Chapter 35

"You’re late." Stefano was standing beside his car with Carson behind him. He was crossing his arms with a scowl on his pretty face. He was as if he’s ready for war. "I know." I quickly walked towards the driver’s side. I was waiting for Jenna’s roommate to come back. I didn’t want to leave knowing she’s alone in her apartment. "Attitude, Miss White. This is going to be the last time you speak to me-" "Can you just spare me the lectures please?" My hand stopped reaching the door and cut him off. I turned to him impatiently. "I get that I’m late. Just one time. You shut up about it." I said pissed. He glared at me. "Watch it, White. I said-" "I know the **** what you just said." I yelled. I honestly am not in the mood. Not after today. I don’t really talk back to him like this. I just roll my eyes or murmur something incoherent just so he wouldn’t hear. "My friend almost got raped. I had to be there for her so I’m not sorry I’m late." Even though I didn’t plan to tell it to him this way, yelling and getting mad like this. There was a second his face showed an emotion but he quickly erase it from his face. Seeing that he just stood still, I continued to speak. "You still have a meeting, right Mr. Ranallo? You should get in." I said tone laced with sarcasm. I opened the door and got inside. Carson and he then get inside the car. I didn’t spare a glance at them and just drive to their destination. When we arrived, Stefano immediately got out of the car and answered his ringing phone. I noticed Carson still sitting inside but I paid him no heed. "I’m sorry about your friend, Miss White." Carson said softly. I wanted to retort a sarcastic remark like I usually did to him but I was already so tired. "Thanks." I muttered as I stared ahead not eager to look at him. "Stefano hasn’t been himself lately." I stiffened, startled at what he said. "You both were fine at the wedding." My hands clenched at the wheel. I noticed Carson was talking about Stefano right now as a friend, not as his boss. He paused for a moment and continued. "Whatever happened between you two, I hope you two would talk it over. See you later, Miss White." He then got out of the car and followed Stefano. I sighed. Not once did I look at him. I didn’t like Carson if that was so obvious. The two were similar. It’s very infuriating but Stefano was way worse because he simply doesn’t care. Carson... he does. He was easy with me and even kinder despite his coldness and strict manner. This was the moment where he showed how he cared for his boss as a close friend. God. Even Carson noticed our relationship... even though it’s nonexistent. I sighed. My grip on the steering wheel came tighter. My head slump on top. I thought about what happened for the past months since I’ve been here. The moment I stepped foot in that apartment and helped Nancy. What do you know. I never expected to be here, shagged my boss and even be hurt because I was expecting more for us. It’s called karma... and I have long known acceped that fact. I looked at where Stefano sat all the time in the rear view’s reflection. I frowned as I noticed a  folder on the seat. He must have forgotten it while dashing out to answer his phone call. I dialled his number while waiting for the elevator at the lobby. It kept ringing but he didn’t answer it. Carson on the other hand was sent straight into voicemail. Assuming the meeting must have started already, I decided to personally give the folder to him. As I waited, I heard a familiar voice just behind me. It was eerily familiar and I couldn’t put my mind to whom it was. I couldn’t picture out a single soul which reminded me of that voice. He then walked passed by me. He looked to be in his  late fourties. He was wearing a business suit. He was with a tall muscular man that might be his bodyguard. The two were talking. I came to know what his name was. Brunton. I remembered Carson showing me Stefano’s schedules for today. He had a meeting with one of his business associates named Robert Brunton. I went inside the elevator with them. There were no other people around. I continued to fiddle with my phone and just decide to just text him and let him know that I have his missing folder. After that, I slipped the phone through my pocket. The door of the elevator slid close. And that’s when it hit me. The voice was similar to the man who Henderson had a talk with that night at a party when they planned to kill Stefano. My hair at the back of my neck stood. ****! I’m in a room with him. "Olivia Hale." A calm cold voice spoke. My eyes widened, my body stiffened. "Or should I call you Avery White." He spat. He spoke with sharpness and edge that could cut through anything. I almost shivered because somehow... I have now come to fear for my life. I kept myself into silence, ignored his discourse. But he decided to continue. "You think I wouldn’t know. A mere disguise wouldn’t stop me from knowing the woman who ruined with my plan. If you haven’t interfered... dear..." He put emphasis in the word dear. I could feel the venom laced with it. Just when he continued to speak, I could feel a brooding presence behind me. "... I might’ve spared your life." I elbowed his bodyguard behind me but he blocked it flawlessly. He reached for my neck roughly. I dodged a little and caught his hand, holding it while punching his face. The man was tall and wasn’t really that extremely bulky compared to Stefano’s bodyguards. I thought maybe he was more of brains than brawns. And man, I was right. I only landed one blow to his face and he did to me twice. I grew frustrated and almost lost my composure. I became uncalculated and reckless. Just as I catch his fist flying to the air towards my face, I caught it willingly and bend it towards his back. With no waste of time, I smashed his head to the wall. I then turned to Brunton who seemed to be stupidly calm watching us fight. A gun was pointing at me directly. "That’s enough." He said gruffly. I slowly backed down. I stood there staring at him with trains of thoughts crossing my head. He was definitely at an advantage. One, this is his building. The cameras monitoring the elevator would just be useless. Everything was in his favor. Two, his gun has silencer on it. No sound will alert anyone if he shoots. He could kill someone so cleanly. I’m probably not the first one. And if I die right now, no one will know how. That’s actually pretty sad. Three, with how small the space here, it would be hard for me steal the gun. He will notice it and he will no doubt pull the trigger. And considering the space agaim, it will be hard to dodge it. I’m pretty sure I have no chance here. His bodyguard stood and grunted. I guess the hit didn’t actually took a toll on him big time. Brunton’s attention was interrupted by him and it gave me a perfect chance to steal the gun. I moved fast and was able to hold it from his grasp. The trigger was suddenly pulled and a lower and softer sound of gun echoed in the room.