Chapter 85 - Story Of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER 85: COINCIDENCES and ENCOUNTERS

* * *

Driving around the Western district, Theo saw an Ad on the billboard.

"Matt… Isn't that on Cherry Avenue?"

"Which do you mean?"

"That billboard with the Prime Penthouse."

"Oh, around Sakura Street, yes. Let's visit the place?"

"Sure. And they surely name the streets with the tree's name, is it?"

"To remember fast, yes. Wait, isn't Prime Penthouse owned by your family?"

"I just heard about it from Jeremy… the Shang finished the construction when old Chairman Gibb died. To think about it, Jeremy handles a lot of affairs here in Mainland City."

"It looks that way, and he's having treatments? How can he handle stress with such a workload? My ability is getting evidence and solving even the tough cases, so I could never handle such businesses."

"Ah, that was your family lines of job… from the line of lawyers and agents."

"You're right though. That's what my ancestors' job is, it runs in our blood. And yours is in line with businesses."

"Yeah… even though I am not interested in running an Enterprise, I am bound to this family."

"Hmm, you got your mother's passion… to paint and feel freedom from it. I remember you carrying around a pencil and a small sketch pad."

"Really?"

"Yup!"

"I see… Anyway, let's just have a quick look at the place."

"Oh, there is a good Club there. Pretty girls surely hanging out, and how about we go stop by at their GYM? They have a pleasant pool area. We're allowed to dive."

Theo rose a brow.

"Come on, that was even a common joke!"

"I know. But I have no plan on getting drunk or showing my body to anyone."

"Hey! I— oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

"No problem. I'm not talking about the scar in my back. I am just sensitive to some stuff."

"No, that was me. My joke went overboard. Anyway, it will be easy for you to ask permission to check around since your family is a major investor of this building," Matt apologizes

"Don't mind my mood, I'm just thinking about a lot of things right now."

"Hah. Somehow, having too much wealth is a pain in the ass, is it?"

"It seems, that was my father and Jeremy been getting through all the time. I just have an important project at the moment and I don't know how to approach our model… then Jeremy asked me for such a favor. I can't say no. But I don't know how to please him with it."

"Hum? Who's a model? Maybe I could help you?"

Theo contemplates about it. What would be Matt's reaction if he learns it was Nikki, and they just stole shots of her? Would he beat him up?

"Ah… is the project this sensitive?"

"Something like that…"

"How about your fiancé?"

"Who?"

"Min Xi Hong… Rudolf showed me the articles before he deleted them."

"Who's Rudolf?"

"Ah, brother Rudolf Lao! You also don't remember him. He's the one who works with your father and Madam Nina Shang for the Empire and Li-Shang building's security system. So, he's the one Madam Shang requested to lower down the scandal and put bugs to those websites."

"I see… No wonder I heard nothing about it anymore. Nina did as she promised." Theo heaves a deep sighed. "I was like waking up and walking in an unknown world. Or my head is just empty?"

"Hmm, you sleep for almost a year? Then isolate yourself from the world for how many years?"

"Hah, yeah… Anyway, it's just an arranged-marriage between me and Min Xi, and Jeremy promised to free me if I give him what he wants."

"Is that how your siblings solve things between your family?"

"Like what you said earlier. Having so much wealth is a pain in the ass. So many things to consider every time, and they always thought to solve it by having an heir."

"All right! Family matters are between inside your family. I have no right to say anything, as it is not my affair, except if I put myself in your shoe or Master Jeremy. But, I can be a friend you can call on anytime, anywhere."

Theo glances at Matt. His statement touched him. Somehow, he feels that he has many friends he could rely on.

"So… how many girls do you want tonight?"

"The heck, Matt! The conversation is getting smooth!"

"Haha! I just wanted to lighten the mood."

"Jeez…"

Matt's laugh echoing inside his car. He just shut up when he had to park, and they went inside the building.

"Welcome, Master Shang! My name is Manager Li… I'm sorry for taking the time to assist you. I haven't been informed that you will come by for a visit."

"Don't worry, Manager Li. It's a sudden plan, we will just have a quick visit."

The manager of this tower brought them on the top floor. Matt whistles after seeing the grand house on the top floor and Theo likes the architectural design, a high ceiling window.

"There is a full bath and laundry room below the bedrooms, Master Shang. But the best of this top floor…"

Theo follows Manager Li, taking the passageway between the kitchen and bathroom. His eyes grew wider and marveled in the room. The passage is leading to an open space pool.

"I prefer a gym set below on that top floor, Young Master Shang."

Theo looks up at the open space on the second floor in this area, the manager pointing out. He took the stairs and walked around.

"No. This is best for an open bedroom." Theo stood near the railings, a combination of metal and wood. He places both his palms, rests on it, and glances at the space below him. "That area is perfect for a lounge."

"The gym set could be over there at the foot of the swimming pool," he added

Matt is now able to follow them after he checks out the bedrooms upstairs. Whistling while scanning the entire space room, he commented. "Hah! I wish I had the fortune to rent this place. I could bring various girls each night to boast about my house."

He glanced at Theo, and he was right. The guy is wearing a sour face. "Hey! How about we throw a party here?"

"You can do that, Master Shang. Just let us know ahead to prepare this place. Plenty of supermodels and actresses live in this building. We can send an invitation to them."

"See? We won't have to sweat looking for booties," Matt encouraged him.

"Shut up, Matt!"

"Ouch…" Matt turned to Manager Li, "Ah, sorry about that, Mr. Li. The master is sensitive to this topic," he whispered.

"Ah, pardon! I will remember not to mention anything in the future!" he bowed, sweating.

He doesn't want to lose a job, Manager Li thought.

"Yup. It's for the best!" Matt patted Mr. Li's shoulder. "Ok, Theo! Come here!"

Matt walked toward the floor-ceiling window where he had the neighborhood view.

"What is it? If just a girl you'll point out? Then, no thanks," he ignores Matt.

"Hey! I just want to show you something. Nikki is living around here."

"Is she?" He runs down the stairs and joins Matt.

Matt noticed his face brighten and curiosity displayed on Theo's face.

"As you can see from the neighborhood from here… that building is the Emerald Apartment."

"I see…" How coincidence. Nikki was living nearby to one of their penthouses.

An idea came to him.

"Manager Li, thank you very much for showing us around."

The manager bows at him. "You are very welcome anytime, young Master."

"Let's go, Matt! I'll treat you to a coffee."

"Eh? Just a coffee? We're not throwing a party tonight and inviting sexy babes?"

"Shut up, Matt. You can go to clubs alone."

"Hey! Don't be KJ!"

He scowled. "How dare you call me killjoy? I am older than you!"

"Haha! I realize you and brother Kier have somewhat the same moods."

"Heh!" They were to continue jesting when his phone rings. "Roland?"

"Master! We're heading to the hospital now."

"What happened?"

"Master Jeremy said, he has a few documents to work on…" the other line replied.

"Isn't he supposed to rest?"

"He insisted on going to the hospital."

"Okay. I will meet you there." Theo hangs up the call. "Matt, can you drop me in the hospital?"

"Sure. Is your brother okay?"

"He just wants to work when he is supposed to rest."

"Then, let's go! Will go hunt booties next time."

Theo just rolled his eyes and shook his head when Matt didn't stop teasing him until they arrived at the hospital.

* * *

Theo meets Jeremy in the parking lot.

"What you were thinking?"

Jeremy just smirks at him. "I don't have an heir yet, so I need to work hard."

"Hey, that's not it. You're killing yourself before you even have your heir."

"Then can you hurry?"

Theo did not reply but heave and sighed. "Just take care of yourself. I will stay here for a while now, and fly to Switzerland for important matters, like during the production."

"Eh, master? Then?"

"You will report to me daily if something happens in our office."

Roland and Jeremy look at each other. "Master, do you think, Young master Theo hit his head somewhere?" he whispered.

"Looks a good hit to me," Jeremy smirked.

"Eh?"

The elevator arrives, and they enter inside, but Roland seems to hear something.

"Wait!"

"Hum? Masters, did someone shout?"

Jeremy saw who it was. He held the door.

"What are you doing, Jeremy?"

Theo scolds him when he suddenly raises his walking stick. That was a wrong move by him. His younger brother hadn't known yet that he is stronger more than he sees.

"Oh, thank you!" the girl said.

Theo froze, and Roland opened his mouth. He glanced at Theo with excitement on his face.

Theo just gestures a shush at him. But Roland keeps staring at Nikki. So, Theo pulls his ear and throws a glare to behave.

Roland is pointing secretly at Nikki while he and Theo exchange silent conversation through their eyes.

Jeremy just shook his head while observing these men gesturing like idiots. Gladly, Nikki just ignored her surroundings when suddenly a loud ring from his phone.

The three of them are surprised but suppress not to grin. Until Nikki gets off on the 7th floor.

"Ma- ma… mas- master!"

"Yeah, I heard you. Stop shouting!"

"That's our VIOLET!"

"Yeah. It's Nikki Lindsey…"

"Why haven't you talked to her, yet, Master?"

"Huh?"

"You haven't chatted with her yet, is it?"

"Chatted?" asked Jeremy who he looks up at Theo.

"Ah, that…" darn, his big mouth assistant. "As I said before, we cannot just approach her then telling her about the project," his reasons.

"If you need help, Master, I will be the one tell Miss Nikki that—" his master giving him warning gazes. "Ooookay…" he gestures like zippering his mouth.

Meanwhile, Jeremy got intrigued by what he heard from Nikki's conversation over the phone.

"Theo, aren't you looking at Nikki's mother's records? How was it?"

"Ah, it says, her mother needs surgery, but they were on hold."

"Is there any problem with that?"

"They need a blood donor," he replied to Jeremy.

"Hmm… I will look at the files.." Jeremy fell in deep thought.