Chapter 43: Chapter 43

The next day I went to work early. Even though I wasn't doing anything yet, my body seemed to be mentally beaten.

"Jazzie!" Ken greeted me warmly as I entered our workers' room.

I immediately frowned at the enthusiasm he showed. "Are we receiving our 13th month pay already??" I asked

"It's only September, Jazzie. Are you having a hard time?" he replied sarcastically and then pulled me towards somewhere. "But with the amount of food sent to you, it's like you're celebrating Christmas," he said and pointed to the table we were using.

My lips parted as I stared at the food served there. There’s rice, marinated chicken, fried eggs, bacon, hotdogs, pasta, salads and...

"Lechon?" my tone rose slightly when I saw the cooked piglet.

"A man brought that earlier," Ken said.

I turned to him and forced myself to act normally even though my heart was pounding in nervousness..

"Y-You know him?" I asked.

"Nope. He's just in uniform, I don't know if he’s a driver or a security guard," he replied.

Jaime.

On cue, we heard a knock on the door. Ken and I turned there together. Based on the sigh I heard from him, I confirmed that it was Jaime who brought the food.

"I forgot this to give again." He slowly entered and walked towards me, just like yesterday he was carrying a bunch of white roses. "Señior wants you to receive this," he said.

I was stunned and silently accepted the flower.

"Can I have his contact number?" Jaime was about to turn around when he stopped by my sudden silence.

There was a shocked look on his face when he looked back at me again. Three more seconds passed before he moved. From his pocket he pulled out a purse, then pulled out a square of paper.

"This is Señior's business card," he said.

I simply nodded while accepting the paper. I stared at it for a while and then put it in my pocket. Jaime waited in front of me for my other orders.

"You may go," I said.

He stepped back once and then bowed as a show of respect before finally turning around and leaving the room.

"Jazzie, are you rich?" Ken's curiosity caught my attention.

I swallowed and looked away. "What kind of a question is that?" I asked instead of answering him.

I started walking towards the table to avoid Ken's stare.

"Why did that man treat you like that?" he carved.

"It is because I'm beautiful. The pretty ones should be literally respected," I try to joke and then satt down on the chair. "You know, let's just eat. Stop thinking.”

Ken stared at me for a moment then followed to sit down.

"I was about to add you on Facebook yesterday," he said after scooping up his food.

"I don't use social media," I said and get some food even though I was already full.

I just really want Ken to stop questioning me.

"I tried to find your name, then while I was scrolling..." he stopped speaking for a moment. “There were a few posts that caught my attention,” he continued seriously.

I didn't say a word and just waited for what he would say next even though an idea was forming in my mind.

"Jazzie, were you a model before?" he asked, even though it was curiosity, his tone is confirming about something.

I slowly lowered the cutlery I was holding and then leaned back at my chair. I lifted my eyes to Ken and nodded slowly.

“Yes, I was a famous model then,” I replied.

Even though he was already expecting that as my answer, he still couldn't believe in amazement. "You're so rich!" he claimed.

I rolled my eyes and hold the utensils again. "You know, let us just ate before Stacey saw us. Speaking of, I haven't seen her yet."

I saw Ken's quick sadness. He smiled sparingly at me.

"She's gone, Jazzie. She's moved to another branch," he said.

My mouth formed an O then nodded slightly. "That's why you're always playing around with me." I winced. "When did she leave?" I asked next.

"On the first day of your leave, he was called to the office. I heard from others that a business man had ordered the department to transfer him," Ken said.

"Huh? What's his connection to our hotel?" astonished my curiosity.

Ken just shrugged and lazily toyed with his food. "There’s lot of things offered to her, I heard that she will earn almost double of her income here. So I didn’t even wonder why she also agreed to be transferred immediately." He let out a forced smile for a moment.

I just exhaled deeply. "Forget it. You'll still find someone better. Or maybe 10 years from now you'll meet again," I consoled.

"She might be menopausal by then," he said.

I choked on my own saliva and then looked at him badly. He just laughed and got up from his seat.

"Alright, then. I still have rooms to clean, enjoy the food. Your suitor looks a jackpot, Jazzie," Ken muttered.

I rolled my eyes at him and let him go. Even before I could eat, the door suddenly opened again.

"Jazzie!" Azy, my former manager, shouted with full of joy,

My mouth parted at his presence. Wearing his favourite green Loius Vuitton tuxedo paired with a Gucci sling bag, he walked near me with a black cat on his hand.

Wait? Cats?

"Hey! Do you know that's bad luck?" I said while pointing at the cat he was carrying.

He gave me a sharp look. "You're really unlucky, Jazzie. Don't implicate the cat," he rebuked.

I did not immediately respond to what he said.

Of course, Jazzie. It is just an innocent cat.

"And oh! Are we having a party?" he said when he noticed the food on the table "Are you being executed?" he continued.

I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here?" I asked while raising an eyebrow.

He smiled up to his ear and then sat down on the chair where Ken sat earlier. "Wait, hold my baby Kode first," he said as he handed his pet over to me.

I could do nothing but accept that. The green eyes of the cat immediately stared at me causing me to be consumed with amazement.

I no longer wonder why your boss loves you so much.

"So that's it, I repeated to you before that I will prepare your contract, right?" said Azy who caught my attention.

I nodded and just waited for him to add his next words.

"So...one of my talents died and I need an immediate replacement. I really need you, Jazzie," he pleaded at last.

I sighed deeply. "I just got back to work, Azy," I said.

"You're also going back to modelling, aren't you? So that's okay, you're leaving too. Please, Jazzie. My trainees aren't doing well now, you're the only one I hope for to shine again, "Azy convinced.

I let out another sigh. "When will you need me?" I inquired and simply caressed the cat I was holding.

"Tomorrow," he replied.

"For real?!” I couldn’t help but raise my voice.

He nodded in response and begged to stare at me. "I’m begging, Jazzie. I really didn't expect that Lord will get Herra so early. For why in the world did that girl commit suicide," he said.

My forehead furrowed when I heard a familiar name. "Herra?" I repeated.

Where did I hear that before?

Azy sat up. "Yes, Herra Briones, one of my famous models. She's been with me for two years too, but that happened. She jumped into the river, committed suicide." He rummaged in his bag for a while. "Look at this, that's her," he said as he handed me his phone.

My lips parted when I saw the photo of the woman and realized that she was the one who went to Valjerome's house then. My forehead immediately frowned as I remembered the last time I saw her when I left her in the room before.

She didn't kill herself, she was killed.

I just shook my head and quietly returned the phone. Whether I wanted to speak up, I knew that wouldn’t help. Another thing is I know I shouldn’t get involved in such things especially when it comes to the actions of Valjerome, of a mafia boss.

Even if I wanted to judge the decisions my ex-husband was making, I couldn’t do that. From what I learned, I realized that his world was not a fantasy. There were twisted reasons and unacceptable decisions¾things that are hard to comprehend by us, people who are looking at the brught side of the world.

"Please, Jazzie. Have mercy on my stressed beauty," Azy begged.

I rolled my eyes at him then held out one hand in front of him. "I know you brought the contract. Hand it over," I said.

He shrieked and clapped his hands. "You're really reliable!"

"Stop flattering me, I'll go to the shoots where you need me to be, but I'll stay here until my resignation is finalized."

"Aaack! This will be big news. Don't worry, I'll help you here to process your paper immediately," said Azy while handing me the contract.

I just nodded and quietly signed the papers without looking at it. It was too late for me to notice a familiar company written at the top of the contract.

ABCD...