Chapter 147

Chapter 147: Alex in the police station, to surrender?

Chapter – 147

“Guys, gather around,” Alex clapped his hands, trying to get the attention of everyone present there.

Jessica had just left the building, and Alex was excited to share the information regarding the proposed collaboration with everyone in ‘AR’. Everyone had watched Jessica walk out of the building, and now looking at the excitement on Alex’s face, they were sure it was good news.

“You just saw who was here, right?” Alex looked across the faces and saw them nodding, “The freaking Jessica herself. I mean, can you believe it? The boss of such a big company coming to our doorsteps, it’s a big deal in itself.”

Despite the excitement on Alex’s face, everyone looked at him in confusion. The resentment and enmity he held for Theation and Jessica were known to all. He had expressed this himself on numerous occasions. On top of that, the talks about their altercation in Ullu had reached every ear in ‘AR’. So, taking all that into account, the smile blooming on his face after seeing Jessica could not be explained.

“What are you looking at me like that for?” Alex asked, looking at their weak response, “I mean, sure, we had our differences, and I don’t find her easy to get through to, but you can’t just ignore that she is a competent boss. She has a lot of achievements up her sleeve. And her coming here was purely professional.” Alex clarified.

“But we didn’t say anything.” Someone among the crowd said, taking a dig at Alex.

.....

“Yeah... Yeah... Don’t get cheeky with me,” Alex said, irritated, “You want to hear the good news or not? I can always go upstairs,” Alex said as he turned around to leave.

“No... No... No...” Everyone cried out simultaneously, “We want to know.”

‘Can’t even take a joke,’ Everyone thought.

Alex smirked as he rubbed his palms, “Listen up, guys. This is really big. Coming next month, we are going to be collaborating with Theation for their next project,” Alex looked at everyone as he said, “Isn’t that nice?”

And as expected, as soon as they heard the news, the room went silent. It took everyone some seconds to register the words, and soon, waves of cheers emerged among the crowd as they hugged and high-fived each other. Many of them even approached Alex and shook hands with him. That was indeed a landmark moment for them and the company.

“And let me tell you this. As of now, we are the only two companies going to invest in the project. Theation will invest seventy-five percent of the funds, and our company will take care of the rest. There will be a team from Theation joining our team soon.” Alex started to explain.

“... Theation wanted to start working on the project in two weeks, but with our prior commitments and lack of staff, I have decided to hold them for a while. Now, we will start working on this untitled project we are referring to as ‘V35’ on the same date next month. So, all of you guys from the production teams one, two and three. Try to finish your projects in two weeks at maximum. Then you guys will hand it over to team four for the last minute editings.” Alex started distributing the work.

“I will put forward a plan. And don’t worry, I will put up the relevant details on the company forum. I am only letting you guys know in advance so that you can tell all those who are not here right now. I will try to give you some time off as well before we start working on the big project,” Alex clarified, “Now, if you have any questions, shoot them.”

“Why does Jessica want to work with us?” Someone asked.

“Isn’t that obvious? Because we are good enough for the job,” Alex replied with pride, “Next.”

“What does ‘V35’ means?”

“Well, it’s something confidential at this moment. So I can’t tell you before we sign a formal contract with Theation,” Alex replied, “And also because while we are winding up our work, Theation would be casting the actors. Of course, we will have a say in it, but before the due process is done, I can’t say much. Moreover, since they are doing most of the work, I would like to give Theation the opportunity to disclose it first.”

‘Bummer,’ Everyone thought.

“So, who will lead the project?” The head of the team one asked.

That’s right. In fact, everyone wanted to know this. None of those present had much hope of leading the team when Theation was in the game, but hoping to become second in command was good enough for them. That would give a sure boost to their bio, opening many possibilities in the future.

“You guys know that I don’t like to lie,” Alex started off in a roundabout fashion, “When the project was put forward. I had decided to have someone among you guys to lead from our side.” Alex looked around and saw everyone nodding at him.

“... But the only condition Theation had put forward was that I had to lead this collaboration.” Alex told everyone, “I know this is hard for you guys to digest, that someone like me with no experience jumped the line in front of you guys, but I did not really mean it to be like that. If you guys think it’s not the right thing to do, we can always back off at this stage.”

“This...” Everyone went silent. They did not know what to say. They could clearly feel the seriousness in his words, and they had known his nature for the past few days. Alex had shown in his few days here that he cared about his employees very much. Even today, they had a discussion about the same before Jessica visited them. So they did not really doubt his words.

“Look, take your time thinking about it. But I don’t want you guys to agree half-heartedly to whatever I say. I will take decisions in favour of the company’s future. They can be harsh sometimes, but I don’t want them at your expense,” Alex said, “First of all, I want to build the trust between us.” And as soon as he finished, his phone rang.

“I need to take this,” Alex said as he looked at the name flashing on his phone and smiled. “Umm... Think about it and let me know whatever you decide,” Alex said and, waving his hand, walked towards the elevator.

“Hey, Don’t tell me you are already missing me?” Alex answered the call happily. It was Daniel on the other side. Daniel may have been his part-time boss in the past, but now they were good buddies. They would regularly exchange texts and check on each other.

“Are you busy?” Daniel, on the other hand, was serious, “I need to talk to you about something.”

“No, go on. What is it about?” Alex asked, “You sound a bit tensed.”

“I heard you met Jessica in Ullu?” Daniel asked, “Did something happen with you two?... Like something you would like to talk about?”

‘Something happened?’ Hearing Daniel’s question, Alex’s thoughts could not help but wander to that night of intense action, ‘She wouldn’t have told him that, would she?’

“Something in the sense?” Alex asked, “Did Jessica tell you something?”

“Alex, Jessica has been arrested,” Daniel told Alex without dragging the matter, “She has been accused of some murder in Ullu. If you know anything about it, please let me know. The matter is really serious.”

“Murder?” Alex asked. He knew the moment he heard Daniel what he was talking about. It must be that old rascal whom they fought with.

‘That bastard kicked the bucket? So easily?’ Alex thought, but the important thing was, why did the police not come looking for him first? Whatever evidence they might have, be it footage from somewhere or a witness, they would have pointed him out first. So why was Jessica arrested first?

“Hello... Hello... Alex, can you hear me?” With Alex gone silent, Daniel grew anxious by the second. He had no idea whom to turn to. Every door Daniel knocked was a dead end. But for some reason or the other, he had hope in Alex. Daniel did not have anything to back it up, but he felt it. That’s why the reason he called him.

“Yeah... I can hear you,” Alex replied, “Share with me the location. I will be there as soon as I can. And don’t let anyone take her anywhere. I will sort everything out, don’t worry.” Alex said as he ended the call. Alex went straight to his office, grabbed his wallet, his motorcycle keys and hurried back down.

Those who had just seen him go upstairs were surprised to see him come back down so soon, and run out of the building. However good he was, he was also an oddball like his father.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“... Get down on your knees and with your hands in front of your chest, say these words,” Alex had just reached the entrance of the police station when he heard a familiar voice.

‘Why would he be here?’ Thinking about that, Alex slowly walked inside the police station.

“I am sorry, master. I was supposed to be a faithful dog, but the whiff of the money got the better of me, and I ended up being a greedy old bitch. But you have shown me my place... From now on, I am nothing but a dog that rolls on my master commands... And don’t forget the bark at the end... I should feel that.”

‘Woah! Woah! Woah! That’s some serious shit,’ Alex looked around to see where was his familiar voice coming from before his eyes fell on the police officer standing with a phone in his hand.

“Don’t delay it any longer,” George interrupted their thoughts, “Why do you think the media is still not there?”

“I...” The old man had just gotten on his knees.

“Dad?”

* * * * *