Cheaper 31: Mr. Hugh Hancover

For Sterling and Phoenix, the weekend was a blast. They couldn’t get their hands off each other. It was another week day and they had to get to the office to work. Feeling bright and lovely, Phoenix wanted to change her office look from a corporate one to something a bit crazier.

After taking a shower, she went to the closet, picked out a matching pair of yellow underwear and wore them. She looked through her wardrobe and took out a yellow jacket, white shirt, black belt, a blue fitted jean and placed them all on her bed. Went to her shoe rack and picked out a yellow snake skin leather stiletto heel; went to her space for bags and picked out a Michael Kor black bag.

After placing all she needed for the office on her bed, she went to her vanity mirror and sat down on the stool it had. Looking at her face in the mirror, she opted for a light make up; probably nude. She took out the iron flattener and straightened her black hair out, applied her light make up with a nude lipstick, went to her bed and wore her outfits.

When she was done, she looked at herself in the full length mirror in her room and was satisfied with the look she pulled off. Taking one last look at the room, she left the room and headed downstairs where Sterling was probably waiting for her.

Sterling stood by the fireplace, basking in the warmth it provided before going out to face the reality of life, while in his thoughts, he heard the clicking of heels coming down the stairs. He turned around to take a look at her and was dazzled by what he saw. He always thought that she looked surreal but now, he couldn’t find words to describe her. She looked like a moon goddess or a fairy.

Standing by the stairs, Phoenix scanned the room for Sterling and saw him standing by the fireplace. He looked splendid in his outfit which was a white shirt, a 3-piece grey Armani suit and a Black shoe from a brand she didn’t recognize due to the distance. In her mind, she had already had the jump on him.

“You look great,” She said

“And you look like a moon goddess. When I thought that I had seen it all, you keep on blowing my mind away,” Sterling said, grinning from ear to ear.

“Is that your way of saying that I look good?” Phoenix asked

“Good wouldn’t do you any justice; you look perfect,” Sterling said, taking long strides to where she stood.

“Thanks. I thought a new look would suffice. I mean, I feel awesome in this new outfit and I also feel wonderful in my body too,” Phoenix said

“Well, will you do me the honors?” Sterling said, placing his hands in front of her in a gentleman approach.

“You do know that we are taking separate cars to work, don’t you?” Phoenix inquired.

“I do know that but that doesn’t stop me from treating you like a queen that you are,” Sterling said, with a wink that sent butterflies down Phoenix stomach.

“Well, teasing me won’t do you any good this morning and it’s too early for that; unless you don’t want both of us to head out to work today,” Phoenix said, taking his hand and smiled seductively at him.

“Such a tempting offer but I beg to decline. As much as I would love this very much, we both know that business comes before pleasure,” Sterling said, caressing her cheeks.

“I do know about that. Sure a vacation is in order but that will be probably when the baby bump starts showing,” Phoenix said, while rubbing her hands on her flat stomach. Her pregnancy was still in its first trimester; so it wasn’t noticeable.

“You are quite right although I’d love you to flaunt the pregnancy; it is mine after all,” Sterling said, placing his hands on her hands which rested on her stomach.

“Maybe Nigeria will suffice. I have always wanted to go there,” Phoenix reasoned.

“I guess I can make that happen for you. Nigeria isn’t so bad,” Sterling agreed to her demand.

“I like its culture, its cuisine and other stuffs. In the first competition that Cooking Fest held, one of the winners was a Nigerian,” Phoenix continued speaking, not minding time at all.

“We will talk more about this later tonight, we have to go, it is getting late,” Sterling said, while showing her his wrist watch.

“Sure,” Phoenix said. They both walked majestically to the garage and got into their various rides and waved each other goodbye before driving off.

**************************

(PHOENIX POV)

When I got to the office, everything was organized as it should be. I went into my office, locked the door, sat on my swirling chair and did some thinking before getting some work done. My thoughts were all centered on Sterling. Sterling has been a great person so far.

I know that I like him as much he likes me and I’m willing to let go of the past and be in a relationship with him. Although he has already told people about us, I’ll still have to say it in one way or the other.

I haven’t heard anything about my father and I haven’t heard anything about Allen either; not that I’m concerned about what happens to him. The last I heard of him, his business was on the verge of going bankrupt and that was all I needed to hear at that moment; some bad luck happening to him too just the way he caused me pain.

Well, Allen can’t know about the pregnancy, ever. I’ll raise the child with Sterling and he or she will know Sterling as its father.

My thoughts were just all over the place but I decided to get over it and get some work done. I took out some paper works and started working on them until I was distracted by a knock on the door which I assumed is Liyah.

“Come in,” I said

The door opened and closed before I lifted up my head to look at her.

“You look amazing ma’am,” Liyah said

“Thank you Liyah; a little wardrobe change doesn’t hurt anybody,” I said, laughing at my statement which made her smile too.

“You are welcome. You have a call on line 2; the person insisted that he spoke with you,” LIyah said.

“Oh, okay. It is probably a future client. I’ll reach out right away. Thanks again,” I told and she knew that she was to leave the office and all further discussions will be said later.

Picking up the intercom and pressed button number 2, I was immediately connected to the other person. I immediately cleared my throat and spoke up.

“Hello, good morning. I am Phoenix Mills, how may I help you?” I said with such fluent English. Inwardly, I was laughing at my own foolishness.

“Good morning to you too; I’d like to rent one of your hotel halls for a little private party I’ll be throwing this weekend,” the unknown person said.

“Okay sir that can be quickly arranged. Before we go further, I’d like to know your name, for business references,” I said.

“My name, I am Hugh Hancover,” the stranger finally identified himself.

“Okay, Mr. Hancover, which of the hotel halls do you want so we’d know if it fits your schedule?”

“I’d like that of the headquarters since I’m already in the city. My guest can fly in and I will make sure to recommend your hotel to them so they’d stay the weekend,”

“That will be fantastic sir, give me a second to check if any of the halls in the headquarter is available,”

“Okay, I’ll wait,”

A few clicks of the keyboard and I checked which of the halls were available for the weekend and discovered that one of the three halls was free.

“Uhh, the Pearl hall will be free by the weekend,” I told Mr. Hancover.

“Oh, the Crystal hall isn’t free?” he asked

“No sir, it isn’t. The pearl hall is just the same as that of the Crystal hall and I assure you that you’ll get services that worth your pay,” I told him.

“Okay then, how do I make payments?” he asked

“I’ll refer you back to my secretary and she’ll give you further instructions. It’s been nice doing business with you,”

“One more thing,”

“What is that sir?”

“Can I send you a personal invite, you’re free to bring in a plus one; I insist,”

“Okay, I would like to decline this as I am very busy during weekends but I’ll see what I can do immediately I get the card. Just email the card to our company’s email address,”

“I will do that,”

“Okay then, thank you for your help on such short notice,”

“The pleasure is mine,”

*********************

(MR. MILLS POV)

Hearing her voice again brought back memories of the past where I brutally molested her. I never regretted my actions, not even for a single day. It was what it was and there was no use crying over spilt milk. The private party was just a few days away and I had to get things ready.

I basically used all the savings I had to have the revenge plan of mine put in action. It had to work no matter what happened. She probably won’t recognize me; after all, it’s been a while since we last met.

I had to call my second in command to get things ready for the weekend. After the first few rings and the idiot hadn’t picked up, I literally felt like strangling him with my bare hands. During my inner battle, the idiot eventually picked up.

“Boss,” the little twat said, probably trying to work something out in the background--- whatever that was.

“Russo,” I said in my very deep menacing voice which was always made my boys scared of me and always kept their stupidity to themselves without letting me know.

“Yes boss,” he kept mute after that but I could hear him breathe lightly, probably scared again.

“Get the plan in motion. The Pearl Hall needs to be set for everything. Send the invites and remember, no mistakes,” I said, placing emphasis on every word I said.

“Yes boss,” I hung up immediately he confirmed he had heard me properly.