pointed at an aged woman walking down the stairs with a walking stick. She was wearing her glasses and her dress was formal attire. Her face was stern and she had the Vice Chancellor beside her as they continued climbing down each staircase.
When Kira caught the full view of her, she remembered having to have attended the auction many months ago that was being held under their name but what was Richard doing beside her?
“Oh, I didn’t know she was the one but what exactly is Richard doing beside her?” Kira questioned and the three students beside Kira eyed her as if she was not okay.
“Are you seriously asking this, Miss Kira? Can’t you put two and two together? Richard’s last name is Gulf so that makes him a part of the family. He is the last grandson of the Gulf family.” Another guy revealed it and Kira stopped breathing for five seconds before continuing its biological function.
She now had her eyes on the trio that was now standing a bit far from them but close to a white Jeep. So Richard was a Gulf? Why didn’t she realize this sooner? There were uncovered signs for her to have known this but she was so carried away, damn.
The students had already gone back to their various places so she was the only one still watching. She saw a young lady approach them, smiling all bright and shining like a sunflower, she stood beside Richard and hooked her arm with his while he stood there unconcerned. This made Kira scoff. Of course, he was hot so he was meant to be a playboy. With this booming feeling, she carried her bag, greeted them goodbye, and left.
Immediately Matriarch Gulf was gone and also the VC, Richard removed Lucinda’s hand that was still hooked to it.
“You can let go of my hand, it’s suffocating.” He spoke. She glanced at him softly under long lashes, a thrilling glance but he missed its glimmer because his eyes were now on someone else.
“Richard…” She began to speak slowly but he interrupted her.
“Listen here, Lucy, don’t let us both keep deceiving ourselves. It isn’t worth it at all. You and I both know that we share nothing so stop trying to showcase something that doesn’t even exist.”
“But I love you.” Lucinda blurted out.
“Well, I don’t, Lucinda. I don’t feel the same way for you.”
“Do you have something that you are interested in, huh? Because as far as I know, you are an international playboy, Richard so I won’t believe that you will stick to one girl that ain’t me.” Lucinda disagreed.
“Yes, I will.” He answered her and smiled in a particular direction or rather at a particular person when he said that. Lucinda traced his line of sight only to see Kira standing far away from them. She made a silent gasp of disbelief when Richard waved his hand at her.
“Don’t tell…”
“We will talk later, Lucinda. Excuse me.” He finally got the hell out of her sight and she could feel her whole world collapse as she watched him go.
She frowned, still unable to agree with the conclusion that was already forming itself in her mind.
Richard had that nice smile when he was now closer to Kira but before he could touch her hand or any part, she slapped his hand.
“Ouch! What was that for?” He shrieked as he rubbed the back of his palm which had turned red slightly because of the hit.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you are from the Gulf family?”
“What do you mean by that I didn’t? I did tell you my surname, you saw my driver’s license or whatever I gave to you that night and I made mention of that Art auction two days ago but you were unable to catch up. How was that my fault?”
Kira gave him a dirty look and was utterly speechless. She pointed her finger at him.
“Are you trying to shift the blame on me?” She asked him.
“Does it look like I am trying to?” He winked at her. Kira looked around her before raising her middle finger at him.
“Screw you.” She murmured.
“With all pleasure.” He continued teasing her. Her face had turned red from embarrassment on realizing what she had said and what he had counted the meaning to be.
“Richard!”
He convulsed and raised his hands as a form of surrendering.
“Alright, I am sorry.” He managed to say amidst laughter. Kira snorted and pouted her lips.
“You look so cute and beautiful this morning, teacher Kira.” He complimented her with his husky voice.
“I can’t believe that you are flirting with me in public.” She couldn’t help mentioning that. Richard paused for a moment before releasing a silly grin.
“I am glad that you know my mission.”
“And it’s going to fail woefully. Anyway, why was your grandmother here? Was it about the last issue?” She diverted the topic and he played along as the two started walking towards the main gate.
“Hmm. She came to ask once more about my progress in class but unfortunately, I had nothing to show so… Uhm, it was pretty embarrassing for me so I will stick to your advice to make myself a better version but I ain’t turning down the opportunity to be a racer though I will need your help.”
“With what?”
“I will let you know when it’s time, okay?”
Kira lifted her shoulders which dropped down a few seconds with indifference to that. Now moving to her pending question.
“Who was that lady beside you earlier? Your girlfriend?” She asked with distaste. Richard smiled and flagged down an empty cab for her.
“Why? Do you want to take the place instead?” He threw the question.
“Stop being cheesy.” Kira scolded and negotiated with the driver before entering the cab.
“Should I come over tonight?” He asked as he rested his arms on the window.
“Spend some quality time with your family. Let’s go.” She patted the driver’s seat and the cab moved farther from Richard after being kicked on. Richard smirked and went back in.
TBC…