Chapter 9 - I am no one's slave

Outside of the Su Financial Building, a car parked in front of the high building. It's in the middle of the city, where most of the commercial building is located.

As the people rushed walking in the street, a man emerged from the backseat of the car. He had a grey vest over his white long sleeves, matching his grey eyes.

His long legs moved to enter the building, as he reached the entrance, a guard opened the glass door for him.

His face was cold, no emotion at all, his enchanting eyes were flat looking in front. People that passed by were looking back to have a second look, women in the lobby started smiling, gawking at him like he's a piece of art.

His built-body was clearly shown on his suit, with his thin lips pressed together, he entered the elevator together with the other employees.

He pressed the last floor button, and as the elevator moved, he stayed standing like a statue in his position. Not looking around, his eyes were glued at the closed door.

He could hear the people whispering at his back, and hearing their chat wondering about his identity has made him feel irritated.

People don't know him, yet, they used his products every day. Ken Chu, the current head of the Chu Pharmaceutical company. No one knows who he really is, he doesn't like the public, he preferred to stay unknown and for one good reason, it's because of his 'other business'.

When the elevator at the last floor opened, Ken walked with big steps.

He stopped in front of a closed door. He had one purpose of coming in this building and it is to visit one of his childhood friend, Evan Su.

His company only trusted one bank, and it the Su Financial Bank. Their company was tied with Su Financial Bank since the beginning, and it all started from his grandfather passed down to his father, Roy Chu.

He saw Evan's secretary sitting at her desk by the corner, the woman is in her fifties. Her eyes were busy reading the papers in her hands that she didn't notice his presence.

He didn't bother to knock, he just opened the door – like what he usually does, and walked in.

He found Evan sitting at his desk, the quietness of his office allows him to hear the tapping on the keyboard. It was loud and fast as if his life depends on it.

And just like the secretary outside, Evan was so busy that he didn't notice him.

He sat on the couch and turned the television on. When the news started playing, that was the time Evan looked at him.

'Oh, you're back!' that's all Evan could say and, went back to his paper.

Ken's eyebrows knitted with disbelief. He and Evan didn't see each other for three years and all he could say was 'Oh! you're back'. He didn't even bother to get up and, give him a friendly hug.

Even though they were separated for years, they kept in touch. He observed Evan as he worked, seeing that his friend wouldn't give him his precious time, Ken took off his vest and, laid it on the table.

He was about to lay down when he noticed Evan's phone on the table vibrating.

A name Daniella Chen was registered on his screen, as the line between his forehead appeared, his hand moved to answer the phone.

He put it on his ear and, started to wonder who could she be.

'Hello?' he answered, the voice was deep.

'Mr. Su?' a soft sound of a woman spoke from the other line.

'Yes?' he replied, face turning to look at his friend - still busy with his work.

'You are not Mr. Su!' the woman's voice raised as she said it.

'Who said I am?' he rose an eyebrow, wondering who could she be.

'Can you pass the phone to Mr. Su please?' the woman ordered him.

'I am not your slave. Go and call him yourself!' he hung up the phone, irritated by how she ordered him.

He put the phone down onto the table and lay on the couch, his arms were used as a pillow while his eyes were staring at the ceiling.

Then, the door of Evan's office opened, Ken didn't bother to look but, he heard Evan's secretary's voice.

'Mr. Su, Ms. Chen called, she's asking if you can give her a callback in your free time.'

'Ok,' Evan replied.

When the door closed, Ken heard footsteps going towards his direction, he looked up and saw Evan's shadow coming closer.

When the man picked up his phone, Ken could see his face hardened, then Evan turned to look at him.

'Did you answer her call?' Evan spoke in a cold tone, then he lifted one leg and kicked his leg, asking him to sit down.

With irritation, Ken got up and sat at the end of the couch.

'Yes. She ordered me to pass the phone to you but, I am no one's slave so I asked her to call you herself,' he confidently replied, slouching on the couch.

Evan just shook his head and, dialed Daniella's number. When she answered, Ken went closer to eavesdrop.

'Ms. Chen, is there a problem?' Evan said as the ring on the other line ended.

'I am at the lobby to drop the contract. I have signed it. Do I just leave it at the receptionist?'

'No, go to my office. The last floor, turn left and you will see my secretary,' Evan ended the call without waiting for Daniella's reply. Then, he turned at his friend Ken.

His eyes bored into him, he sighed. Knowing his friend, the moment his eyes will lay on Daniella, he will start making his usual move and, knowing Daniella's reputation, the two might start making out in front of him.

'Can you hide in the bedroom?' Evan asked Ken.

His office has a normal size and, very minimal furniture. He has a bedroom in his office, he's using it if ever he needed to take a quick nap after working in the office for days.

'I don't want,' Ken scoffed, refusing to leave.

Evan brushed a hand over his face with annoyance, 'Ken, this is Selena's babysitter. I don't want to complicate our relationship so please can you hide in the bedroom for a minute?'

'I don't get it, Evan. Why do I need to hide?'

'Ken, she's a complicated woman, just go to the room please,' Evan impatiently said.

Ken started to get suspicious, the way Evan worried about the woman has made him think that he must have liked her.

A teasing thought came in his mind, he got up and proceeded to the bedroom, before he entered, he turned back and saw Evan looking at his reflection through his phone screen.

He ran inside when he heard a knock on the door. He lay his ear against the door to eavesdrop on them.

'Hi,' he heard a woman talking.

'Hi. I will check the contract just give me a moment. Would you like a coffee?' Evan spoke.

Ken silently gasped.

'What coffee? How long does he want me to stay here?' he murmured with amazement, both of his grey eyes went round in shock.

His nose wrinkled with annoyance, he suddenly wanted revenge.

After clearing his throat, Ken parted his lips and said, 'Darling, the bed is ready,' his fist covered his lips to stop himself from laughing.

'Coffee my ass!' with his head shaking with irritation, Ken sat down on the end of the bed.

Meanwhile, in Evan's office.

After Daniella was instructed by Evan's secretary to proceed in his office, she knocked and entered the room.

Her eyes wandered to scan the office, it was clean while the news on the television was playing. She turned to her right and, found Evan behind his desk, his eyes were emotionless looking at her.

She walked closer and said 'Hi', and for the last time, she looked into his eyes to check if she can read him but, just like before, all she could see was his deep brown eyes.

She sighed, when he offered her a coffee, she politely declined and, lay the contract – which she had signed, on the table.

Her eyes caught the grey vest on the table, while a strong manly scent – different than Evan- lingered in the air.

Her eyes narrowed, wondering if Evan had someone with him before she came.

But it's not her business so she decided to shake that thought and, looked at him.

Out of nowhere a voice of a man yelled from somewhere, she turned her head and found out that it came from a closed-door, she wondered if it's another office or a bathroom.

When her brain comprehended the man's words, Daniella's cheeks turned red. She gulped and, turned to Evan with wide eyes. The man had the same expression as her though not with astonishment more of anger.

'I didn't know you have company. You know what, we can check the contract next week. No rush!' saying that at a fast pace, Daniella rushed out of the room.

Evan got up to stop her, he wanted to explain himself, say that it's a misunderstanding but, later realized why would he.

He doesn't want Daniella to think that he likes her by clearing the mistake.

He sighed and slumped his body on the chair, his back leaned against the chair while his index finger massages his temples.

(Maybe it is better so she won't flirt with me) he blew in another sigh. When the door of the bedroom opened, his eyes glared at Ken, he stared at him like he's a lion staring at his prey.

'Ken Chu. I didn't see you for years and, this is how you're going to act?' he wanted to throw something at him but, he knows Ken will just dodge it, so it's useless.

'You're welcome. You said she's complicated so I am just helping you out,' Ken picked up his vest and put it on.

'So,' he plucked his lips and gave a lopsided grin for the first time.

'Why don't we continue this reunion in my bar?' he winked at him and, proceeded at the door.

Before his hand touched the doorknob, he turned to look at Evan.

'Glen told me you stopped seeing your models after she died. Don't worry Evan, now that I am back. I will get you back to the game,' he clicked his tongue once and left his office.

As he entered the elevator, the vanilla scent his nose sniffed in Evan's office was also in the elevator.

'How much perfume did she use?' he murmured with his face wrinkled viciously.