Ella's POV
I glance at the man meaningfully, and he walks away. I'm glad he gets the message without saying it to his face that I need privacy in answering James' call.
"James, how do you get into a phone?"
A chuckle rumbles from the other line. "Someone lets me. Don't worry."
"Can I talk about something confidential?" I furrow my brows, half expecting he'd say no.
"Of course, dear."
"Who is this man that brings this phone over?"
"One of my trusted men." I run my eyes around, looking for the man. My eyes finally rested on his silhouette through the glass walls. He's standing outside, his back facing me.
I also look around me, checking for somebody's presence to be sure. I just can't allow anyone to eavesdrop on me. Sitting on the end corner and facing both the exit door and the interior of the café, I have the advantage. I can easily spot intruders.
"James, I have talked to Mr. D. He's only willing to take my offer if he can be a shareholder."
"What did you tell him?" comes his reply right away. It suddenly sends shivers down my spine because I suspect that he's testing my capabilities to handle matters such as this.
"I told him I'll get back to him."
"Uhm, it's expected of him. He'll only let go of his loyalty if the offer is much higher than what he is currently getting." His tone becomes gentle, the voice of the man I fell in love with.
"Are you agreeing to his condition?"
"Yes, baby."
"But he wants the biggest share." I hold my breath, waiting for his reply. Silence envelopes us for a couple of seconds until I hear his voice again.
"60/40? Or, 70/30?"
"We haven't talked about it yet."
"Uhm, give him what he asks for. I don't care. Jamella Tech is registered under sole proprietorship, so it's easier to give in to his demands."
A massive shock runs through my system that I stare at the phone, wondering if James is in his right mind. He seems to read my mind through my sudden silence because he speaks again.
"It's just money, baby. I can give you more soon. What I want is the downfall of Kim Yuan, caused by someone Kim depended on. Stealing Dennis from him is like crippling him throughout his lifetime. Just as what he's doing to me now."
"You don't have a slight idea of my sufferings here, nor the difficulties I try hard to overcome. I even wonder sometimes if I can still live another day. So, I couldn't care less if Den is the one who will get the larger benefit, as long as I get what I want. Anyway, you still have your share. And we will start another business soon while you're currently expanding both Jamella chain of restaurants and Jamella Tech."
I can't believe my ears. What was too difficult for me sounds so petty for James. I even appointed a CEO for both Jamella Tech and Jamella Restaurants, so that I can focus on doing what he asks of me. He is the reason why I come to the Philippines – to know more about Mr. Kim Mori and how to topple him down through Mr. D.
"Babe, are you still there?" comes his voice, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I'm just thinking about those things you say."
"Alright. Anything else?"
"James- "
"Yes?"
"Why did you say "soon? Are you planning to escape?"
"Can't we start another business even if I'm still here?"
I just nod, forgetting that he can't see me. I feel bad about this, and I'm sure a plan to escape is already brewing up.
"Babe?"
"James, I broke up with Zed. I didn't know the entire story. I'm sorry. You didn't want to see me, so I thought you don't want me anymore."
"Good," he chuckles. "I had wanted to set you free, but after knowing we have a baby, I changed my mind. So I hope you can still wait for me."
"Hmm." Tears sting my eyes as I listen to him, my hand subconsciously moving to my navel. "Be good, James. Stay away from any trouble. Time flies fast."
"Uhm."
"James, can we get married? I don't want our son to be illegitimate. And also, I want to see you more often."
Silence falls again. I wonder what he is thinking.
"James?"
"I'll think about it," comes his voice. "But are you sure you haven't fallen in love with Zed?"
I froze. Yet, I know I have to think fast.
"James, I was lonely. You rejected my efforts to see you. So, when I accidentally come across him, I grab the opportunity to provide a complete family to our child. And Zed doesn't love me. His heart is still with Yen. I even caught them making out despite our engagement. He's only using me," my voice cracks halfway through my statement, that I'm already sniffing at the end.
"I'm already here, babe."
"Yes. Thank you."
I start sobbing, and he listens to me for a few minutes, showering me with comforting words. I never expect such softness inside of him despite the image he portrays.
"I have to go now, Ella. I am sorry that I have to cut this. Please take care of our baby. I love you."
"I love you, too, James."
I smile as I end the call, tears still streaming down my face. When I lift my head to look at the man, I find him looking back at me. I raise my hand, gesturing for him to come over. He also walks briskly towards me.
"Mr.?"
"Greg," he says, pursing a smile.
"Mr. Greg, thank you. You don't know how happy I am now. But how will I talk to him next time?"
"I can't tell, ma'am. It's not all the time Mr. Mori can have access to phones."
"How did he do it now?"
Mr. Greg looks at me, his gaze searching for clues. I know he's bound to a commitment to keep everything confidential between James and him. And he's not sure if I'm someone he can trust.
"I'm with you, Mr. Greg. I even ask James for marriage. And he won't send you to see me if I'm not with him."
He finally nods. "He has people preparing the way for him even before he got his final verdict."
My eyes fly wide. "How?"
Mr. Greg's eyes turn sharp, perhaps wondering why I don't know about it, granting that I just claimed that I'm with them.
"Hmm, Mr. Greg, James didn't want me to be in his world because of the baby. So, to be safe, he keeps things from me. But I want to help. How can I do it if I'm blind to his plans?"
"He had men preparing for his entry and escape out of prison, even before he received the final verdict. He already had the fingerprints of those fake guards registered in the jail's security system. So, every Thursday, the real guards are knocked out by his men, and the fake ones come in."
If my eyes could be removed from their sockets, I would already find them on the floor.
"But how?"
"The warden and one of the guards have identical twins who underwent surgery to make them look exactly like their other halves. The rest are paid ahead with large sums so that the authority won't trace it down to James."
"What do you mean by "knocked out?"
"Their food is spiked with long-acting sedatives. So, at the end of their duty, they are easily transported to a hideout."
"What if those other guards would kiss and tell?"
Mr. Greg shakes his head. "They do nothing except zipping their mouths."
"How about the cameras?" My heartbeats have now gone crazier. Each question makes my heart pound louder in my ears that I no longer hear my voice.
"It's taken care of, long before Mr. Mori's entry."
I pull up a deep breath, exhaling it slowly to calm down my nerves.
"Remember, Miss Sahara, Mr. Mori works for the Yamaguchi-Gumi group, known as the Yakuza."