Rebirth: Flirting with a Dangerous Billionaire

A Taste of Love

There he was, my father, his face puce with veins bulging from his forehead. He had many assistants, most of whom kept a low profile. I glanced at the one who was unfortunate enough to be present upon my arrival and therefore tasked with announcing me to my father. Her face was blank as she withstood his spittle and turgid shouting, audible to the entire floor despite the thick glass offices. I drummed my fingers on the reception desk whilst I waited, "Is he always this insufferable?" the receptionist looked apologetic for the scene I had witnessed. He smirked slightly and focused on his screen. "It shouldn't be much longer." Enough. I sailed past him, sick of waiting, compelling him to scamper behind me. I ignored his pleas to wait and let myself into my father's office. The assistant shot a terrified glance between my father and me. Her eyes finally settled on the receptionist behind me, who began stammering apologies. Ignoring him, my father dismissed them with a wave of his hand. I watched it curl into a fist. As always, it seemed my presence made him apoplectic. He had never had much tolerance for me. I am simply a tool to control and carry his legacy. To him, and the older I get, the more exasperated he becomes.

He points at the seat before me, and I sit. He takes a deep breath and positions himself opposite me, a desk in between us. "Did I not warn you to behave with that young woman? Have you lost your senses? She's at home in tears, and her father is frantic! We were weeks away from finalizing our partnership. You couldn't restrain yourself?" I dug my nails into the leather on the arm of the chair. I knew he would be pissed about Akari, but I didn't think the news would reach him this soon.

"Business deals shouldn't be dependent on…."

"Do you know how lucrative marriage with her would be? We are broke! The number of settlements I've paid out to clean up your mess, we are haemorrhaging money! I had to dip into company finances. We are dependent on Ito's investment and partnership to survive!"

"When was the last time we saw mother? She's been in France for two years. You're asking me to sacrifice my freedom for a hollow relationship!"

"Don't pull that crap on me. You're not romantic. Besides, unlike your mother and I, that girl loves you. I have never cared how you conduct yourself so long as it remains contained, but this is not sustainable. I'm trying to protect our livelihood and your future. The bare minimum you could do is keep the key to your future satisfied!" He continued having his meltdown, and I stared at my shoes in the knowledge that speaking would only provoke him further. It was game night, and I had no time for this, but this wasn't the usual dressing down. Still shouting, he slammed a pile of paper in front of me. I glanced at it and rolled my eyes. "A contract?"

He fixes me with a stare as he massages his temples, "It's time you learned the family business. You are going to start at entry-level, working at Suklaa around your schoolwork." Suklaa was the biggest of the brands owned by my father's company. Their main product was chocolate, and it happened to be the brand he wanted Akari's father to invest in. They had even discussed a collaboration involving Ito's dessert chain. He was throwing me back into Akari's path. "Can't I…"

"It's not up for discussion. I have let you run loose for far too long. If you learn the company's value, you may see a reason. I had hoped to let you finish your education in peace, but your willful ignorance has forced my hand. The only way I can get you to shape up is to micromanage you! You start Monday, so enjoy your last few days of freedom. You will be spending less time at that club too, time to grow up! Now go and send Laila in on your way out."

I learned at a young age there was no point in arguing with my father. Besides, if I work under him, it might get him off my back. However, I will have to enjoy today's play as it may be my last one in a while. Under my father's watchful eye, I had to tone down my actions. But, it wasn't all lost. There were other ways to have fun after all.

My watch read 2pm, and I hurried across town to catch my afternoon appointment. Calling a car would put me on my father's radar, and my destination was easily reached on foot if I cut through the shopping district. I had never cared much for shopping myself; it was a task better suited to personal shoppers or assistants. Consequently, I was surprised to find myself lingering there. I had been just short of a jog when among the throng of rowdy shoppers, a light shimmered off a lock of silky blonde hair.

She had been throwing it behind her shoulders casually as she laughed like she didn't have a care in the world. She was with someone, Sloane? Interesting. Too interesting to pass up. I follow them for a while, charming my way through the crowds of women who blush as I pass. They are in line at a bubble tea stand when I catch up with them. As Mara turns, I make sure I'm directly behind her.

We collide. She begins apologizing. On registering my face, her eyes narrowed. Her face takes on a vicious expression I have never seen her make. The fugacious countenance was provocative on someone seemingly so innocent and appealed to my thirst for depravity. I liked a challenge. This was new, different, refreshing. Yet I know deep down she wouldn't put up much of a fight, like all the others she had always fawned over me. Memory or not, her innate need for my attention would eventually draw her into my grasp.

I started with a smile and an apology. Placing my hand on her forearm lightly, to me, it felt electric, but Mara had barely spared me a glance. Even now, she shook me off and dismissed me with the same gesture my father had used when dismissing his assistants. For the first time in my life, I had become someone whose presence was deemed irritating. Forced to shuffle, my trousers becoming taut from the onset of arousal, I followed in her wake. A sadist by nature, I was eager to explore the emerging masochist within. I wasn't the only one eager for her attention. Sloane, having received his tea, hastened to catch up to her. Meeting my gaze, he gave an almost indiscernible nod of greeting as he passed me. He ran after her like a puppy chasing its owner. She smiled warmly as if greeting a pet and placed her hand on his cheek. He blushed; clearly a man enraptured. I wonder how Cain was taking this or even if he knew. Mara rose from the ashes of humiliation like a phoenix. It seemed as if the world was slowly falling in love with her. Even the negative rumours I had so carefully cultivated were now tinged with respect. Mara commanded it. She had put Zack in his place. Anyone who dared gossip openly would do so with the utmost apprehension, fearing she would lash out again.

At this time of day, the club was usually slow. There were not many members, to begin with. The escorts typically arrive towards the evening, so we had to entertain ourselves in the afternoons. Today, we made use of a specially designed escape room. The lads were already gathered around the screen, watching our prey as she regained consciousness and began to realize she was confined. "Sam, we thought we were going to have to start without you!"

"Why? She's not going anywhere?" I took my seat and poured myself a stiff drink. It wouldn't do to get too riled up. I looked around at the men assembled; Alex, Lucas and Emery. We had been acquainted since childhood. I wouldn't consider them friends, but they are likely as close as I'd get. Unlike me, they had chosen to abide by their family's wishes. All three had already inherited a high position in their respective companies. They may know of a way to pacify my father. "I was finally summoned to the company. I begin Monday."

"Oh yes, I hear your father is livid. I expect everyone knows by now the way the Ito's are kicking up a fuss. What were you thinking breaking off an engagement like that?" I should have known Emery, and the others would know. Our parents are old school buddies, and the elite circle is tiny. Each of us has done or will do business with one another in the future, so it was good to keep track of each other's private matters. To know who was reliable and who wasn't. I don't want to become another drone like them, with their slicked-back hair and stuffy designer suits. They act independent, but they go home and suck up to daddy in the end. "We were never engaged. It was implied but never agreed upon. She was a means to an end for my father and no use at all to me."

"So cold. No one ever expected you to love her, but all women have their uses. Look, even this one is capable of providing mild amusement." Emery gestured toward the screen. It was inelegant as his suit restricted his movement "Akari can provide money, business opportunity and heirs."

"I have no interest in any of that. I just want to feel alive."

"Perhaps we should lock you in the room instead." There was a burst of laughter, and we fell into silence as we watched the woman on the screen. She was covered in blood now, having progressed through the first two challenges. Emery, who was oddly chatty today, broke the silence "this one is good, Alex. Where did you find her?"

"A dating app. Have you been on one? It is almost too easy. They tell you exactly what they are looking for and their interests. You can become their dream guy with a bit of acting, plus it tells you how far away they are. She even came to meet me all defenceless and alone."

"At least she's actively participating. The last one just cried and screamed. No sport at all." They were all enthralled by the sadistic events that unfolded before them. It was an escape room of my own design, inspired by the movie Saw, but with less clothing. Usually, I would enjoy this, but something was missing. As the conversation continued, I pulled out my phone and cleared away the text's from Akari without even reading them. "Did daddy come down too hard on you, Sam? Look, the girl almost lost a finger, and you didn't even spare her a glance."

"It's boring. She's boring." I muttered, turning away from the screen. The others shared a look, "Oh dear, well, Sam, what if we turn on the spikes? You usually love the spikes?" Emery offered excitedly. Until now, Lucas had been silent. He cleared his throat. He spoke so little that even the talkative Emery, still enthusiastically rambling about spikes, fell into stillness. "I know that look. You have had it since you arrived." he looked up at the others. "Someone has finally caught his attention. It's not just a passing fancy this time. He has the look of a hunter about him. Whoever it is, he's enchanted, and only she will do." To my right, Emery and Alex looked as amused as I felt. "Oh! Our Sam's first taste of blossoming love!" crooned Emery. There was no way. I wasn't ever going to settle down. Women, to me, were toys at best. I use them, grow tired, throw them away. They were easy, so easy I could never want to fully possess one. If such a woman could excite me that much, she would have to pose a real challenge. Completely subvert my expectations. Impossible. There is no one like…oh s**t.