"I'll head to the company first." Zayn kissed the back of Carla's hand and told Brandy to push him away. He hugged his kids outside and said goodbye, then he got into the car.
Carla knew Zayn was trying to give her some space, and she was wondering why Roland was being so secretive. What kind of matter will it be?
She took Roland to the study room and made some tea for him.
"What happened? Did something happen to Diane?" she asked.
"No, no, " Roland answered hastily.
"Um, well, do you still remember Queenie?"
"No, I don't. Who is she?" Carla shook her head.
"Well, she was the girl you wanted me to hire. You know, to stand in for you during sex with Boris, " Roland explained clearly, as he was starting to get nervous.
"Oh, I remember her now." Carla nodded.
"So what about her?"
"She, well…" Roland frowned. He hesitated for a while, then he said the truth, "She's diagnosed with AIDS."
"What did you just say?" Carla's eyes widened. She was in shock for a long while, then she asked, "When did this happen?"
"She's only diagnosed with it yesterday. Poor girl." Roland heaved a long, sad sigh.
"She's probably infected when she was acting as an escort for an overseas client."
"Hold it for a minute, " Carla stopped him.
"You're saying that she's already a carrier when she was standing in for me back when she dated Boris?"
"Yes." Roland nodded solemnly.
"I got the news at around five this morning. I tried to call you, but I couldn't get through, so here I am."
He was frustrated but also feeling guilty.
"I am really sorry, Ms. Lierger. I have no idea about this at all. I wouldn't have hired Queenie if I had known she has AIDS. We were in a hurry that night, so I had no time to screen the candidates."
"You are not to blame for this." A frown furrowed Carla's brows.
"The point is, Boris stayed at the residence for quite a while after that one nightstand. It'll be a disaster if the disease was transmitted. And besides…"
Carla was reminded of Nella. Boris must have had sex with Nella. She might be infected as well.
"That is exactly what I was thinking too." Roland was finally panicking.
"This can turn into a full-blown disaster, and I couldn't bring this up around Mr. Giblo. Ms. Lierger, I suggest that you and your family get checked. Just to be sure. And please talk about this to Mr. Giblo. Talk about it long and deep. Tell him what happened."
Roland had known Zayn for many years, and he knew the kind of person Zayn was. He didn't want to cause a misunderstanding and raise another conflict between Zayn and Carla.
"I'll tell him about this. Don't worry about it." Carla wasn't worried. In fact, she assured Roland, "He's a lot different than he used to be. His temper isn't as short as it was, so don't be scared."
"I see. That is good to hear." Roland nodded furiously.
"Tell me if you need my help."
"I will." Carla nodded and gave him a check.
"You should quit your job at Stifling Night and find a respectable field of work to support yourself. Maybe you can open up a business. Oh, give Queenie some money, but use your account for that transaction. Help her and her family out."
"You don't have to give me any money, Ms. Lierger. You've given me enough."
"Just take it." Carla stuffed the check in his hand.
"It's not a lot of money anyway. Half of it belongs to Queenie. The other half is your reward."
"Very well then." Roland took the money from her.
"Diane is doing fine lately. She's starting to regain her consciousness. Dr. Solova said she might wake up soon. It's all thanks to you, Ms. Lierger."
"That is great news."
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