Morris parked behind Serena’s car and turned towards her.
“It was nice meeting a lovely woman like you”
Serena flashed him a smile “Thanks for the ride sir” she said removing the seatbelt.
“Thank you too, Serena, can you call me Morris, I like it better,” he said.
“You are my client so I think it's more respectful and professional to address you as Sir,” Serena said.
“Let's keep professionalism out of things, I like you and I want us to get to know each other” Morris paused touching her face.
“I like you Serena and I mean it,” Morris said. “I don't do married men” Serena pointed out on his gold wedding ring.
“We are getting a divorce so she won't be a problem,” Morris said making Serena smile.
‘All married men say that’
“I'm late for my appointment, I need to get going” Serena tried getting off the car but Morris dragged her back and kissed her.
His lips were very soft and Serena didn't bother pushing him away, he gradually deepened, kissing her hard.
After a while, Morris broke out of the kiss staring into her eyes “Sorry about that, I couldn't resist not doing it”
Serena didn't say a word and Morris reached for her bag, taking out her phone, he inputted his phone number and dialed it and his phone rang almost Immediately.
“I will call you” he peaked her before handing over her phone to her. Serena gave him a suspicious look before getting off the car, Morris watched her as she walked to her car and drove off before he did.
*
Locking the door behind her, Delfina burst into a loud cry, it was the second time Xiomara was hitting her since she could remember, the first was when Corrado was hospitalized, Rosalia had said, Xiomara wanted to take Corrado out to claim the company and she believed her, she had a huge connection with Corrado and his sickness was a big blow not just to her but to Rosalia and Richelmo, Corrado was a good man and was very soft spoken unlike his wife Xiomara.
Delfina had confronted Xiomara and she hit her out of anger, just like she did today.
A soft knock was heard, making Delfina look at the door, she wasn't ready to open it. Another knock came again, this time a little louder than the first, followed by Yvette’s voice.
“Young mistress, Lunch is served” “Go away!” that was all she said.
Yvette looked at the door and wanted to knock again but kicked against it, it was better to let her be, at least till her anger cools off.
The next morning, Xiomara woke up to Serena’s message, she had sent the email address as well as her Payoneer account number.
Xiomara reached for her laptop and copied the email address into it, she dropped her phone adjusting on the bed while carrying her laptop on her lap.
She typed in a few messages and emailed them before she picked up her phone to transfer a million euros to her Payoneer account and then called her.
“Ciao, Serena good morning” Xiomara was the first to speak, she was already standing adjusting her lingerie and sliding into her flip-flop slippers.
“Good morning Caro” Serena replied in between sleep, she was sleeping before Xiomara’s call came in, which woke her up.
“Are you still in bed?” Xiomara looked at the wall clock in her room as she stepped out.
“It's 7:45 am, on a Monday morning”
“I know, today is my day off,” Serena said still lying down.
“A day off on a Monday, that's interesting”
“I had to work my butts out yesterday, I asked for the day off and my HR accepted, he knows he has been stressing me”
“He must be considerate”
“Yeah, everyone isn't as cold-hearted as you are Della” Serena smiled.
“I already sent the email, and I sent you a million Euro, call me if you need any other thing,” Xiomara said walking down the stairs, she meet Luca and Yvette already waiting at the lounge.
“Okay, I'm going to check it and prepare the details, you would receive it once it's ready,” Serena said.
“Grazie, but can you make it a little fast, at least before the weekend”
“Things work differently here in Dubai, it takes like two or three weeks to get things done, I will try my best but I can't promise you anything yet,” Serena said staring at the incoming call in her phone.
“Oh really, do......”
“What now,” Serena said pausing Xiomara from talking.
“What?” Xiomara was a little surprised.
“Oh, Scusa Caro, I wasn't talking to you” Serena apologized “It's one married client that doesn't want to leave me alone,” Serena said and Xiomara giggled.
“What does he want, S*x?”
“It appears to be so, I meet him just yesterday and he's already willing to divorce his wife” they both burst into laughter.
“Really?”
“The man is sick, have met a lot of horny married men but none is as shameless as the one calling me,” Serena said.
“Oh my goodness, Serena, please just settle him before his wife catches up with you,” Xiomara said.
“She should know better than coming for me, her husband might be rich and handsome but I didn't seduce him I don't even think I'm interested,” Serena said.
“You need to get married, Serena”
“Yeah, Richelmo is yet to propose” Serena teased.
“Not to Richelmo, to another man”
“I will call you back Caro, after checking the email, let me answer him”
“Okay, talk to you later,” Xiomara said and the next thing she heard was a beeping sound, she looked at her phone and smiled “Silly girl”.
“Good Morning Ma'am” Yvette and Luca greeted.
“Same, any update,” she asked dropping her phone while picking up the cup of tea served by the maid.
“I sent the email to HR as you demanded, the meeting would be held by noon and the chairwoman of Marshall Corporation wants to have lunch with you by 3 pm and a dinner with Venceslao Bellanti by 8 pm,” Luca said.
“Also you have a couple of meetings with the Provenance business school director”
“Mrs. Samona Marshall?”
“Yes ma” Luca nodded.
“Why, I don't have any business with her family or their company”
“They are top investors in the pyxnix group,” Yvette said.
“So?, that doesn't mean she can just set up a meeting without informing me two weeks earlier, Tell her that I'm busy and won't be able to come” Xiomara stood up.
“Okay, I will do that”
“Prepare the car, I'm going to the Spa” she headed upstairs.
*
Xiomara lay down with two sliced cucumbers covering her face, she had a beauty mask on her face.
“The appointment was for 9 am, it is 10 am two hours late, care to explain”
“We were caught up in traffic, you are not the only client we have so we were working for others” Xiomara snotted, she recognized that voice.
“Eloisa, I can see you are now being classified under professionals”
“I am a professional, you just didn't see me as one” Eloisa snapped while her colleague touched her trying to keep her quiet.
“Who is the other person with you?” Xiomara asked.
“Sorry I'm late, My name is Fabiola,” Fabiola said.
“Have never heard of you”
“Yes ma, I'm new and_” the snort from Xiomara didn't let her finish.
‘I asked for professional and this is what I get
“Yvette”
“yes, ma'am” Yvette answered.
“Put me through their boss” Eloisa scoffed looking at Xiomara, she just couldn't blame her.
The phone rang three times but there was no response.
“He's not answering,” Yvette said.
“Why won't you entrust me with the job, you think I'm not good enough,” Eloisa asked.
“Not that, you are good enough Caro, I just need professionals, that's all,” Xiomara said.
“Tell me what is it that you want, If its something I can't do, I will be sincere with you,” Eloisa said
There was silence for a while, Xiomara removed the two cucumbers covering her eyes and also the beauty mask.
She looked at Eloisa, she looked exactly how she remembered her “I want to put an APB on someone, the last you did, you failed woefully at that and I don't like the repetition of mistakes”
Fabiola’s eyes widened at the mention of APB, she stared at Xiomara and then at Eloisa as she talked.
“That was ten years ago, I have improved a lot within those past years you know,” Eloisa said.
Xiomara smiled at her “Really? I didn't think you would still be working with the agency”
“I will trust you again, not because I can't get another person to do it for me but because I want to give you one last chance, if you screw it up, I'm going to get you killed” the smile on her face was still there.
“Who is the target?” Eloisa asked ignoring Xiomara’s threat.
Xiomara smiled, Eloisa was a brave woman and she wasn't scared of anything, not even death.
“I'm not joking” she clarified.
“I didn't think otherwise, You are not the type that jokes so it would be foolish of me to think you are,” Eloisa said.
“I'm glad you know that Eloisa” she looked at her and then at Fabiola, she was young and Xiomara didn't trust her.
“The intern can wait outside”
Fabiola made to talk but was hushed by Eloisa, “Just leave”, Fabiola gulped down, looking from Eloisa to Xiomara and then to Yvette.
She walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.
“She's gone, who do you want to track,” Eloisa asked.
“Delfina Rocco”