Chapter 3

Diego's POV

I wanted to burst into a fit of laughter at the information brought to me. Whoever the person is, she does have a lot of guts to require my presence. Curiosity gnawed at me as I wanted to meet with this peculiar person and hear what she had to say. Andrew Hermes has cost me a lot of money. One thing everyone knows is not to play around with my money. I would use whatever means I can muster to get it back. 

“You don't have to meet with her, boss. We can handle it.” My right-hand man, Aiden said.

I shrugged, inhaling deeply from my vape pen and puffing smoke into the air, “no, it's been a while I got to be amused. All you guys do is bring me headaches. I want something refreshing. I hope you remembered to tell her it's by ten?” 

“Yes, boss. It's past nine now, I am sure she would be here soon, she sounded desperate to get your attention.” 

A mischievous grin plastered my face. “and I will give it all to her.” 

“Alright, boss. Please excuse me.” He said leaving. 

Just when I thought I would have the next few minutes to myself, the door yanked open violently. I don't need to ask who it is. 

“Isn't it too early to burn down your lungs, Diego?” My paternal grandmother, Isabella, bickered from the door. 

I rubbed at my aching forehead. “Granny isn't it too early for you to judge me? I thought you had some sort of spa session.” 

Kissing her teeth, she pulled out a chair to sit in. To avoid her most times when I am home, I take solace in the study, hoping she would take it as a cue that I am very busy. But as always, Isabella Sanchez would never take ignoring her lightly. 

“Why didn't you come to greet me this morning?” She asked, raising a stern brow. 

“I woke up about a few minutes ago.” 

“I hate it when you lie to my face. I wouldn't need your greeting if only you had a wife and child in the house. They would keep my company and give me more regard than you do.” 

I let out an exasperated huff. “what has starting a family got to do with not coming to your room?” 

She sighed, “Diego, you know I am not trying to spite you. I know you hate to hear it, but I lost your parents too early. I have always wanted a big family, but I lost the first chance to death. Also, there is no fun in being lonely, you require people to be around you. Most importantly, I require a grandchild.” 

My grandmother is obsessed with me settling with someone. I do know its tough having to live in a mansion all alone. I am hardly around to keep her company, since all we do is argue back and forth. Furthermore, I have suggested we adopt severally, but she wouldn't even hear of it. 

“I told you, grandma. I would rather not get tied down by any of these loose women. All they want is my money, none of them would love me. And I can't afford to father another persons' child in a bid to satisfy your desires.” 

“Don't you have a girlfriend, then? Even if you won't get married, at least birth a child. You never know what life would do to you.” 

“Do you wish for me to be dead?” 

She snorted, “it's not like the job you do is any safe. I am just trying to be proactive.” 

A fake gasp escaped my lips as I placed a hand on my chest. “How can you say that to my face?”

“Quit being a nuisance, Diego. I want a family from you, please. Unless you are impotent.” 

“What the actual fuck, grandma? Why would you even think that?” 

Standing up with an unremorseful glare, “then prove it. If you don't do as expected, I am really going to leave and never come back. Breakfast is ready.”  

Laughing lightly, “I love you, grandma. You have nowhere to go. Your place is right here with me.” I yelled after her. I could have sworn she gave me the middle finger before shutting the door. 

I am beginning to rub off on her real good. Checking my time again, it's about five minutes to ten. A rasp knock came from behind the door. Before the doorknob for turned. 

Aiden walked in briskly. “The lady is here, boss.” 

“Let her in.” 

She came in a few seconds later, looking around the space with a bit of relief on her face. She probably thinks the room would end up being a slaughterhouse. I have heard plenty of rumors about me on the streets of Atlanta. Some true but most of them untrue. However, only a fool would be bold enough to not fear me. 

“Good morning, sir.” Her voice sounded like an F key on the piano. 

“Welcome, miss.....” 

“Kamara. Kamara Hermes.” 

“Alright, Miss Kamara. What do you want me to do for you?” I asked, motioning for her to take a seat. 

I usually don't accommodate any business discussion in my house, but I felt too lazy to head to the casino this morning. I would have declined, but her request got me excited. Seeing her face now, I don't think it was such a bad idea. It's worthy enough looking. Her hands were shaking as she brought out a printed paper from a large brown envelope. 

“I know you are a very busy man, sir. Which is why I would like to get this done quickly.” She said too quickly, like she threw in some really hot piece of pancake. “my father Andrew Hermes owes you, from what I heard, One hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I would have loved to ask how he got to owe you so much, but it would naturally be a waste of time. So.....”

I was beginning to lose patience with her long words. “get to the point, young lady.”

She swallowed hard, and I could see her gullet moving with discomfort. “Actually, I asked a lawyer friend of mine to write out an agreement contract. You taking our house away from us won't be of good use to you, the house is old and….”

“You don't tell me what I would do with my property.” 

“Technically, and legally, it's not yours yet. I promise to pay your money back, sir. But it would be in installments. Please, you can't take away our home. There is no way we would be able to garner such a huge amount of money in a week, not even a year from now. Please. My father is on the sick bed currently and I….”

“I am not interested in listening to your sob story.” I cut her short again. “What exactly am I sitting here for? I have other places to be.” 

Clearing her throat, she sat up. “I want you to please agree to the money being paid in installments. I would ensure to pay $2000 every month.” She raised the paper to my face. “I would sign on this to seal the agreement and I promise not to miss your payment. Please.”

A scornful laugh rumbled from the depth of my belly. “are you kidding me right now? So you want to pay me back probably four years for money that was exhausted in two nights? Have you lost your mind?” 

“Please sir, taking away our home won't be the right thing to do.” 

“Do I look like I care about doing the right thing?” 

Tears laced her eyes, “please, sir? Don't do this to us, we don't have anywhere to go to. My family and I would end up homeless if you take our house away from us. Okay, how about this, we would rent out the top space in the house and all the payment will go to you. Whatever remains, I would pay in installments. Please.” 

“Lady, I don't give a damn whatever it is you intend to do. If I don't get my money by the end of this week, consider yourself homeless. You can lodge by the beach for all I care. Leave this minute.” 

She clasped her hands tightly. “please, I am begging you. Don't do this, please. I would do whatever it is you want me to. Just don't take our only space from us.” 

“Don't make me lose my temper. Get the fuck out of my home before I actually lose it. Leave!” I yelled at her. 

Like a loose puppy she scampered out of the study, almost falling flat on her face.