Chapter 23 - Deadline

“Mr. Shihiro was widely known for being a notorious loan shark and owner of the biggest lending institution in Capital Z. It was said that his triumph more likely came from many illegal activities and charging injustice high-interest rates to his debtors. He was also the leader of the biggest gang troupe in the city. In one snap of his fingers, debtors who can’t pay the interest will suffer losses of properties and worst their lives. It was said too, that known VIPs in our city paid a huge amount to him to get protection. Others hired his men for killings and for doing illegal business. People believed that Mr. Shihiro was the man behind the rampant killings and violence around the city. Our policemen remained watchers as high ranker officials were getting huge compensation from Mr. Shihiro.” The old butler of the house spoke in a daze while still in fear.

Arabella was stunned. ‘Could it be that Mr. Shihiro tried to kill her father?’ She thought after hearing these words from her butler.

This left hanging only in her thought right now as she faced more onerous issues that needed immediate solutions.

“Young Madame, there’s a phone call for you. Your secretary said she can’t contact you on your mobile so she tried on our landline. She said it was very important.” One of Arabella’s housekeepers cut them.

“Okay. I will answer it.” Arabella replied.

“Ms. Jones. Finally.” The secretary exclaimed from the other line.

“What is it?” Arabella had already felt nervous as she heard the panicked voice of her secretary.

“Ma’am, there is an emergency here. Our shareholders had gone crazy. They want to pull out all their shares in the company. Also, 3 banks were calling us demanding to pay our unpaid debts immediately or they would file a lawsuit against us. What are we going to do now?” The secretary was sweating uncontrollably like she was going to have a heart attack.

Arabella was really drained. Her mind stopped functioning. She held her breath for a long time and tried to compose herself or else their company employees will suffer. Her house will be turned to ashes after 3 days. Everything she and her family own will be gone in a blink of an eye if she will not take any actions quickly.

These all started after her scandal with Bill Sky.

“I will be there now. Call for an emergency meeting with all the shareholders.” Arabella’s fierce tone made her secretary breathed with ease.

Arabella quickly dressed up. She put on her cap and big sunglasses to hide her face from the bashers and haters outside. She drove to her company and found everything was in chaos. Staffs were like busybodies as some bosses were demanding reports and other documents.

She went directly to her office followed by her secretary.

“They are already in the conference Ms. Jones.” The secretary greeted her.

“Noted.” Arabella strode swiftly to the conference.

“You’re here. Ms. Jones, how do you explain that this company will go bankrupt anytime soon?” This man was likely in his 60 fired up Arabella once she got into the room.

“Calm down, Mr. Smith. Let’s talk it civilly.” Arabella pretended to be fierce and tough in front of them.

“Then who were those informants who texted us about the company’s bankruptcy?” Another man who looked like in his 50s asked.

“Don’t worry Mr. Cooper. I can assure you that our company is in great standing. And about that informants, we are now investigating on it as we speak.” Arabella needed to pacify them. This was the only way she could think of a solution in the meantime.

“Your father is not here. We all know that he was the only one who knows the actual total equity of the company. How can we trust you?” This time, a brown fat man butted in with a doubtful facial expression.

“That answers your question, Mr. Burlington. If the rumors were true, do you think my father will not be back here immediately if he knew that the company is in bad shape? I’m his daughter, he will never leave me to receive the blame. The fact that I’m still here, means all were good and there’s no need to panic.” In this game, the smartest will win. A good speaker, perhaps.

Arabella’s goal was to calm them down first. She will just think of a great solution after pacifying them.

Money can solve everything.

With the money, she could pay everyone and save her company.

How can she acquire a huge amount of money?

Where can she go?

Who’s she gonna call for help?

“Okay then. We will give you 3 days to spare us a copy of the current financial statement of the company.” Mr. Burlington spoke again.

“3 days would be impossible Mr. Burlington. As we all know he is still on a business trip abroad.” Arabella defended quickly.

“There’s no impossible Ms. Jones. We are risking our money here in return for trusting you. Don’t disappoint us.” Mr. Smith waved his hand to the others and went out ahead, then the others followed, leaving Arabella the only person left in the room.

Arabella immediately buried her head with her two hands.

Unbelievable! Another freaking 3-day deadline. All happened in one day.

Arabella’s mind was in a deep mess as she could not afford to lose both their house and their company after the 3rd day. With this time limit, there were only two persons that she can think of who can surely help her right now. One is Jayson and the other one is undeniably Bill Sky.

How could she possibly ask Bill Sky for help? They didn’t have any sort of a relationship. He will just laugh and mocked at her.

Arabella’s heart was to reach Jayson. After all, Jayson was nice to her all the time. She just couldn’t bear using him for her convenience.

But what about Margaret?

No.

Arabella didn’t do anything wrong to offend her. By all her means, she tried to avoid Jayson’s intent to court her again for the sake of her and her baby.

After her deep thinking, Arabella quickly got up and exited the company in a flash. There was not enough time left for thinking too much. She needs to try her luck and should act now at all costs before it’s too late.

She drove to Hansen Group Building.

The Hansen Group building was the second huge building in Capital Z next to the Sky Corporation building.

“Good Morning. How may I help you?” One receptionist greeted her upon entering the building.

“I’m here for Mr. Jayson Hansen. Please call him. My name is Arabella Jones.” Arabella replied. Her tone was a bit demanding and it was obvious that she was in a rush.

“Please give me a minute. I will call his secretary now.” The receptionist obeyed her respectfully.

It seems that receptionists here were quite respectful than that Sky Corporation.

“Sorry for waiting Ms. Jones. I was informed that Mr. Hansen’s secretary went down to pick you up here. Kindly wait and please have a seat on the couch.” The receptionist let go of a sweet smile and a very hospitable tone. It seems that the beautiful girl in front of her is a VIP that someone from the President’s office would make an effort to accompany her up.

“Thanks. But I prefer to stand here.” Arabella insisted on standing. She would do anything other than sitting and watching everything her family owns disappear in a split second.

“I should fire all of them to make you stand there.” A husky voice of a man was heard. All receptionists turned shocked and pale. They thought that the secretary of Mr. Hansen would come to pick her, but to their surprise, it’s Mr. Hansen, their President personally came.

Arabella smiled at him. She was like an angel whenever she smiles. It can captivate everyone, including Jayson.

“Stopped joking around. I chose to stand Mr. Hansen.” Then she drew closer to him.

Jayson immediately held her hand like no one is watching, Arabella was taken aback.

Everyone who witnessed them especially the receptionists were shocked again. They all knew that their President was about to engage with their Vice President, Ms. Margaret how’s that possible that their President is flirting with another woman. Good thing their President is smiling and losing up his usual formal demeanor in front of a girl. They had never seen him smile while with their Vice President. He’s cool and refreshing with this girl around.

“Where do you want to go?” Jayson couldn’t hold the excitement seeing the girl that he only love was inside his building.

“Hey! Everyone’s looking at us. Please behave yourself, Mr. President. I’m here for a very important matter.” In a low voice, Arabella uttered as she trying to pull her hand back from Jayson.

She was aware that everyone who passed by was glancing at them. Some even nod their head to greet their president outside his office.

“I don’t care. I’m just happy that you are here.” Jayson whispered in her ear. Arabella was taken aback again. His hot breath warmed her earlobe. Passersby could easily tell that they were being intimate.

“Jayson. Stop. You can’t just do that. You are putting me in big trouble.” She still smiled at him while maintaining a low voice afraid she would be misinterpreted by the people around.

“What can’t I do? This is my company.” Jayson chuckled while he dragged Arabella towards the elevator holding her hand.

They entered Jayson’s exclusive elevator.

Arabella let go of a mouthful air that she held for a while because of the head-turning scene made by Jason.

Jayson was still holding her hand and gripping it tightly.

“Mr. President, you may want to let go of my hand now.” Arabella was quite at a loss of Jayson’s boyfriend-like act.

“What’s with the formalities Babe? Come on, drop it or I kiss you here.” Arabella was taken aback again by his teasing words. Jayson’s actions were not showing any hint of restriction. He’s obviously flirting with her in the public and he didn’t care about anyone who’s watching.

“Uhmm.” Arabella slightly coughed as like reminding him that he's already overboard. She still tried to pull her hand out from him again, but instead of letting her go, Jayson swiftly locked his fingers to hers.

“Okay, Jayson I need your help.” In spite of Jayson’s advantageous initiative in the situation, Arabella remained calm and she didn’t forget why she’s in his building.

“Shhhh…” Jayson seriously faced her then put his thumb finger on her rosy lips to block her next sentence. Knowing Arabella, she’s not the type to stay and hang out with him for a while after her work was over.

That’s the reason why, Jayson never asked her earlier, why she’s looking for him. He’s afraid that after she answered that question, Arabella would walk out abruptly. That’s too unlikely of Arabella to look for him, Jayson’s heart was jumping for joy.

Arabella was stunned at Jayson’s unexpected gesture. His face was very close to her. His eyes were landed on her lips. He was jealous of his thumb that was patted Arabella’s soft lips. He wanted that lips so bad that he couldn’t help himself getting closer to it.

“Jayson” Arabella uttered in a panic as she knew what’s gonna happened next if she wouldn’t react.

“Ding” The elevator door opened.

“Jayson!” a woman’s voice angrily screaming in front of them.

From the woman’s position, the angle showed that two persons were kissing in the elevator. The girl’s face was covered by the man’s head and the girl’s body leaned against the wall.

Jayson was annoyingly snapped to his senses. He quickly turned with a sharp gaze and saw Margaret at the opening wearing a face that can kill.

Arabella’s face was then revealed.