CITRUS ~ A Long Way From Home / Trust

Chapter 26

Day 4

<<Speaking English>>

Mei exited the town car quickly after it arrived at the firm, ignoring her belongings or giving Tim a chance to open the door for her. She moved quickly around the car towards the office doors to the lobby, ignoring anyone else around her.

"Mei!...Mei wait!" yelled Yuzu as she watched Mei hustle towards the doors.

"Come on! We need to hurry!" yelled Mei without turning her head.

"But....bu.... Dammit Mei!" said Yuzu frustratedly.

<<I'm sorry Tim, but we gotta hurry!>> she said while quickly grabbed her phone, folders, Mei's opened laptop bag and briefcase. <<We'll text you later, thank you!>>

<<Oh, of course ma'am>> said Tim in confusion as he watch the young Japanese woman chase after the other, unsure if she heard him.

"Mei stop!" said Yuzu while trying to catch up with her sister, almost struggling not to drop anything.

Yuzu was just as upset as Mei about what they heard from April a little while ago. But she wasn't use to seeing Mei this angry, especially after insisting to Tim to race towards the firm. She was also worried because Mei hardly spoke a word while they were on the road.

But Mei was unwavering in her insistence to get some answers, especially after what she heard back at the hotel.

•••

"A meeting?" asked Mei on the speakerphone while Yuzu stood beside her listening.

"Well no, it wasn't so much a meeting, as it was a social party for the clients" said April, speaking from the phone.

"Mr. Aimes went from client to client, inviting them to a meet up at a nearby nightclub. It was meant to gather everyone together and entertain them as an enticement to reconsider leaving the firm. Almost every one of the clients attended last night."

Mei was perplexed as she listened while Yuzu stood beside her.

"I was told to accompany the guest and to make sure everyone was having a good time. It went on for several hours.

"During that time, Aimes and many of them were talking business and sharing info with one another. And I think some handshake deals were made between them. It seemed like a pretty productive night.."

"Wait, why wasn't I told about this... party?" asked Mei, visibly upset by what she was hearing.

"Well that's just it" said April. "When I didn't see you there, I pulled Aimes aside and asked him about you.

"That's when he told me that you weren't invited."

Mei's expression changed to shock and anger as she continued to listen, and she wasn't about to hide it. She couldn't believe that she was purposely excluded from this gathering.

"He told me that it was a business decision and for me not to worry about it" said April. "I tried to insist what he was thinking, but he blew me off."

"That's when I tried to call Yuzu last night to see if you knew anything about this, but I couldn't reach her" said April.

Mei was now livid to hear what happened. It also made Yuzu all the more angry for not having her phone with her last night.

"Mr. Fredrick wasn't at the club last night and I was unable to reach him. He's still busy from the aftermath of your presentation the other day. And I haven't been to the office yet to ask him personally why you were left out."