POWER PLAY
1240 Words
Chapter 16
Lady Joan POV
I stormed into Dona's mansion. My hands are chilly. Trapped from the nightmare earlier.
It was past 10pm but the lights in Dona's room was very alive.
“Is he entertaining guests?”
At this hour?; While I was in a haze?
Scoff…
Latifa. I saw him drooling all over her earlier at the party.
I jerked the room door open, as moans filled my ears.
Disgusting..
I stormed at them, flying off the duvet off their naked bodies.
His assistant?… He was with his new personal assistant.
How many times will I change assistants for him?
Pig…
“Blood of Christ, Dona. You're f**king a lowlife while I was going crazy!”
A sting of jealousy swept through me. You could say Dona and I had a secret history.
A very dark and dangerous secret
We missed business with pleasure. Not once though.
One of the ways to keep him shut. Forever.
“Joan…” he ran his thick palm across his face as the s**t picked up the remaining of her belongings.
“I am going nuts. I had another nightmare, Dona. She's alive. That girl is alive. I can feel it”
I slumped into bed as soon as the door shut after the girl.
“Joan, not again”
Dona trailed after her, as he turned the key switch.
“I am f**king serious”, I cut him off, aware of what was happening in his mind.
“I feel it in my bones. Joyce's is somewhere. Alive and breathing”
The thought of her coming back made me shiver. She's a vengeful being.
She had torn down Maliry’s Empire after they had debunked their fake products in our factory. They had scammed off Zacks' millions of dollars' investment.
Zack married her after that. Giving her a forty-five percent share of the company!
“That girl is not an ordinary girl!”
Dona slid in beside me, taking me into a tight hug.
“Joyce is dead Joan… You and Zack are just hallucinating. She's gone forever”. Dona mumbled, running his hands through my hair.
“What if she's alive?... What if she's that girl… LATIFA?” I mumbled, my body trembling, shaking at each word.
Dona chuckled lightly.
I know he doesn't believe me. He never had.
“What about Miriam? She's nowhere to be found?”
“Miriam?” he asked, his brows raised.
“She's alive Dona… She's much alive. What if she comes back?... You know she saw me when… when I…”
“Shh… Nothing as such Joan”
Dona held me tight.
“Latifa is not Joyce. Joyce and Miriam are gone. Far gone. Even if they come back... Trust me; I will kill them myself”
He cupped my face. His thumb brushing through my dry lips. Dragging a sensation through my shivering body.
“Nothing will happen, My darling”, his eyes glimmer in desire, but his words were firm and final.
Our gaze locked. Breath dragging. Dona took my lips into his.
Our emotions filled the room. His unspoken words sank into me.
To seal this promise. I have to give in something.
I know
We've been accomplices for years. We understand each other’s every move. He holds my dearest secret, while I hold his
He pushed into the bed as he came fully on me.
Maybe this is what I needed. A passionate, steamy night.
Away from grief.
Away from Joyce and Miriam’s ghost
~~
Today is the day. The day Dutchman's Empire will sign the biggest contract of the year in the whole of New York.
Been here for thirty minutes, Latifa is nowhere to be seen. Likewise, her supposed new board members.
The board had requested her disposal. I heard about their clash yesterday.
Amusing
Well… I am here to make that happen.
I remain Lady Joan. Only wife of Dr. Dutchman.
The bosslady
The heavy sound of Zack’s foot stamping on the marble floor disrupts my mind.
He sat. Aloof. But his expression was different… lost. Shocked. Tired. Like he didn’t get enough sleep.
“You’re late… It's past 10”
He looked up at me. Startled. Shocked at my rare presence.
I hardly show my face at board meetings, but trust me, my presence is always respected.
“What are you doing here, Lady Joan?”
“You already know the answer to that son”, I smirked.
Witnessing Latifa’s first fall… I wouldn’t miss out on that.
And he knows
Rubbing his forehead, “You’re unbelievable”
“We want her deposed… or…”
“Or what” Latifa’s voice echoed behind. Her heels clip-clapping at each step.
I caught it. Zack's face lit up as she walked in.
I know Zacks' reason for keeping her close. She reminds him of that lowlife. Long buried lowlife.
Her cologne filled the room. Intriguing.
No matter what she does, I won't let her outshine me.
“Hello Engr Dona…” she shook him before heading to sit… Beside Zack?
Dona's gaze caught mine. He looked away almost immediately, adjusting his already neat tie.
S**t…
What is wrong with these men?
“A pleasant surprise indeed… I thought you all quit?” Latifa chuckled.
Her laughter, mocking.
“Well as the Bosslady, I asked them back…” I cut in. Her gaze drifted towards me. “But in exchange for something unfortunately unfavorable to you… my dear.”
“Ooh… And what is that… Joan?” She smirked.
Lady Joan goddamit…
I clutch my fist. My heart tightened.
She makes my heart boil. Too much confidence
“Well your removal… You've got to step down. Release your shares and leave”, Senator Ali rebuked. Firm and final.
“No one is leaving…” Zack hissed.
“And if I refuse to do that?” Latifa fired at Senator Ali. Her smile was unyielding as she tapped Zacks' shoulder.
She is one of a kind. Makes me think of Joyce.
Is she connected to her? A twin?... Gasps. Maybe Miriam sent her.
No. Miriam is gone
“What do you seek for in the Dutchman's Empire, Del Mona?...” I fired at her. What is she so after?
Smirk… She stood.
“I am strictly a business person, Joan”. Our eyes locked.
“But since you don't want me. "I can't back down without a fight, don't you think so too… Joan?”
There's something familiar about this girl. Her aura feels so familiar. So Joyce
“State your terms” my voice firm. I can't back out. I will do all it takes to remove her.
“You and your members will resign. Submitting all of your shares”
“You’re crazy…”Dona stood. I raised my finger, hastily cutting him off.
I knew it. She is after my position.
“And if you fail to bring in shareholders?”
“I will resign”
The atmosphere was intense. The board member sat silent. Heavy breathing. I could hear their thudding heartbeat.
Their fear; I know.
Loosing shares at Dutchman's Empire; quite scary.
But they should know what I am capable of. No one steps on my toes
I made sure no other members would be added to the company and external candidates won't be let into the company.
I was ready for this. This was war.
“Deal”
- Writer
