ARGON
“Get those batches checked. We don’t want any issues with our client, ” I ordered the workers at the factory house.
It was six in the morning, and all the staffs were working their asses out, just to meet up with the order.
Jerome and I had decided to stay with the workers throughout the week, so it would be easier to supervise the making of the materials for our client.
We had five more days to go and we were just a quarter away from our goal.
“Come on, let’s make it snappy, ” I ordered the workers, feeling troubled and desperate at heart.
Jerome had to Pat me on the shoulder, advising that I stay calm and believe in myself.
“It will be ready before the last day. Don’t work yourself out.”
“Yeah, sorry. I just want to show those assholes that I don’t need their assistance any more. They will all regret it soon.”
“They will. And when they do, they’ll be sorry they left you for that big shot Lycan, ” Jerome backed me up.
We continued with the work until our break, which was around eleven that morning.
Feeling a bit tired, I went into my small office at the corner of the factory house, and took a seat to rest my legs. They were aching from the walking about, left and right, to and fro.
I needed to rest them before bouncing back outside to resume with work.
Relaxing, I took out my phone and saw a text message from Estelle. Even though I was still upset with all her past deeds, I still felt pleased to see she sent a message.
With a smile across my face, I opened the message to see what she had sent. But my smiles faded when I saw what was inside.
“Can’t you call and check up on me? Have you forgotten what the doctor said about caring and showing me love?” I read her text, staring at the words with frustration.
I expected something nice from her, but look at what she’s sending to me.
With my mood ruined, I dropped the phone aside and didn’t bother to message her back.
“You want me to check up on you? What about me? She doesn’t even call, but expects me to do the calling. What a life,” I sighed, leaning against the chair and slowly drifting into sleep.
It didn’t take too long for Jerome to come over and call me, concerning something important.
“We’re running out of materials. The remaining bags won’t do, ” He informed me, looking worried.
I became troubled as well. My sleep vanished, leaving my heart pounding at this notice.
I followed Jerome down to the store room, where all the materials are kept. And when I got there, I was left frozen at the little quantity left.
“It’s small. This won’t do us before the week ends. We need more, ” I said, walking in to look at the remaining bags.
How come I didn’t notice this?
“That’s the issue, Alpha. We used up so much money in getting the materials just for this large order, and the money left isn’t enough to buy the rest. If we decide to get more, our account may…” Jerome paused, already giving me a hint of the problem ahead if we proceed further.
But I can’t turn back now. I have already started the work. If I stop, I won’t gain anything and won’t see the money to pay the staffs. But if I can get more materials and get this job done, I will get thrice the income in my account.
Confident in myself, I said to Jerome, “Let’s take the risk. We are business men after all. Get the trucks set to fetch more materials. We need to finish this order on time.”
“Alright, Alpha. As you wish, ” Jerome obeyed.
He sent the truck drivers out and made and order online for the remaining materials. I watched him place this orders, as the account balance dropped to a million.
“This is the lowest amount I have, and I just hope everything would work out well for the company. I just need to believe in the goddess,” I prayed.
.
The goods were gotten and the work was back on. I didn’t tell my workers what we were facing, but made it look like we were still having more income in the account.
When Jerome reported that the materials were almost out and we still needed more, I ended up contacting the bank for a huge loan to get the remaining materials.
The painful part of it was that the bank began questioning me and my plans, thinking I won’t pay them back.
“I am a regular customer for heaven sake. Do you doubt my plans?” I had questioned them, finding their interrogations offensive.
“We are just asking to be sure, sir. You are requesting for a large amount of money and we need to remind you of the policy, if you fail to fulfill your end of the deal, we’ll result to taking possession of your company and mansion. Is that clear? ” They had said, making me feel like a beggar at their feet.
But having so much interest in this money, I accepted their policy, getting the loan as I wanted.
It’s not the first time I’d be taking such a big amount from the bank. I always pay them before the month ends.
It’s because my status in the pack has reduced that’s why they are treating me this way.
“When I bring their money, they will have no choice but to respect me, ” I said, boosting my confidence.
I gave the money to Jerome to place another order and get the remaining materials, which I believe is the last one I’ll ever make an order for. And they began to work on the remaining batches for our client.
As the weekend drew closer and the remaining goods reduced in number, I decided to head back to the mansion just for tonight and return tomorrow to resume my work.
Jerome also agreed to it, suggesting I head to the mansion while he stays.
“If there’s anything, just let me know.”
“Sure. Just take care of yourself,” Jerome said.
I left the factory with one of my guards, who drove me back to the mansion that night.
It was already ten and the mansion was almost silent. I carefully went inside and made my way to the room, getting into bed to rest, without changing out of my suit.
I just didn’t have the strength to put on something different.
I was down.
My eyes came heavy, all set to drift me to sleep, when I heard my phone ringing from my pocket.
Sluggishly, I took it out to see if it was Jerome calling to check up on me, but it was Estelle.
“Oh goddess!” I groaned, almost tossing the phone away, but I didn’t.
“Just answer and listen to her complains, ” I mumbled, placing the phone close to my ear.
When I answered the call, the first thing she did was question me. “Why haven’t you been replying my texts? Don’t you care about me anymore?”
I hummed, turning over on my bed while she complained like a chatterbox.
“I called the other day, but you just said you were busy. You didn’t even call me back!”
“Estelle, can you call me tomorrow? I’m so tired.”
“Are you for real? You’re saying you’re tired? What about me? Argon, I was hospitalized some days ago. I almost ended my life due to worries and stress in the brain. Don’t you care about my life?”
“Estelle, please. Can you just let me be? I am begging you for heaven sake. I just got back from work and I need to sleep, ” I said, making my voice loud so she’d listen.
She came all silent at first then said in a tiny tone, “You don’t have to shout at me. I just wanted to know why you haven’t been reaching out to me.”
Is she serious now?
Damn! Where did I meet this woman?
“Do you want me to come over?”
“No need for that. I just need to rest. And besides, if you come around, I won’t have time for you. And you know what the situation is at my pack,” I said, stopping her from making any move.
Estelle agreed and soon decided to give me my rest. I felt so relieved when she said her good night and ended the call.
Peace at last.
I was so tired that I didn’t even realized when I drifted to sleep out of tiredness. But I could still sense my environment while sleeping.
I felt someone’s presence in my room.
My weakness wouldn’t let me get up and see who was here with me. I just felt my body being covered and my phone being taken from my hold.
The sound of my door came shutting, indicating that the person had left.
And the moment I heard the sound, I finally got the strength to rise and look around. I was covered with s blanket and my phone was placed on the bedside table.
But I couldn’t tell who came into my room. I couldn’t even get the smell with my nose.
“No servants have the mind to step in here and attend to me. Except…” I paused, feeling my whole body heating up.
“Was it Brielle?” I wondered, trying to pick her scent.
But I couldn’t pick her scent. That’s because I never took the time to be familiar with Brielle’s smell. It was hard to tell if it was her or a servant.
.
The following day, I came racing out of my room after getting a call from my Beta, that the goods were set and ready to he delivered.
I was so pleased!
In excitement, I skipped my breakfast and rushed for the entrance of the mansion, ready to drive down to the factory and see the workers.
That’s when I met Brielle leaning against the door, with her arms crossed and her gaze fixed on me.
Though I was already happy about the completed work, my happiness grew more at the sight of Brielle.
I drew nearer with a grin, just standing before her, saying nothing.
She kept staring before saying, “I know it’s not my business, but you need to take your breakfast along with you.”
She snapped her hand and Tania came running with a lunch flask, handing it to Brielle.
“Take this. She made you something to eat,” She said, giving me the flask to take.
And I didn’t object to it. I was happy with her kindness, despite the differences between us.
I still had a big smile across my face while receiving the lunch from Brielle.
That’s when I heard Brielle say something. “Can… Can you stop smiling?”
“Huh?” I uttered, lifting my gaze back at her.
Her eyes were dimmed and fixed directly at my mouth. She pointed at it and said, “It doesn’t suit you, one bit.”
“Really?” I chuckled, finding her words funny.
“Yeah. You look weird when you grin. Maybe a smirk would be better, not a smile, ” She advised.
I found myself cackling at her words. It was just hilarious.
Maybe it’s because of the completed work that’s why I’m feeling so jovial today.
“Tell me, what do you want me to get for you? ” I asked both Brielle and Tania.
Their eyes came large at my sudden offer, glancing at each other.
“Say what?” Tania uttered in disbelief.
“I’m serious. Tell me what you want and I’ll get it for you.”
“I want a new dress! “Tania immediately made her request, acting all excited. Only Brielle just stared at me, probably in doubt.
I just couldn’t tell her face expression. It was off.
I agreed to get Tania a dress, causing the excited maid to race away with joy after thanking me.
Alone with Brielle, I repeated my question, waiting for her response. ” Tell me, what do you want?”
“Is the market out of grass?”
“What? ” I was confused.
She smirked at me and said, “No more green roses? Don’t tell me the cows ate them before you could start your farm.”
Her words got me chuckling. Her words maybe nasty, Still, I find them hilarious.
“I don’t need anything, Argon. Just eat your food when you get to work,” She said, about to walk pass me when she stopped on her track, lifting her gaze to face me.
I noticed a sudden flash in her eyes, when she said, “You have been at the company for some days and didn’t return home. I hope all is well?”
“Um… All is well. Everything so fine, ” I answered confidently.
She hummed at me, delivering smile.
“Okay. Good luck at the office, ” she said, walking by.
My face came flushing at Brielle. I turned around and watched her walk away.
She may not want anything from me, but I’m still going to get her something.