30. Holding In

Paul - Wolves Inc Office Building
After paperwork, meetings, and lunch with the staff, I return to my office for more paperwork. It's the price I have to pay for my fortune. There are many different types of wealthy guys out there.
Those born into wealthy families are some of the most fortunate. Then some businessmen are ruthless and believe that taking advantage of others is the only way to succeed. The lack of this trait makes me struggle to maintain the position I have today. If I stop working, everything can collapse.

Massaging my temples, I realize how tired I am. I couldn't sleep at all. Instead, all I did last night was stare at the ceiling.
In the cafeteria, I strained to focus my sight on the individuals I was conversing with rather than seeking Laura. Her perfume enveloped me once again, so I knew she was there. My body and soul hunger for her, and I can no longer ignore it. I'm not sure what to say or whether I can look her in the eye again after last night.
Laura's scent is still lingering in my nostrils, preventing me from doing anything else. My mind wanders, not finding an answer to my problems. No words can make up for my deeds, for my foolishness in obeying Tamara.
My train of thought is abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come in!” My voice comes out thin and cuts off at the end, not yet prepared to face reality again.
Irina comes through the door's slight opening. Her hair is tied back in a bun, and she wears a dark blue suit. "Bogdan Badea is here to see you."
“You can let him in.”
I'm not in the mood to welcome him, but I can't think of a decent reason not to. Alin and Bogdan are two loose ends that I need to tie up as soon as possible. Laura, sadly, is all my mind can conjure up at the moment.
I listen to the door opening and closing before I hear the sound of footsteps approaching my desk. Then I look up at him. Bogdan wears a big grin on his face. This comes as no surprise since the man smiles too much for my liking. I’ve always regarded him as a sly guy, but after what Laura has told me, I should not dismiss him too quickly.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Badea.” I stand up to shake his hand, which he does gladly.
“Paul, I’m so happy you had the time to receive me. Sorry for not announcing my visit.”
“No problem, though I wasn’t expecting you until the next board meeting.”
We shake hands, and that bright smile doesn't fade. We sit down.
"I wanted to check up on some things around here, but everything seems in order. Actually, my day is even better than I thought it would be."
"Interesting." I set my elbows on the table and cross my fingers together, raising an eyebrow to show my interest. "How so?"
“Before bragging, I’ll ask you something first. Do you have any intentions regarding Laura Nedelcu?”
Suddenly, maintaining an amiable smile is the hardest thing in the world. A muscle on my upper cheek twitches as I struggle to maintain the same expression as before he dropped this bomb on me.
"Of course not." I chuckle and puff. My answer comes a little too late for my liking, so I have to make up for it. "We flirted a bit, but it wasn't a big deal. Why do you ask?"
He remains smiling, but his eyes sweep my face for any sign of dishonesty. "Because I just asked her out on a date, and she said yes."
I had to swallow a gasp when I heard the final part. Widening my smile into a grin, I lean on the backrest. "I suppose congrats are in order."
"Thank you." Bogdan rises from his chair. "I wanted to stay longer, but I've got a date tonight, so I need to hurry up. I hope you understand."
“Sure, I get it. Don’t let me keep you. Good luck tonight!”
Clutching the edge of the table, I wait for him to get out of my office. Then I wait some more to make sure he won’t be able to hear me. The rage I hold inside demands a tribute. Screaming on the inside, I devastate my desk. The laptop falls to the ground in pieces. But I don’t let out the roar I feel igniting in my chest because that might be heard ten blocks away.
My first impulse is to go to Laura and confront her. But I can’t face her right now, not after what I did last night. As I punch the desk, splinters pierce my skin, but I don’t feel any pain.
“What’s up, boss?”
Exhaling deeply, I look at Dan, who has just entered the room. He never knocks, but he’s one of the few people who have that privilege.
"Dan, order a new laptop and a desk." I take another deep breath in an attempt to calm down and think straight. "And follow Bogdan Badea. Find out where he’s going tonight. I need the name and address of the restaurant."
“Sure thing, boss.”
Dan has a small smile as he leaves the room, but I don’t question him. At least he doesn’t ask why I’m like this because that would be a tough one to answer.
I sink into my chair, grateful that I didn’t destroy this too. Bits and pieces of a plan start to form inside my mind as I am finally able to think calmly. I pick up the phone from my pocket, much obliged that it wasn’t on the desk.
After a few beeps, I hear Cristian’s clear, happy voice. “Hi, Paul!”
“Hi, Cristian! I need your help.”
“Sure.” He giggles joyfully. “Why else would you call me?”
“I have no time for small talk so I’ll be brief. I need a woman for tonight.”
He promptly answers my question with another question. “Any preferences?”
“Gorgeous. That’s it.”
“Oh, Paul. That’s an easy one!”