The Grand Viper

17. Encounter

"I couldn't be happier for you son. This marriage will make the east coast ours. One of the best decisions as a future successor." Victor said. "I'm proud of you."

Reece forced a smile and said, "Thank you, father."

The mansion was emptied except for a few guests lingering around. In the study room stayed Reece and his father. The rich furniture was perfectly styled to fit in the spacious room. Victor was puffing his cigar as he sat comfortably on the chair while Reece was standing upright. He stood up from his seat and approached Reece with steady steps.

"It's good that you are following my orders." Victor inhaled and puffed out smoke. Then, he proceeded to pat Reece's shoulder. Reece's eyes were constantly looking at the ground.

His father glanced at him and said, "Look up son. Be fierce and confident. The next leader cannot cower like that."

I don't want to. I don't want any of this.

"Yes, father," Reece said, looking straight up, keeping his chest high.

Victor leaned against the study table and puffed out smoke. A smile crept on his face. "Amber eyes, black hair. She was wearing something blue I think."

As soon as he could pinpoint what his father was talking about, his breath stopped momentarily. He clenched his fist preparing for whatever his father was about to say.

"I don't recall, father," Reece said, avoiding eye contact.

Victor smirked. "She looked beautiful and almost familiar. I can't pinpoint who exactly though."

Reece clenched his hands even harder and bit his tongue. "What about her?" He asked calmly, now looking into his father's brown orbs.

"I hope she is not here to cause trouble even though she looks like one-" Victor shook his head and puffed out smoke again."-but considering you fancy her, I'm not being impulsive just this once. You know I believe in getting rid of any assumptions without having to think twice. You'd better not upset Marie Bathuman because of a girl like that."

Reece widened his eyes and looked at his father, not believing what he just stated. "Yes father, I will make sure of it."

"You are a good son." Victor smiled but his smile soon faded. "Did you track Vincent?"

"I did." He replied. "Northeast countryside, Medicare clinic."

"How did you track that bastard? I'm curious. He went MIA suddenly." Victor chuckled.

Despite knowing the truth, he chose to conceal it. "Theodore helped. He hired a tech guy who was skilled enough to catch his line when he tried to contact someone in the city." Reece replied.  

"I don't want Theodore to overshadow you." He locked his eyes with Reece as if it was a warning. "That bastard has already infected a lot of our people."

"Now go find him and-" he placed his hand on Reece's shoulder and patted. "-finish the job."

With a firm nod, Reece walked out of the study table.

***

I felt my phone vibrate in my trousers. I momentarily stopped brushing my teeth while I picked up the call. But as soon as I did that, my phone immediately hung up. It was an unknown number. It was the third time and it was frustrating me already after I had recently woken up.

I winced in pain as I felt my head hurt from all the shenanigans from yesterday. And yet, I had to go to work as early as eight. Without proper sleep, my sleep schedule was bound to ruin my day any time now. 

I washed up and took a bath quickly and started getting into my work clothes, a dark green silk shirt, and white pants. Wearing a gold-colored pendant, earrings, and a watch, I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the apartment.

After about fifteen minutes of commuting, I finally got to the office. Squeezing myself into the stuffed elevator, soon, I found myself all alone till I reached my boss's floor. Everything was happening quickly, so much so that I could feel the world spin around me as soon as I got out of the elevator. The floor was serene without any sound or evidence of anyone being present. 

Just as I took another step, I felt myself get a little dizzy and was sure to hit the clean floor. Suddenly, I could feel someone hold my waist tightly from behind, preventing me from falling.

"How much did you drink last night?" A familiar deep voice echoed in my ears. Coming to my senses, I turned around and pushed Reece away.

He raised his hands to surrender. "One hell of a way to say thank you."

"I'm-" I avoided his eyes. "I'm sorry Mr. Bloomfield. It was so sudden, I didn't know how to react."

Like your fiancée's declaration.

"It's okay." He replied, putting his hands down. "The director will be visiting the company today. Be prepared for it."

I nodded my head and walked towards my office. It wasn't me who was guilty, whatever I did except for the business, I was honest with him about it. But then again, it was me who couldn't look him in the eye. I couldn't bear to see his earnest eyes when he betrayed me time and again. But most importantly, I was afraid that I would be stupid enough to slip into his hands as I crumble into pieces.

After lunch, as I was stacking his files in the proper place, I heard a group of footsteps enter the floor. Thinking it was Reece, I walked out of my office to greet him, but in front of me stood someone else.

Menacing brown eyes, a dyed goatee beard perfectly trimmed, and a cream-colored suit hugged his aging body. Gold rings decorated his fingers and despite his age, his hair was long and healthy like Theodore's. The head of the Bloomfield company, Victor Bloomfield.

As soon as he turned his attention to me, I bowed and greeted him with a smile. "Good afternoon, sir."

"Good afternoon." He smiled back, his mustache sitting nicely on his upper lip. "Oh, we meet again?"

I raised my brows but composed myself soon enough. "I'm afraid it's our first interaction."

"Oh, I saw you at the party." He remarked.

"I should say I'm rather surprised you noticed me. Regardless, I'm pleased to be noticed, Mr. Bloomfield." I smiled, keeping a warm demeanor.

"What's your name again?" He asked. I could see suspicion lingering beneath the warm facade he was displaying.

"My apologies. I'm Ruby Gunn, secretary of Mr. Bloomfield." I said.

He cocked his eyebrow. "Interesting." He mumbled.

"How long have you been working here?"

"Three months sir."

He nodded and looked around the office. "I'm sorry to keep you standing," I said and led them to Reece's office. After he was comfortably sitting on the sofa, I was about to head out.

Before I could shut the door entirely, Reece rushed in from the elevator as soon as he looked into my eyes. There was this underlying feeling of dread in his eyes as he rushed into his office, and I couldn't explain why. 

***