THE ALGORITHM

2.

The trademark situation was hectic. Bilal was in the middle of expanding his tech company. He had plans to invest in artificial intelligence and machine learning, and there was a specific name he was interested in.

Loopy.

Unfortunately, someone had already trademarked it before he could. Now, he was trying to gain ownership.

"I'll think about it. You know I don't like to put Timothy in my business. He's only going to go back and tell my father everything."

Victoria smiled at him, showing off her pearly whites.

Timothy was the family lawyer. He'd been in the family for years and even married Bilal's oldest sister, Regine. The man was a great lawyer but loved kissing up to his father-in-law, Greg. Timothy always had a point to prove, and Bilal didn't understand why he tried so hard. Greg would never leave him anything significant.

"We'll make sure he doesn't go back and run his mouth." She sat on his lap and ran her slender fingers through her pressed hair. "In the meantime, check your email and reach out to me if they decide to reach out to you."

Bilal glanced at his fiancée and said, "You got it."

Victoria giggled softly and leaned over to kiss him again. She wrapped her arms around his neck while deepening the kiss. When she pulled back, she eyed him with admiration and lechery. Victoria ran her hands across his lap and whispered, "I wish I had time to bounce on this, but I have some important errands to run."

"I'll see you later," Bilal responded. He knew she would come to his house later for sex. It was their usual thing. He would either go to her home, or she would come to his.

"Hey, before you leave. Let me ask you a question." Bilal managed to speak as she ran her fingers through his beard.

"I'm listening..."

"Did you let Matt go home?"

"I did."

Bilal raised his brows while staring at her. "Without my permission?"

Victoria sighed and said, "I thought I did the right thing, Mr. Lawson." She bit her bottom lip softly while giving him a come-hither facial expression. "You don't like germs, and I assumed you wouldn't want him around getting you and the entire staff sick with a stomach bug."

"Yeah..." Bilal agreed. "You did right."

Beep, beep.

Victoria looked at her phone and silently cursed.

"I have to go."

Bilal only nodded. He watched as she left swiftly. She sashayed out of the office, and he took advantage of her walk by staring at her voluptuous behind. When Victoria closed the door, he sat there feeling teased.

Bilal tried to get his fiancée's image out of his mind by attending to his paperwork. He continued to review them until two men stepped inside with an unknown woman. Judging from her appearance, she appeared to be Asian. A frown appeared on his face after he realized she was dingy. The young girl looked as if she hadn't washed with soap and water in days. Her white sweater had a few brown dirt smudges, and her jeans were ripped. He even noticed the red speckles of blood that covered the thigh section of her jeans. She either was hurt or she was on her menstrual cycle.

The girl stood there sniffling as she looked around the room with her swollen eyes. They were swarmed in tears. A frightened expression was etched across her face. One of the men held her arm, presenting her to Bilal.

Bilal moved away from his desk and stepped in front of it. He leaned against the mahogany desk and spewed, "What the fuck is this?" With his statement, he threw his hand up, showing his puzzlement.