I hadn't rested at all through the night; I was preoccupied with organizing my belongings.
Now it was 6 AM, and I couldn't shake off my concerns about Samantha and Lisa's wellbeing.
I had spoken to Riley the night before, and she seemed to be doing just fine.
It struck me as odd that she hadn't been captured, but I was thankful she hadn't been hurt.
Every now and then, my heart would race at the mere thought of the contract.
*I'm now bound to a sinister man.
How did this happen so quickly?
It feels like I just arrived in Canada, and now I'm caught in the grasp of someone cruel.*
I realized I hadn't gotten the address from Adriel last night, so I hoped to ask him when he came to collect my things.
After a quick shower, I was searching for something that would complement the black, one-sided, pleated skirt I had just put on.
*Ding*
I grabbed my phone to see who had messaged me.
It was an unknown number, but I recognized the sender from the message.
"I'm at the door, waiting for your items. 🙂"
After quickly throwing on the top and jacket I had recently been hunting for, I headed towards the entrance.
✿✿✿✿✿
Adriel had already departed with my belongings, leaving me with the address of the company.
I searched for the name "Valkyr Arm's" in my system and discovered it was one of the world's top-selling legal weaponry firms.
"How is it that this company is so well-known, and I didn't have a clue? Oh right, weapons aren't my thing," I murmured softly to myself.
Rising to my feet, I took one last look at the house. *Well, this is farewell for now.*
I grabbed my laptop and purse.
It took about forty minutes to drive to the company, and as I pulled up, I spotted a black car waiting at the corner.
*I can't even take a breath anymore. I should have just plunged a knife into my chest back at home; now it's too late.*
I spotted someone approaching through my car window. Quickly, I grabbed my bag and exited the vehicle.
The man immediately bowed, just as I was about to speak.
I noticed another figure stepping out of a car parked nearby and heading towards us. *Vincent!*
The man beside me extended a file in my direction.
Taking it from him, I inquired, "What's this for?"
"That's today's agenda," Vincent replied.
"Come with me." With that, he made his way into the building, and I hurried to keep pace.
As we entered, the receptionist stopped dead in her tracks and bowed.
We swiftly proceeded to the office area, where everyone stood up and bowed upon our arrival.
I must say, I've never witnessed such synchronization and respect in all my years of working.
It felt a bit strange to be greeted this way, while Vincent maintained a serious expression and strolled casually.
Now we were in the elevator, heading towards what appeared to be his office.
I nervously toyed with my fingers, feeling overwhelmed by the quiet.
Vincent glanced at me with a slight smirk, and I couldn't help but notice how our sizes contrasted.
As I continued to fidget, the elevator chimed-*ding.*
The doors swung open, and he stepped out, with me trailing just a few inches behind.
The office unfolded before me like a lavish hideaway, softly illuminated and adorned with luxurious décor that whispered old-world Italian elegance. A grand, hand-carved mahogany desk took center stage, while his imposing high-backed leather chair resembled a throne, underscoring his powerful presence.
Towering bookshelves, crafted from rich dark wood, flanked the desk, their leather-bound volumes glimmering with gold-embossed titles in the gentle glow.
In one corner of the room, a sumptuous bar draped in rich velvet enticed visitors, featuring an impressive selection of exquisite Italian wines, rare whiskies, and elegant crystal glassware. A hidden door, nearly concealed behind a tapestry, provided a discreet exit for the CEO, ensuring that his arrivals and departures went unnoticed.
Hints of Vincent's clandestine endeavors echoed subtly throughout the office-a silver-plated pistol fashioned as a paperweight stood as a silent testament to his true character.
This was a space where the boundaries between business and pleasure blurred, where the distinction between what was legal and illegal was intentionally clouded, and where Vincent's word held absolute authority.
Across the room sat another desk, neither notably large nor particularly small.
I couldn't help but assume it was meant for me.
Why do I always find myself in the CEO's office? Is it truly so difficult to arrange a personal space for me?
Vincent approached me and remarked, "That's your spot, and I can't stand noise, so do everything you can to keep it down."
I swallowed hard and nodded without hesitation.
✿✿✿✿✿
A few hours later, I found myself tangled up in a database that honestly didn't pique my interest at all. *This is such child's play!*
As soon as I wrapped up, I plugged in my ear pods and switched on some music.
Meanwhile, Vincent remained fixated on his computer screen.
And I was completely indifferent.
"Blossom, come here," he commanded.
*Oh dear!*
I made my way to his desk and positioned myself beside him as he directed.
"What would you do in this situation?" he asked, pulling me closer to get a better look at the screen.
I adjusted my glasses, which were sliding down my nose.
The sales figures for guns were outrageously higher than those for knives.
"I'd recommend doubling the price on guns, since that would lead many consumers to opt for what's more accessible. The demand for guns consistently outpaces that for knives."
"The low sales figures for guns also make it seem like a bargain, which explains the rush," I elaborated.
"What if things don't unfold as anticipated and the sales of those two items decline?" he asked provocatively, almost challenging me.
"Firstly, this company ranks among the top and fastest-growing weapon manufacturers globally. I doubt that will happen. Plus, many people rely on guns; not everyone can handle knives as adeptly as they can firearms. Therefore, gun sales are unlikely to decrease," I replied.
"Alright then, we'll proceed with your strategy," he said, a menacing grin on his face.
I knew he wasn't naive enough to be unsure of his actions; he was merely assessing my abilities.
*Wicked man.*
Vincent had a meeting with an organization I couldn't quite understand, and I was required to accompany him.
I stood beside him as he took his seat, just like the other men's assistants in the room did.
Everyone's gaze was directed at me, as I was one of only two women present. I realized that much.
"Shall we begin?" Vincent commanded.
A man at the far end of the table stood up and remarked, "Well, today's meeting isn't going to be very long."
"The only thing we need to address is that the levy has increased," he added, directing his gaze at Vincent.
Vincent appeared irritated by his statement, though I couldn't tell if I was the only one who noticed this, as others around the table engaged in lively discussion.
"Hand me the shares register," he insisted firmly to the man who had just spoken.
Everyone in the room was taken aback by his demand.
"Umm, Master Vincent, there's really no need for that. The shares are performing quite well," he responded nervously.
"Blossom, retrieve the file for me," he commanded.
I went to the other end of the table and picked up the file.
I quickly passed it to Vincent.
The room was filled with shocked expressions.
He opened the file and began to sift through the documents.
"Is this how you manage joint shares at your previous company?" he asked me, holding up the paper.
As I glanced at it, I realized he was the one incurring the highest levy.
He contributed twenty percent, while the rest offered merely four. Only one company adhered to the expected figure of six percent.
"No, sir," I replied.
"Consider this a stern warning for all of you. Don't think for a moment that I'm unaware of the situation. I chose to overlook it, but it seems you all are growing excessively greedy. I could ruin each of your lives in an instant. This is your final opportunity to correct your mistakes!" he proclaimed, his voice booming.
The atmosphere in the room was tense, filled with palpable fear.
He rose and exited the room, and I followed suit.