Chapter 52: Kiki and Trouble.

GIOVANNI.

I strolled into the balcony with a glass of wine in my hand and a phone in the other. The fresh breeze of nature made me feel warm and at peace. I inhaled before tucking my phone into the pocket of my shorts.

I was home alone. I had been trying to finish up some of my undone work but I kept getting distracted. The subject of my distraction was not far-fetched..

What…who else would it be except Kiki?

The last time I saw or heard from her was the airport ride. And heaven knew I’d been struggling to keep myself from rushing down to her house.

After the whole kissing episode we shared in the hotel room, she kept seducing me so much that I had to give her a cold bath. But even that was like wishing for a fast death. It took everything in me to stop myself from having her right there, at that moment.

She fell asleep when I finished bathing her. So, I tried my best to dress her in the most appropriate way possible. After that, I took her to the comfort of the bed and watched her sleep.

She was so beautiful and at peace.

But I don’t think I ever want to see her drunk again.

The next morning, I got a call from Mr. Rodney and rushed off to meet with him but before I left, I made sure to put down a note for her. She was still asleep, clutching the small pillow to herself and I didn’t want to disturb her. Also, I figured that it wouldn’t be a good scene so I took my bath, dressed up quickly, and rushed off to the meeting.

While I discussed with Mr. Rodney, my eyes kept darting around for her trying to discover when she would walk in. After about an hour, I figured that she might probably not want to come especially if she remembered everything that happened the night before.

But she came. She came a few minutes before the meeting ended. When she kept avoiding my gaze and kept looking down even when I openly ogled over her, I knew she was ashamed of her drunk actions.

She made the plane ride really uncomfortable and awkward with a growing silence. When we alighted, just before she got a cab, I managed to inform her to take the day off.

And that was it. I hadn’t heard from her since that day. It was killing me inside. If we were at the office now, I would have probably had her in my office a few times more than normal just to relish the beauty of her face.

But, I was stuck at home doing nothing but thinking of her. Was that how much she had clouded my senses and my thoughts?

“Gosh! I’m starting to go insane.” I mumbled as I took a sip from my wine glass. I wasn’t even supposed to be having such thoughts about her. What if I had spent the night with her? How would I be able to continue my rules of no business with pleasure?

That would have been a shame!

And a heavy blow to my reputation. Especially if words get out.

I took another sip of my drink, my eyes looking past the city. From where I stood, I could see the splitting image of the statue of liberty faintly. That made me realize that I hadn’t read around the city yet. All I had done was work and think about Kiki.

It had been Kiki every time. I groaned and took another sip of my wine. This was starting to sound ridiculous.

My phone started to ring as if agreeing with my thoughts. I sighed and put down my glass on the rail before reaching for my phone in the pocket of my shorts. I brought it out and checked the caller ID. It was an unknown number.

I swerved through the receiver and put the call on speaker.

“Hello,” The caller’s frantic voice called out to me. I stiffened in anticipation.

“Yes?” I replied unsure of what to say.

“Do I have Giovanni Calisto on the line?” The person queried in a sort of a rush.

“Yes, who I’m I unto, please?”I asked.

“This is Rose, an employee. I’m Kiki’s friend, sir.” At the mention of Kiki in her frustrated tone, I knew something was wrong. So, I stood straight to listen to her.

“Sir, Kiki. She’s run into some kind of trouble. A lady got her arrested. She’s this wealthy woman. Currently, we are at the police station closest to…” She continued to speak but I was already downing the rest of my wine and rushing to my room to get my car keys. When she continued to speak, I hung up on her.

“Pete!” I screamed as I raced down the stairs. I hope he had not left. I had asked him to go home in the morning on the count that I wouldn’t be going out. But he had insisted on staying on the count that there might be an emergency leaving me with no choice but to agree.

Now, I hoped he was still around.

“Pete!” I yelled again. Soon, I heard someone rushing toward me.

“Yes, sir.” He said when he met me. I threw him the keys and told him where we were headed. He was confused but said nothing. I got into the car while he drove out of the house.

“Pete, we have to hurry,” I told him.

“Who is in trouble, sir?” He asked, still driving.

“Kiki.” I disclosed. I still don’t understand what happened. What I had managed to pick was that she got into trouble with a woman and was taken to the police station.

Pete soon arrived at the station and I rushed out of the car in a hurry. When I walked into the station, I sensed the tension in the air. There was a woman alright but I couldn’t see the face cos she had her back turned to me.

It seemed like everyone present was trying to appeal to her but she was insisting that Kiki get on her knees and beg her. What manner of cruelty?

I could see it in Kiki’s slacked back that she was going to do it. She was about to when I stepped in.

“And why is she supposed to kneel for you?” I yelled. “Whatever she has done, I’m ready to pay for it. I will take charge of the lawsuit and if I have to pay a fine, then I will.” I announced.

“Gigi?” The lady turned around and called my name. “Gigs, oh my God, it’s you, baby!” She exclaimed and my brows furrowed in recognition.

“Fifi?”