CHAPTER 7

Sandra jumped into a taxi. She turned to look at the back, saw the bodyguard of the mad man turned around after he could not find her.

What was wrong with this evil mafia?

What did he want from her?

Her heart was pounding like crazy, he kissed her again, yuck! She rubbed her lips so hard could not wait to get home to rinse her mouth and brush her teeth. The taste of mints and wine from him made her feel dizzy and disgusted.

Bobby walked into the penthouse with frustration and anger. He went straight to the bar, pouring whiskey into a glass and then tipping the whole lot down his throat.

“That’s great! Just a little woman! But the big fucking bodyguards still managed to miss!”

The thick angry voice said to James and Ben who were standing near the door with their heads bow a little, made sure there was some distance between them and the boss. Just in case!

Bobby touched his jaws, felt sore as hell, got bruises both his face and his pride! No one could know about this unacceptable incident. Bobby Artwell got punched by a girl! Especially, Bernardo, his enemy! His name would be destroyed unrecoverably!

Her fist was unbelievably hard and heavy, no joking! Bobby poured more whiskey into the thick glass. The girl who dared to punch him would not be able to live peacefully from now on. She would face consequences and she would be VERY SORRY for this.

He would make sure of it. His thought so focused and was all about this Violet, the arrogant girl who dared to fight against him. Who would ever think she was kick-ass!

“The staff said there was no woman named Violet working there. I think she might just walk by. “

James said after letting the boss drank some more whiskey to calm himself down. Bobby went to sit on a large dark brown leather couch, raised his hand to rub his jaws again.

“Hm, … Would you like some icy chicken peas, boss?”

Ben asked, noticing that his boss kept rubbing his jaws since he got punched hard. The boss quickly turned his head to give him a fiercely look. Ben flinched, he quickly stepped away and gave the boss a sheepish smile. He also made sure he was far away from the boss’s heavy foot.

“Get out! Go find her, and stay out of my face until you get her and bring her to me.”

The frustrated voice roared.

“Uh, what about the woman in the suite?”

It’s James’s turn to ask. There was a French model waiting in the special suite room, the luxury room that Bobby used for having fun with women.

This seven-star hotel of the Artwell family. The top floor was Bobby’s penthouse and never welcomed any stranger. He loved and cherished his privacy more than anything. However, family and friends were allowed to come up here. For example, Sam Artwell his only brother. He sometimes came to stay here when he visited Las Vegas.

For temporary women, they came to the suite room once and that was it! They would never see the room again. Because Bobby only had sex with each woman once.

Yep! only once, and after paying her with a big fat cheque. He forgot her right away. Some women might not be so happy for his quick turning away but nobody complained when they looked at the numbers written on the cheque.

“Send her back. I am not in the mood.”

The voice was harsh, washed the whiskey down his throat for the second time.

“Hm, but this woman was sent from John White. She’s kind of your taste.”

James gave more details in case the boss wanted to change his mind. Bobby sent a cold gaze to his bodyguard. He recognized the name ‘John White’. The owner of a luxury pub in the city. His longterm debtor. He sent women every time he could not pay interest!

“Didn’t you hear what I just said, James?”

The cold voice of the boss was telling James and Ben that they should get out quick before something could fly. Something like the glass in his hand, for example!

“Yes, boss!”

The bodyguards said in tune, bowed and dashed out of the room like a flash!

“Fucking hell, James. How come the boss missed that girl for two years. Did you see her face? So sweet, so young, so beautiful!”

Ben said to his partner while they were in the elevator. The two of them had their own private suite rooms in the hotel building.

“You bet! From now on this girl won’t be able to hide anywhere. But don’t you think it’s strange that she’s in Las Vegas? Maybe, it’s our boss’s destiny.”

James criticized and used the word that made Ben paused.

“What do you mean by DESTINY?” Ben did not get what his friend tried to say.

“Well, a man like our boss, he never believes in anything apart from his money! Maybe, God has sent this girl to tame his egos down a little and make him believe that there is a woman who can punch his face without hesitation.”

James said then laughed, Ben also choked with a laugh after hearing.

“Not a bad joke after all.”

Ben said to James. The elevator stopped at their floor. The two got out.

“But I must admit, this sweet Thai girl has got the power. She can make the boss’s temperature goes up like a rocket bursting the sky. Ha Ha!”

Ben made more jokes. This was new to their team, Ben would make sure the rest of the bodyguards knew what just had happened. But however, he had to make sure that it was well behind the boss’s back! Otherwise, their backsides would get kicked, hard!

“Okay, let’s get serious. We’ve got work to do. Where the hell should we start this time? I’ve run out of ideas.” James changed the topic.

“Well, I’m feeling half dead right now. Let’s called it a night, tomorrow is not here yet.”

Ben put if off. James looked at his partner and shook his head.

“I don’t know why you’re half dead when it was me who ran after the girl, and you’re just resting your badass in the car.

“So I guess you’re also half dead. See you in the morning, buddy. Let’s pray that we have some luck tomorrow.”

Ben concluded, slapped James’s shoulder. James sighed and nodded since he was tired as Ben said. He walked into his bedroom, felt heavy in his head when thinking about the big assignment.

***

Sandra did not come to the restaurant that week. She told everyone there if anybody came and asked for her, they should just say they did not know anything.

Later, Supa told her that there were some guys came and asked for a woman named Violet. Sandra knew straight away it was THEM, the bad mafia’s men. And Supa made sure the staff not to tell them anything, just like Sandra asked.

The following week, Sandra came to help her mother at the restaurant by entering the back door. She was very careful when leaving as well. At the age of eighteen, in the city that was full of influential people made her become prudent and wise. She was glad that she had followed her mother’s advice about taking Taekwondo and Karate lessons.

*******

(One month later)

“Very good! for one fucking month and still can’t find her!”

The insulting loud voice made James and Ben jumped and gave their boss sheepish smiles.

“Ah, we’ve looked everywhere, boss. She might be just passing by and she might be from Boston. And had already gone back. Um, I think, maybe, forgetting her is the easiest way. She’s just a girl, there are many beautiful models and movie stars out there waiting for you to call.”

James said, trying to be brave to suggest to the boss, which sometimes he listened. But this time as soon as James finished, the boss roared and sent a sharp gaze saying YOU ARE DEAD! That made Jame’s hair stood up! Felt the cold in his spine!

“You probably forget who I am, James! Do I have to remind you?”

Bobby said to his bodyguard who dared to suggest such things that he would never do in a million years. James shut his mouth immediately and stepped backward right that minute.

“I don’t like anyone to challenge my power. If I didn’t teach that girl to know who she is dealing with, you two don’t ever expect to rest till you find her. Understood?”

James and Ben nodded instantly, knowing that apart from the girl who would not have peace, it was the two of them too, who would not be able to sleep peacefully.

The woman really had power over the boss’s thoughts without him realizing, and she hadn’t done much at all. James couldn’t imagine what’s gonna happen if they really met face to face. Somehow, James had a strange sixth sense feeling, sending a strong signal to his mind, that this woman would be the woman God sent to teach the special lessons to Bobby Artwell. James did not know what, but he bet he was right!

“Just take your chicken shit face out of this room, and come when you have the woman.”

Bobby waved his hand unhappily to his men. James and Ben did not hesitate for a second to disappear with a relief!

Sam Just arrived here at the family hotel. He stayed in a suite room in the family private zone. He did not want to stay at the penthouse because knowing that his brother liked his one space and privacy.

“Hey, what happened? You two look like shit.”

Sam greeted James and Ben at the penthouse door when the bodyguards just walked out.

“The big storm’s spinning inside.”

Ben answered. They were close, could say that the Artwell family took their bodyguards into the family, not like servants, but more like friends and brothers.

“What? Now? Why?” Sam asked with a surprise.

“Long story. But, you better go see your brother first. Maybe you could make him feel better.”

James suggested Sam. They did not feel frightened when it was Sam. But Bobby was another story. The bodyguards felt both love and respect with fear. He was raised to be a strong leader, to lead the Artwell Enterprise, so his characters were nothing soft nor gentle.

“Alright, you two aren’t looking good, go get fresh air. I’ll be here for a week. You can tell me the whole story later.”

Sam said then walked to the penthouse.

The doorbell rang then open. Bobby turned to look when seeing who came in, his frowned face changed to a brief smile. Sam smiled gladly, went to his older brother, the two raised their fists and touched one another as it was the way they greeted each other, then hugged tightly.

“Hey, bro. What’s up?”

Sam greeted, knowing from the serious looks of his brother that there was something bothering him.

“You didn’t say that you’re coming. Where’s your bag?”

Bobby asked instead of answering his brother’s question.

“Just quick decision, bro. I’m staying at my usual room down below.”

Sam pointed finger down to give a gesture that it was the family zone.

“Okay. How long are you staying this time?”

Bobby asked and walked to the bar, poured whiskey into a glass, walked back and handed it to Sam.

“Thanks, bro. I think I’ll stay for a week if nothing comes up.”

Sam replied, lifted the glass to his mouth.

“Cool! it’s been a while since you were here.”

Bobby said with a warm voice. He used this softer tone just with his family only.

“I also come here to surprise someone. She’s here in Las Vegas at the moment.”

“Aha, Who? Do I know her? You mean she’s visiting Las Vegas?” Bobby asked.

“Oh, no. Vegas is her home town. And nope! You don’t know her.”

Sam answered and sipped the whiskey.

“Okay, she must be quite an interesting girl to make my little brother flew from Boston to Vegas like this.”

Bobby said with a grin. Sam smiled widely.

“Of course, this one, she is always special. She’s kind of cool and very very pretty.”

Sam said firmly to his brother, wanting to allure him to pay attention.

“And if you see her, you’ll definitely agree with me.” Sam continued.

“Agree with you? About what?” Bobby did not understand what Sam meant.

“Agree that my girl is pretty.”

Sam repeated and laughed when his brother shook his head sending a gesture saying… Nonsense!

“Girlfriend?”

Bobby asked with teasing showing in his deep blue eyes. He loved his brother very much. Sam always wanted to be a doctor. Apart from his handsome look, he had got a good heart, generous, had compassion and was a ‘gentleman’. The word that Bobby could only spell but not care to practice and install that quality in himself.

There were 10 years between them. The two heirs of the Artwell Enterprise. The two that were so different in personalities, brothers from heaven and hell, that’s how people described them. And there was no need to point out which one was from hell and which one was from heaven!

“Well, let’s order Thai food. We haven’t had dinner together quite some time.

Sam said cheerfully, changing the topic quickly, avoiding to give his brother a clear answer about… girlfriend or Not girlfriend.

The truth was that Sam intended to introduce Sandra to his big brother. He wanted to surprise them both. Sam thought it was ridiculous that the two of them lived here but never came across each other. So it was about time that his beloved brother and his beloved friend should get to know each other.

Bobby was a very powerful and influential businessman in this city, he could help Sandra if only she will just wiggle his little finger. And she was good at many things, she had got skills. She’s studying accounting and financial stuff which was related to Bobby’s business. So when she graduated, and she wanted a job, his brother could help her for sure. Sam satisfied with his ideas, didn’t see anybody would lose benefits in this case.

“Go ahead.”

Bobby agreed. So Sam rang Vi Wine restaurant to order the delivery. He asked the staff to make sure that Sandra would deliver it herself. The staff said luckily today was Sandra’s turn for handling the delivery.

“Okay, bro. Done. I’ll go to my room, want to take a shower first. Oh, by the way, I asked them to deliver to my room, so you’ll go down to join me, will you?”

“Sure, what time?”

“About six.”

“Okay, no problem. I’ll knock on your door at that time.”

Bobby confirmed. Sam hugged his brother again and left.

Sandra received orders to be delivered at the Grand MC hotel which was a seven-star luxury hotel she knew but never had a chance to go in there. She was not sure why the hotel guests dared to order food from outside to eat. Because it seemed ill-mannered and insulting the skills of the hotel chefs. However, that was not her problem. Everyone had the freedom to do anything according to their own rights under the laws.

She was wearing another restaurant uniform, which was a black T-shirt, had the name ‘Vi Wine’ printed on its chest and wearing her favorite black jeans. She had a brown leather jacket covered on top, wearing a pair of sneakers.

She drove to the hotel, when she arrived, she informed the security at the front door that she was delivering food to the guests on the 30th floor. The security made a face like he did not believe her. However, he led her to the reception front desk. It was a very long counter with so many nice-looking receptionists in the hotel well-cut suit uniforms standing behind it.

“Delivery to the 30th floor?” She asked again, her face was saying, REALLY?!!!

“Yes, mam. You can ring the guest who ordered it to make sure. That’s the room number.”

Sandra pointed at the address on the bill. After looking, the woman did not hesitate to tell the bell boy to take her to the elevator. He called the elevator for her but let her went up alone.

She had food bags in both hands. She thought it must be for people, like 5. The elevator stopped at the 30th floor, she stepped out, looked at the map on the wall. Her eyes were searching for the room number so she knew which way to turn. When got the direction, she went straight to the suite.

Walking down the corridor, she took a look around, the place was sleek and very elegant, no surprised of course, it’s a seven-star hotel. She probably would not have any chance to stay at this hotel even for one night. This high-class hotel was for people like David and Victoria Beckham and Hollywood movie stars, rather than Sandra, an ordinary girl wearing a T-shirt and jeans with old sneakers!

She walked up to the front of the room and put down the food bags on the floor because she had to use a hand to ring the bell. Before pressing the button, the corner of her eyes saw a tall figure, someone was walking out of the private elevator and coming this way where she was standing. She turned to look and then she was in a shock, her heart immediately skipped a beat before beating fast!

Oh my God! Damn! She could not believe her eyes. Right there walking tall and coming this way, it was the evil mafia who kissed her and chased her like she was his enemy! She couldn’t believe her fate!