11.

Raine bolted straight to the bathroom, as soon as she got home, to take a shower. She held the clothes she had received to her chest. He wouldn’t mind me keeping them, right? She wandered as she caught her reflection in the mirror. A heavy sense of shame swelled within her as she quickly turned away. Argh! I can’t even look myself in the mirror. What did I just do?

Raine walked out of the bathroom, dressed in her newly acquired outfit, to Argen’s curious gaze. “You look like you had fun.” She said eyeing the trail of love bites Kain had so graciously left on her neck.

“I must have been really drunk last night. I’m sorry.” As she bashfully covered them

Argen watched her with laughing eyes “No, you weren’t. You weren’t that drunk. There’s no need to make excuses so you can feel better.”

“I really don’t know why I did all that. What is wrong with me?” Raine lamented as she sat at the dining table opposite Argen.

“You were probably just feeling a brother. Plus, he seemed to really like you.” Offering her a slice of bread “From what I know, women who come on to him in such a manner end up in prison or something like that?”

“What?” she took it.

“Yeah. Since when have you known him?”

“I don’t. I met him for the first time last night.” Raine answered indifferently as she bit into her piece of bread. “How do you know him?”

Argen’s phone lit up as a call came through.

“Hello?”

“Yes. She’s here.”

“Yes, we’re having it now. Okay.” Looking up at her as she set the phone down. “He must really like you.”

“What? Why? How do you know him? Who called?”

“It was Kain. He wanted to check on you. You didn’t exchange numbers?”

“No. Why? You still haven’t said how you knew him.”

Picking up the butter knife “Raine, he is the owner of Moondrop.” Argen spoke calmly.

“Well, it was just a onetime thing. I probably won’t meet him again.” She shrugged it off, pretending not to be bothered.

“Is that so?” There’s probably no need to tell her that he’s Mrs. Greane nephew, right? This is going to be very interesting. She smiled to herself.

“Hey, let’s go to the spa.” Raine asked suddenly.

“Why? Did you work too hard last night?” she teased.

“Don’t tease me!!” she squealed as she ran away from the table and into her room. She poked her head out “Really, let’s go. I rarely ever have so much free time. Okay?” and she disappeared again.

Dawson really gets things done quickly. He thought as he ran on the treadmill. In less than 5 hours, he had taken out the trash without giving anything away. I guess now I can’t actively run the hospital, Raine would probably not like it. He came to a paced walk as Casper appeared by his side.

“I see you met up with your crush. While I reviewing numbers my uncle was out having fun with the love of his life.” He pouted.

“Hmmm...”

“You’re so full of it.” Casper said as he increased in the speed of the treadmill feigning annoyance.

Kain turned it off and stepped down. “What?” wiping away the sweat he had worked up with a towel.

“Grandpa called. He asked us to go over for a late lunch.”

“Okay. I’ll drive.” He began to walk away.

“You know I have my own car. I can drive too.”

Kain turned around. “30 minutes.”

“Why don’t you ever listen to anyone? Your crush will suffer if you keep acting like this, don’t you know? You need to learn how to listen to people.”

Kain reached out his hand and grabbed Casper’s head. “You have something to say?” he asked, head tilted a little to the side.

“No. Nothing at all. I’ll be by your car in 30 minutes.”

“Good.” He released his head and walked away.

“Uncle!!” Casper called out playfully, running after him.

“You seem to be in a awfully chirper mood Kain. Did something good happen?” Millevern started after watching his nephew for a while.

“Ummm...” Kain nodded in reply.

“Why don’t you share the good news. Last night, he met his crush at his bar. He looked like some kind of hero saving a damsel when they returned last night withe her head in his chest.” Casper added as he took a sip of water without taking away his eyes from the paper in his hand. “While this boy was working hard, his uncle was out finding. Grandpa, give me more money.”

Millevern laughed “Love is necessary in the life of a young man.”

They sat in his study. Piles of documents lay before them. Accompanied by Doore, Dawson and Atty June, they combed through the papers reviewing the details of every single property, investment and share Millevern and Doore ever owned.

“Grandpa, why do you have 3 hotels in the same city?”

“North city is a big place. Also, it was fun to watch the competition among them.”

“I wonder how your staff would feel knowing they work so hard for your amusement, Vern.” Doore said as she joined them in the study, more snacks in hand.

“What of the Green Olive chain? There’s the hospital, the spa and fitness centre, the centre for mental care and the pharmacies.”

“If you are going to do it then do it all the way. I believe Kain was very interested in them.”

“Yes, but I do not want to be actively involved right now.” he said with his head buried in a file of his own.

“Why the sudden change of mind?” Doore asked a little let down.

“I believe the young lady that Kain has his eye on is a doctor there.” Dawson answered on his behalf.

“Uncle, you like her that much?”

“I never said I would withdraw completely.” Reaching for another file. “She would probably be uncomfortable otherwise.”

“I take it that the sudden replacement of the human resources manager has something to do with it?” Millevern questioned knowingly.

“Alright, what’s left now is Jade textiles, Darla’s, Greane foods & farms and Greane realty. Also, there are your investments in West City. I guess we’ve gone through all the necessary things for now.” Casper stifled a yaw as he stretched arms and legs in his seat. They had been at it for hours.

“Yes.” June agreed. “Please do take your time to decide what you are interested in. Although I have heard nothing from Miss Iyeaner, have her contact me after she has reviewed the documents and made her decision.” She left after certifying that her work was completed.

“Casper, you will be the one relaying all information to Argen on this matter.” Doore instructed casually

“Why me?”

“You have the least work to do here. Also, it would do you good as a businessman to have Argen on your side.” Millevern answered. Casper showed a sour look. “No one is asking you to get back together, just cultivate friendly relations.”

“Here.” Kain handed him a folder. “You probably have no idea.”

Casper spent the whole night combing through the folder handed to him. In the past 3 years, Argen had become a celebrity in her own rights. Her clientele was the reason why. Famous movie directors, high profile business owners, politicians and creatives, all were firmly loyal to her; causing all sorts of people to flock to her. If one needed to form a connection, Argen was the surest way. Her endorsement could turn burnt coal to pure gold.

She had once casually mentioned to a film director, having trouble selecting a male lead for his new movie, that some random unknown actor that people barely knew would be perfect for the role. Though sceptical, he took the gamble, not only was the actor perfect, he received a number of awards and the director’s popularity flew through the ceiling. The movie made so much money than he knew what to do with. Grateful, the director stated that he had consulted with her on many matters and owed his success only to her. There were several incidents like that involving writers, fashion designers, musicians and so on. She was something akin to a muse to them.

It also gave details about a time some actress tried to pick a fight with her, before Argen could react a number of people rallied against said actress. No one cared what the reason was, they instantly froze her out. She lost all her endorsements and roles, finding work was impossible for her.

“So, she basically is a force to be reckoned with?” Casper spoke to himself as he flipped through the pages. This will be very difficult. He exhaled loudly. I will have to get a gift on the way tomorrow.

Normally, when apologising to a woman, one would take flowers or shoes or something of that manner as a token of sincerity, but not for Argen. That woman preferred bottles of exquisite wine and rare spirits. That makes this all the more easier for me. Casper thought to himself as he picked out an unbelievably expensive bottle of whisky. She has probably gotten this, given who are new friends are... he paid for it and drove to Silver.

He was confident when he set out on his mission, but here he was seated in his car unable to bring himself to walk in. He got here sometime around 4:00pm and it’s been an hour and 30 minutes since then. He placed his head on the steering wheel. Maybe I should go back and send someone on my behalf. It would be better that way, I really don’t want to say anything to hurt her like last time... yes, I’ll definitely go back. There was a knock on the window. He looked up to see Argen standing next to the car. Well I guess I will just have to do this myself then...

As he got down from the car, she had already returned to her bar.

“What are you doing here?” Raine questioned as soon as he walked in. “You stay in the car for so long, we thought maybe you were a stalker.”

“Why are you here? Don’t you have a job?” he retorted. Argen was behind the counter, wiping it down.

“This is my bar too. I can be here.”

“I see, the quack got kicked out right? They don’t need people like you?”

“Who? Who is the quack you little piece of-”

“Raine.” Argen interrupted bring a stop to their exchange.

“Tsk... if anything happens call me immediately.” With that she disappeared into the back room.

“I got a message from Kain that you would be her.” She started as soon as Raine was gone. “Look Mr. Greane, if you’re here to call me names, please kindly leave.” She stared hard at him with cold eyes.

Mr. Greane?

“No, that’s not it. I just came to... I’m sorry. Really, I am.” He held out the paper bag with an outstretched hand towards her. Her eyes lit up but she didn’t smile. He looked from her to the bag and back again. I guess I made the right choice. A proud thought crossed his mind. He walked forward to place it on the counter as he continued “It won’t happen again, since we will be seeing each other a lot.” Running his hands through his hair as a patron walked in. “You must be busy now, I will come back another time.” he turned around and briskly walked out.

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