The Good and The Bad

°7°

Ruby's POV

"Miss Rose, you asked me to reschedule today's meeting. To when would you like it rescheduled?"

I'm brought back to my thoughts by my assistant. I've been running over this idea I have in my mind and contemplating whether or not I should go through with it. I wouldn't want Cleo to be mad at me.

"Reschedule it for tomorrow. And tell Taylor to come to my office, I need to speak with him about something important." She nods and leaves quickly to do what I asked. She can tell I'm not in a calm mood so she probably doesn't want to get into any trouble by dawdling.

A few minutes later, Taylor comes in, looking as serious as ever and standing tall in his grey suit. Taylor is the guy I have around to get rid of problems that may occur in my club. His like a bouncer but with army training. And in rare times I use him as a bodyguard or someone to do some of the things I can't be seen doing.

Like now for instance.

Today, Cleo - under the guise of "Lola" - is having lunch with Alfonsi later today somewhere she didn't disclose to me. Sure she told me not to worry but there's no way in hell an I letting her go without some sort of protection. I don't care that she's trained and has a gun, I'm still going to protect her.

But obviously I can't show up to wherever they're meeting because then she'll know I'm keeping track of her and that I didn't listen to her when she told me to stay back.

So now I just have to go with the next best option.

"I want you to follow someone for me. Stay close to her and, if needed, protect her at all costs. Make sure she's not aware of your presence and keep an eye on Alfonsi." I say as I hand him a phone he can use to track Cleo.

"Keep me updated and report anything suspicious."

He nods and takes his leave when I dismiss him.

I try to go on with my work but it's pretty difficult to focus on emails and invoices when your girlfriend is meeting with dodgy criminal.

~~~~~~~

Cleo's POV

I walk into the restaurant confidently, keeping the poise of Lola Campbell. It seems all eyes are on me as I walk through the elegant room with a dark interior, white flowers and sparkly chandeliers to a table right at the back in a corner where Alfonsi waits for me with a smug look on his face.

I have to hold back from rolling my eyes and instead give him a sweet smile as I take my seat opposite him that he pulls out for me, straightening my designer dress and placing my handbag on the chair next to me so the hidden mic can record this conversation for the investigation.

"Miss Campbell, I'm so happy you're here. I've been thinking about you since last night." Alfonsi speaks, already turning on the charm.

"Well I'm flattered Mr. Alfonsi."

"Please, call me John." He says as he takes my hand to give it a kiss.

From the corner of my eye I notice a man taking a seat not too far from our table. Like everyone else here, he looks like he belongs here, with his freakishly good looks, grey fitted suit, leather shoes and expensive watch. He orders something from the waitress that just left our table and then focuses on his phone. He looks strangely familiar but I can't seem to put my finger on it.

"So, my dear, before we get to business, I'd like to invite you to be my special guest at a party I'm hosting. I'm sure you've heard about my recent success in partnering with the huge telecommunications company."