Why Him?

CHAPTER 14

Roger POV

I could feel that Kiara was up to something. I could sense it. I could read her like a book because I am the one who raised her. She can’t hide anything from me.

I cared deeply about her, and I had to make sure she didn’t do anything foolish. No. I won’t let that happen.

I could tell that she still loved Nolan. I went to her place after they broke up, and I know how broken-hearted she was. I can’t bear seeing my only daughter suffer like that. 

She’s a beautiful and highly capable woman. I would kill Nolan for sure if she didn’t value my daughter. I know his dad, Richard, so well. We’ve been friends since FASHLUX's name was still unnoticed by many people. That’s why I couldn’t say no when I discovered that Nolan was after my daughter.

It’s still fresh in my mind, like it was just yesterday instead of two years ago when I heard Nolan asked Kiara out to lunch after our meeting. At first, I didn’t approve of Nolan because I know his reputation with many women. But then he showed me that he had changed. I thought that he was head over heels with Kiara. They’ve been together for two years, and I have to say I was impressed.

I think this is the longest relationship she has ever had with a man. Most of the men that she dated before are a shallow and clingy man, who only demand attention from their women. But Nolan is different. He’s a supportive man.

He could keep up with her busy schedule. He sometimes even accompanies her on a business trip. I’ve always thought that they were meant to be together. That’s why I could understand how crushed she was when she found him with another woman.

I don’t want to judge this problem from one perspective only. So I decided to contact Nolan and talked to him. That night I couldn’t reach Nolan through his phone. I tried to call Richard, but he’s not answering as well because it seems like he’s not in New York at the time.

Lucky for me, our driver knows where Nolan lived. He used to take Kiara to Nolan’s place. So here I am, standing in front of his door. I am going to fight for my daughter. If it turns out that Nolan was an asshole like Kiara told me. I would not think twice about punching him right in his face and kiss my fifteen years of friendship with Richard goodbye. My daughter is more precious than any business deal.

I could always find another business, but I can’t replace my own daughter. I knocked twice at the door, and I heard some noise from inside the apartment. “Nolan?..” I called and knocked at the door again. “It’s me… Roger Finley.” A few moments later, the door went open, and I finally saw him.

“Mr. Finley, w-what are you doing here?” he asked in confusion. He looked like a mess. His face looked beaten, his hair was messy, and his shirt could use some ironing. I never saw him like this. He’d always looked polished whenever he came to the office. I cleared my throat before I answered him.

“I am looking for you… We need to talk, Nolan.” I told him and barged into his apartment. The place was equally messy as Kiara’s place. Dear Lord, they both were so alike. This place reeks of alcohol.

“So…” I paused and turned around while holding my breath. “What happened?” I asked him. I shouldn’t be feeling empathetic towards him, but he looked miserable. He let out a deep sigh while running a hand into his hair. “I had no idea… I messed up.” He said, burying his face in both hands.

I frowned at him. “To be honest, I was upset, okay?” he sat on the sofa. I went closer towards him.

“What makes you upset? Why did you betray her? You told me you loved her!” I asked him back. I was this close to strangling him by the neck. “Yes, of course I loved her!..” he replied, half yelling at me.

“But lately, I felt like I am not good enough for her. She always decides everything for us. She never gave me any respect.” He admitted. “Well, that’s bullshit. She never thinks that way towards you. You were a perfect match for her.” I told him.

Nolan looked up at me with his bloodshot eyes. “Do you still remember how she embarrassed me in front of the BOD at the photoshoot meeting last time?” he said. Of course, I remember. It’s more like Kiara and I both opposing his idea. He wanted to bring a rottweiler dog to a photo shoot.

If only he knew how expensive the piece of clothing we’re going to shoot, he might think twice about it. Not to mention, the designer would charge us an enormous amount of penalty if we screwed up with their clothing pieces.

“So this is all because of that?” I asked him back in amusement. “I know I am the one who cheated here…” Nolan paused for a while and stared back at me, looking defeated. “You’ve got to help me, Mr. Finley. I still loved your daughter.” He pleaded. I folded both hands in front of my chest. What a p***y.

“If you still love her that much, then fight for her. Ask for her forgiveness.” I told him before I walked away, exiting the room. Before I could reach the door, I turned back to him. “Oh, and do me a favor… Next time I caught you cheating on my daughter with another woman. I swear I will make you pay. Mark my words!” I threatened him then closed the door behind me.

**************

After I went back, I was furious because Kiara wasn’t home yet. It’s almost twelve o clock, and I know she had left the office at six in the evening. Where the hell is she? I called her phone, but she wasn’t picking up. I was dead worried. She drove her own car tonight.

I asked my people to track her down. After pacing back and forth for an hour, my man sent me a picture of her in the bar. The first photo was of her with her friend, Pamela. I have known her before. She used to come to my house and stay over.

Then the next photo took me by surprise. It was Nolan with some random man fighting at the bar. Kiara was in the background. I have to know what the hell is happening. I waited inside her room, and every passing hour it’s like a century to me. I was informed that Nolan was at the hospital now after getting severely beaten. This man must be dangerous.

After a few more hours, I guessed. The door went open, and she turned on the light. She was shocked as she saw me. I knew exactly what she was doing, and she left with that man. I’ve already asked my man to do a background check on him. I don’t want her to get involved with bad people.

Kiara was avoiding my question. She didn’t tell me who that man was. Maybe it was just a one-time thing between them. But anyway, she’s still grounded.

I locked her inside her room. I even let the maid bring the food to her room. She had to learn her boundaries in this house. She can’t just disappear for one night without telling me.

When I had breakfast that morning, Nolan told me that he invited us for lunch. “You told me to fight for her, and I am doing it right now. Please, meet me at the restaurant at twelve.” Nolan told me over the phone. I then decided to help him one last time. I just curious what he was about to do now.

I didn’t tell Kiara that we were going to meet Nolan over lunch. She wouldn’t want to come if I told her.

The lunch turned out to be worse than I thought. I never thought that Nolan was going to propose. This might be the worst timing to do it. As expected, Kiaran ran away and said no. Nolan was about to run after her, but then I held him back. “Give her some time,” I told Nolan, and he finally relented, sitting back in his chair. I smiled awkwardly at Richard and his wife. “Excuse me, we need to leave,” I told them and ran after Kiara. Too bad her taxi was already far away by the time our driver came to pick me up.

I texted Kiara and told her that I would give her some time to think about the proposal. I don’t want to rush this either. But at least now I know that he was serious with Kiara. Richard was ecstatic to hear the news as well. We’ve been best friends since forever. It would be great if the marriage really happened.

Kiara is hiding something from me. I noticed something different about her. This morning I noticed that she didn’t look sad anymore. She even had that glow on her face.

I also noticed that she couldn’t stop checking on her phone every five minutes. As if she was waiting for a call from someone. She left abruptly in the middle of the meeting, which is so unlike her.

Job is always her number one priority. I wonder what kind of meeting she will have after the office? And more importantly, with who?

I asked my man to follow after her. I was just finished from the meeting when Daniel came to my room. “You’ve found something?” I asked him. He nodded and slid a big brown envelope in front of me.

“His name is Gideon Barlowe,” Daniel told me. I looked at the picture, and it seemed like he just took the picture because Kiara is still wearing today’s outfit. It’s the same man from that night.

“And then? Any other info?” I asked Daniel. His face went pale. “I’m still working on it, Mr. Finley. Please give me more time.” This is very unusual for Daniel to work this slow. I gave him enough time, and all he got is only his name?

“I need you to focus, Daniel. Follow him back to his house if you must. I need to know his identity.” I then told him. He bowed at me. “Understood, Mr. Finley.” He replied before he excused himself, exiting the room. I looked at his picture one more time. He somehow looks familiar to me.

Gideon Barlowe. Who are you?