THE RISE OF JORDAN RIVERS

CLEANING UP THE GUY

The manager continued howling for help from the guard. But the guard was extremely frightened of Jordan now. He did not move an inch from his spot. He was still battling whether to call for help for his boss from the inside when a female voice interrupted them. 

“What is happening? What the heck is going on here?” Anna spoke as she stopped behind Jordan.

Jordan released the manager’s hand, who then walked a safe distance from Jordan as he groaned, soothing the pain in his hand. He hoped that the hand did not develop an internal injury due to the pain he was experiencing.

The manager’s groans stopped the moment he saw Anna's face. His face dropped and formed deep furrows. He could not help but wonder whether there was any truth in Jordan’s words. He hoped there wasn't, because if there were, he knew they were in for big trouble.

“Jordan, what happened? Why didn't you go in?” Anna asked with a deep frown on her face.

‘She knows this beggar’s name? Could it be possible that this stinking beggar was telling the truth? The manager was appalled and horrified.

“Well, according to these two, I am nothing but a beggar who is cheating to get a meal here. They could not let me in.” Jordan replied.

“What? Didn't you tell them that I was with you?” Anna spoke.

“I did. I told them I was with Anna De’Luka, and believe me, I tried my best to explain myself. They just wouldn't listen.” Jordana replied.

Anna was infuriated. She could not believe that the manager and the security guard disrespected her guest like that. She turned to the manager, whose face was so pale.

“How dare you two? You know what? You both are so fired!” Anna spoke.

“No!” The manager snapped, falling to his feet before the furious Anna. “Do not do this to me, please, I beg you! I will apologize to him all you want, but don't fire me, please.” The manager pleaded.

“Your apology is totally meaningless at this point!” Anna affirmed, turning to her bodyguards. “Boys?” She called, and the guards came closer.

“Yes, ma'am!” They chorused, bowing in respect.

“Escort these two out of the compound and make sure they are not ever seen, even just snooping outside! Two of you should remain here and keep guard. I will take care of the manager’s replacement.” She ordered.

“As you say, ma'am! We will see to it!” The head of her bodyguards responded.

As the guards walked to escort the manager and the security guard out of the compound, Anna held Jordan’s hand, and they both walked inside.

“Hey! I am so sorry. I did not recognize your clothes. I am embarrassed because you look like this, because you fought for me last night.” Anna apologized as soon as they settled into their seats.

She was sincerely sorry for how Jordan was handled. If only people knew why he was shabby was because he rescued someone from danger… and that lucky person was none other than her…

“It is not your fault, Anna. You don't need to apologize.” Jordan responded calmly, urging a smile to make Anna feel better.

She smiled back faintly, then stopped to think for a minute. She wanted to do something for Jordan. She did not want people to insult him for being shabby again.

“We have some VIP rooms with bathrooms on the third floor here. You could freshen up!” Anna suggested it nicely.

Jordan was not so pleased with his situation. More than anyone else, he wanted to at least have a bath and scour off the smell of blood and dirt from his body.

“I can't turn such an offer down. If it is no problem for you, that is.” He responded.

“It is nothing. So, here.” She fished out a card from her Gucci purse and handed it to him. She added. “Room no. 5D.”

“Okay,” Jordan responded as he stood from the chair and strode to the lift.

 When Jordan disappeared from her sight, Anna thought it would be nice if he could have a change of clothes as well. Some nice shoes too. Some kind of a makeover would be nothing compared to what she owed the man.

At the snap of a finger, three guards stood before her, bowing.

“At your service, ma'am!” One of them said.

“You all saw my guest well, right?” She queried.

“Yes, Miss Anna!” They answered.

“I want a nice-fitting suit and nice shoes for him. Get them from the city mall and be super quick about it!” She said.

“Right away, Miss Anna!” The guards responded and left.

Minutes later!

Anna made her way to the room that she had sent Jordan to a few minutes ago. A blue custom-made tuxedo and a lustrous pair of diamond-studded Tom Ford shoes rested in her hands, held with care.

She entered the room and found Jordan still in the shower. She knocked lightly on the bathroom door, and his voice came in.

“Who is it?” Jordan was quizzed.

“It’s me, Anna! I brought you some clothes to change into.” Anna explained.

“Ohh. Thank you so much. You can put them on the bed. I am almost done here.” Jordan said.

Anna walked to the bed and placed the suit and shoes on it. She then walked out to give Jordan some privacy to dress up, opting to wait for him outside.

After a minute of waiting, a figure appeared from the lift and caught her sight. It was a male figure, and a beaming grin could be easily detected on his lips as he approached her. However, that was not the case with Anna. She was frowning. And if it were up to her, the latter and she would never run into each other, even in the afterlife. 

Derrick was a dickwhore in sheep’s clothing to tame his next prey. She had heard his rotten stories, and they suffocated her to the core. His mere being disgusted by her and his persistence in asking her out was beginning to make her ears itch. She wished the galling guy could just hug her into his chest and leave her alone.

“What in the world is this beauty doing all alone here, huh? Ooh, wait. Now I get why I ended up on this floor. Your allure was calling me, baby.” Derrick said in his charming, seductive tone. It was the look that a guy wears whenever he wants to lure some girl into his trap.

Anna did not like any of his words. If there was anything the guy had proven to be so good at in that short period that they had known each other, it was his annoying characteristic and imposing his charm on her even when he knew it was not working.

“So, will today be my lucky day? Will I finally have the chance to have this beauty as my date today?” Derrick added when Anna remained mute.

Anna shook her head and smirked bitterly.

“Look, Derrick. I have told you time and again that…”

She was cut short as the door behind her sprang open, revealing Jordan exiting in a brand-new suit and a pair of shoes that made him shine like a diamond. He was the perfect embodiment of a beauty god.

Derrick’s eyes widened as he took in Jordan’s outfit and the wet hair. For some reason, he felt jealous and furious.