Chapter 3 HOPE

HOPE?

"Sir, I came to see you", said Clara as she closed the door behind her. Emma had encouraged her to meet up with the real estate manager for the studio with a lawyer, and that she'll make arrangements for it. So, Emma had met the real estate agency that helped with the lease and booked a meeting with Clara. That was two days after she had gotten the notice. "Are you the one who arranged to meet me over the phone?", the manager replied. "Yes, sir. I'm here concerning my art studio at the intersection. I got some documents two days ago.." She was searching her bag and then she brought out some files. "These are the documents I received", she said handing them to him. He collected the documents and briefly went through it. "So what should I do for you? It clearly states that your lease has expired and you're to renew it in thirty days time. So what seems to be the problem. I have many important things to attend to", he replied throwing the papers back to her and stood up. "But sir, the other document says that there's a buyer.. La Royale. Isn't this some sort of misunderstanding? I haven't vacated the place and someone has already bought it. Please sir, all I'm asking is that we hold a meeting. You, me and La Royale. We can come to an agreement. They have given me a notice of their intent to buy so can't ..." "There can't be anything done here", he cut her short and turned to her. "Look!" he said hitting the table. "That studio has been paid for in full. The only help I can render to you at this point is to ask for a meeting. Come with your lawyer. Since he's the new owner of the place, you have to come to an agreement with him. That is if he agrees. My hands are tied here", he continued, showing her his hands. "But..", Clara wanted to ask another question. "I know what you're thinking, dear. But I'm just a real estate agent. You have received the documents which means that we acted according to the Land Act Order of Lirena. The fate of your art studio is no longer in my hands but in the hands of La Royale management." "You'll receive a notice on the date of the meeting because I'll have to notify them as well." Clara didn't know what to say. She just sat there, staring at the documents that would ruin her already struggling career. Her eyes went to the name of 'La Royale' on one of the documents and she sighed heavily. "Are these people seeking me out to destroy me? Why want a small art studio by the road? They're one of the biggest and most popular art establishments in town so why take the crumbs I have when they already have a whole banquet?" She thought to herself. "Hey! Hey!" the man said snapping his fingers in her face. "Aren't you supposed to leave now? I am a very busy person", he added. "Oh! I'll take my leave now", said Clara as she picked the documents on the table and left. She soon got a phone call. It was Emma. "So how did it go?" said Emma on the other line. "Not as I thought it would. He said he can't be of help to me since I've gotten the documents. That he can only arrange a meeting with the buyers." Clara replied. "Okay then. So when's the meeting?" "He said he'll send a notice to both parties with a date and the venue for the meeting. Then, if I can come to an agreement with the buyer, I can still stay in my studio", Clara replied. "I'll send Pete over so you guys can go over the details and prepare whatever you have to say in writing . I'm sure he mentioned you needed a legal representative. Pete will be there by 4pm so don't worry, okay?" Emma added. "What would I do without you, Em?" Clara said with tears in her eyes. "It's nothing, my dear. What are friends for? I'll see you when I see you, alright?" Emma replied. "Bye, Emma", Clara replied and the call ended. She was now standing in front of the real estate agency. She shook her head, distraught. "I should pay my enemies a visit", she said loudly and left. ***************************************Valery was having a cup of coffee by Alex's table. He wasn't in the office. She turned towards his huge portrait facing the entrance and smiled. Walking slowly to the portrait, she took a sip of her coffee and said, "Haven't I been such a diligent secretary, sir Alex?" She touched the portrait and laughed a bit. " Aren't you a fine man?" she asked no one in particular. "We will grow this business together and trample on all our enemies. Hopefully, the rat in that art studio won't cause much of a fuss and just leave", she said with a smirk. "Madam!" Someone barged into the office. "Don't you know how to knock before entering, you low-life?" Valery asked in anger. "I'm .. I'm sorry ma'am", the man said bowing. "But there's someone at the reception and she's refusing to leave unless she meets with the owners of this establishment. She's cursing really loudly ma'am", the janitor added. "So, why am I paying security when some wretch could come in here and make a fuss and not get thrown out?" Valery said hitting the janitor on the head. "Get out! Let me see who is making such a noise here. Or doesn't she know that if you step on a snake, you only get bitten?", she added pushing him away from the door. She made her way to the reception and saw how much commotion was going on. "Would you be quiet?!" Valery yelled. "So, I wasn't wrong? There are actually mad dogs running this shitty place." Valery came closer to see who it was that could come in there and talk in such manner. Getting closer, it was Clara. She came straight from the real estate agency to tell La Royale that they have started a war and that they wouldn't see the end of it. "And who are you?" Valery asked with a disgusted face. She was expecting someone classy to be the one making the noise in the hall. Perhaps, the person wanted to make a deal with them for some art and it wasn't going as they would have liked. But, no! It was some cheaply dressed younger female. "Do you think that because you have a lot of money or because you are well respected, the poor would shut up and accept intimidation? Do you think you can trample on my rights just because you run this place? Huh?! I just want to make things clear..", Clara said pointing at Valery. "..I am not afraid of you." She placed her finger on Valery's forehead and pushed back, a sign that she has been warned. "Don't you dare touch me!" Valery said cleaning her face and dusting her clothes off. "You just came in here to make a noise and didn't say who you are and what you want. I will teach you a lesson that you will never forget." Valery raised her hand to slap Clara but the security got in the way and dragged Clara out as she kept on screaming, "You can't ruin me without a fight!" Valery was shocked at the boldness of this young lady. No one can stand to challenge her, ever. So, who was this middle-class brunette to talk in her face the way she did? "Who was that wretch?" Valery asked the receptionist. "Madam, we didn't get her name. We're sorry", they replied, shaking. Valery was obviously pissed. "Security! Security!", she yelled. "Yes, madam", they replied, their heads bent low. "Find out who she is, where she's coming from, everything. I will deal with her for ruining my peace", Valery said storming out. "Yes, madam!" they chorused.