CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Previously on Avenging Angels

After the whole ordeal in the backyard, Miss Helda scolds Rosaline. When Rose went into the stall to bring extra mops, she gets locked in with Christian only to be saved by Miss Helda.

THIRTEEN

I applied more lipstick to my already red lips and adjusted my skin tight red dress so it exposes more cleavage.

As I heard the bell ring, with chin and head held high, I walked out of the elevator and to the desk where his secretary was busy typing on the laptop.

As she heard my heels, she looked up and raised her eyebrows when she spotted me.

"How may I help you, Ma'am?" She asked, sounding a little irritated.I took out a business card from my purse and showed her my answer.

I smirked as her eyes widen and she straightened up.

"I am so sorry, Ma'am. I didn't recognise you, I will inform the chairman immediately" she typed some buttons on the telephone hurriedly and smiled nervously at me.

I went to the office before she could give me his answer and knocked before I opened the door and stepped in.

I spotted him sitting at his desk and he smiled when he saw me.

"Come in please" he gestured for me to sit on the leather chair and I did, crossed my legs and smiled at him.

It was evident he was an old man. The grey hairs taking over the brown hair, his wrinkled face smiling as though he is with his favourite candy.

I inwardly rolled my eyes at his eagerness.

"Good morning, Mr Chairman. I am sure you already know who I am" I said with thick Spanish accent.

"Of course, would you like anything to drink?" He asked and sat down across me.

"That won't be necessary, I am not planning on staying long" I answered as I examined my nails.

Managing to pull off an entirely arrogant look. To show him who is in charge.

"OK" he smiled, a little nervous.

"As the personal assistant to Mr Lentino Cantos of LentiCanto Inc. He have asked me to personally meet you to discuss business" I took out the file and dropped it on the table.

"I heard you signed a deal with the Bladderwort's Inc. And you are about to sign yet another deal weighing 1.5 billion dollars?" I said.

"Yes. The previous deal was a huge success so I can't wait to see the results of this project" he smiled as he looked at the file.

"I see. But you seem to be very ignorant as regards your partner's agenda" I leaned in.

"Pardon. I don't get your point"

"LentiCanto is willing to pay you double of what you are being paid by the Bladderworts if you take our project" I smirked as his eyes widen.

"I-i am sorry but... the project is almost finished. We backing down now will mean a great loss to the Bladderworts" he uttered and I inwardly rolled my eyes.

"In a business, profit and loss is very common. You don't need to worry about that" I smiled.

"I don't-" he shaked his head but I cut him off.

"You really don't know that the Bladderworts have an ulterior motive with this new partnership?" I changed my position and got comfortable in the chair.

Things are about to get interesting.

"What do you mean?" He leaned forward, curiosity and fear staining his face.

"Do you know that they are planning on buying your company?" I asked.

"Excuse me? That's ridiculous!!!" he exclaimed.

"It may be for you but certainly not for them. They are famous for buying up at least seven out of ten companies they partner with. So what's the possibility your company won't be bought?" I asked, raising a perfect brow.

"There's no way I am gonnal agree to that" he said and was about to stand up when my next words sat his ass down.

"What if they threaten you with a little secret of yours?" I smirked as his face turned ashen.

"Then what?"

"I don't have such secrets" he managed to keep his face straight despite his entire figure trembling.

"To the media that's it, but they seem to have found out that you have an illegitimate child and not only that but also from a prostitute and are willing to use that information to their benefit" I tapped my fingers on the sleek leather chair.

"T-that's not true" he mumbled.

"Please, there's no need to pretend. We big shots all know the dirty secrets of our competitors"

"The Bladderworts are rich and powerful so of course they would know every single detail of you and would miss no chance to blackmail you if need be" I rest my chin on my palm, enjoying the way the man rubbed his sweaty palms.

"I can't them hurt my daughter" he ran his hands over his face.

I almost felt bad for him. You never joke with a parent's love.

I quickly composed myself before I let out any feelings.

"What do you think I should do?" He asked me after being in deep thoughts.

Finally.

"Partner with us. LentiCanto is willing to offer you full protection from your enemies. If we do find a leak of the news, we will deal with it our own way. Just take this step and it will be fine" I smirked.

"What do I need to sign?" He asked, his face fixed on the table.

I passed him another file and he took it and read through it carefully.

"Rose" I heard Lily's voice.

"Miss Helda and the girls are about to leave the grocery store. You must be there in an hour's time or else you will be caught" she said and I rubbed my temples.

Why so soon?

I pressed my earrings two times, indicating I got the message and discreetly tap my phone screen twice and a ring tone started playing.

"Excuse me. It's an important call" I stood up and went to the window.

"Hola, Qué es?" I said in Spanish and left a gap before I spoke again.

"Eso es imposible!" I raised my voice to get his attention and I see him look up from the window, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Estaré allí enseguida" I run my hands through my hair to show him that I am worried.

"Sí, adiós" I pressed my blank screen and walked back to where he was seated.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, his face obviously concerned.

"Yes. There is just a little problem at the factory and I have to be there" I said and took my coat and purse.

"Are you done?"

"I have read through it, here you go" he signed it and handed it to me.

"Congratulations on being a partner with one of the most successful company in the world. Welcome to LentiCanto" he stood and we shook hands.

"My secretary will send you more details. Until then, goodbye" I planted a light cheek in his cheek and left the office without sparing a look back.

I nodded at the guard and stepped out of the building.

As I walked to where my car was parked, my heel got stuck in the manhole.

I shook my leg but it doesn't budge. I bend down to take it out when I hear a screeching sound of a car and I look to my right to see a red convertible right in front of my face.

"You must be shitting me!" The driver came out and walked to  front of the car.

"What on eart-" he stopped midway and gapes at me.

Grayson.

Out of all people, why him?

I know he wouldn't be able to recognise me because I am wearing sunglasses with a large hat and a thick coat of makeup.

Even I could hardly recognise myself and he isn't that smart so I don't have to worry.

"Um-um, what are you doing in middle of the road?" He stuttered, looking slightly nervous.

"I don't really have a choice, do I?" I gestured at my heel and tried my best to change my voice.

"Oh"

"Let me help you" he moved and gently removed my feet from the heel and yanked it out of the hole.

"Easy pitsy" he smiled softly at me. So unlike his arrogant smirks.

He then took my feet, about to put my shoe on.

"It's fine. I can do it" I objected but he just shrugged and put it on.

"There" he dusted his hand in the air.

"Thanks" I was about to go when he stopped me.

"Um.." he scratched his head.

"Can I have your contact?" He fidget with his fingers.

What's up with him?

"Sorry but no" his face fell but he quickly recovered.

"Then what about your name?" He asked eagerly.

"Lina" I told him, walked to my car and got in.

I see him still standing, watching me from the rear view mirror. I drove off without a single look back.

{The Castle}

Miss Helda and the girls entered the house and dropped the groceries on the floor to take off their coats.

"Helen, Chloe, Rosaline. Come get the groceries" Miss Helda called. Helen and Chloe came and took the groceries without a single look at her direction.

As they were about to take another step, relieved that she didn't question them, the next words that left her mouth made cold sweat run down their spine.

"Where's Rosaline?" Miss Helda asked.

Helen looked at Chloe and Chloe looked at Helen. None of them made a move to say anything.

"I asked a question. Where is she?" Miss Helda's tone got harsher and Chloe began to shrink while Helen made a futile attempt to keep her cool.

"She is in the bathroom" Helen said at the same time Chloe said "She is in the garden"

They nervously look at each other again. They knew they were doomed for eternity.

"What?" Miss Helda raised her bushy grey eyebrows.

"Are you making jest of me? Where is Rosaline?" Miss Helda raised her voice.

"Someone might think I am your favourite by the way you are frantically looking for me" Rosaline came into view with a mischievous smirk on her lips.

Chloe let out a breath of relief while Helen made a mental note to never cover up for Rosaline again because she loved herself and doesn't want to die young.

"Where were you?" Miss Helda ignored her comment.

"Where does it look like I was?" She gestured at her dirt stained clothes.

"She was in the bathroom when I went to get the curtains from outside a while ago. Must have gone to the garden when I went up to return the laundry" Helen said and smiled sheepishly.

"Get the groceries" Miss Helda said and walked down the hall with Mrs Hatchman and Mrs Scott.

Georgia, Francesca, Sarah followed to drop their coats in their room.

"Remind me to never cover up for you again" Helen uttered and took the groceries with Chloe behind her.

"You are one cunning little fox" Violet shook her head and left.

"I will take that as a compliment, dear" Rosaline said and laughed when Violet shoved her the middle finger.