Miras Meets McCrae

Aunt Dasha and Uncle Ruslan and Tatiana left for Russia early in the morning. I was able to wake up and say goodbye to them.

Miras aga and Arlan both came at 9 in the morning. I called Ms. McCrae over to the studio and Miras aga was ecstatic upon seeing her. Arlan just gave her a polite smile.

"Much beautiful up close," I heard Miras aga mutter as he sat back down on his seat after Ms. McCrae gave him a polite handshake.

My eyes followed him with a frown.

"Well.. let's have tea before work," I announced.

"Sure. To the kitchen we go then," Miras enthusiastically stood up.

What is up with him today?

He sat down next to Ms. McCrae and kept talking and asking. I know Miras aga to be a talkative man but he's extra talkative with Ms. McCrae today.

He also objected to her calling him Sir or aga.

"So you grew up in the Philippines, studied university in Australia and worked as an account executive in New York for some time. Interesting."

"You sound like one of those tabloid reporters," Ms. McCrae narrowed her eyes at him but with a playful demeanor.

Miras aga leaned in and whispered on her ear. She pursed a smile to Miras aga before turning to me.

"I need to talk to Miras for a second about something Sir. In private."

"What about?"

"Just about something he told me."

"You two are having secrets between yourselves already?" I said to her, half teasing.

"Oh come on Arys. We already had enough secrets between us two," Miras aga said.

I laughed at him.

"Right. Okay. Off you go then. I'll see you in the studio after 30 minutes Miras aga."

Arlan and I went straight to the studio after tea and started arranging music. It was about 40 minutes later when Miras aga came in.

"You're late aga," I told him.

"I know," he grinned.

"You seem so high- spirited today."

"I am. I finally met her."

"Ms. McCrae?"

He nodded.

He knows  her.

"Can I talk to you for a second aga?"

"Sure."

I led him to äke's closed office and shut the door.

"Is this another secret?" he chuckled.

"Yes. Do you know Ms. McCrae?"

He raised his brows at me.

"Do you?"

I nodded.

He stared at me.

"And do you also know she wanted to keep her identity secret?"

"Yeah."

"Oh well..."

"How do you know her?"

"I first saw her in New York about two years ago I think. Not as an account executive of a big company but as a clandestine heir of a business tycoon."

"What were you doing in New York in rich people's party?"

"I was invited by a friend to attend the annual gala and art auction. What a grand ball that was. Grandest from what I have attended so far."

"Hm."

"You do know she's one of the rich's rich right?"

"Yeah. Her father is a billionaire I was told."

"I overheard people talking about her. My friend said it was the first time she appeared as her father's company to the ball. Everyone was curious about her, myself included. You know I have a sharp memory. When you told me her name, I remembered an interesting heiress from New York two years ago."

So she is really that kind of person. A billionaire heiress.

"I'm really curious about what she's doing here in this secluded country working as your manager."

"Her story is not mine to tell. But if she'll tell one of us one day, it would be a privilege."

"Indeed. And I do hope you won't break another ankle Arystan. I want her to go back to her father in one piece."

"She told you about that?"

"We spent more than 30 minutes talking, of course. Well, I asked her."

"That reminds me, we should be getting back aga."

"You two are good friends already?"

"Yes. Why?"

"I hope the both of you won't break each other's heart badly."

"Why would you say that?" I frowned at him.

"Want to make a bet with me?"

"With what?"

"I can see that you two will end up liking each other but it won't end well."

I raised a brow at him.

"You like her already don't you? Of course. Even I am smitten by her."

"Alright. Let's go back now shall we?"

We spent the whole day working in the studio. Arlan had done well with arranging sounds for the new song. We still have several songs to work on but after a week or so, we will start recording. Arlan works fast and he knows exactly what I want.

On Friday, we celebrated Adi's birthday with a simple party with his friends. After that, the days passed by rather quickly. Ms. McCrae and Senti were busy going back and forth to the city while I started recording. Zhanat and Dilnur, my song co-writers and back-up singers, also came to record with me. 

We were busy as usual on a Friday night when Ms. McCrae called me on the phone for the first time in a while. She never bothered to call or ask me regarding her documents.

I wondered what's up.

"Hello Ms. McCrae. Is everything well?" I asked her.

"I'm in a bit of trouble Sir."

"What happened?"

"I can't go home tonight."

I looked at my wristwatch. It's already 10 in the evening. My brows creased.

"You're not home?"

"Yeah. I'm not home at the moment because I don't know how to get home."

"Where's Senti?"

"In the hospital. Arina went into labor this afternoon."

Oh.

"Do you know where you are?"

"I'm in a hotel right now Sir. I don't know where. This is the closest hotel I could find."

"The name? Of the hotel."

"Uh.. Hilton Astana Sir."

Why and how in the world did she get there? The ministry's office is quite far from there.

"I was confident about being on my own Sir but it came to this and I'm so--"

"I'm coming to get you. Wait for me."

"Are you sure? If it's not too much trouble Sir or you can get me in the morning instead."

"I can't let you spend the night alone somewhere."

"But it's ok--"

"I'll come get you."

I got off the phone and went to get my jacket and car keys in a hurry. Miras aga followed after me in confusion.

"What happened?"

"Ms. McCrae is not home. I'm fetching her."

"What? Why? Where is she?"

"I'll explain later."

I told äke and ana about the situation and hurried to the garage before they can ask questions.

I drove for about an hour to reach the hotel. There are 15 missed calls from Ms. McCrae when I took my phone out of my pocket. It's on silent as usual. I dialed her number.

"I'm here. Are you ready to go?"

Thankfully there's no more traffic at this time of night. I parked my car in a corner of the road.

"Uhm.. I can't get a refund for checking out early Sir. It's a waste so I decided to stay for the night."

I fell silent.

"I think I can manage Sir."

"Hm. That means I should drive again tomorrow to get you."

"I'm sorry Sir. You must be tired for driving this late."

"I'm okay. Why didn't you tell me earlier about staying? And I'm really not comfortable letting you sleep somewhere alone."

"I did tell you about staying Sir. And I was also calling you but you didn't answer. I could go home if the room I booked is not expensive. But it is, so it's really a waste."

Did I drive here at this time of the night for no reason?

"But would it be okay for you to just stay for the night? You must be tired from working in the studio all day long."

"That would be very convenient for me but I don't know if it's okay with you."

"It's okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Sir."

A comfortable bed at this time is very tempting. Driving back for an hour..

"Okay. Come and get me in the lobby then. I'm already tired and sleepy."

"I'll be down in a moment Sir."

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