Tiara's Reign

Relief and Regret

IAN POV

With a towel wrapped around my waist, I clicked on the answer icon, "Speak" I grumbled

"I recently discovered the current location of his family," Aaron, my private investigator, informed me

I fiddled with the cigarette in my hand. Despite how fast my heart pounded, I remained calm.

"Where are they?" I asked impatiently.

"Currently in Washington DC. They moved two years ago," he replied.

"Is that all?"

He heaved, "yes, boss" he whispered

"You dare feed me half-baked information?" I growled as I clenched my fists.

"I'm so..." I didn't let him finish before hanging up. There are four categories of people I hate. Betrayers. Incompetent idiots. Pretenders. Liars.

For years, I have searched everywhere for those bastards all over the world. Who would’ve thought they would be right under my nose this whole time.

I have wasted resources, and I don't regret a damn thing. I'll make sure they pay with their blood and lives once I lay my fingers on them.

I let out a dry chuckle excited for this revenge plan. For twenty years, I have mapped out millions of ways to make them suffer.

Even if they hide six feet underground, I'll dig out their bones and burn them. Shattering every ounce of peace they have.

They made me lose more than my family;I lost myself too. It's unfair for them to live in peace while I wallow in agony. I felt my blood run hot.

You wouldn’t have to be a soothsayer to figure out how angry I was with my tensed muscles and jaws clenching involuntarily. I took another drag of my cigarette before tossing the remaining stick in the ashtray.

In a moment, I was clad in an all black outfit that seemed rather casual. I have never been a fan of formal clothes.

Sitting in an office all day reading and signing files is boring as hell.

Speaking about boring, I guess it wouldn't be for some time. I plan on frustrating the life out of that slow-witted secretary of mine.

Good thing I corrected her distorted idea of me being a nice person. Just like I told her, the promotion I gave her is a f*****g punishment, her hell.

My lips tugged into a sly smirk. I grabbed my phone and headed to my garage, which housed over twenty limited edition cars.

Smacking my lips, I entered my black Maybach S680 and zoomed off, heading to the company.

My company has held the position of the number one business hub for years now. Even though it's not my favorite place to be, I still invest time into it.

Few minutes later, I walked towards my private elevator, ignoring the greetings. I got to the last floor, which is a private one.

I stepped into my office, expecting to see a cup of coffee or files on my desk. Instead, found a brown envelope.

I furrowed my eyebrows, confused by who dropped it. Slowly, I opened it and it was a letter. Resignation letter.

My eyes scanned the content. My fists clenched so tight that my knuckles cracked.

Little Miss Jones resigned and for the stupidest reason, claiming she can't work in an environment where everyone sees her as a traitor.

I squeezed the letter and threw it at the door, banging my hand on my desk. My eyes saw red.

Who does she think she is? She thinks she can leave on her own terms? This isn't a charity. I decide if she leaves or stays.

I tapped the digits on my screen furiously.

At the first ring, he picked up, "Yes, boss,"

"You have twenty minutes to bring Tiara Jones to my office," I ordered before I hung up, tossing my phone carelessly on the desk. Everyone was getting on my nerves.

The image of Tom Morgan running his mouth infuriated me. Maintaining the reputation of a businessman was hard enough... If this were the dark side, he wouldn't have the privilege of taking his next breath.

Beneath all the well-tailored suits and polished empire, I was a man of many sins, blood-stained hands and a nightmare to anyone who crossed me. He wouldn't know what hit him.

I decided to get some work while waiting, but the time seemed to pass by really slowly. Eternity later, the door opened and Brandon, one of my men, walked in with a flustered Tiara.

Once I gave him a curt nod, he left.

I focused my gaze on her. She looked everywhere except me, of course, shaking under my scrutiny. There she stood, looking all plain. Her hair packed into a messy bun and her clothes, that could pass for rags.

"You didn't show up at work today. I'd like to break it to you again that I don't approve of incompetent people," I growled, while taking steady breaths.

"Anyway, you are here now. Get back to work," I ordered in a low voice.

When I didn't sense any movement, I looked at her, tilted my head in a questioning manner.

"I hate to repeat myself, young lady," I hissed, but still she didn't bulge.

"Well sir, I appreciate you for giving me a job but now, I'm no longer a part of this organization as I already submitted my resignation letter," she quivered, trying to act brave.

Seems like I need to teach her a little lesson while on this topic.

Slowly, I got off my chair, "If submitting your CV and application letter doesn't automatically make you part of an organization, what makes you think dropping a resignation means you could leave like that?" I asked, my hands behind me.

Her pupils dilated, taking shallow breaths. I could tell she didn't want to be here, but not like she had a choice.

She just stood there like a statue, "according to labour law, I have the liberty to quit, if I'm not comfortable with the working conditions," she whispered, with her face hung low.

Hmm, not bad. Little Miss knows about the law.

"Well, I don't care about your concerns. You will continue to work for me until I'm satisfied. What makes you think you can betray me, make me lose a contract worth billions, and walk away like you did nothing wrong?" I announced.

Within seconds, I watched her face contour into hurt and anger.

"I lost the contract. Was that my fault? Maybe. Did I betray you, no. I mean, why would I give out a project I put so much effort into?" She winced, tears clouding her eyes.

"Maybe they made you a generous offer, and you were in desperate need of money, so you agreed to do it." I shrugged, tucking my hand in my pocket.

Her eyes bulged out in disbelief. By now the tears were flowing freely, "how can you say something like that to me, huh? I may not be rich and all, but I still have self-respect, you know?" She cried out.

"Then provide evidence that you didn't f*****g betray me and make me lose to Tom Morgan on purpose!" I barked, and she flinched back.

She was biting her lower lip, so tight that she might injure herself.

I walked towards her and smirked, "unfortunately, you've already gone against me once and the price to pay is work until we bag another contract better than the one you sold out. It's not like you have a choice. Effective immediately, you are my slave, Tiara. I own you,” I smirked.

She raised her hand to hit me, but I caught it midair. Anger brewed inside me at the audacity. I glared daggers at her before twisting it backward and slammed her against the wall.

With tears filled eyes, she looked at me. Squirming at my tight grip on her. That stirred something in me.. a flicker of guilt?

I mentally slapped myself before glaring at her.

"Pull that stunt again, and I'll make your life hell," I threatened, roughly letting go.

"I own you now, Tiara Jones. Don't forget that," I said and walked back to my chair.

Her tears flowed freely like a fountain, which, by the way, annoyed me.

"Out!" I barked and immediately ran out like her legs were on fire.

Now I have her exactly where I want her to be. Brace up, little Miss, this is just the beginning.

The image of her crying replayed in my head. Why the f**k did her tears affect me? I shook my head.

No! Get yourself together Ian, weakness has no place here.