Lana's POV
"That's no way to treat your new boss Lana." I immediately stopped dead in my tracks and turned to look at him, almost close to tears. What did he mean by "New boss?" Certainly it must have been a joke right? Right?
"I'm sorry sir but what did you mean by your last statement with all due respect", I said visibly shaking.
"It simply means I'm the new owner of the Three Pigeons, that was the entire reason why I was at Gonzalo's office today but I'm not here to talk about that."
What does that even mean? What's going to happen to me now? This was his idea of revenge or was I overthinking this whole thing because there's absolutely no way that he's the new owner of the Three Pigeons.
I could physically feel myself about to pass out and I knew that if I didn't find somewhere to sit down at least, then I won't be able to make it to my shift tomorrow. Oh God, what do I do now? What if he says I'm not going to work at the Three Pigeons because I caught him digging into another woman?
Why did Mr Gonzalo give the Three Pigeons to this man? What exactly was going on? I was about to lose it, I could feel it in my bones but there was absolutely no way that I would pass out in front of this arrogant ego stricken man.
"Lana, I know that you saw me the other day; I'm talking about the restroom incident and I do not know what ideas you have in your head about me but I can assure you that I'm not here to make you uncomfortable or anything i just really felt like I should have done something but I didn't." There was so much going on at this moment that I didn't know what to focus on anymore, I felt a huge rush of anger and frustration I just had to let it out.
"Did you really think that was supposed to change anything? Why are you apologizing to me? Why are you even here and what made you think that you could just come and claim the Three Pigeons so casually? I couldn't give a flying fuck about what you were doing in the rest room or with whom you were doing it with, I don't even know who you are and why we are having this conversation in the first place. For someone caught in such a compromising situation, shouldn't you even avoid having any form of communication or altercation with me especially on this topic or did you think that by somehow spawning up here at my workplace, it would make me afraid? Do I look like a one of those frail females you'd want to sleep with?"
I just kept on going on and on and he stood there with an emotionless expression. It was more insulting than if he had said anything to me and even then I didn't stop, I just kept on rambling. When I had said everything to my fill, I stood there looking like a clown.
"Are you done now, miss Lana Hart?" He looked absolutely unaffected by my outburst and I wished I could reach out and punch him in the face but I had to restrain myself. His next response stilled me.
"I didn't come here to go over anything, matter of fact I came here to make you an offer but from the looks of things, that might have to wait. I know the situation your mom is in and I assure you that I understand why you would be angry at me or anyone for that matter but I thought I should inform you that you won't be working the extra jobs you're currently doing right now and you won't have to be going home when you close late from work too."
What was he saying? How does he know about my mom? Who told him that I was working extra jobs to make ends meet so I could afford my mom's hospital fees? And who does he think he is to tell me what to do? It all made sense now, it was probably Mr Gonzalo who told him about my mom's condition but why? There was this low feeling of betrayal but it wasn't in my place to have so much expectations from people but I know Mr Gonzalo must have had his reasons.
"Who gave you the right to decide that for me?" I knew the question I asked sounded pretty foolish but I just had to say something.
"Lana, I'm not your enemy, indeed you have a point with your arguments but fighting the reality of things doesn't change the fact that things have changed and the only way to get through this is by adjusting to the changes. I'm not here to remove anyone from their position or anything, I simply want to help out the people who work here and that includes you but because we've already had an encounter prior to this moment, I felt it was necessary to talk to you personally. Also, I hope you do not assume that I feel ashamed about what you saw the other day, If that's the reaction you were hoping to see then I'm sorry to disappoint you miss Hart but I just can't feel ashamed of a moment I clearly enjoyed and if anything, you were the one who walked in on me in my private moment and while I do hold some form of accountability considering it was the restroom, you too have to face the truth that you were eavesdropping on a moment you should've never been aware of in the first place."
I hated the tone of his voice. What's worse is I hated the way that he had a point to his logic. I've never felt so exhausted and tired in my whole life and I knew that whatever this offer he was presenting was, it would definitely help my current situation by far but something in me felt like there was going to be an exchange. An exchange that he was yet to mention.
"Lana, you look really tired and though I'd love us to have a conversation about a long list of things, you do not exactly look like you're in a position to listen or discuss at the moment. I say this because I want to make you an important part of this company and just in case you're worried about your pay and your moms hospital fees, all you have to do is simply follow my directions and you'll be fine. So I suggest that you retire for the night and don't think of going back to your place this night"
I looked at him and he still stood there, expressionless but almost briefly another expression crossed his face and it felt like the one I saw on his face that evening when I harshly bumped into him. The intensity and depth was there but almost immediately it disappeared and for a moment I thought I was seeing things. I stared at him, his face was too beautiful to be vexed and maybe that was part of the reason why I felt so helpless and worse than I did that entire day. I felt so lonely, I wished I could cry on my mom's shoulders or my dad even but they're all gone, leaving me alone here and on my own.