“Are you seriously not gonna talk to me?”“Talk about what?”“What happened to you?”Tate sighed, his face was plastered here and there but compared to last week it was presentable. Because of it, Sean had been the one going forward for him and meeting with the representatives of the Zhang Corporations.He persistently disturbed his brother to tell him who did this to him but Tate kept his peace and did not say anything apart from being in a skirmish with some neighbor while he was drunk.Sean had told him right that instance. “You can try so much, Tate. But you can't hide it from me, I know something happened that night and I will find out whether you like it or not.”“Yea sure… I've heard you. Can we proceed now?”“Tsk.” Sean clicked his tongue and walked rudely out of his brother's office.Sean strode out to his sleek black sports car, irritation still simmering from his brother's evasiveness. His aide jumped to open the door and Sean slid inside, jacket riding up against the cream
The Orion conference room overlooked the skyline, sunlight streaming in to bathe the long glass table surrounded by over 20 well-dressed executives. At the head sat the chairman, his chin raised as he initiated the proceedings. "Good morning everyone. As you know, we are here to discuss the proposed acquisition of Zhang Corporation by my family's holding company, The Johns."His cool gaze swept the room before landing on Sean. "Representing The Johns in these negotiations are my sons, Sean and Tate. Unfortunately Tate could not be with us today due to a medical situation. But Sean will be presenting their proposal for how our companies can combine forces."Sean met his father's eyes unflinchingly as he continued. "The Johns brothers have been heading up acquisitions for the past three years with great success. I’m sure they have an intriguing vision to unveil.” Was that a subtle dig? “Sean, please.” He extended a polished hand toward him.Gathering himself, Sean approached the table
Sean stumbled from the conference room, the outraged cries and accusations battering his ears. This couldn't be real. None of it could be real. He drifted down the sleek corridor, wingtips whispering over smooth tile.Somewhere his aide asked if he was okay, and reached out to steady him. Sean recoiled, bile rising in his throat. The man kept trying to talk but his voice was distant, warbled. Numbness crept through Sean’s veins as he shuffled outside and sank into the waiting town car.His family, his career, his life - all gone in an instant. He replayed the nightmarish scene in an endless loop during the drive. The matched documents, Kayla’s defiant stand, his mother’s wrenching sobs as his father exiled him from everything he held dear. His guts twisted.The car halted at his modern glass condo. Sean hardly recalled the ride. He rode upstairs in a haze, his once-glittering future reduced to ashes blowing through his mind.5 missed calls from Tate. The sight jarred Sean from his stu
Kayla came back home, whistling and dancing to her tune. It was quite obvious in her demeanor that something good had happened.No one needed to tell Reynold anything about it.“I'd be delighted to hear The gist.” Reynold said as Kayla entered the sitting room.He was sitting on a single seat couch, the led TV was on but his eyes weren't on it when Kayla entered, they were on the laptop in front of him.However, he stood up to give her a hug and kissed her head.“Well. It was a reckoning of the devil.” She paused and frowned for a while, “although I do wonder who exactly it was that had them like that.”“What are you talking about?”She brought her hands around Rey's neck and looked up to him.“You remember that merger deal right?”“Of course, I did. It caused you so much stress and the job was unfairly taken away from you.”“Well. That's my husband for you. Thank you for the support but you do know I fucked up right?” She raised a corner of lips and rubbed the back of his neck gently
Kayla appraised herself critically in the antique full-length mirror. The flared emerald cocktail dress highlighted her flawless figure, but she wondered if the green brought out the gold flecks in her eyes. Did it matter? Sighing, she selected diamond drop earrings and a bracelet from the jewelry case.Having never had a date with Reynold, this one was very special and she wanted it to be perfect. Both of them had gotten married in a hurry to fulfill some business requirements. Of course, even though she chose Reynold as her husband purely for the sake of business alone, and because he’d been kind to her in her school days, she had other personal reasons. And she was helping him… did she imagine herself falling this hard. She wanted to look perfect for this first time together. But nothing felt perfect lately, since the showdown with her brothers.A knock interrupted her brooding. “Come in.”Reynold entered, devastatingly handsome in a tailored suit. His eyes lit seeing her. “Stunni
Grant strode through the sleek airport terminal, a leather overnight bag slung casually over his shoulder.He moved with an innate grace, slender yet muscular, clad in dark fitted jeans and a steel gray shirt that enhanced his rugged features.His short sable hair shone under the recessed lights as his glacier blue eyes scanned the area relentlessly.Those icy eyes noted details most would miss - the positioning of undercover guards, the placement of cameras, the exact distances between check-in desks and first class lounges.Grant's mind automatically mapped sightlines, calculated where obscured spots might offer momentary blind zones from prying eyes. It was second nature after years living amongst shadows and secrets.He didn't bother glancing back to confirm he was being followed. He felt their eyes tracking him, five men forming a loose perimeter around their target - himself.They blended decently enough with other travelers, but Grant detected the tactical spacing, the matching
Silence ensued between them for a while. Of course, they had a few conversations before entering into the car. Reynold teased her about a number of things.One annoyingly for Kayla was he claiming that her moans were too loud and it was almost as if she was losing herself. Kayla on the other hand had protested strongly to the notion that Rey had.They had laughed it off with some other topics and had even engaged in some other fun things, like eating doughnuts at a food truck that was situated not too far from the airport.In fact, the sky was beginning to get dark and that was Reynold decided they should head home.However, since they entered the car, he had been silent. Too silent.“Are you fine?” Kayla was soon forced to break the silence, turning to slightly with a spark of concern in her deep eyes.“I am…” Reynold responded.His response was quick and short. Which only made Kayla more worried.She thought for a second… about the fact that she actually cared. Kayla knew herself so
Reynold had been occupied with some thoughts. At first when they started to suffice, he felt he was being greedy.Kayla had done so much for him already, being able to stay beside her, to protect her in return should be more than enough for anybody but what was this about this thoughts.Why was he yearning something more from her. Even though he was scared of putting any kind of expectation on her. Reynold wanted it so badly, he yearned for it so much.And slowly, he was beginning to entertain the thoughts of it.“I want to have a family with you…”The words to him was not by mistake. Maybe it was spontaneous, he never thought he'd be saying this when he left home together with her earlier today.When the chance came he had probably not even given it extra thought. All he wanted to do was console her, tell her that since she couldn't have the family she wanted, they could create what she wanted. Together.But the silence she expressed made Reynold regret his decision. Should he not ha