Chapter thirteen

Nataly

We arrive at the conference room, and as Mr. Antonio opens the door I can feel all the daggers at me. 

We walk in and I'm holding some work files given to me by Antonio on our way here. 

I'm specifically noticing the strange gaze from one man sitting at the front, David Delavega. Antonio lets me sit next to him-David. 

As various members have their speeches, I can feel David's discomfort next to me. 

What's wrong with him? 

Can't he just relax while sitting next to a woman? And why am I noticing this again? 

Without knowing it, I'm drawn to his scent. And can't help but wonder the kind of cologne he uses. He must be using it to attract women which is why I stop focusing on it. 

He hasn't noticed how I've been stealing glances at him until I also catch him stealing glances at me. He's so careful that no one would even notice. 

This little fiasco going on between us only lasts until Antonio introduces him and he's being asked to stand up for a word with his fellow workmates. 

"Thank you, uuum, my name is David Delavega." The words roll off his tongue smoothly as he pronounces his name. I can feel the sexiness in it. 

Good Lord! What's wrong with me? What am I thinking again? In an official meeting. Worst of all, he's still the same jerk as he was yesterday. 

But regardless, he's still cute from where he's standing. And I just didn't notice how an official suit could make him look mature and more handsome. I don't want to think about it but I can't help it either. 

I also realize he has a good choice of words in his speech. So he could be a serious business person after all. 

He's the newly appointed accounts manager of the company, for now. Well, that's on this side. I don't know what his father had planned for him on the other side. 

One thing I know is that me and him will be working hand in hand in the coming days and I better brace myself for several encounters with him. 

Will we always be on the wrong foot? Maybe I should get used to it, until my mission here is done and I'm finally at peace with myself. 

I'm drawn out of my thoughts by a round of applause as David finishes his speech. 

When the meeting is over, Antonio signals me to wait for him in his office and there it is. Something that's been off my mind for a little while and now I'm back to thinking about it. 

Am I finally going to the slaughter house? I wonder as I'm heading to his office. 

He's the overall head of his place. 

I don't sneak around looking for things in his office because I know there are secret cameras in here and he'll watch me later on his tablet or so. So, I sit on the couch as I patiently and obediently wait, looking around. 

My heart is still not at rest. How could it be, when the don of a crime syndicate is about to take me to some mysterious place. 

"You again?" A voice startles me and it's not the owner of this office 

It's actually his precious son.

"What the fuck are you doing in my dad's office? Alone? How did you.." he looks back at the door and doesn't find his secretary.

"Is this how things go around here? You just walk in here anytime you want, like you have some shares or something?" 

Gosh! Why is he so grumpy today? Is he having trouble with one of his women? 

"I'm already in, and so what, David?" 

I notice he's still the same jerk he was yesterday and I was not wrong. 

He puts his hands in his pant pockets and walks towards me with raised brows, "Are you spying on him? Or what's your deal here?" 

"Oh please," I give out a smirk, "get over yourself, Mr accounts. Besides, I don't answer to you and I don't need to report my every move." 

He's close enough and he sits right on the couch, next to me,after unbuttoning his coat. But that doesn't make me cower. I see him as a cub and not a real lion. 

He looks deep into my eyes, and I look back with zero tension," You know, I don't quite get why everyone is so all over you.

I mean, suddenly everyone is impressed by your work, concerned about your whereabouts like your someone so important." 

What does this man really want? I don't hesitate to answer back. "Well, I guess that's because I'm special after all and everyone needs me. Does that annoy you? Oohw, do you feel like I've taken your place?"

I don't know why I'm suddenly courageous towards him but he's the one who asked for this. After all, I was peacefully waiting for his father until he intruded on my peace. 

"You might have had everyone fooled by your goodness and polite aura, but definitely not me and I'm going to prove to everyone who you really…" 

"Go ahead, detective," I interrupt as I move closer to him and I'm not conscious of how our bodies are suddenly close. I feel his scent again. We feel each other's breaths and I can't sense the sudden tension between us.

I don't get it. Just a second ago, we were all confident with each other, and moving closer to him, my body betrays me and I run cold again. 

Is he a charmer? Does he have some kind of drug or something? 

"Hmmm, I see," he softly whispers, "You want to play this game Maria?" 

We're suddenly interrupted by Antonio's voice and we both almost jump in unison.This is embarrassing. 

"What's happening here? You guys really want to make out in my office?"

" Make out? "David almost shouts. 

He lets out a sarcastic laugh," me, making out.with Maria Banes. "

Yeah the feeling's mutual. 

" So, are you trying to say that my eyes are deceiving me? " he mutters as he walks towards his chair. 

" I found her snooping around. I think she's spying on you or something." 

Really David ? Is he this childish? Just a while ago, I was thinking of how mature he is today. But every character he had yesterday is still the same today.

I hate him! And I want to slap his face that looks charmingly soft. Why would amazing features be given to such an insane asshole? 

"Oh! Is that what you've gotten from your analysis?" I ask as we both stand to face Antonio, as I cross my hands.

I don't want to be rude in front of Antonio as I still don't know what's in store for me, later after this.

"There are a lot of rooms where you can fight peacefully, not in my office." says Antonio. And we both look sorry. 

"David, Maria and I have some matters to take care of, so if you don't mind," he instructs. 

And David is not pleased by this

"Really now? Now you two have business together, and I'm just in the dark? Dad!" 

"I don't want to get into a fight with you, This is an important matter, I don't want you involved" 

I can see David's s face redden in anger. It's like his father is choosing me over him although clearly, that's not the case. 

For a moment I enjoy being favored and I secretly smile. 

"Oh so, you think I'm not capable enough and she is? Wait till I show you who she really is." he says pointing directly at me as I silently watch, father and son almost having a fight. 

My little excitement only lasts until we leave the company. And back to being me again with questions racing in my mind. 

What makes matters worse is that Antonio is driving himself today and he just wants it to be me and him? What's up!

We drive to an old warehouse and I assume it's one of their own. 

It looks abandoned and uninhabited. 

My heart skips a bit as I come to the conclusion that this is it. And if I have to fight for my life, I am willing to do it. Even if it means revealing everything.Everything I've been keeping to myself ever since I started working for them.

What I know is that my life has always been a risk and if I'm going to die fighting then so be it. But I realize that's not the case as Antonio leads me to one of the rooms.

There are at least five guards out of the room and no one grabs me so it leaves me confused. But that's not it. That's not confusing, compared to what my eyes meet when Antonio opens the door. 

I twitch my eyes a bit to make sure that I'm not mistaking anything or that I'm not dreaming. 

A man is tightly tied on a chair in the room with bruises all over him.

He must have been brutally tortured since he's unconscious as his head is almost loosely hanging over his shoulder I recognize him.

Why? Because I was with him just the day before and he kind of rescued me from being tied up just like he is right now. Mr Ivan!