Chapter 18

18 18- She Apologized

“Marissa Aaron. Age twenty–two,” The detective informed in a clipped tone like a robot, “Runs her catering business. Tried to get into a business school but failed the entrance exam. Has three kids. Two daughters and one son.

Alexander, Ariel, and Abigail. Had to face some complications during the birth of her babies due to which her youngest one has a weak heart. The doctors had advised her to have open heart surgery, but their medical team would decide when to do it as the baby’s body was already too weak.

When the robotic man paused momentarily, Rafael took a long breath that he didn’t know he was holding back in his chest.

This was not even a fraction of what Marissa could have gone through in his absence. Only if… only if he had trusted her and didn’t let her go.

“Rafael,” Joseph placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder and gestured for the other man to halt it for a moment.

He went quickly to fetch him some water.

“Rafael, my friend. Everything will be alright,” Rafael didn’t want to express his rage in front of the third person, but he was angry at himself.

“What have I done, Joseph? And why would my mom do that to me?” Rafael muttered under his breath. Joseph turned to look at the man who was looking at the carpeted floor with his hands on his belly in respect..

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The poor man might want to give privacy to his client but didn’t have an option except to act as dumb and deaf.

“You can leave now, mister. Tomorrow you can collect the check, the amount that was promised to you, for your hard work will be paid.” The man kept his gaze low and turned on his heels to leave the room.

***

“What’s next?” Joseph asked Rafael when they reached the office the next morning. Rafael was still disturbed with last night’s details but now he had to stand tall for his little family that needed him

ahead.

“According to this file, she doesn’t own the place, Jo,” Rafael tossed the file on the desk. In agitation, he didn’t even bother to sit on his revolving seat, “Instead of approaching a bank for the loan, she

asked this man to help her.”

Rafael handed over a picture to Joseph, “Amir? He is the man who gave us fake wooden furniture. It had termites all over the wood.

How is he related to Marissa?”

“Not related. He might have taken the benefit of her desperation,” He then came to Joseph and held his arm, “My friend. I need to make everything right. Whatever wrong I did, I… I need to do something… I need to make everything right…”

Joseph looked at the heartbroken face of Rafael who had nothing but agony evident there. Since childhood he watched girls dropping their panties for him. Initially, he used to think, he was nothing but a rake brat who only knew how to spend his father’s

money.

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Time and again he was proven wrong. Rafael was not only wealthy but had been an intelligent and empathetic man.

He was equally good in sports and studies and had new ideas to start his own business. Joseph who belonged to a middle–class family felt lucky when Rafael helped him on many instances.

Once he remembered how his mom was admitted to the hospital and Rafael helped him from A to Z. Joseph didn’t know how the bills were paid and who used to get those meals ready for him. when he was hell worried for his mom.

At that time Rafael proved to him that he was a true friend.

“What belongs to you, will stay yours, Rafael,” Joseph breathed out the words. The building where he used to sit as the branch head

was also Rafael’s kindness. He couldn’t leave his friend in a time of

need.

“Please send Mr. Dean inside,” Joseph spoke in the intercom

speaker. When Dean walked in, Joseph eyed the smart man with a keen gaze.

“Your twenty participants. When are they expected to arrive?”

Dean felt a little nervous.

“They are due to arrive in two days.”

“Can’t you make it early?”

“Sir, I can.” Dean tried to smile, “But they run small businesses, and they made commitments to other people.”

“Umm hmm,” Rafael raised his hand and gave a little shake to his head while looking at Joseph, “It’s ok, Dean. You follow the

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schedule. Just don’t tell anyone about the owner’s name.”

“I … I … just told them about Mr. Joseph’s name as our head. Nobody needs to know yours.”

“That’s a very smart move,” Rafael praised his efforts.

When Dean left, Joseph turned to look at Rafael who was engrossed in his thoughts.

“What are you thinking?”

“Nothing!” he sighed, “I need to keep tabs on her and my kids…” he felt a delicious taste on his tongue. The word ‘my kids” brought

relief to him.

The idea of tasting those strawberries brought a shudder to his body.

Akari was stuffing the pantry. She had just gotten back from grocery shopping and the next morning they all needed to start preparing trial meal for MSin Industries.

She smiled to herself when she thought of Dean, “What are you smiling at?” Poor Akari jumped in fright when heard a heavy voice

behind her.

Placing her hand on her chest, she turned and found Mr. Amir standing there. She didn’t like this intrusion. Poor Marissa was thankfully not home otherwise his presence might make her upset.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a heart attack. Where is Marissa by the way?” he asked her casually while running down his dirty gaze all over her body. For a minute, Akari felt like he was

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undressing her with his gaze.

“She is not home, Mr. Amir. You can come later,” she tried to smile.

and then got busy with her job. However, she was very conscious of his presence behind her.

Her body tensed when she felt him heading towards her, “Has Marissa told the Msin Industries that she won’t be working with them?”

Akari felt a little scared when she sensed a little threat in his voice, “Umm. You really should talk to Marissa, Mr. Amir. I’m just her employee.” She stood up and started straightening her skirt.

When she decided to walk past him, he suddenly held her wrist, “Mr. Amir. You better…” She was about to issue a stern warning when he pulled the kitchen phone across the counter,

“Call them, Akari,” he lightly brushed his knuckles across her face. Akari felt a sudden urge to puke, “Call MSin, Akari. If you are sincere with Marissa, you’ll understand why I’m saying that.”

Akari looked down at his hand that was now roaming close to her bo*obs. Very close.

She gulped her saliva and nodded with a quivering smile, “Fine!”

“That’s like my good girl.”

***

Rafael and Joseph were going to the conference room for a presentation when Dean came out of his cabin, “Sir. I just got a call from Alexander’s Catering.”

Rafael felt his heartbeat accelerating, “What is it, Dean?” he could

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see small beads of sweat on the assistant’s forehead.

“Sir. Their owner… She just apologized and said that she won’t be able to work with us.”

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