6. NICK
Iwatched Izzy’s retreating figure, feeling some guilt and disappointment. Sonya”s sudden appearance had thrown a curveball into our already complicated conversation.
I turned to Sonya, who was still pouting, and sighed. “Sonya, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to take a rain check on our plans. Something urgent has come up.”
She raised an eyebrow, her pout transforming into a scowl. “Again, Nick? You’re always so busy.”
I didn’t bother to smile or apologize further. “I already told you from the beginning that I’m a busy man, and my businesses and investments take priority in my life. I never promised you anything.”
“We’ve only had two dates!” Sonya wailed, looking aggravated. “Why can’t you see my value or appreciate me?”
I suddenly regretted my decision to ever go out with her. “You knew that I wasn’t into relationships, and I’ve never been in a committed relationship with any woman.”
“So, those dates meant nothing to you? How about sleeping with me?”
“Just forget about me, Sonya,” I said it so dismissively that she didn’t have time to react. Then I made a hasty exit.
Just as I stepped back into the reception area, my phone rang. It was one of my key employees, and the urgency in his voice immediately grabbed my attention.
“Mr. Hale, we’ve got a major problem,” he said. “The factory in Springfield has flooded, and it’s causing severe damage to our equipment. There are reports of affected workers as well.”
My heart sank, and a sense of worry washed over me. “Tell me the specifics. How bad is it, and has anyone been hurt?”
He proceeded to give me the grim details of the situation, and I felt the weight of responsibility pressing on my shoulders. The welfare of the workers and the state of our equipment were significant concerns, and I knew I needed to act swiftly to mitigate the damage and ensure the safety of those involved.
I continued to speak with him as I rushed into one of the elevators. There were about three people in there, but I hardly noticed them.
“You probably heard about the storm yesterday?” my employee continued over the phone. “It went on for hours, and I guess the deforestation in the upstream areas nearby had finally taken a toll. There was also coastal flooding involved.”
“Deforestation? Coastal flooding?” Our Springfield factory was located near the coast, but this was the first time something like this had occurred.
The elevator began to move down. Two people got out.
“Yes, sir. I’ve heard that due to climate change, coastal flooding has become one of the effects and it’s been happening throughout different states.”
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath. Suddenly, I remembered Izzy’s story about her father, and it somehow triggered something within me. “George, email me the full report. See to it that no one gets hurt. Attend to the workers’ needs at once. Then check all the equipment and give me a rundown of what can still be repaired, what needs to be replaced, and how much everything will cost. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. I’ll talk to you soon.”
I hung up the call, my mind racing with concerns about the flooded factory and the well-being of the workers. It was a complex situation that demanded immediate attention, and I couldn”t afford any delays.
Suddenly, I heard a scoffing sound from behind me. I turned around, only to find Izzy standing there with a haughty expression on her face.
“Well, well, Mr. Hale,” she remarked, her tone dripping with condescension. “It seems that Mother Nature has a way of reminding us about the importance of taking care of the environment, doesn’t she?”
I was taken aback by her presence, not realizing earlier that she’d been in the elevator with me. She must have heard my side of the conversation, and this reminded me of how our argument at the party began.
She looked at me, her blue-gray eyes sparkling with a hint of superiority, as if to say, “I told you so.”
I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance. “It’s none of your business.”
“Of course. But I guess now you must be realizing why some of us will have to step up and take action in championing sustainable, eco-friendly practices in the way we do things. As you said, you’ve got the wealth and power. For a change, why don’t you utilize that to advocate for something beneficial to our home planet—to humanity and not just for your own bank account, huh?”
I couldn’t believe she had the nerve to tell me that. I was quickly losing my patience, and I could feel an edgy tension thickening in the air. And because I hesitated in my response, she sneered at me.
Just like at the party, the way she was talking to me not only got on my nerves, but also began to arouse me. I could sense the familiar desire itching to be released from within. That desire which had haunted me since we shared that wild night.
I gazed into her intense eyes and saw her nose twitch and her lips curl up in a scornful manner. I observed a little bead of sweat breaking out on her delicious-looking skin.
“I am losing my patience with you, Miss Turner.”
Her eyes widened, and I knew that she could sense what was coming next. On instinct, she placed a hand on my chest, probably to stop me from leaning forward to kiss her. But when she did that, my hand flew over hers, gripping it tightly. And once again, that touch sent a million shivers racing down my spine, and heat began to gather in my groin.
The elevator lurched without warning. It came to an abrupt halt, and the movement threw us over to one wall. I felt my body pressing against hers, trapping her between myself and the wall of the small space. My heart seized and lodged in my throat.
Then everything went pitch black.