KAHLAN

CHAPTER 3

MR RENOLD

I had left the house very early the next morning, not before going up to kiss my princess goodbye. Arriving the board meeting, all opinions did not seem to have any impact on the issues at hand. I read and scanned through every documents that contained possible ways to alleviate the bankruptcy but none of them were good enough. The frustration came hitting really hard, I dismissed the board meeting saying we'll have one when they find a better way to change the companys' status.

I had returned to my office, taking off my tie which suddenly seemed to be suffocating. I knew that if the problem was not curbed soon enough, it'll only be a matter of time before the news get to the public. My family's reputation was our influence, I was going to make sure I do everything to protect it.

Lost in my thoughts, the office line rang, bringing me back to reality.

"Yes, Sarah." I said when I picked it. Sarah was my receptionist.

"Sir, a certain Mike from Coast World Group wants to be connected to you." She said causing me to think for a moment. I had no form of affiliation with the Coasts, even though I had once tried to make a deal of investment.

"Put him on the line." I said curiously and waited for the line to be linked.

"Mr McDermott?" Came a voice from the other side of the line.

"Yes, and you are?'

"I'm Mike Walker, personal assistant to Ralph Coast of Coast World Group." He said.

"And how may I help you?" I replied blankly, my curiosity was peaking at every word he said.

"Mr McDermott, Mr Coast asks for a private business dinner with you, if you would be available. All plans will be according to your schedule." He said and more confusion suddenly set it. Ralph Coast would never ask for dinner if he didn't have something up his sleeves and I wondered what that was.

"I'll ask my assistant check for a free time and send it to you."

"I'll be waiting for it then. Have a nice day." He said before hanging up and somehow my hand felt heavy while I held on to the phone. Whatever it was, I felt it was not going to be of my best interest. I had called Collin, my assistant in and asked him to check for a free time in my schedule for the next day and mail it to the Ralph's assistant.

KAHLAN

Dad had come in early to tell me he was leaving for the office and it left me wondering if he was always this busy. I walked down after taking a bathe. I needed food, it was literally the only thing that could put me in a good mood and I wasn't my best self when I was hungry, I tend to get irritated easily.

I met my mom all dressed.

"Everyone has plans for the day except me. My life is boring." I said as I slumped on the couch watching her.

"Rebecca called, I haven't seen her in weeks. We have some catching up to do." She replied with a smile. Aunty Rebecca was my mom's best friend and for a moment I envied their relationship. I wished I had someone that close who I could easily run to, my life was indeed boring, I left every fun part of it part in Greece and was back to building it from scratch here.

"Fine fine. I need food to feel better." I said walking into the kitchen to pour myself a bowl of cereal, I needed comfort. "Where's Amelia though? Did she leave me too?"

"I wish I could but at this point, you really can't survive without me." Amelia said walking into the kitchen too whole my mom laughed.

"I'll see you two later, try to stay alive." Mom said kissing me on the forehead and a soft pat on Amy's face before walking out.

"We will." I said with a wide smile.

"This house is so big and empty, Amy. Let's go out after this." I said taking her arm in mine and staring into her eyes. She batted her lashes continuously before shaking me off.

"I can't be falling for everything you say, Kay. I have to go to school after this for a project completion before we resume next week. It's final year and I need a good CGPA." She replied and it was then I started to accept that staying here was going to be lonely.

"So what am I supposed to do?" I whined.

"I don't know, play games or go shopping. Just don't get in trouble." She said and I groaned. She was getting annoying.

"Do you have friends at all? With this attitude I bet you don't." I said giving her a mocking smile.

"I'd love to see how many friends your fine attitude got you, love." She said and I felt more annoyed. She always had her way of winning everytime. Tch. I glared at her before taking my empty bowl to the sink. She didn't even try to hide her triumphant smile and somehow I ended up laughing.

RAlPH

The day had made a quick turn, being better than I expected. I sat completing paperwork that were sent in in the morning when my phone lit catching my attention, it was a message from Blakeley, one of the few women who knew how to tame my wild side. A smirk grew on my face when I read her text, it was typical her to drop locations out of the blue. She knew no sluts were allowed in my house or worse still, my bed.

Mike walked in hours later with an iPad which had Mr McDermott's free time for the next day. It wasn't surprising he decided to fill me into his schedules so soon, who didn't want to meet the CEO of Coast World? I asked him to look for a fine restaurant with a befitting atmosphere for our meeting.

"Alert the driver to get ready, I'm leaving." I said as he made he way out.

Few minutes passed and I stood up, picking up my phones, suitcase and jacket, I needed to cool off somewhere far away for the night and that text message had come just at the right time.

Arriving the location, I scanned the environment and it didn't look like a hotel or restaurant. The blaring music from inside had confirmed it.

I walked into the club and a wave of hot breath mixed with alcohol and strong cologne hit me and I grimaced. Blakeley and bad tastes seemed to go so well together. I walked upstairs to the VIP section trying to find her with my eyes roaming from one booth to another. I took a seat in an empty booth, ordered whiskey and took off my tie unbuttoning my shirt three buttons down then rolled my sleeves.

The whiskey was placed on the table in front of me and before I reached out to it, I felt cold hands on my neck from behind, tracing down to my chest. Although I knew who it was, I wanted to be sure, not just anyone was allowed to touch me like that.

"Looks like you were having fun without me, Ralph." Blakeley said as she walked into the booth holding my gaze. My eyes wandered from her face to her body. She wore a red skin tight gown that was barely covering her ass, her boobs looked like they were begging to be freed from all the pressure of being held so tightly together and slowly a smirk appeared on my face as I turned back to face the whiskey.

"You're late." I said blankly without any iota of emotion.