A moment passed and Jonas continued to press his foot against Alex’s chest. Apparently, he felt no need to ease Alex’s pain when anger and logic were at war in his mind. He fell silent, and Alex’s string of defenses seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Still, Alex did not give up. His life hung in the balance, and all he could do was plead as pitifully as he could. Forget dignity and shame; his life was more important than anything else.
“Please, Sir, think about it. I could never betray you because my life and death depend on you.”
Alex continued to express all reasonable thoughts to convince Jonas that his loyalty should not be questioned. He had done everything for Jonas, and he would like to remind him of that. Fortunately, his efforts began to pay off as Jonas’ face gradually relaxed.
It seemed that Jonas’ logic was able to calm the emotions that had taken over him. The tension on his face slowly disappeared and Alex didn’t want to waste this opportunity.
Alex stood up quickly. With gasping breath and sweat soaking his clothes, he said, “I-I could never betray you. My life is in your hands.”
Jonas said nothing. He remained motionless, his mind racing with thoughts.
Alex did not want to take any chances. Instead of staying there and risking becoming the target of Jonas’ anger again, he excused himself immediately. He left, leaving Jonas to think about everything.
“S-Sir, I swear. There’s no way I could help Mr. Andreas. You clearly know that my life and death are tied to yours. I couldn’t betray you.”
Jonas almost missed something crucial. Alex was not just his personal assistant. Alex was more than that. They had done many things together, and each had secrets that could be the other’s downfall.
What Alex said was true.
Returning to his seat, Jonas continued to think. He sat and his mind continued to justify reality.
If I am expelled from here, Alex will also be expelled. Besides, his safety is more at risk if something happens to me.
Jonas closed his eyes. His fists clenched as all these thoughts led to one conclusion.
Someone is trying to sow discord between me and Alex.
Jonas’ sharp gaze went straight ahead when he opened his eyes. He looked at the door, only to remember a question.
“Do you really believe in Mr. Alex?”
Surely there was someone who wouldn’t be affected even if Jonas was ousted from his position as CEO of Progun. That person could still survive and work at Progun regardless of Jonas’ presence. In fact, that person had served the CEO before him.
Damn!
*
Andreas had forgotten the last time he had set foot in this place. Except for his five months as a newlywed, the fact was that he had not been to a nightclub in a long time, and now he decided to come back.
Sunday evening was the perfect time. The atmosphere seemed lively, just like the last scene he remembered. Nothing had changed.
“Andreas! You finally came back after such a long time!”
Andreas’ footsteps stopped instantly. A woman’s enthusiastic call caught his attention.
Andreas smiled. “Good to see you, Thalita.”
The sexy looking woman with a drink in her hand, whom Andreas remembered as Thalita, narrowed her eyes slightly. He seemed to have forgotten her full name.
“Same,” Thalita replied as she approached Andreas. “I’m also glad to see you here again. So, tell me, are you bored with your married life?”
“Bored?”
Thalita’s expression began to change. She reached out her hand and began to caress Andreas’ chest with the red-tipped, manicured finger. “Maybe you can find some variation tonight.”
“Variation?”
Thalita nodded, her gaze openly inviting. She closed the distance, confident that her desire would be fulfilled, especially with the mischievous grin on Andreas’ face a moment later. But she was wrong.
“Uh, what kind of variation are you suggesting? Does it involve foreplay in the form of a general meeting?”
Thalita’s temptation stopped, she blinked. “Wh-what?”
“It seems I must decline your offer,” Andreas said as he removed Thalita’s hand from his chest. He offered a polite, confident smile. “It seems that the variations offered by my wife are more exciting.”
It was not only the rejection that made Thalita furrow her brow, but also the confusion about the connection to the General Assembly. What did he mean?
Thalita tried to digest Andreas’ words, but she left in a hurry. She left Thalita standing there in confusion.
Andreas continued to walk through the sea of people. Several times he exchanged greetings with people he happened to know, until he finally reached his destination: the bar.
A hand was raised. Andreas ordered a drink and pulled out a chair. He casually sat down next to a disheveled-looking man.
The drink soon landed in front of Andreas. He took the glass and asked without turning away.
“Would you like to join me for a drink, Lex?”
Indeed, it was Alex, the casually dressed man who had been Andreas’ target that night. He turned to find Andreas finishing his drink in one gulp.
“I’ll wait for you upstairs.”
Andreas stood up immediately without saying anything else. He waved to the bartender before actually leaving. He climbed the circular staircase that connected the floors and then turned.
The security guards quickly recognized Andreas. He was told to go on, and a server led him to a central lounge.
Andreas entered and waited with the food that had been served. He leaned back on the plush sofa and glanced at his watch, wondering how long it would take for Alex to accept his offer.
The answer to that question came quickly. A brief moment of insignificance was enough to bring Alex in front of Andreas.
The door opened. Andreas didn’t have to lift his face to see that it was Alex who had come. Like a fortune teller, he was sure that his guess was correct.
*