Story of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER EIGHT: REFUSED 

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Nikki watches her step downstairs, hesitant to approach them, but she needs to talk to the person interested in buying the land. She closely studied these men's faces. Her work and training educated her and equipped her with knowledge about distinguishing a person's motive, and she could sense that they were dangerous people.

"Good afternoon, Miss Lindsey."

The man who stood as the leader greeted her politely. But she doesn't like the way he smiles.

"Pleasant afternoon, Mr. Hale, if I am not mistaken?"

"Yes, I am. Brandon Hale." He stretched his hand toward Nikki. "But you can call me Brandon, and you need not be precise with me."

She doesn't like to accept his hand, but she doesn't want to be rude. And so it obliged her to handshake Brandon Hale.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Brandon."

Brandon laughs at her response. There should be a boundary, a line in between, especially since she just met them. She doesn't want to act like they are close by calling each other's names.

"All right. I will be fine with that..." He said this while he squeezed her palm.

Nikki pulled her hand away and smiled coldly. How dare he?! She actually doesn't like his behavior. She wanted to glare at him, but she had to keep her head. She handles the training of exemplary service to their customers, even if they act rudely and highly. That is why she is used to him.

She tried to keep her calm and control herself to act still friendly. Smiling, even if it's fake. But she had the urge to beat this guy. He is so ma-presko, and ma-yabang is her impression.

"Well, Miss Lindsey. I like your place. It was perfect for what I was looking for. I could immediately wire the money if we can sign the agreement today."

Brandon Hale smirks while stating this, and she feels hostility toward him.

"Um, about that, Mr. Brandon. I want to consult the Land Office about my grandparent's heritage firsthand. And so, I cannot seal the deal right now," she said, which made Alvin wrinkle his forehead. He is giving her a questioning look.

"I thought you wanted to meet because you need the money right now."

Brandon Hall emphasizes the last three words. Nikki was even more astounded by this guy. But she has to stay composed.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hale. I thought you would only survey the place and not make the deal," she returned, irritated.

"All right. It seems like there is a misunderstanding here. Alvin explained how you needed the amount for your mother's surgery. And so, I'm even willing to pay double your price, and I have cash if you prefer it and the documents we have to sign on."

"Then, this is truly a misunderstanding. Besides, I am not the one who should sign them but my mother, which she doesn't know yet."

Nikki ignored how Alvin gestured at her, and he looked confused and dumbfounded. She admits she told Maureen differently. She wants to sell this property as soon as possible, like today. But she doesn't trust Brandon Hale.

Yes. She feels that he does illegal business, and possibly this place will become his base. She has this wild imagination running inside her head after reading too many Webnovel stories, planting random scenarios in her brain, and showing images of possibilities.

He was far less handsome and manly than the Mafia bosses she knew. And it was too obvious. He will pay even more, so where does the money come from? She presumes it was from his illegal business.

For example, Mr. Daichi Isagawa and Major Andrew Lawrence; sadly, now they are happily married. But that doesn't decrease their character as great men.

Brandon Hale must know them, but he has the guts to do illegal activities and even plans to do it here. She won't allow that.

"Are you playing with me, Miss Lindsey?" Brandon Hale shows disappointment, and he frowns at her.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hale. My conscience accuses me. I have to be honest with my mother first... I can't lie to her," she reasons.

Oh my God! What a stupid reason she gives! But she just wanted to end this conversation, and these men had to leave. They now began staring at her furiously. She regretted having made a sudden decision and did not confirm if the buyer had a good background that assured her to take care of the place and not for dangerous movement.

Brandon Hale has now left with his men. Nikki was just able to breathe after the car vanished from her sight. The guy shows how he didn't like the result of their dialogue. He was angry. But she won't sell this land to that kind of man.

"What happened?" Maureen asked curiously. She was just sitting in the distance to rest her legs, but she could feel the tension building up earlier while her husband and Nikki conversed with Brandon Hale.

"He is not worthy to have this land, sister Maureen," she replied.

"This is insane, Nikki! Can't you see? He will pay double the price! That would be a big help to Aunt Lucy's medication!"

"I'm sorry, brother Alvin. But I have my reasons," she asserted.

She began pondering why Alvin insisted she sell the land to Brandon Hale. It is impossible that he does not understand or notice that he looks like a man who does dark stuff.

"Okay. Enough, Alvin. If Nikki doesn't like to sell this land to Brandon Hale, then it is her right not to."

In the evening, Nikki goes back to Hanford Train Station to go home. She clarified with Alvin and Maureen about what she wanted to happen. They need to check the background of whoever wants to buy the land, as she won't just give it away to anyone like Brandon Hale. She was thankful that Maureen understood her and that she was the one who persuaded her husband.

With each passing day, her mother's chance to live is getting thinner. But once again, she earned no good results today. She heaves a hopeless sigh, looking outside the window of this train.

What a day...