Chapter 17 - New Deal (1/2)

”Hey, Wine? Are you still there? What's going on?” Sam's voice asked from the phone.

”I'm in trouble right now, Sam. Your brother...” She spoke like she's running out of breath.

”What?! My brother's there with you?” Sam said with a surprise in his voice.

”Yes, and he heard everything you said, and now he knows that we aren't lovers and he's going to get crazy and he's going to kill me.”

Wirata was rapping, that's what in her imagination at this moment, the bad crazy mafia out there, he's going to kill her.

”Hey, don't be silly. My brother won't kill you, he's a good man.” Sam said.

”What?! A good man? You've got to be kidding me, Sammie. Your brother, he's ev...”

She was going to say he was evil and everything she thought he was. But then she stopped the tongue in time.

Sam still didn't know that his brother kissed her and tried to chase her and threaten her like she was his enemy. He was happy when she told him that she'd move to work at the Las Vegas branch, but the latest news about her being his brother's new secretary, Wirata hadn't told him yet.

She didn't want Sam to worry, and even he knew about all this, but what could he do about it?, Nothing. She should continue to keep it to herself, at least for now, just for Sam's sake. She loved him, didn't want him to feel uncomfortable to know that his friend and his brother were going to kill each other.

”My brother...what?” Sam's voice asked through the phone.

”No, nothing, let's forget about it, by the way, you kissed Sophia,..huh.”

Wirata teased, changed topic and also changed her tone. She felt a bit calm down now.

”Yeah. That woman, she got on my nerves, I think I know how to shut her up now.”

Sam said like he was going to kiss Sophia every time if he was annoyed, just to shut her up. Hum, that sounded a bad excuse to kiss a woman. Wirata had noticed that Sam was feeling something for Sophia, between the two, there was some special feeling going on.

”Hey, don't be a coward, Sammie, you wanted to kiss her for a long time and now you like it, that's what it all about, accept it.” Wirata was teasing him. Sam was quiet for a second.

”What? Who wanted to kiss Sophia, you are joking, right? I'm just so annoyed, thinking of moving out to live on my own.” Sam said rapidly like he felt he had to say something, not accept what Wirata tried to accuse him.

”Really, that will be good for Sophia then. I've heard there are a lot of handsome guys out there who wanted to get to know her.”

”REALLY?! Did she tell you that? How come I don't know about this? Who? What guys?”

A string of questions followed as soon as Wirata finished, it made her giggle, here came Sammie, jealous huh?

”Aha, Real guys, a lot out there. Don't be too slow Sam. I warn you.”

”Warn me about what?”

Question followed. Wirata shook her head,... dumb doctor.

”Well, I guess at the moment, your brain is a bit dull like the English weather. I'm not going to say anymore, let you figure it out yourself. I'm off now, will talk to you later, okay? Oh, another thing, you are not the first man who ever kissed our Sophia.”

”What? Who else???”

Sam shouted without realizing himself, Wirata laughed, felt better now that she could pass the bad fruit to somebody else.

”It's a secret. You know what, a woman never forgets her first kiss, and unfortunately, your kiss wasn't her first one, sorry Sammie. Got to go now, Talk again, Bye.”

”Hey! Wait!”

Sam shouted, but Wirata pressed the button to hang up already. the statement she just said to Sam that a woman never forgot her first kiss, made her rub her lips hard with disgust.

The sound of somebody was banging on the door made Wirata jump, recalled back her own problems, oh yes... the bad mafia was out there waiting to squeeze her neck!

Wirata kept quiet, locked herself in the locker room, till midnight. She decided to ring her mother.

”Wine? Where are you, honey? We are closing. I thought you were gone.”

”I've been in the washing room. Have all the customers gone, mom?” Wirata asked.

”Almost, baby.”

”Uh ... Have the VIP guests gone?” She wanted to make sure.

”Who? ... Your boss? ...Yes, I saw him walk off a while ago. Are you going home with me or to your apartment?

”I'm going to the apartment, mom, Tomorrow I have some washing to do and go to see Summer. Tomorrow night I'll go to stay with you.”

”Alright, I'll see you then, baby.”

”Okay, mom, love you. Bye.”

Wirata sighed with relief, put the phone in her bag, grabbed the jacket and put it on, then sneaked out of the back door. Felt goosebumps all over all the way to the apartment. She was praying that no more madness happened for the rest of the night and the evil boss was not out there somewhere trying to catch her!

**********************

Stefan was standing at the bar in the penthouse, a thick glass had half of the whiskey in it. His attractive handsome face was unreadable. Ben and James stood at the corner, ready to go to bed, but they were waiting, in case their boss wanted something. The time was 1 a.m.

”Have you contacted John White yet?” Stefan asked.

”Yes, boss. Tomorrow afternoon, at his pub.”

James answered. Stefan nodded and finished the whiskey.

”Good! You two can go to bed now.”

Stefan said to his men. He's got a lot of thinking to do. It was about his debtor named 'John White'. Stefan's informant just sent some information about this man. He's so addicted to gambling at the moment. It happened a lot in Las Vegas, nothing strange about that. The city was full of casinos. All sorts of gambling to allure men pulled them in the deep dark hole, and once you're down at the bottom, it's very hard to get up again.

*******************

The next day came. It was Saturday and was a day off for most people but...

In the VIP room at a luxury pub for wealthy customers in Las Vegas. Stefan sat crossing his legs, leaning against the sofa's back with a relaxed posture. His handsome face was emotionless. His dark blue eyes were calm at this moment. Two bodyguards stood behind him. In front of the master of money, there was a plump man, bald and his face was pale as paper. He was John White, the owner of this pub.

”Please give me a little more time, Stefan. I know I'm late but I promise I'll give you all very soon.”

The man pleaded. He was far behind for the payment.

”Last time when you promise, it was six months ago.”

The calm voice said. The too calm voice of Stefan didn't make John feel any comfortable. People who in this circle; loans, gambling, creditors, debtors, trust, finance and everything in money business knew Stefan Mackenzie well. He was a powerful, big money source. He had got the reputation of being fair and straightforward, the TAKE NO SHIT written on his forehead. You could deal business with him, but had to keep your words, once you broke promises, you're finished. And John was in that stage at the moment.

”At the moment, my pub has a bit of a hick-up. Money hasn't been flowing smoothly like before, but I'll find the way to give you back your money and with all the interest as in the contract. I promise.”

The voice of John White, the owner of this luxury pub continued. the sweat running through his temples down the side of his face, fear of the tall powerful young man in front of him. His sharp blue eye showed no emotions.

Stefan sighed if he heard another 'promise' from John White's mouth he thought he would have enough. Stefan hated when people used the word 'promise' as an excuse to get away from their troubles. He had no respect for this type.

”I do business, John, not a charity, and not that I didn't give you time. Last time you asked for six months and I gave you that, and you didn't keep your words. What can I say more.”

Stefan looked at the old man, knew so well the reason why he hadn't had the check ready for him. It's not because this luxury pub business is not good... but it's because John had been eaten and slept at casinos, so much deep hole he fell in.

”Er ... I know. I'm really sorry. I know you are a reasonable man, please give me... er, another week, please. ”

John White begged. Stefan lifted his brow in a surprise gesture. The man had six months and couldn't find the money. How could he be able to find it in one week?!

”May I know where it will be from, John?” Stefan asked out of curiosity.

”I have talked to Bernardo Costa. We have a proposal ... only another week, please, Stefan. This time I am sure I'll be able to give you back all the money.”

Stefan frowned when heard the name 'Bernardo Costa', his number one enemy. John talked to Bernardo, that indicated that John had been playing in the bastard's casino.

”Okay... I'll give you another week. And this is your last call. If you can't, your pub will be taken as it has written in our agreement. Is that right, John?”

”Yes, yes. That's right, Stefan. Thank you, thanks so much, I won't let you down...I prom...”

”Don't!” Stefan stopped him before he said another 'promise'. The tall figure walked off with the bodyguards followed behind.

John lifted his sleeve to wipe his temples, felt so relieved when the back of Stefan Mackenzie had disappeared. One week to extend his life further. If he went to the casino again tonight, he might be able to get all the money back. John thought in his heart with all the hope. According to the ghosts of gambling whispering in his mind.

****************

Wirata got up at midday as plan, had a cup of coffee, finished the washing, took a shower, then gave her mother a call, telling her that she would go to help her again tonight. Later on, Wirata went to see Summer at the vet shop. Summer was her Yorkshire Terrier puppy, her beloved baby. He had got the flu, so Evelyn, the vet, suggested that he should be watched closely for this week.

Saturday night came, Wirata went to help her mother at the restaurant, the staff said there wasn't anybody named Stefan, James or Ben called to book a table. Wirata felt relief to know that. She had worked in the washing room all hours, then went home with her mother. Felt grateful to God that everything was fine, no one came to ruin her night. Thank heavens!

Her mother's and John's house was located outside the city. Wirata hadn't been here for so many months. Her bedroom remained the same, her mother always looked after it well.

They reached home at 1.30 a.m. which was her mother's usual time to get home. But the good thing was she could get up late.

Wirata kissed her mother on the cheek, said goodnight then went to her room. She took a shower and went to bed.

At three o'clock, Wirata heard a car coming in. It was uncle John, her step-father. She hadn't seen him for ages because lately, he stayed in the room above the pub.

At nine o'clock on Sunday morning. While Wirata was watering the flowers around the house. There were three cars cruising in. They stopped in front of the house. Wirata was at the side of the house and watched. All tall and big men got out, counted ten of them, The car which parked in the middle, a tall man which Wirata knew he's a bodyguard, he walked to the back door of the car and pulled open widely.

The tall, well-built figure stepped out. He looked powerful as she saw the bodyguards bowed to him. He wore a black shirt, black slacks. His face was tan, a nice-looking one. He was wearing sunglasses. Black hair cut short like a soldier. When he walked, the way the shirt and the pants were nicely fit on him, showing that his tall body was full of muscles, like people who took good care of their health.

Bernardo Costa was looking around this compound. Today he and John agreed to meet here. The debtor who had struggled to pay the money back. He had signed the contract to use this house to guarantee the payment.