By the time the Blackwells returned home, tabloids and the internet was already filled with Damien’s pictures. The media waited outside his company, waiting for him to interact with them, but of course, to no avail. Damien had just gotten off his vacation, but he didn’t feel refreshed at all. Perhaps it was because halfway in the week, the stress started joining him on the shore starting from Clarissa’s arrival.He’s back to work, however. But now, things have started to pile up in his leave. Today he is to meet one of his father's former business partners, Eloise Claude. She was a mighty woman in her thirties, holding the Viegra Corporation."It is known that Miss Eloise is not very fond of your father, Sir Blackwell." Noel reminded him. "Now, I am not sure as to what extent is true of this rumor, but in addition to that, I'm told by others that have been in this company for long— that she is a hard woman to please."Damien's austere presence shrouded fear in every corridor he passed
Eloise left the conference room, satisfied, with her two companions trailing behind her. Noel breathed in relief as the atmosphere softened. Back there, he felt like he couldn't breathe. He didn’t know that Eloise gives such choking aura. Damien however, remained as calm as possible. He took a deep breath and then pivoted his head to Ash whose blue eyes were locked murderously at the woman who had left the door. At once, Damien called her attention.“Ash.” The girl broke off her stare and then moved her sight on her master with a dissatisfied face. “Yeah?”“She insulted you. Are you alright?”“Oh, that?” Ash wore a smile and shoved it off. “I’m alright. I’ve heard that line from other people a lot. Doesn’t affect me now as much as before.”“That was terrifying.” Noel pushed his eyeglasses and rubbed his arms together. “So that was Eloise Claude. For some reason, she seems to hate me a lot.” Damien put a finger beneath his chin. “I wonder what my father did to make her so hostile agai
Damien arrived at Carlton’s residence shortly after leaving the restaurant. Ash drove so fast that Damien thought it would have been the end of his life. Carlton greets them from the porch and leads them into his humble house. “Sorry for the mess.” Carlton rubbed the back of his head and opens the door to his house. “I just arrived from work as well so I didn’t have the time to clean.”“It’s not a big issue.” Damien shrugged. He didn’t really mind it because there was nothing to mind. His house was exceptionally neat. The lawn was mowed and there was no litter. He noticed that he also had a huge dog sleeping under his pen. “I thought you would mind.” Carl replied. “You live in a very luxurious mansion after all with all the maids looking after you.”“And where did I live before that?”Carlton looked at Ash cluelessly. “In an orphanage,” Damien replied to his own question. “If anything, your place is cozier than mine.”“Wow.” Carlton couldn't believe his ears. “You actually complimen
“You have two meetings today, Mr. Blackwell.” Noel told his boss as they were walking on a long hallway towards the conference hall. “One with Mr. Albert Gazett and Mrs. Eloise Claude; and the other— with our special client.”Damien wore his usual effortless and confident look as he strode in the halls, captivating every employee he passes on. They bow at him respectfully and when he finally is out of sight, they breathe their sighs of relief and whisper praises about their boss. “What time do we meet with our special client?”“At two in the afternoon.” Noel replied. “Ash is currently keeping an eye on the point of rendezvous. Right now, you should focus on your exchange with Mrs. Claude and Mr. Gazett.”They walk towards the elevator and find other employees waiting for it as well. As soon as Damien appeared, they quickly dispersed away, allowing him to take the elevator first. He enters.“What information do we have of Mr. Gazett?”“He is a big critic, Sir.” Noel pushes his spectac
"Damien."The male stops midway as Mrs. Eloise calls him from the the end of the hallway. He turns his head around. "A word?""I'm quite busy right now." Damien glanced at his watch. "But for you, I shall make time."Eloise smiled proudly and beckoned him to a corner. "Alone, please."Noel steps aside and Damien appraoched her. They settle in a corner behind the wall just to the right of the conference room door. "I'm impressed you managed to keep that scummy old man, silent." she starts. "Though he is a very good businessman and his company is quite successful, I must remind you that you mustn't lower your guard around him.""Is it because he is well acquainted with the Coltons?"Eloise's eyes widen a bit. "Wow. I can't believe you know about that. Seasoned businessmen who have crossed their paths are the only one who notice. I'm impressed that you did.""I had my bodyguard do a background check on him." Damien confidently replied."Speaking of your bodyguard, I don't think I am see
The door closes behind them and Damien points to the coffee table just across the room. President Hemmingway makes himself comfortable and removes his coat. Wine was served and a few biscuits, but neither of them touched the food on the table. Damien slowly made his way into the couch as well. He was nervous, but it wasn’t obvious on his face. Damien wore his graceful yet deceiving smile as he sat across the President’s chair. The President did not look welcoming at all.“You have a wonderful home, Mr. Blackwell.” The President reaches out for one of the biscuits and takes one to lessen the choking atmosphere around them. “Thank you,” Damien replied with a blank face, there was no gratitude towards the compliment at all. Damien didn’t even know if his compliment was genuine. “But surely my home is nothing compared to yours, President Hemmingway.”The President falls into laughter, but Damien could tell how forced it was. “You are very funny. Very much like your father. It’s such a sh
Damien took a deep breath before smiling back at the man in front of him. The man who holds responsibility for keeping the country safe— is now passing the job onto him.“Are you able to do it, Damien?” “What kind of question is that?” Damien chuckled mockingly. “A drug cartel is a piece of cake for the Vigilantes. I will need to know more about the leader of the drug cartel and what you have against him. I doubt the reasons you told me are true.”The president has a hesitant look on his face before he sighs. “I am not supposed to disclose this with anyone else aside from those in the high office, but you seem to require it before doing the job.”Damien could now sense that the President’s reasons for wiping out the Sumerkis had a deeper cause. “There’s something you are not telling me.” Damien raised an eyebrow. “Drug cartel in this country? The Sumerkis specifically? Don’t make me laugh. I know you are aware there are hundreds of them around. Why the Sumerkis only?”“Hah.” Hemming
"They're taking their sweet time, huh." Ash walked back and forth against the door with Noel standing behind her. Inside that room, Damien was securing a request from the President who has come to meet them himself. "What do you think they're talking about right now?" "Calm down Ash," Noel told her. "I'm sure Master is doing his best to come up with a decision." "I say we blow the enemies' brains out— eek!" All of a sudden the door slams open and Ash hides behind Noel in surprise. Damien and the President looked at Ash with serious faces and then moves their eyes away. She could swear their gazes meant something else. Hemmingway then turns to Damien and stretches out a hand. "I look forward to the fulfillment of the task, Mr. Blackwell." "Of course. It is my pleasure to be of service to you. The Vigilantes will not fail you." The President then turns to Ash Harlock and then looks back at Damien with a wary face. "What I told about her is merely a rumor. However, nothing will