A Ruthless Bargain

Chapter Thirteen: Control.

Lucien.

I removed my glasses and set them down on the table. Two days, two whole days of trying to immerse myself in work and forget about everything.

I moved to one of my estates and switched off my devices left for the one Dominic could reach through.

I stood up, picked up my laptop and headed to the board meeting. I was seven minutes late, something that had never happened.

I always made sure to be at every meeting at the speculated time but today, my thoughts had drifted.

My assistant walked in hurried steps behind me, trying to form incoherent words. ''Sir, the meeting has began and the stock market for seven days ago..”

I paused and turned in her direction. She moved back slowly.

''You are dismissed from your job.''

Her eyes widened in horror as if I had taken her last cards from her. Honestly, she wasn't fit for the job. I didn't want someone who was too timid.

She bowed her head slightly, '' Sir...I apologise for ..''

''You did nothing wrong.'' I cut her off.

''Go to the marketing department.''

I didn't turn back to look at her or wait to hear any more words. I pushed the door open and suddenly everywhere became quiet.

They all stood up, bowing slightly while I sat.

''You may begin.''

The meeting was boring and much longer than necessary, each person trying to state their point and why their ideas would work best.

''That's enough,'' my voice was low but it was enough for everyone to hear.

The man who stood before us, presenting his chart bowed and went back to his seat.

''Team C, your proposal is accepted,'' I paused, seeing the excitement on the face of their team leader.

''And for the rest of you, re-strategise.'' I said simply.

I exited the meeting and headed back to my office. I found Dominic hovering against the files before he straightened up a bit.

''You look stressed.'' He notes.

I ignored his question. ''Any improvements?'' I asked, already impatient.

His lips stretched a little and if I had missed it, I wouldn't know he smiled.

''A huge one.'' He said, then handed me a folder.

I made myself comfortable on the couch, then poured myself a glass of wine. Dominic sat opposite me and did the same. I opened the file and the first name that stared back at me made something stir within me.

Mateo Alvarez. Again.

I closed the folder first, gulped down the wine to prepare myself for this long day before re-opening it.

His name still sat there, not as one of the side members but as someone central. My memories resurfaced again.

That night, my birthday. My mom smiling and putting a necklace with similar pendant on both I and my sister and then a few minutes later loud gunshots filled the room.

I suppressed the memories harder, coming back to the present.

''You might want to flip to the next page.'' Dominic's voice came.

I turned the page and she was there. My sister, my missing sister.

Every single information including where she lived.

Her photograph was attached to it and I could barely recognize her. She had grown, grown into someone far distant. And the name written on the file was different, she was even given a new identity.

Iris Vale.

I closed the file, a thousand emotions rushing through me. Mateo again, he would not escape death this time.

If I found out he was truly the one responsible for my nightmares, then I would turn his life and that of his family into one. His family?

Amelia was his family. I paused, letting the thoughts sink in.

The woman that lived right inside my house was raised by the man who killed my parents and took my sister away from me.

''I'll leave you to your thoughts.'' Dominic dropped his empty glass on the table and left.

I tucked the file somewhere safe and opened my laptop once again. If I was going to investigate, I would do it to the very last bottom.

I searched her name first.

Iris Vale. And several people popped up too but I recognized that pendant on her neck.

I scrolled through her social media. It was mostly filled with books.

There were pictures of her, ones she smiled so wide her eyes crinkled. On one, she was at a beach with someone, her hair covered her face while they splashed water on their bodies. And there was a post from this morning.

A book in her hand, a cute hair pin on her curls. I couldn't see her face properly as it was mostly covered by the book.

I searched something else, one that made my head pin.

The city moved beneath me like it didn't matter and honestly today, it didn't.

.

That evening I went home. I told myself I came for the paperwork on my desk but I knew that was not the reason.

I arrived earlier than expected and locked myself in the study.

I tried to focus on fining more evidence as I recorded everything, every file, every folder, every photo and stored them somewhere.

Then I heard the front door open. I knew it was her because I could see the footage from my laptop.

I stopped reading and watched her. Listening to every sound her footsteps made behind those walls. She looked around as if searching for something and with a disappointed sigh she moved towards the stairs.

She looked empty, drained. There were eye bags beneath those hazel blue eyes, those blue eyes that looked me dead in the eye and presented her contract.

I stood up, my body moving without my brain processing what it was doing and then I pushed the door open.

I exited the room, walking in the same direction as she did. I walked upstairs to the room we shared, the one I almost broke the contract rule two nights ago.

I walked into the room without thinking twice, it was a bit dark and I could not see properly. I heard fabric falling to the ground and a pair of blue eyes looking at me.

''Lucien.''