章 6: Unique Encounter: Vincent

"These are the papers you wanted, Sir."

Nina put down the file she carried with herself with other files. It was intentionally kept in the front. She knew how to do her job well, but more than that, she understood me quite a lot. In a short period, she was capable of discovering my urgencies and needs well.

She knew very well that if I am interested in someone or something, I dig deeper until there is no secret left about them.

The file itself said what kind of information it contained. When I opened the file, I was already sure of one fact. That is, Nina did her job quickly and accurately.

"So I was right about sending you to that hotel," I muttered.

"Yes, indeed. Although they were clever enough not to share any information with us even though I tried to use other methods, I somehow managed to run into the subject," she coughed a bit in the middle while spelling the word "methods".

I already guessed what she meant by using other methods, but did not pry.

Splendid.

I do not remember what actually happened but I could guess someone was trying to cover up as nothing happened. They were nearly good at covering up but alas, I do not wish to stop just here before knowing why they wanted it to cover up.

And the person who wanted to cover the night up was none other than the person I ran down an investigation on.

"Tell me everything," I demanded.

"She pretended as if she had been with the hotel staff and searched the whole suite. I did not interrupt her until she finished her search but by her look, I could tell she was not able to find whatever she came to find there," Nina finished her report and finally took a breath.

"Hire someone and keep an eye on the subject and do it secretly. I don't want them to know about it," I flipped closed the file as Nina excused herself.

I know she was wondering why I would want to dig up someone who has nothing to do with me. But that's not what I give a damn about.

I need to know what actually happened. I need to know why she is so busy covering up it anyway.

I took out that imperfect pentagonal pendant from my cupboard. Though it had a weird shape, the shiny material made it look pretty. No, indeed the craft was hard to fathom and made that mysterious design precious in a different way.

Looks like this is important to her. I was lucky to find and pick it up from the suite's floor the other morning. Never in my life had I felt that puzzled when I opened my eyes. Waking up alone in a hotel suite's bed being completely fine and stout was not just confusing but frustrating too.

At first, I thought I drank my shit out and ended up with someone in a hotel room. But then, I was fully dressed the way I was when I left my office yesterday. The coat I took off and was carrying in my hand was carefully hung on the cloth stand.

Another thought came into my mind instantly and I checked my coat pockets. The wallet was still there with all the cash and cards though I do not carry that much cash with me. I found my phone kept on the nightstand.

Everything was frustratingly normal and strange. Maybe I can take it as if someone took pity on a drunkard and helped me into a hotel room. But still, I felt something fishy.

I was feeling very tired, probably because of the hang though I do not remember drinking that much at all. But the exhaustion was quite at a level lower than a hangover and more of a cause of hunger. I felt like I did not get to eat for several days.

Soon enough the hotel services delivered the breakfast in whole three portions, practically suggesting I eat breakfast for three people. But surprised enough, I ate all of it, though I evolved into a monster overnight. I did skip dinner yesterday, but that was not new for me. Everything, indeed, felt strange.

The hotel staff informed me that the bill for the stay was paid by the person who helped me check into the room. When I asked who were they or when they left the room, they showed an excuse for privacy to avoid giving answers to my questions.

"Rose, what a unique choice of name. What's the story behind it anyway?" I want to know it all.

A glimpse of a gorgeous woman's figure flashed through my mind. I definitely had an uncommon encounter with her, that I had. If not for that pendent, I would have given up on the thought of thanking the person who helped me through the hotel. But the moment I saw this thing, my brain told me there was something wrong with the night and the person who brought me here.

Thankfully, this small little thing has value to its owner and I kind of got a decent chance to get through the depth of that night surely. Somehow, even if this woman is not involved, I want her to be. A dangerous thought played inside my head,

My thought were interrupted by the knock on the door, and, I must say, it bothered me.

"Come in," I replied, hiding my irritation.

"Did you get robbed off or something? Why do you need to work so hard? Company was doing fine up until now even without you," the person who never hesitates to state facts showed up inside my office.

Sometimes, I feel like I have more privacy at my home than I have in my office. People keep coming and interrupting my work schedule.

"Can't we talk later?" I replied ignoring the presence of the second person in the office.

"Wow, and then this later will come? You do not visit Mom, Dad. you do not come to see us. All you do is keep yourself holed up inside your mighty office. Nina told me you slept in the office again. When was the last time you went home, Froggie? Just tell me."

There she goes. Nagging must be her newly acquired talent since she got married. She did nag me even before that too.

"Are you finished?" I asked calmly. I supposed she can never give up on calling me weird nicknames. Well, I do not mind if it's her. But that exception is applied to only her.

But my calmness was not able to dissipate her rage. Rather she was even more encouraged to nag me.

"That's all you have to say? Huh, wow, Vincent Lee. The one who once used to get cringed over office work and declined countless times pleading to inherit the company is actually devoting himself to the company. Is this a dream or did Dad tame you with black magic spells?"

She and her ridiculous assumptions.

"It's not like your husband's going to help me get out of this hell anyway," I scrawled just to let her confirm that I still hate sitting in this position.

"Well, I do agree that Dad could have retired later. But oh well, your business ideas are tempting," her eyes flickered in mischievous dangerously. Probably on her way to going for another spicy plot for her next novel. Well, that was what Annabelle D'Costa was good at, observing people and describing them through the magic of pen.

"That's not why you came all the way here, right? Spill," I knew she did not come all the way just to nag me. After all, she is not the type of person to show up anywhere without having a solid reason. It's not because she is self-absorbed, but because she is too lazy to move her limbs for something which is not that important in her dictionary.

"You caught me there," she replied, offering me a dirty little smile. "Heard you are including KIV for your collaboration in the next project. I can help you connect with them if you want. I know you don't have that much of a close relationship with your cousin, but remember? She is my best friend. So…," she was interrupted.

"That won't be necessary."

Not just my cousin, even if Annabelle herself tried she could help much more than anyone. The current CEO is still head over heels for her I believe. But I could not help myself to like that guy. He seemed arrogant and full of himself. No matter how great KIV is, I do not wish to make a deal with people who are not capable of using their brain cells and tactics in business.

"But…," Anna seemed a bit disheartened.

"Do you think I am not capable of handling it on my own?" I chuckled. This was probably the first smile I cracked after one week straight. The last time was also when she cracked a lame joke when I visited the old house. She always seemed to be the one being gifted to make me break my guard.

"Who said that? I just wanted to be at ease and work a little less hard. You always seem so tired and hard to reach out. Probably you forgot how you used to have a relaxed time all by yourself," Anna sighed audibly after finishing.