86 Fertown

Frost arrived at Fertown at about a few minutes past six PM. He went to his usual hotel and lodged in the same room as he had always done. He took a cool shower and ordered some food. While he awaited his room service delivery, he place a call to Jane’s official line using an anonymous number. After calling twice with no response, he sent a short message that read:

[Unknown: Hello cupcake, congratulations to both of us on a job well done. Bring along very few important things you will need and me up at Fertown. I don’t think you’re safe with the whole commotion. I’m pulling you out. Delete this message after reading it. Kisses and hugs.]

Frost had been in a cheerful spirit ever since he left the venue for the just concluded fashion show. He had enthusiastically watched Ella, walk the runway with all her models behind her. She was booed as she waved her hands, introducing herself as the brain and CEO behind the wonderful designs displayed. As if the humiliation was not enough, an anti-fan of her brand stood up and shouted, ‘gold-digging sl*t.’

Frost couldn’t contain his joy as he watched Ella mask her pain and left the stage amidst all the negative comments she received. He almost laughed his heart out when the deranged Chloe ran up the stage and tried to attack Ella’s models. It was just too dramatic and priceless to watch. Chloe was such a hilarious and disdainful actress. If only she knew that she was the thief, he chuckled within.

At some point during the show, when Frost caught sight of Leon’s monstrous glares, he felt an inner chill. He also noticed an influx of more security men into the event and this got him worried. There and then, he decided that he would pull Jane out of Ella’s company that night. He also planned on flying her out of Amzone city.

—————-

Jane felt her heartbeat stop momentarily and resumed drumming sporadically at the mention of Fertown. She quickly figured out that Frost had contacted her as promised. Although, he chose the worse time to communicate with her. For a second, she wished she could freeze time and dash out of the room. She couldn’t just reveal Frost’s identity. She would jeopardize a lot of things by doing so. Hence, she decided to lie.

“I have a girlfriend in Fertown,” Jane lied between her teeth. I promised her that I would visit her after the fashion show.

“Really?” Ella grinned evilly. “How about you call her right now stating that you will be postponing your visit.”

.....

“There wouldn’t be any need,” Jane spoke rather hastily. She knew calling her precious Frost would put him in danger.

“Don’t you think that would be so rude, to keep someone hanging?” Ella said quizzically. “If I were your friend, I would be mad. So, I don’t want your good friend to be mad at you.” Ella smirked and took Jane’s mobile phone from Leon’s hands. “Jane, take a deep breath. I will dial your girlfriend’s number now. You are simply to tell her that you are currently heavily engaged. Hence, she should expect you some other time.”

“No, please, I don’t...”

“Shhhh!” Ella cautioned Jane with a deadly stare. She dialed the number and placed it on the loudspeaker so that everyone in the room could hear.

After the second ring, a sexy male’s voice was heard. He simply said, “My honey cupcake, is that you? Are you home yet? I am at our love den, totally nude, waiting for you.” Ella ended the call.

“That is Frost’s voice, I swear on my late grandfather’s grave.” Denise’s eyes flashed with shock and ire. “You evil brat, you sold us to Frost?” Denise stood up and charged toward Jane.

SMACK!

SMACK!

SMACK!

Denise unleashed three ear-deafening spicy slaps on Jane’s face, causing her to lose her vision momentarily. “This is for lying to our faces, for betraying this company, and for hurting my best friend.” Denise felt relieved after releasing a bit of her bottled-up anger.

Leon stood up and walked to the far end of the room. He placed a call to his men, who had tailed Frost and were currently in Fertown. He instructed them to discreetly pick him up and take him to the warehouse. He also warned that Frost must not be touched as he wanted to reserve that honor for his wife.

Afterward, Leon instructed his men to do a general sweep of the ARILPORTER BOSS fashion company. He stated that every recorded security footage, which had been captured from Jane’s resumption in the company to date, should be compiled and secured as evidence. He also instructed that every staff of the company, especially those Jane had mingled with should be interrogated properly before there were allowed to go home.

While Jane was reeling in pain and anguish from Denise’s slap, Ella turned her attention to Abby.

“Abby, I am truly disappointed in you.” Ella’s frosty tone conveyed her disgust and bitterness. “The missing file was not your fault, as we have a repulsive criminal in our midst. However, your next ill-thought action placed this company in a difficult spot. If you had spoken up on time, we could have nib the bud before it germinated.” Ella paused for a while to control her rampaging emotions.

“I’m so sorry...”

“Don’t!” Ella interrupted her pleas. “It’s too late to cry over spilled milk. You have jeopardized and tainted this young company with your deceitful lies. Hence, I have come to a decision concerning you. Effective immediately, you cease to be a staff of this company. I don’t work with liars! You are fired!”

“Oh no!” Abby fell to the ground and started wailing like someone who had just lost a baby.

“You should be grateful that I am not pressing charges for the suffering you have brought upon this company and yourself. Also, make sure you avail yourself when the court hearing commences.” Ella’s hardened heart was unmoved by Abby’s tears.

All Ella saw was a betrayer, who would do more damage to the company if kept around. The fact that she had lied about something so trivial could only paint a picture of someone, who would lie her way out of a troublesome situation.

When Abby saw that Ella’s mind was made up, she turned her frustration to Jane. She instinctively jumped on Jane and started brandishing her face with slaps while pulling at her hair and screaming at the top of her voice. “You witch! You demon from hell! Look at what you have caused! I’ll strangle you! I kill you!”

“Take this raving lunatic out of this premises,” Ella irked voice was slightly raised.

Instantly, Abby was pulled away from the miserably beaten Jane, kicking, crying, and screaming at the top of her voice. “Noooooo! Please! Forgive me! Forgive me!” Her voice trailed.

Jane lay on the floor crying and looking like a frightened wounded kitten who had picked a fight with a bulldog. Her face was slightly swollen and filled with nail scratches from all the numerous slaps. Her hair was looking badly disheveled like someone who had gone unprepared into a catfight. Her body was limp and her heart was shattered into a million pieces. She was horrified at the thought of what might befall her precious Frost.

As earlier instructed, a general sweep was conducted in the company and a brief general meeting was held.

In the meeting, anchored by Denise, everyone was admonished on the need to always be professional when carrying out their duty. It was also announced that the company would be facing a trial time hence, everyone should be careful about what they say or how they acted outside the company. There were strictly warned against doing anything that would further jeopardize the state of the company. There were also made to sign a confidentiality agreement with the company. Finally, it was announced that Abby and Jane were no longer staff members of the company.

At the end of the meeting, staff members were permitted to go home.

—————-

Frost sat up on the bed while looking at his phone with a puzzled expression. This was unlike Jane’s to call him without saying anything. He raked his hair using his hands as he contemplated whether to return the call or not. After weighing his pros and cons, he decided not to call her. He concluded that it might not be safe for her to talk. He let out a short sigh and dropped his phone on the bed. He was about to stand up from the bed when he heard a gentle tap on his door.

“Room service!” A gentle female voice called out.

“Oh, good!” He lazily walked towards the door and opened it.

A pretty dark skin lady greeted politely and smiled as she rolled the food cart in. She gently placed Frost’s order on the table and was about to leave when Frost stopped her.

“You brought the wrong bottle of wine! I specifically requested red wine! Can’t you people follow a simple order?” Frost queried in an irritated tone, as he scrutinized what was served.

“Oh, sorry Sir! I’ll go get it right away. I guess the bar section made a mistake with your request.” The waitress quickly excused herself from the room.

Frost shook his head slightly and sighed out loud when the waitress left the room in a hurry. He shut the door and sauntered towards his bed. He was about to sit down when he heard another gentle tap on his door.

“What the hell!” He angrily walked back to the door and boomed in a loud voice. “Who’s there!”

“Room service!” The sweet gentle voice of the black waitress echoed in the hallway.

“You must be kidding me!” Frost reopened the door, ready to spill his guts when a cold silencer kissed his forehead.

“Shit!” Frost took wobbly steps back into his room.