"I'll be quick," I said as I went down the car.
"Take your time," I heard Zen say. "We're not in a hurry."
"But I want to sing again already," I said.
"Be careful with the cake," I heard Zen say. Right, I thought. I speed walked down the pathway towards the entrance of Bea's company building. The guard opened the glass door for me and I went in.
"Hi sir," they said. "You're back."
"Yeah," I said. "I just need to pick up something from the concierge desk. Sir Robert left something that I need."
"Okay sir," they said. "Be careful sir, the floor is slippery."
"Thanks for the warning," I said. I walked straight towards the concierge desk at the back of the room. I looked around and saw only a few people walking around the lobby. I arrived at concierge desk after a few minutes of speed walking.
"Hi sir," the concierge said across the standing desk said. "How may I help you?"
"Sir Robert has left something for me," I said. I put down the cake box on the floor.
"For Dos right?" the concierge said.
"Yes," I said.
"One moment," the concierge said. The walked over the back of where there was table with neatly arranged things. They picked up a brown envelope and walked back.
"Here is the brown envelope sir Robert has left for you," the concierge said as they handed me a brown envelope. I grabbed it with my right hand.
"Thanks," I said.
"Can you please sign here as confirmation?" the concierge said. They were handing me a clipboard. I tucked the brown envelope in between my left arm and body. I took the the clipboard and set it on top of the standing desk. I opened it, grabbed the pen inside, and signed on the column beside my name. I put the pen back, closed the clipboard, and handed it to the receptionist.
"Thank you," the concierge said and bowed.
"Thank you," I said. I turned around and grabbed the brown envelope. I opened it and saw that there was a note attached underneath the seal flap. I pulled it off. Sorry for making you comeback when I told you that I was going to deliver this to the restaurant you were eating at, I read in my mind. There was an emergency at an event for one of the company's girl groups. Their manager called me asked for my help. I couldn't say no since I mentored them. Still, sorry again. But this envelope contains all the documents you need to fill out just like what Mr. De Vera said. Unfortunately he's right and it is company policy for you guys to fill these up yourselves as heads of the charity event. Don't worry, they're a lot but its just basic information about the event for us to keep in our records. You can do it! Sincerely, Robert. I put the note back inside the brown envelope.
" I swear that Valentina and her dad-" I said but stopped myself. I took a deep breath. Oh right, I turned around to face the standing desk again and picked up the cake box with my left hand.
"Excuse me," I said. "Sorry, its me again."
"How may I help you sir?" the concierge said.
"Is Max-Ms. Liu still here?" I asked.
"Let me check sir," the concierge said. They walked over to the computer stationed at left side of their lower desk. They started clicking and typing. After about two minutes, they walked back.
"Sir, she left an hour ago," the concierge said.
"Ah, I see," I said. "Thank you." I turned around and started walking straight towards the building's exit. That's unfortunate, I thought. I guess we'll just bring another cake when we come back to give to her. I looked at the cake box. I cracked my neck.
That meeting was really something, I thought. When I arrived at the exit, the guard opened it for me and I stepped out. I continued walking and stopped a few steps before the road.
Where's Zen? I thought. I tucked the brown envelope between my left arm and body. I grabbed my phone from my pants' pocket with my right hand. I tapped the screen. It lit up.
There's a new message, I thought. I pressed the message and unlocked my phone.
Baby, the guard told me to move the car because I wasn't allowed to stay there so I looked for a place I could, I read in my mind. Text me back when you see this or when you're ready so I can bring the car around and pick you up.
"I'm done babe," I typed and sent. I put my phone back in pocket. I sighed. Is there anywhere I can sit? I thought. I looked to the left then to the right.
Wait, I thought. I looked back to left.
Isn't that Maxine? I thought. Yeah, she's still wearing the white dress she was wearing earlier. Who is she talking to? I took a few steps to the left.
A hooded person, I thought. Shit! I carefully took a few steps back, turned around, and started walking on the pathway towards the building. I turned right at the garden entrance and squatted behind the tall topiary to my right.
What should I do? I thought. I should just stay here and wait for Zen. But fuck, this is such a prime time to get more information. Maybe I can just move a little closer to them and listen to their conversation. I took a deep breath and nodded. I put the cake box down on the grass and put the brown envelope on top of it. I crawled to the left, making sure not to make any noise, and making sure I was always behind the topiary. I felt my heart beating faster.
"Are the preparations ready?" I heard Maxine say. This is close enough, I thought. Her tone is different, less bubbly. I stopped crawling and slowly sat down on the grass. I took deep breaths.
"Yes Ms. Liu," I heard the hooded person say. "We have it set up at the warehouse you chose as you requested."
"Good," I heard Maxine say. "We will proceed with transferring them tomorrow to the warehouse."
"Yes Ms. Liu," I heard the hooded person say.
"It will be a fun day for us tomorrow won't it?" I heard Maxine say.
"Yes Ms. Liu," I heard the hooded person say. "It will indeed."
"But not for them," I heard Maxine say. What is she planning to do? I thought. I felt the hair on my arms stand.
"Definitely not Ms. Liu," I heard the hooded person say.
"You may leave now," I heard Maxine say.
"Thank you Ms. Liu," I heard the hooded person say.
"Tell the others to get a good rest for tomorrow," I heard Maxine say. "Everyone must be in the best condition possible."
"Will do Ms. Liu," I heard the hooded person say. I heard a car engine start and drive off.
"Pathetic fools," I heard Maxine say. She started laughing manically. I heard her start to walk away. I felt all the hairs on my body stand. I rubbed my arms with my hands. What the fuck is happening? I thought. So its Maxine? But what would she gain from this? Valentina makes more sense though but Maxine was talking to a hooded person. Ugh. Who ever it is, they need to get punished once we get Bea and Maine back. I hope its not Maxine, if it is, seems like we're really going to get a dead Bea and Maine back or maybe even in pieces. My phone suddenly started vibrating.
Shit, I thought as I felt my heart skip a beat. I got my phone from my pocket and answered the call.
"Where are you?" Zen asked. "I'm here already."
"I'm here too," I said. I stood up and looked at the our car north east of me, beside the walkway. I started waving my hand.
"What are you doing there?" Zen asked.
"I'll tell you in a bit," I said.
"Are you okay though?" Zen asked.
"I am," I said. "Don't worry. Just a bit scared."
"Hurry and come to the car then," Zen said.
"I'm coming," I said. I walked over to where I left the brown envelope and cake. I pressed on my phone with my shoulder and ear. I bent over and picked up the brown envelope and cake. I'm tired, I thought. I hate this day.