A LOVE PAID IN LIES

CHAPTER TWO

NIKOLAI DIMITRIOUS

I stared at the city lights waiting for Seb to get me information on the new shipping coming on Friday.

I could have gone myself, but I have a family event this weekend and my mom is forcing us to come to London, which means I am leaving town.

Just in time Seb called me that the shipments had landed, I started preparing to leave for my flight in 30 mins. I got in my Rolls-Royce Cullinan and my security officer escorted me.

I have been running the DM empire for 10 years now, since my father passed away. I own a shipping company, an architectural company and also the owners of DM OIL AND GAS.

I have different branches all over the world with my headquarters in New York.

As the first son, it was what was expected of me. I had to be strong in the face of my family, my mom, my brother Alex. It was just us three now. My mom tries to bring us together by hosting a charity event and making a guest appearance, so I can’t decline.

We got to the airport and boarded one of my jets as we set off for London. After long hours on board, we touched down at Heathrow Airport in London and headed for our family estate in central London.

As we got close, the peace and quiet was soothing, but I am used to the city.

“Nikos!!”. My mom called out as I arrived at the entrance.

“Thank you darling for always honoring me”. She said with a warm welcome hug.

“Anything for you mom, you look beautiful as always”. I replied, looking down at the warm face I got my green eyes from. Other than that, I am a spitting image of my father.

“Beautiful ladies will be here tonight, do mingle, I am not getting any younger, and you clocked 34 last August!!” She whined.

“ Mom, you know I am not that person anymore,” I said. Nonsense!!

“It’s been years, Niko!” She snapped, “go and settle down and rest. "It's been a long journey, your brother will be here before the event starts,” she instructed.

I smirked and just went to the east wing of the mansion which was where I resided. “Find a woman seriously??” No. Not after what it has caused me. ” I said in my mind.

I knew how my mom was when she lost her dad. My parents loved each other so much that when my dad passed, my mom was so lost, shattered and depressed.

I used to believe in love too, till it broke me into pieces and became a closed chapter for me. I fell in love once back then in college. I found the love of my life for real till she was found dead .

It became a dark phase for me.

Since then, it's been just random flings. All love offers is weakness and pain. It happened to my mother, it happened to me too.

I don’t want to go through it anymore.

I am not that person anymore.

Love is for the weak. Not people like me.

I got into the master's chamber, which was screaming masculinity at its peaks, from the dark curtains, to the king-size bed, to the walk-in closet made of black-sprayed wood, to the marble bathroom, to a well-furnished and polished living room that smelled like me.

It’s been 3 years since I last came here. I lived here for 2 years after my father passed, completing the branch in London, taking over the empire and also mourning.

It felt nostalgic standing inside the room once again.

I had better go shower and rest ahead of this evening’s event.