It was eight PM already and the Carmichaels were scheduled to arrive anytime now. Luke and his grandfather waited patiently on the porch for their arrival. Fifteen minutes later, the gates were pulled open and a gleaming black SUV rolled into the premises. Luke’s heartbeat accelerated in anticipation as the car rolled to a stop and a uniformed, middle aged driver quickly got down from the driver’s side to help them with their doors. Luke had no idea what his grandfather had planned for the Carmichaels but whatever it was, he knew it was going to be worth the wait.Finally, Mrs Carmichael was helped out of the car first, followed by Fiona and her father.Luke felt his grandfather visibly stiffen as they approached. Mrs Carmichael and Fiona had fake, wide smiles pasted on their faces. Luke did not bother returning the favour.“Luke!” Mrs Carmichael crowed. “Thank you so much for letting us stay here. We’re very grateful to you.” She moved in for a hug but Luke stepped back quickly, e
Luke reeled in pleasant shock at his grandfather’s declaration. He was very much aware of the tiny building which had been erected six months ago for Lord George’s personal bodyguard. The house was barely spacious enough for one person, talk more of an entire family of three.The Carmichaels, on the other hand, looked like they’d been shot in the foot with a rifle. It took all of Luke’s self control not to burst into a fit of uncultured laughter at the look of horror on their faces.“What are you talking about?” Fiona whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. “The agreement was that my family and I will stay in your mansion for two weeks, not the boys’ quarters.”“Exactly.” Lord George agreed with a tiny shrug. “Your deal clearly stated that you will stay in my mansion. This entire premises is my mansion, including the boys’ quarters.You never said that you’ll be at liberty to choose which part of the mansion you decide to stay in for the next two weeks… so I took the initiative a
Luke was literally dying of laughter as he led the Carmichaels to their new residence. He could not help the satisfaction that unfurled in his guts at the scoffs of disgust and discomfort that came from Mrs. Carmichael and Fiona when they arrived at the tiny cottage.“This is it. Welcome to your new home for the next two weeks.” Luke stepped aside, giving the Carmichaels the opportunity to take in their new home.Fiona looked around, her mouth pinched with disgust.“Luke, this wasn’t part of the plan and you know it.” She sneered. “Your grandfather has cheated us.”Luke gave her a stoic glare.“Fiona, I’m pretty sure my grandfather has sufficiently explained the circumstances surrounding your living conditions to you. Now, if you would excuse me, I have work to do.” That being said, Luke turned around and walked away without looking back. Fiona watched him leave, her guts burning with bitter anger. When he was completely out of sight and earshot, she stomped her left foot on the gro
The next morning dawned bright and clear. After a restless night’s sleep filled with torments from rats and cockroaches of all shapes and sizes, Fiona rose as early as six AM to execute the next part of her plan.Her plan was to make Luke his best coffee before he left for work, just like a good wife or fiancée would.She wanted to prove to him that she was the only woman who deserved to run his empire by his side, one cup of coffee at a time.Fiona successfully bypassed the security guard at the first entrance of the building. However, just as she was about to go through the mansion’s main entrance, a voice came from behind her;“And where do you think you’re going, young lady?”Fiona froze in her tracks for all of two seconds. Finally, she took a deep breath to calm her frayed nerves, put on her best diva smile and turned to face whoever it was.Her smile disappeared immediately when the person turned out to be one of the guards.“And who do you think you are to ask me that question
“What’s wrong, Luke? What happened?” Nina asked, getting to her feet and patting him softly on the back just in case he’d choked on his coffee.Fiona tried to back out of the room without being seen but Luke shot her a dark, cold stare and she froze in her tracks.“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” He asked.“Uh… Um. I…” she stuttered.Nina and Lord George stared in confusion as Luke got to his feet and advanced in Fiona’s direction. His shoulders were stiff with tension and his eyes, all but glowing with rage.“Son, what happened? What’s wrong?” Lord George inquired.Luke remained mute until he was standing almost nose-to-nose with Fiona, pinning her in place with a death-worthy glare.“What happened to the coffee I ordered you to make, Fiona?” He asked in a low growl. When she continually remained silent, lowering her head to avoid his gaze, Luke snapped.“Speak!”Startled, Fiona jumped and a squeak of surprise fell from her lips.“I… I don’t know…”Luke grabbed her upper
Luke and Nina touched down Japan at exactly seven PM the next evening. They were immediately driven to the Fortress Hill Hotels, one of the best seven star hotels in the city.On their way, Luke watched, completely fascinated as Nina smiled and gasped at the view of the beautiful city. He couldn’t help it. She was simply the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. And to think that Fiona almost made her choke on bad coffee. “Oh my God, Luke!” Nina exclaimed, snapping him out of his bad thoughts. “Japan is so beautiful! Take a look at those cool lanterns.”Completely smitten by her infectious joy, Luke took her hand and smiled down at her. “Yeah. It’s a beautiful place. Very beautiful.”He was supposedly referring to the city but his entire attention was on Nina.The atmosphere in the car suddenly grew tense as Nina ducked her head shyly and tucked a strip of hair behind her ear.Seconds later, her entire frame trembled with delicious heat as Luke tipped her face upwards with his index
“I asked you a question.” Master Adachihara blew hot, giving Luke a disgusted up and down look. “Who even let you in here? What do you want?”Luke summoned courage and stepped forward.“Hello, sir. My name is Luke George. I’m from the Diamond Empire and I’m here to represent Lord George and possibly sign a deal for the development of a chain of hotels you both have spoken on.”The entire room was silent for a moment. Three seconds later, every single man in the room, aside Luke, burst into loud rounds of laughter. Luke and Nina looked on, completely appalled as the men struggled to get their mirth under control.A moment later, master Adachihara lifted a finger and they all fell silent.“I do not understand, sir. Did I say something funny?” Luke asked, stepping forward boldly.The master gave him an assessing glance before replying.“Did I give you permission to speak?”Luke’s eyes narrowed in confusion.“No. I did not realise…”“Then you will keep that mouth shut until I have given
This could NOT be happening. This honestly could not be happening.Luke saw Nina tense as she prepared to deliver another comeback and he knew he had to do something quick in order to salvage the situation.Before Nina could speak, Luke hurriedly grabbed her arm and pulled her back, setting her firmly behind him with a hard look which screamed at her to behave while he tried to fix the situation.“Master Adachihara, please call off the security. We can settle this amicably between us.”“And why would I do that?” The master grunted. “Your little plastic doll has already disrespected me enough. I do not owe you anything.”The master turned to leave but Luke was having none of it. Of course he took offence at Nina being called a plastic doll, but Luke understood that this business deal was pioneered by his grandfather. He had to get it done at any cost.“Sir, please.” He begged shamelessly. “I plead with you to reconsider, if not for our sakes but for the sake of the friendship you share