7

Hernandez Group

After a long working day, Chazz called Rachel, his secretary to ask about what he asked her to find out. Bracing herself up, Rachel walked into his office to give the information she had. 

Finding out information about the names he gave her wasn't an easy thing to do especially with the fact that they both returned back to the country recently, however, she knew she had to report back to Chazz. Not only because she was trying to get on his good sides but because she also had feelings for him and she was still at the verge of verifying if he felt the same way for her.

“What have you found out?”

“I'm still on it.” She replied. “Phoebe Hernandez is currently in the country and she is a licensed doctor. She'll start as a resident from tomorrow.”

"Which hospital?”

“Theodore Medicals.”

“Not that close to this place. Alexander? What about him?”

“I haven't been able to get any leads on Alexander Hernandez. His whereabouts, whether he's in the country or not, I have no idea, but I'm currently looking into it, he must have probably arrived with a different name.”

“It's easy for me to keep an eye on a close enemy than an invisible one.” He muttered to himself before facing her. “Is that so? Don't bother about Phoebe for now, concentrate more on Alexander. Report to me on anything you find out.”

“Yes, President.” She turned to leave but hesitated as she turned back to face him. “Are they by any chance your step siblings?”

Chazz stopped what he was doing and looked up at her.

“Alexander Hernandez and Phoebe Hernandez, are they your step siblings?”

Ignoring her, he stood up and walked towards the door, ready to leave.

“I never knew you had step siblings. Of course, it's not surprising that you're not the only child of Chairman Gabriel Hernandez. However, it's surprising that they both had to return now, when you're only steps away from claiming Hernandez Group as yours after all these years.”

“Don't utter nonsense and get back to your work.” He snapped. Keeping a straight face, he turned the door knob without looking at her. “If you're done for today, you can go home.” He told her before walking out.

Roosevelt Kitchen

After making sure everything was set, Josie removed her apron, carried her bag and took a last glance at their section of the kitchen. “You did well today.” She told herself as she walked out of the kitchen. Just then, Isabella's call came in. While greeting the other seniors who were yet to close for the day in the other sections, she talked with Isabella on her way out of the Kitchen.

“Are you sure you're home already?” Josie asked her.

“How many times do I want to tell you I'm home?”

“You had better be.”

“How about you? Where are you going to tonight? I'm sure you've not settled with your mum and I doubt if Brother Richard is going to let you stay tonight again.”

“I'm going to my apartment.”

“Really?”

“Uhn.” She smiled. “My landlord called to tell me I have a new neighbour.”

“Whoa! That's a huge relief. You're lucky. I was about thinking of asking you to come over. Josie, let's talk later, I think my sister is here.”

“Okay then. I'll call you later.” She disconnected the line only to notice that Asher had been waiting outside. Surprised, she walked up to him.

“What are still doing here? I thought you left already. Or were you waiting for me?”

“Tsk! Why would I wait for you?"

“Who are you waiting for then?”

“I was asked by the chief chef to wait for my senior and I've been waiting since then. I wasn't waiting for you, I was waiting for my Senior. Senior Jodie."

“Hey! Do you really want to die?! How many times do I have to tell you it's not. . ."

She paused when she noticed he wasn't listening to her, and to show he wasn't interested, he walked away while she was still talking.

“Hey!” she shouted running after him. “Wait up!”

They both walked down together when she caught up with him. After fifteen minutes of walking together, Josie noticed they were going in the same direction and she decided to use the opportunity to question him.

“Asher, right?”

“What now?”

Before she could get his answer, she recalled the incident that happened the previous night and she jumped in front of him all of a sudden, startling him.

"Don't you think you should thank me?”

“For what?” he asked still startled.

“For last night of course!”

“Shouldn't you be the one thanking me?” he objected.

“Why should I? Why should I be the one thanking you?”

"For getting your delivery fee with ease. Wasn't that why you called him?”

"Ah!” she exclaimed clearing her throat. “Fine! Let's agree we're equal now. But, I've been meaning to ask, are you by any chance following me? Why haven't you turned towards other direction? Did Mason senior ask you to follow me home? If it's because he knows my neighbour moved out, call him and tell him I'll be fine. My landlord called me earlier today that I have a new neighbour already, so you don't have to go with me, uhn? I'll be fine on my own.‟

Looking at her closely, he paused. “Why would I follow you to your house? Do I look like someone who would follow you to where you stay?”

“Even if chief chef asked you to do it? Just like the way he asked you to wait for me?”

“Why would I? And I told you I wasn't waiting for you.”

“Are you always this blunt? Why are you following me then?”

“I'm not following you, I just happen to live on this street too.”

“Why haven't I been seeing you around then?”

“I just moved in.”

“You just moved in? How am I supposed to—" She was interrupted by a phone call from Noah. Opening her eyes wide in disbelief, she picked it up quickly and Asher shook his head at her quick response. “Uhn, Noah.”

“Where are you?”

“I'm almost at home. Why?”

“Your apartment? Or your Mum's house?”

“My apartment.” She replied and paused to hear his reply while he hesitated to talk. “Noah, are you okay?” she asked worriedly.

“Would you like to drink with me?”

“Eh?” Josie paused for a brief moment. “Why all of a sudden?”

"Just because. I'll be waiting for you at the last place we talked.” He told her before disconnecting the line.

She was happy she was finally get to drink with Noah, but somehow, something else seemed to weigh her thoughts as she looked at Asher who had been staring at her the whole time while she was on her call.

“What is it?” Asher asked.

“It's nothing for you to worry about.” She replied quickly. “You said you just moved in to this street right? I guess we'll get to see often then.”

“But I don't wish to see you often.” He told her sincerely.

Sighing at his blunt but sincere reply, she kept her phone in her pocket. “Neither do I.” she replied sarcastically. “Seeing you at work is enough punishment for me. Seeing you often on the same street wouldn't be nice either, so, Asher, let's do well by not bumping into each other.”

“Even if we do, Jodie, we're strangers, okay?”

Biting her lips, she held her bag tightly. “Get home safe and don't you dare come late to work tomorrow!” She warned in between clenched teeth before walking away.

“Interesting.” He muttered to himself as he watched her leave until a call from Jared came in.

Granny’s Restaurant

Asher stormed into the restaurant upon receiving Jared's call. Panting like he was being chased, he hurried to where Jared stood and examined him.

“Brother, are you okay?” He asked worriedly. “Are you hurt?”

“Do I look like someone who is hurt?”

Calming down, he studied him, "No, you look fine. If nothing is wrong, why then did you call me like that asking for help? How can you call someone like that when there's nothing wrong?”

“How did I call you? I only told you I needed your help and that you should come over here.”

“And I came running here, thinking something happened to you. Anyways, since you're fine, it's a relief. What do you need my help for then?”

Jared pointed to the lady who had passed out on the table in front of him and it was only then that Asher realized that the drunk lady was acquainted with Jared. Looking at Jared, he tried to understand the scene clearly.

“So, brother,” he started. “What you're saying now is that you called me from miles away to come over here. . ." he paused and pointed to the lady. ". . .because of a lady?”

Jared nodded making Asher give an unbelievable look. “Brother, really?” he asked again and Jared nodded. Laughing to himself, he sat down. “Is this some kind of joke?”

“I want you to take her with you.” Jared told him. “I can't leave her here and neither can I take her to the police station where I won't be able to watch her. That's why I need your help with this.”

“Brother, you really called me out here because of this lady? Someone I don't even know?”

“Is the fact that she's someone I know not enough?"

“So,” he started folding his arms. “Where do you want me to take her to?”

“Where else?”

“My apartment? No way! That can't happen! Why do I have to share my first night in my new apartment with someone I don't even know? That definitely can't happen.”

“Hey! You rascal!” he snapped. “Where did you spend your first night after getting back to the country? Uhn?”

"Brother, that was because I was drunk! Why would I want to spend my night with you in the first place if not because the situation warranted it.”

“But you spent it already, why don't you do this and just think of it as repaying a favor?”

“Ah!” he nodded his head giving a sarcastic face. “Repaying a favor right? Okay. I'll do it on just 

one condition.”

“What do you want?”

“Brother, loan me money.”

“What? What do you think you're doing, asking a detective to loan you money? Do I look like a bank? And I don't expect a rich heir like you to ask for loans. Do you want to keep up with living like this?”

“Just loan me money, will you? I'll pay you back when I get paid.”

“Asher.”

“Brother, Now that I think about it, it doesn't sounds like a condition. What's the use when I'm going to pay you back anyways? Better still, you can consider it as payment for her staying the night in my new apartment.”

“What do you need the loan for?”

“You don't expect me to stay in the same room with someone I don't know, right?”

“Fine. I have to get going now. I'll call you when I'm done.” He replied as he turned to leave only to be pulled back by Jared.

“But brother, who is she?”

“Rachel.” He replied looking at her. “Rachel Lakes.”

Shaking his head, Asher stood up to help the lady up. “Brother, you're really getting old, aren't you? I mean, who cares what her name is? Who is she to you, brother, who is she to you? That's what I'm asking?”

“A younger sibling! She's the stubborn person I mentioned yesterday. She's just like a sister to me.”

Asher paused and looked at him sternly. “Younger sibling? Brother, are you a charity brother or what? How many younger siblings do you have? Annette, myself, Phoebe and this lady? Who else? Who else don't I know of? Uhn? Who else?”

“There's no other person!” He defended quickly.

“Why are you denying strongly then? You're not daddy longlegs, so stop adding more younger siblings to the list! If at all you would, make it a guy, I want someone calling me brother too.”

“Rascal!”

“But why does her name sound familiar?”

“She was Annette's friend back then.” He replied. “Has your car arrived?” He asked, trying to change the topic.

“It's arriving tomorrow.”

“Should I give you a ride?”

“You said you have work to do. Don't worry, I'll get a taxi.”

“Alright.” He replied looking at his wristwatch. “I'll send the money to you. I can't promise I'll call you but give me a call when you get home.”

“I will.”