Chapter 14: Chapter 14 Deal with her
Alana had no choice but to send him a text.
Alana: What’s wrong with your bank. Accept the payment so it can go through.
She didn’t like owing people money and worst, she wouldn’t want that petty man to come after her because of that money.
Stephan who had just returned home, took a shower, then emerged with a bottle of red wine to continue drinking.
He’d intended the drink to ease his restlessness, yet found himself growing more agitated with each sip.
A certain slender figure kept reappearing in his mind, as if he were under a spell.
While drinking, he pulled out his phone because he was sure she must have realized her measly money wouldn’t land in his account unless he approved of it.
He tapped on her name on WhatsApp.
"Lana"
Her profile picture was a cartoon depiction of a little white rabbit.
Seeing that silly little white rabbit, Stephan couldn’t help but snort softly.
That little white rabbit in the profile picture was carved from the same block as her, just as daft and silly.
The chat page contained nothing but a simple transfer receipt.
She hadn’t sent any messages, nor had he.
He hadn’t accepted the transfer either.
He hadn’t accepted her transfer, so she hadn’t even bothered with a single extra greeting? Moreover, she hadn’t even mentioned the arrangement they’d made a week ago.
At the very least, he had given her his contact details.
And she’d even said she’d take responsibility for him?!
She even agreed to have sex with him again.
Hah.
Sounds rather nice, didn’t it?
Barely a week gone, and she’d already got a new boyfriend. Who was she trying to fool? Women’s words were as deceitful as the devil!
Just as he was about to toss the phone aside in frustration.
Suddenly, the screen lit up.
A new message had popped up on the chat screen.
Stephan’s hand, which had just dropped, shot back up.
A flicker of surprise and anticipation even stirred within him.
But upon reading the message, his handsome face darkened instantly.
A wave of wordless disappointment washed over him.
He gritted his teeth, determined to ignore it.
Yet perhaps the alcohol had taken hold, lending him an unexpected surge of impulsiveness.
He shot her a text too.
Stephan: Is that all you have to say to me?
Alana was about to switch off her phone and go to sleep when the screen suddenly lit up. Only then did she see it was from that man.
But what did he mean by that?
What did he mean by having nothing to say to him?
Were they quite familiar enough to exchange pleasantries?
Hesitating, Alana replied.
Alana: What do you want me to say?
On seeing her reply, one word immediately sprang to Stephan’s mind.
Sneaky.
She was having her cake and eating it!
He couldn’t let her do that.
Stephan: Have you forgotten about our agreement already?"
Alana’s eyelid twitched.
He actually remembered.
Judging by his reaction today, she’d thought he’d forgotten.
Alana bit her lip, nearly drawing blood, utterly at a loss for words.
After a long pause, she finally typed out a line and sent it with difficulty:
Alana: When would you like to fulfil our agreement?
She had to get this out of the way once and for all!
The message arrived, and Stephan’s gaze instantly darkened.
He had expected her to refuse, yet to his surprise, she inquired when he would honour the agreement?
Wasn’t she dating someone?
Yet she still wanted to have sex with him?
Maintaining a relationship with her boyfriend while entangling herself with him, truly a scoundrel of a woman!
His thin lips twitched slightly as he continued his reply:
Stephan: Will your boyfriend be okay if you get fucked by me?
Alana froze.
He was so vulgar.
And what...Boyfriend?
She was single as a bird, where on earth did this boyfriend come from?
Could it be...
Did he overhear her words at the bathroom door, when she was trying to shake off that drunken fool?
Well, he’d heard it. Anyway, their relationship was purely transactional. There was no need to explain further.
Alana: Do you still want me to honour our agreement? If not, then forget it.
Stephan frowned. If she didn’t mind, then he had no reason to either.
Stephan: Are you free after seven tomorrow evening?
Alana paused briefly.
Alana: Yes
Soon after, the man sent over an address.
Stephan: Come here tomorrow evening at seven. I’ll be waiting for you at this location.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she saw the address he’d sent, a rather upmarket
apartment complex.
Prime city centre location, apartments here started at ten million dollars minimum.
Was that man really that wealthy?
Regardless of his wealth, it was no longer her concern.
She only hoped that by keeping this appointment, their business would be settled once and for all.
Then perhaps she wouldn’t dwell on it constantly.
Alana: Very well, I shall attend the meeting. The funds have been transferred to you; do not forget to accept them.
Stephan: No need. Consider it your travel expenses.
After that, Alana stopped replying.
Stephan didn’t stare at his phone for long before setting it aside. He picked up his wine glass and resumed sipping slowly, gazing out at the night.
Truth be told, he didn’t quite believe she’d actually show up. At best, she was just talking tough. Come the next day, she’d likely find some excuse to back out.
Yet, inexplicably, a sliver of hope still lingered within him...
Stephan took another sip of wine and lifted his gaze to the deepening night outside the window.
Tonight’s night seemed particularly hard to endure.
Was time always this slow?
******
Stephan wasn’t the only one finding it unbearable.
Alana found it unbearably difficult too.
Tossing and turning in bed, she lay awake for hours, consumed by thoughts of her arrangement with the man for the following evening.
She kept berating herself: why had she been so stubborn as to agree to this in the first place? Had she not agreed, nothing would have come of it.
She hadn’t done anything truly wrong in her life. This one mistake, a one night stand, mistakenly taking his virginity, had been a momentary lapse of judgement, leading her to agree to such an utterly absurd arrangement.
Debts owed must eventually be repaid.
She tried to rationalize it: it was already done, no big deal.
As long as she went through with it one more time, everything would be settled.
Then she could face him with a clear conscience.
No. She hoped they’d never meet again.
She barely slept a wink all night.
When Alana awoke, she felt groggy. She skipped breakfast, hopped on her yellow electric scooter, grabbed a steamed bun and soy milk from a street stall, and hurried to work.
Just as she clocked in and stepped into the lift, Manager Dane suddenly appeared and squeezed in beside her.
Alana glanced at the portly man, quickly pressed the floor button, then retreated into a corner.
"Good morning, Manager Dane."
Dane beamed, taking her in from head to toe the moment he stepped inside.
Today, Alana wore a ladylike orange dress that complemented her complexion, making her look like a little milk candy wrapped in yellow leather, pale and soft.
Seeing that it was just the two of them in the lift, Dane couldn’t resist moving closer, immediately catching the faint fragrance emanating from her.
He narrowed his eyes, drew in a deep breath, and continued with his cheerful smile. "Lana dear, you’ve got nothing on your plate after work today, right?I’ve got two cinema tickets. Let’s go watch a movie."
Alana shifted her body again, avoiding his proximity. "No, thank you."
Dane pressed, "Why not? You know I don’t invite just anyone to the cinema."
As if going to the cinema with him were some immense honour.
Alana clenched her jaw. "I have a boyfriend now. It wouldn’t be appropriate."
Dane’s expression shifted. "You have a boyfriend?"
"Yes."
Since her best friend had said having a boyfriend could help fend off unwanted attention, she might as well claim one herself.
It would spare her unwanted attention.
Dane studied her expression, detecting nothing amiss. "Why hasn’t your boyfriend ever come to the office to see you?"
"He’s busy with work, barely has time."
"However busy he is, he ought to make time to pick his girlfriend up after work, accompany her shopping and dining! I’ve checked your social media and there’s no sign of any man in your life."
Alana gasped.
He was such a stalker!
What else had he done?
Follow her home?
This man was creeping her out.
"Your boyfriend’s rather useless, isn’t he? Why not just break up with him?"
"Not planning on it yet." She pressed on.
Dane’s gaze sharpened. "Not planning to, or you don’t even have a boyfriend?"
Alana’s breathing quickened slightly, just as the lift doors slid open.
She hurried out. "Manager Dane, the lift doors are open. I’ll be off now!"
Dane turned his head, his gaze fixed on her slender, graceful figure as she walked
away.
Before setting his sights on her, he’d thoroughly investigated her background.
Born into a broken home, neither father nor mother doted on her, and she had no connections whatsoever.
And she was single.
How could she suddenly have a boyfriend?
It must be an excuse to avoid him.
Dane snorted coldly. Being chosen by him was her good fortune. If she was willing to be with him, he would spoil her with a lot of money.
What was there to refuse?
He was almost at the end of his ropes with her and if she continued resisting, he would do deal with her.
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