8:34 PM
Tonight has consisted of me gathering more information that I thought would be relevant for the next time Chris and I meet.
We met two weeks ago and he instructed me to look at old files and see if I can spot any clues that gave away what Lance was going to do. It didn't make sense to me though because how would I be able to find documented proof that he was going to take my company? No one documents that, and if they did it wouldn't be in my possession. I've found a few things that may be relevant though, so it is possible.
I could've sworn I heard a knock on my door, but I rarely have any company so I ignored it, but the person knocked again. I placed my wine glass down in the kitchen and looked through the peep hole of my front door.
I unlocked the two locks and opened the door, "Rachel— what are you doing here?" I asked, utterly surprised. Rachel was one of my best workers as well, but she had quit on me two weeks before I got the company taken from me.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't going to come but it has been eating me alive." She said and stepped in
"What? What's wrong?" I asked, closing my front door back and locking it.
We walked over to my couch that was in my living room and sat down, "Can I get you some water or anything?" I asked
"No, I'm fine. But, I wanted to tell you some things I just don't want you to go back and tell Lance."
"One second!" I said and ran to my room to grab my voice recorder. It's so old fashioned because it's from my father, but it's very small and discreet so I kept it. I pressed record before I walked out and I placed it in my jacket pocket that I had on. I wanted to record whatever she had to say so I could report it back to Chris, in case it was useful information.
She had my full attention now, I sat up straighter and cater-cornered my body towards her.
"I'm listening."
"Promise you won't go tell Lance." She said
"Okay, Rachel, I promise. Can you tell me?" I asked, growing impatient.
She sighed, "First I apologize for popping up so sudden, and waiting so long to do so. I also apologize for quitting to begin with, and I truly regret it," she paused, "Lance held a small meeting, with me and a few other employees months and months ago, asking us questions regarding how we liked the place and what would we change and how we'd feel if it went under new management. I didn't think anything of it, I assumed he was doing it for you, but when he told us not to disclose any of it with you I figured you knew nothing about it,"
"He came back to that small group weeks later and offered us an opportunity to work with him. Majority of us denied, but he swindled us in by telling us that we'd be getting paid a lot more an hour and he promised us better benefits. I didn't give him a response right then and there and I assume the others didn't because he came back, again, and then started telling us nasty things you'd say about us..." I cut her off
"And y'all believed it?" I asked
"I mean, yeah, it was played on a voice recorder and unless you have a twin, it was definitely you. But, the things we heard made it easy for us to transition over, and the extra benefits as well. He directed us to be prepared to quit immediately in some weeks, but I felt the need to at least give a two weeks notice because I felt sort of bad. A few weeks before he actually took over, I begin having doubts because I wasn't sure if it would be a good idea. I came to him and told him that I'm backing out but he offered me, and multiple others, a large, like extremely large sum of money to stay and to keep quiet and not tell you any of the information he discussed with us or speak to you again. So, I stayed.." she paused again, "I would like some water now."
I got up and jogged to my kitchen and grabbed her a bottled water and sat back down.
She took a sip and continued, "He told us we'd get the lump sum of money after we started, he even had us sign a paper stating so. After your company was all into his name and such, it ran a bit smooth. After some weeks, there were complaints and talks amongst the employees saying they didn't see their checks increase, like nothing changed.. I brung it to his attention and he brushed me off. Days later I walked in on him embezzling cash from the safe that held clients savings. I informed him that I knew, and I threatened to tell you and the authorities, and he didn't outwardly say it but he basically insinuated that if I was to tell you or anyone else about this that I'd regret it and I won't even live to see another day." She finished
I sighed and looked down. This was a lot to take in.
"Wow, this is a lot. I thank you so much, Rachel for confiding in me to tell me this. I promise I won't tell him, I'm actually in the process of trying to win it back over so y'all won't be going through any of that soon. I knew someone would come around." I said
"Yeah, and again I'm sorry. I'm regretting it now, I'm actually thinking of quitting, though I can't." She said
"Why not? And has any other workers complained to him that you know of?" I asked
"No, they haven't complained to him but we talk amongst each other. Everyone wants to quit, but he has us locked in on this contract. No one knew they were signing over to be locked in for months or years, because it's in small, fine print." She said
"Rachel, you all have been trained to always read the fine print. That's all y'all did, y'all actually spent days just reading over one contract, viewing the terms and agreements.." I said
"I know, all we heard was the pay increase and the benefits and ended up making a deal with the devil."
"Well hopefully it won't be going on for any longer. Thank you again for telling me." I said
"No problem, if I find out anything else I'll tell you. I don't understand why Lance wanted your company so bad like he was going to improve it. I haven't spotted any changes, besides the damn coffee machine." She said
The money is why. My company is the largest!
I smiled, "It'll get better soon."
"Have a good night." She said and grabbed her water and walked towards the door.
"You too, drive safe." I said as she walked out.
I closed the door behind her and stopped the voice recorder. Oh, I can't wait to share this with Chris!
I ran to my laptop and went to my email to compose a new email.
To: Christopherbrown@generalattoney.law.org
I have some new information that I think will severely help. Let's schedule a meet up soon!
Taylor Houghton
T. Houghton AF and corporation
Office number: 206-466-9629
Business address: 3071 University St.
I closed the laptop and put my papers away. I'm about to take a shower, grab another glass of wine and sleep on this.
Christopher
I've been arguing with Aireal all night. She was at the grand opening that I attended of one of my friends last night. I was talking to some girls, but she just pussy blocked all night. I couldn't even take anyone home. After weeks of not seeing this crazy bitch, she had to come to the grand opening.
I don't need anymore convincing to know or see that my dick is magical.
After following me home and sitting outside of my house, she left me alone after I threatened to take legal actions against her. Yeah, bitch, don't fuck wit' a lawyer.
She was on some lifetime movie, stalking type of shit. I blocked contact with her and changed my locks on my doors and got more locks added to my windows. Never know what crazy shit she'll do, after all I barely know her.
Now that she has left me alone, I settled down for the night. For some odd reason, Taylor crossed my mind. I haven't seen her for about two weeks. It won't be too long until I see her again, after all I am dealing with her case.
I did my usual routine I did every night before bed. Besides the usual showering, and my mild skin care routine, I sat down to check my email so I could prepare to write everything into my planner.
It's odd that I have a skin care routine seeing most men just splash water over their face, dry it with a face towel and go about their day. But naw, I like my skin looking good. Take care of your skin and body and it'll take care of you.
I had a few emails from some employees, one from my assistant, a few from some judges or their assistants and Taylor.
I checked them in the opposite of the order I received them in, it's backwards but it's a habit of mine.
Taylor claims she has something to share with me so I replied to her email with a date and time, we'll see where this goes.
Days later:
I watched as Taylor walked into my office. It's as if she looks better and better each time we meet. It's hard for me to not undress her with my eyes, or think of what I could possibly do to her when I'm a walking sex machine. My hormones are always raging and my mind is always in the gutter.
If only I could bend her over this desk—
"Chris.." She said, with a smile across her face.
Her smile.
I knew it was something non-sexual about her that attracted her to me.
"I'm sorry, how you been, Taylor?" I asked and sat across from her.
"I've been fine, Chris, and you?" She asked with her charming smile still spread across her face.
Taylor girl, stop smiling at me cause I think yo' smile turning me on.
I sighed, "I been hanging on. So, what you got for me?"
"I got whatever you want, whatever you need." She smirked
I think my dick just jumped a little and I pre-came a bit.
She need not play like this when I'm already tryna keep these crazy thoughts out of my head.
"Let's get to it, baby." I said and pulled out my folders.
I'll continue from here next chapter.
Ria ✍🏽