Burning Passion

CHAPTER EIGHT: REFUSED 

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Nikki watches her step downstairs, hesitant to approach them, but she needs to talk to the person interested in buying the land. She closely studied these men's faces. Her work and training educated her and equipped her with knowledge about distinguishing a person's motive, and she could sense that they are dangerous people.

"Good afternoon, Miss Lindsey."

The man that stood as the leader greeted her politely. But she doesn't like the way he smiles.

"Pleasant afternoon, Mr. Hale, if I am not mistaken?" 

"Yes, I am. Brandon Hale." He stretched his hand toward Nikki. "But you can call me Brandon. You need not be precise to me."

She doesn't like to accept his hand, but she doesn't want to be rude. And so it obliged her to handshake with Brandon Hale.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Brandon."

Brandon laughs at her response. She doesn't want to act like they were close by calling each other's names. There should be a boundary, a line in between, especially that she just met them.

"All right. I will be fine with that..." He said while he squeezes her palm.

Nikki pulled her hand and smiled coldly. How dare he?! She actually doesn't like his behavior. She wanted to glare at him, but; she had to keep her head. She handles the training of exemplary service to their customers even if they act rudely and highly. That is why; she is used to him.

She tried to keep her calm and control herself to act still friendly. Smiling, even if it's fake. But she had the urge to beat this guy. He is so ma-presko, and ma-yabang is her impression.

"Well, Miss Lindsey. I like your place. It was perfect for what I am looking for. I could immediately wire the money if we can sign the agreement today."

Brandon Hale smirks while stating this, and she feels hostility toward him.

"Um, about that, Mr. Brandon. I want to consult the Land Office about my grandparent's heritage first hand. And so, I cannot seal the deal right now," she said that made Alvin wrinkled his forehead. He is giving her a questioning look.

"I thought, you want to meet because you need the money right now."

Brandon Hall emphasizes the last three words. Nikki was even more astounded toward this guy. But she has to stay composed.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hale. I thought you would only survey the place and not to make the deal," she returned, irritated.

"All right. It seems like there is a misunderstanding here. Alvin explains to me how you needed the amount for your mother's surgery. And so, I'm even willing to pay double your price, and I have cash if you prefer it and the documents we have to sign on."

"Then, this is truly a misunderstanding. Besides, I am not the one who should sign them but my mother, in which she doesn't know yet."

Nikki ignored how Alvin gestured at her. He looks confused and dumbfounded. She admits she told Maureen differently. She wants to sell this property as soon as possible, like today. But she doesn't trust Brandon Hale.

She feels that he does illegal businesses, and possibly this place will turn as his base. Yes. She has this wild imagination running inside her head. Reading too many Webnovel stories planted random scenarios in her brain and showing images of possibilities.

And it was too obvious. He will pay even double, which where the money came from? She presumes it was from his illegal business. He was far less handsome and far less manly than Mafia bosses she knew.

For example, Mr. Daichi Isagawa and Major Andrew Lawrence; sadly, now they are happily married. But that doesn't decrease their character being great men.

Brandon Hale must know them, but he has the guts to do illegal activities, and even he plans to do it here? She won't allow that.

"Are you playing with me, Miss Lindsey?" Brandon Hale shows disappointment, and he frowns at her.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hale. My conscience just chides me. I have to be honest with my mother first. I can't lie to her," she reasons.

Oh my God! What a stupid reason she gives. But she just wanted to end this conversation, and these men had to leave. They now began staring at her furiously. She regretted having made a sudden decision and did not confirm anything first if the buyer has a good background that assures her to take care of the place and not for dangerous movement.

Brandon Hale has now left with his men. Nikki was just able to breathe after the car vanished from her sight. The guy is showing how he didn't like the result of their dialogue. He was angry. But she won't sell this land to the kind of him.

"What happened?" Maureen asked curiously. She was just sitting from the distance to rest her legs, but she could feel the tension that builds up earlier while her husband and Nikki having conversed with Brandon Hale.

"He is not worthy to have this land, sister Maureen," she replied.

"This is insane, Nikki! Can't you see? He will pay double the price! That would be a big help to Aunt Lucy's medication!"

"I'm sorry, brother Alvin. But, I have my reasons," she asserted.

Now she began pondering why Alvin insisted she sells the land to Brandon Hale. Impossible that he does not understand or notice that he looks like a man who does dark stuff.

"Okay. Enough, Alvin. If Nikki doesn't like to sell this land to Brandon Hale, then it's her rights."

Thankful she is that Maureen understands her. Before evening, Nikki goes back to Hanford Train Station to go home. She did make some clarification with Alvin and Maureen of what she wanted to happen. They need to check the background of whoever wanted to buy the land. She won't just give it away to anyone like Brandon Hale.

But once again, she earns no good results today. With each passing day, her mother's chance to live is getting thinner. She heaves a hopeless sigh, looking outside the window of this train.

What a day....