Chương 57: Chapter 15.2
"We're here."
Alina shook her head, breaking off her reminiscing of the past when Jason called out to her softly. Looking through the window, she saw that Jason stopped at a side of the RogueTech building, a subsidiary of Rogue Industries.
Jason tapped a few buttons into the holographic keyboard that popped out of his holo-watch and soon a hidden entrance opened up. He slowly drove the car in and the entrance closed while all lights in the room blinked out for a sec before coming back on again. The two exited the car after parking in a corner of the garage and Jason then led Alina to the elevator, he pressed a button and sent the elevator speeding upwards.
After a few minutes, the door opened to reveal a large room beyond the elevator. The large office had a large desk and behind it was the glass window, giving the owner a gorgeous view. Slightly ahead of the desk was a reception area, where several recliners and a small desk with alcohol was situated for private meetings. What held Alina's attention though was the holographic name jutting from the corner of the desk: Selena Mintz, Acting CEO of RogueTech.
"Uh, this is the CEO's office," Alina said.
"Yep," answered Jason as he walked to a cabinet and pulled some whiskey out. "Mmm, '95 vintage Glendronach … good choice Lena."
Jason pulled a glass and poured a small amount of water into it. Swirling it, he froze the water, turning it into ice that circled the glass. He poured a generous amount of whiskey into the glass and sniffed it while letting it breathe.
"Hmm … a fruity aroma followed by toffee with a spicy hint of … cloves … nice," he muttered before taking a small sip. "Ohh, mmm … sweet sherry with a dose of spiciness mmm … cinnamon … tch, now that's a real kick."
Jason smacked his lips and occasionally clicking his tongue as he looked down at the glass.
"A good aftertaste of espresso for a finish. Not bad. Oh, there's a taste of oranges … quite subtle. Not overpowering," Jason said as he swallowed the rest.
"Uh … are you seriously rating a drink that you just stole?" Alina asked stupefied.
"I didn't steal it. It's right here for anyone to drink," Jason said while lifting the glass. "Want some?"
Uh-huh. Yeah, right, give a kid a drink, why not? thought Alina sarcastically. And who the fuck would just waltz into the boss's room and start drinking?!
"Wait a minute, don't you hate drinking?" Alina asked.
"Cut me some slack," Jason replied while gesturing at his wounded shoulder. "It's for medicinal purposes, ok."
"Yeah, right. Of course it -"
Voices came from the door surprising Alina and she considered bolting and hiding somewhere for a second. The door opened, revealing two women that were discussing a meeting's arrangement. The leading woman was dressed smartly in a tight office outfit with a blazer and dress pants, while the second one, who was listening while holding coffee, had a white blouse and skirt.
The leading woman stopped when she noticed Alina, who was in a pose that screamed thief. Her eyes then found Jason who was pouring himself another drink.
"Excuse me, who are you? How did you get in?" the second lady, no doubt the secretary, asked tersely.
"Shut up," the one in front said and Alina easily guessed that she was the CEO. "Cancel my plans, and don't let anyone in."
"I - yes ma'am," the secretary said as she exited and closed the door behind her.
"You should try this, Lena. It's a real gem," Jason said as the woman, Selena, walked towards him. "Honestly, I'd come here sooner if I knew -"
Selena punched Jason with a right hook, stopping his sentence and sending his face sideways. She then screamed silently while shaking her hand and jumping up and down, but stopped and acted all dignified when Jason turned to look at her.
"I probably deserved that," he said after some consideration.
"Oh you deserved much more, asshole," Selena said while grabbing his glass. She downed the whiskey in one shot while rubbing the iced glass on her bruised knuckles and muttering under her breath. "I can't believe you have the gall to show up after …
"Why are you here, Jason?" Selena finally asked seethingly while sitting in her chair.
"Yeah, why are we here? Don't tell me you're here to introduce me to your ex?" Alina chimed in, interrupting the two. Selena's eyes fell on Alina and they both stared at each other curiously.
"Ahem," Jason cleared his throat before introducing them to each other. "Alina this is Selena, CEO of-"
"Acting CEO, you're the one who's supposed to be sitting here," Selena interrupted.
"Selena, this is Alina. My sister, also, the real CEO of RogueTech," Jason finished nonchalantly after a pause.
"WHAT?!"
Both of them screamed at the same time in sync with each other while Jason winced and backed off slightly from how enthusiastic their voices were.
"Easy, whoa there, lemme explain," Jason said with raised arms in an attempt to calm them. "Selena, this is Alina Sage. The Alina Sage."
"Sage? We thought - your parents were - you're alive!" Selena couldn't complete her sentence from the utter shock which was followed by joy. "We thought you were dead! It's good to see you, Ms. Sage."
"Uh … what's going on?" Alina shifted uncomfortably when she noticed how respectful Selena was to her.
"Well, as it turns out, you're related to the Rogue family. From your mother's side," Jason explained.
"Her father, your gramps, was kicked out because he decided to marry another woman instead of the engagement his family had for him, so they disowned him."
"Just … for that?" Alina asked incredulously.
"Well, that … and she was his maid," Jason said. "Not to mention they were racist and hated her for being an African immigrant. Rich people, am I right?"
Alina sent a knowing stare at Jason, silently reminding him of how he did the same when he was masquerading as her brother and was in a dalliance with her personal maid, Katelyn. Jason shrugged his shoulders implying that it couldn't be helped and Alina snorted at his response.
"Unfortunately, by the time Sir Rogue regretted it, your grandfather was long gone," Selena added. Alina lowered her head and didn't speak for a long time. Both Jason and Selena remained silent, waiting for her to process this information.
"So then … dad?" Alina asked while raising her head.
"Yeah, he probably figured it out, hoping that he could get a share from Rogue Industries," Jason said quietly. "But when he realized it wouldn't happen …"
"Ok, but what does this have to do with me?" Alina asked. Her eyes were brimming with rage and grief at the thought of her parents, especially her father whom she barely knew.
"Your uncle, Mr. Eason Rogue, had been searching for your family for a long time," Selena said while looking at Alina gently as tears formed in her eyes. "We only just recently discovered your parents' whereabouts from your cousin Katherine, but we … were too late."
Selena's voice cracked with emotion as she continued. She grew up with Katherine and therefore felt that the Rogues were like a part of her family.
"I'm sorry for your loss, but I am glad that you're alright," Selena then turned her glaring eyes at Jason. "And you. You have a lot to answer for."
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