Chapter 16

**James POV **

"Tank! “James shouted out his chief of security.

Tank is a 38-year-old, 6'.5'' mountain of man, who can scare even grownups with his physic. Two more employees work under him. All three of them are his personal guards. When you are a billionaire and own an airline company, people think they have bad ideas. Tank and his staff live in a cottage that is left to the mansion he lives in. As all three of them are bachelors they don't have any problem sharing it. However, James made it very clear that if they met someone and wanted to live together with them, they could move out. He will rent out one of his apartments.

Tank has been with him for 10 years now. He was always by his side. And when he bellowed his name, Tank came rushing through the main foyer.

'Yes Mr. McKenzie?', Tank said. He wore the unofficial uniform of bodyguards in the universe-black suit and glasses.

"Please escort Perla out. We have concluded our business", James said his previous aloofness back in place.

"Wait. Wait. Ok, fine. You win James. CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME THE MONEY OF THIS MONTH? Please!", Perla asked loud and clear, her nails baiting into her skin, as her voice suppressed the anger she tried to contain but failed to do so and it seeped out of her words.

"As always Perla, it's a pleasure hearing from you", James said before throwing a bundle of greens on the table and walking out of his house. He wouldn't dare think about cheques. He won't underestimate her talent in weaving a nice story to the bank managers and emptying his accounts. Not that he puts all his eggs in one basket, but he doesn't want her near anything that belongs to him.

He didn't look back to see whether she picked the cash or not. No need to. She picks it up. She always picks it up. Money! She can do anything for it. For once, he wanted to be proven wrong. One-single-fucking-time. He wants her to pick him for a change. To ask about his health, his feelings, his well-being...anything. But he knows he is expecting it from the wrong person. He is imagining what she could be instead of what she is. Perla always preferred money.

James clenched his hands in fear of hitting something he didn't want to. He needs to be alone. He wants to be free of that woman's presence. Every month she lingers she maligns his house. He couldn't stay one more minute in her presence or he feared he would say something he may regret.

Turmoil ran within him as he tried to subdue his emotions. He took one of his cars out of his collection, not caring about its price, and skidded it out of the garage at high speed.

Tank as efficient as always called him before he could drive past the door. James answered the call once he checked the lane and saw no cars in the near vicinity.

"I need some time alone, Tank", he barked his orders.

"This is not the right way to do it, sir. Your life is valuable. Considering the recent events in the company, it's best if I stay with you. Allow me to follow you Mr. McKenzie", Tank requested.

"Recent events? Do you mean Stan? He is harmless. Take it easy, Tank. I may take some time", James said as he tried to wind his temper down.

"Then it's a good thing I'm already behind you sir", Tank said.

"Fuck Tank! I need some time for myself man", James swore at him.

"I'm not sitting beside you in the car sir. My car is half a mile behind you. Do you want me to put more distance sir?", Tank asked with all the sincerity that lacked acquiescent.

"Fuck off Tank! I know your tricks", James bit out.

"Your safety is my priority sir"

"Fine! Do whatever you want. But I don't want to see you in my rearview", James said defeated. He shouldn't have built the cottage so close to his house. This is what comes out of it when he leaves Agatha and Tank conspire behind him. Their blatant disregard for his wishes.

James disconnected the call and sailed through the roads of the outskirts of Atlanta. He drove for hours as the sky turned fiery orange hue. He didn't know how long he drove until he realised that dusk had settled in. Looking at the surroundings James realised he must be nearing the city again after he took the U-turn.

Not in the mood for food, James drove into the city until he encountered a club. He normally visits an exclusive members-only club, not interested in the hustle of money-hungry gold-diggers. But today, he craves anonymity. Without his entourage, he may pass up to a regular man. Unbeknownst to him, people still looked, because he has that aura around him that grabs your attention and makes them look at him.

James entered the Havana club fairly easily once he tipped the bouncer with Benjamin 100 bills. Not interested in pre-sex talk of any type, James sat on the seat provided at the bar counter and ordered his drink.

Though he rarely finds himself in this section of the city, James didn't concern himself with checking the decor of this club or the people in it. He wanted the solitude that comes even while sitting among hundreds. James was nursing his drink, his thoughts running deep when he felt the presence of someone behind him.

He wrote it off as someone wanting a drink until the person was right behind him. James sensed the sweet smell of lavender fragrance. Not like those perfumes girls use that are filled with disgusting smells and irritating. This is more from the shampoo or lotion or whatever the girls use. He wanted to bask in this smell.

James felt a spark of interest in his gut that he thought was long dead. His thoughts turned to the girl behind him. He wanted to touch the skin and feel its softness. Will it be as smooth as the flower? Will it taste like it? He doesn't know how long he mulled these thoughts. At max a mere second. Confused by his thoughts and determined to be left alone, he turned only to find it empty. He looked to his left just in time to see a girl rushing into the lady’s toilet. He felt a pang of disappointment. If a mere second can confuse his thoughts so much, he doesn't know what he will do if he ever met her.

A burst of laughter made him turn to his right to find a couple of girls- one looking like a Barbie and the other dressed-up nerd. Her friends perhaps. They must have dared her to approach him and she failed. Spectacularly. Feeling sorry for the future rip-off she is going to get James left the club, his feet a tad lighter. He never gets to see the girl but thanks to her his mood lightened. 'I wonder who she is', James thought as he drove back home. He wished he could get to see her once. Unbeknownst to him, a shooting star can be seen in the sky.