Henderson?

Chapter 4

Adola

I was cursed. That had to be a fact. If it wasn’t, how on earth would I explain the unfortunate incidents that made up my day and now my night?

Burning with embarrassment, I turned to Zyair who kept a smug grin that I badly wanted to wipe off his face.

“This has to be the biggest joke of the century,” I scoffed. Airing my emotions was childish, but I was too pissed to think straight.

Behind me, the attendant’s voice echoed. “If there’s any other thing you need you can inform us so that we help you with it,” she offered as slowly and calmly as she could.

But before I could respond, Zyair interjected. “Don’t worry, I’ll take it up from here,” With his arm entwined with that of the woman beside him, he drew closer. “You should be happy I own the hotel,”

“Why should I be?” I asked, summoning the calmest tone I could come up with.

“I can easily give you a room,” he replied nonchalantly, cementing it with a cocky shrug.

“What makes you think that I’ll accept the crumbs that fall off your table?” I replied with an equally sassy tone.

“Because you have no choice. Look, Adola, the storm has already hit. Unless you have a death wish and your life doesn't matter to you, I wouldn’t advise you to go out there in search of another hotel. I’m a hundred percent sure you won’t find any,”

My lips were tightly pursed while I considered his words. He was right. Going out there was me indirectly proving to the twins, my sister and grandmother that I didn’t care about them. They'd freak out if anything happened to me.

“But the receptionist said that there's no room left,”

“True,” he nodded, his grin widening. “That’s why I’m offering you a room in my suite,”

My eyes bulged while I peered angrily at him. “You must be crazy to think I’d sleep in the same room with you, besides, you have a woman with you. Won't she feel disrespected?” my heart pounded as I spoke. It was hard to remain level-headed when someone like him offered a room to me.

Not only was that a disaster in the making, I didn’t want to risk reopening old wounds.

He glanced at her with subtle hints of mischief. “I’m sure my fiancee doesn’t mind. She already knows everything about you,”

I flushed, wishing that the ground of the hotel would open up so that I could fall right in. His fiancée? Why was I surprised that he was getting married?

Why did my heart twitch uncomfortably when I already knew that most women will do everything to be his wife?

I was tempted to walk away, but if I did, it would only prove that I still harbored feelings for him, and that was a big lie that I would continue to debunk till I die. “Okay. I'll take the room, but bear in mind that I’d leave the moment the day breaks. Not a minute more,”

Another shrug rolled off him. “Do as you please.”

~~~~~

Deeply irritated, I dashed into the room, slamming the door loudly behind me. After a grueling long day, I just wanted some peace and quiet but even that wasn't promised.

The suite was classy, the interiors a masterpiece. Zyair always had a good taste in gadgets and furniture so this was no surprise.

My phone rang while I headed to the shower, my grandmother's name boldly inscribed on the screen.

It was late. Why was she calling?

"Hi, grannie," I placed the phone against my ear, a light smile touching my lips by merely hearing her voice.

After the back and forths with Zyair, it was good hearing from someone who didn’t reek of trouble.

"How are you, Adola? I heard about the storm. Are you safe?" Concern hammered in her voice.

"Yes..." I was itching to tell her about Zyair, but it would be better to talk about it in person. "A lot happened, but trust me, I'm fine,"

High pitched moans strung with loud thrusts resonated in the suite. My fingers balled into a fist as I caught my breath.

"What's that sound, Adola? Where are you?" she probed.

I squeezed my eyes shut, thinking of a smooth lie to save face.

"Ummm… I returned late from the fundraiser event and there was an issue with my accommodation. I could only get a place where everyone is horny," The words flew smoothly through my lips.

"You should have told me. I'd have done something about it," She chided gently.

"Don't worry. It's just for tonight,"

She sighed but gave the matter up. "Anyway, I've set up a meeting with the Trois investment company. I might have said something to someone related to him, you know. They'd like to meet with you in two days,"

My heart expanded with glee. Recently, I'd been vying for investors for my latest project and Trois was the largest investment company currently. If they accepted my pitch, I'd become a household name in the real estate world.

"Oh, thank you so much. I'll try my best to get the contract," I jumped in excitement.

She chuckled heartily. "And also, don't forget about the homecoming party that's set for next week. I need the whole world to know that you're a Goldman,"

"Sure. Good night, grannie. I love you," I said to her.

“I love you too, my princess.” The line went off and then I headed to the bathroom.

~~~~

Morning came so quickly as if it knew how strongly I wished for it. Last night was horrible. The endless moans of my temporary horny roommates—might I say hosts, continued to ring in my head, stirring me from my sleep each time I got so close.

Backed by the peaceful silence of a new dawn, I crept quietly out of the suite.

I was by the nearly inaudible creak of the door behind me so I sprinted to the elevator, pressing the buttons incessantly until the doors dinged and opened. I made an apologetic face on seeing that there was someone else inside.

“I’m so sorry. I am… I was trying to get away from someone,” I explained breathily.

His brows furrowed, a question forming between the creased lines on his forehead. “Are you being chased?”

I gulped, shaking my head vehemently. “No. It’s nothing. I’m good now,”

“Are you sure?” he sounded concerned now, his voice soft yet brimming with a strong wave of protectiveness.

I wanted to tell him that he shouldn’t bother, but then my gaze travelled down his outfit. He was dressed like a musician—someone that had a lot to do with the media, but there was this air of nonchalance in his outfit, coupled with the hint of blings.

He was handsome, his icy blonde hair complementing his marble grey eyes. A balanced jaw line in sharp contrast with his sensuous lips.

“I’m sure, Mr… but if you don’t mind I’d like to point out something on your outfit,”

His eyes narrowed. “Are you a fashion police or something?”

“I’d rather say I’m something,”

He looked amused. “Spill,”

“I must say that the style of your outfit matches your body proportions and personality, but I don’t think it’s proper to wear a striped shirt on a pair striped pants when it’s the same fabric's design isn't the same. It’s kinda mismatched,”

He pursed his lips, striking his chin as if in thought. “I might have to fire my stylist for this error,”

“No, no. I didn’t point it out for you to fire him. Please, don’t,”

“You don’t get it. If you could point it out that easily, how much more other people who saw me on stage last night?”

I tilted my head to the side. “On stage?”

Surprise took over his amusement. “Don’t you know who I am?”

My tongue was tied for a second, but then I shook my head. “Am I supposed to know who you are?”

“It’s not necessary,” he replied calmly.

“Ignore my manners, please. What’s your name?”

“Chase Henderson. I’m a musician and my stage name is just Chase. I don’t like to brag, but I’m a bit popular for you not to know who I am,”

I laughed nervously and then his last name struck a chord in my head."Did you just say Henderson? Like the Henderson group?"

He smirked, just like Zyair would but his wasn't mocking. It was wholesome and alluring. "Yes. The one and only.”