The Billionaire's Revenge

It was a balmy evening at the Grothesk Hotel Chanduer. The business party to celebrate the successful new partnership between Fairchild & associates and The Edensor corporation was well underway with the guests enjoying various entertainments and delightful conversations. Pearl Ashton was still recovering from the overwhelming joy to have been given a special invitation to attend one of these parties– it was something both junior associates and clerks could only gossip and dream about – though she was the only junior associate herself, and the only one in attendance she felt completely comfortable, though she had only dreamt of this kind of thing. It was satisfying for her, the business talks with top legal practitioners in the field, the environment subtle and crisp, the entertainment top notch and elegant. The whole setting was to her liking. She was not only happy that she had been promoted to the new position of junior associate, she was also passionate about her job at Fairchild & associates. She loved being a lawyer and she was enthusiastic about the world of the law. At this event she would be able to converse with people whom she had only read about, and it excited her like a young child in a candy store. She looked around as she sipped wine and took in the whole scenery with a grateful smile. She was in her element. She wore a silk midnight blue dress that reached below her knees which she was able to make look astonishingly enchanting with tiny jewelry, while she let her hair drop about her shoulders. She had specifically chosen this outfit because she appreciated the freedom of movement it would give her. She was able to look like queen Cleopatra and also down to earth at the same time. It was a skill only applicable to her. But Derek Edensor was the centre of attention as soon as he arrived at the venue. He was introduced to everyone by the host–Andrew Fairchild– as the most successful young business mogul of their time. Andrew had also taken the trouble to introduce him individually to all the members of the board of directors and other top legalists at the event. As Pear conversed with the director of Borneo Dema —One of the top insurance companies in the state— she caught a glimpse of the man she had heard so much about over the past week. Her boss had been so eager to close the deal with his company that she had been called in to work overtime, in order to put some finishing touches on the —in his own words— "The business deal of the century." He was considerably attractive and very picturesque to behold, she noticed. Most of what she had heard about the man was true, but seeing him up close she soon found out that all that she had imagined seemed to pale in comparison with the reality. The well polished hessian boots matched his black leather jacket which fit him perfectly. It was quite interesting to her how he looked so intimidating with his broad shoulders and well formed body and was still able to give off a feeling of warmth to whomever it was himself and Andrew were talking to at the moment. Afterwards, Derek Edensor noticed Pearl Ashton standing in the far corner and conversing with one of the legalists he had already been introduced to. He had not been introduced to her yet but he recognized her almost instantly. With the amount of time he had spent gazing at her picture this past year, he could tell almost every curve on her face. But she looked very lovely indeed, here, in the flesh. His eyes had practically searched for her as soon as he stepped into the event. But, as he stared at her, he was forced to admit that sometimes one could draw sheer pleasure from simply gazing at extraordinary beauty. He was gazing at it now. She was really quite outstandingly lovely, the more so perhaps because the simplicity of her blue dress was in marked contrast to the bold richness of the dresses worn by the other women at the event. It was a short-sleeved, low-bosomed but modest, dress of silk— but Derek was not interested in the dress. His practiced eye noted that the body beneath it was shapely and long-legged, sportive yet undeniably feminine. Her dark hair piled elegantly out her shoulders, and her light jewelry gleamed under the light. Her was face-oval, and straight-nosed-was classical perfection. Her beauty was nothing short of dazzling when she smiled, as she did in response to a remark made by the gentleman on her right, raising a glass of wine to her lips as she did so. She was the daughter of Mark Ashton, he remembered as he tried to collect his thoughts. The very same man he had sworn to kill. Although he had not seen the man for twelve years and had not particularly thought about him in four or five, nevertheless Derek could feel all the cold fury of an old hatred as he remembered him now. It was to Mark Asthon he owed the loss of his father to, and devastation that had almost consumed his mother after she had heard of his demise. It was to Mark Ashton he owed the fact that he had not been able to settle down and build a family of his own ever since his father's death. That he had never been able to stay in a place long enough to call it home-since he was seventeen- Instead he had wandered the Continent, not really belonging anywhere in particular. It was because of Mark Ashton—whose partnership his father had once cultivated—that his whole life had been turned upside down and permanently changed for the worse. He had consoled himself by becoming exactly who he needed to be in order to carry out his revenge. The burning desire to avenge his father's death, had not faded in twelve years but still burnt buoyantly in his heart. And now he had found the very tool which he was going to use. It was almost too good to be true. She was someone through whom Mark Ashton's pride and reputation, even his heart, could be hurt. He doubted that the man had a heart any more than he himself had, Derek thought cynically. At the moment, Pearl took leave of her companion, she moved off in the direction of the bar when she saw Andrew and Mr. Edensor heading her way. She told herself that she would not let anxiety take hold of her and drew in a breath. Andrew introduced them. "This is Pearl Ashton—Derek Edensor." "She is one of the very best and brightest on the team, I could assure you." he said. Pearl could do nothing but blush at the remark. She had not expected it herself. "It's an absolute pleasure to meet you Mrs. Ashton." Derek said extending a hand to her. "The pleasure is all mine Mr. Edensor." she replied "And it's Miss not Mrs." she added. "Oh pardon me." Derek said half smiling at her in a manner she thought was subtly flirtatious. Andrew then left them to discuss in order to attend to the other guests. Alone with him, Pearl felt quite nervous as he stared into her eyes. She couldn't quite hold his gaze, they seemed to penetrate her and see into her mind. So she suggested they walked around the venue, to which he nodded his approval. Derek stared at her as he fell in step by her side. "How long will they let you stay?" He asked. "I beg your pardon?" Pear said. "Surely you have been sent from the heavens to teach us mortals what beauty really is." he replied. Pearl smiled as she took a side long glance at him, she could see his eyes now, they were hazel and there was this flirtatious laughter lurking in them. "You are very flattering, Mr. Edensor." What, did he come over here just to flirt with her? she wondered. He shook his head. "You are beyond flattery. Nothing I could say would do you justice." At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a man in a suit, whom Mr. Edensor likely knew, because he was now whispering something into his ear. Mr. Edensor then made a bow to her, "It would seem that my other alliances have drawn me away from you, Miss Ashton. Perhaps you would do me the honor of having a dance with you once the dancing begins?." He said as he raised her hand to his lips. Her eyes lit up for the moment, There was something nonchalant, something ever so lightly dangerous in the way he had asked her for a dance. She just couldn't place her finger on it. "Oh yes, most assuredly" she said. Then he made a bowed before turning and walking away with his man. Pearl stared off after him in enchantment of the slight conversation they had just had. Yes she concluded, there was something about him, Pearl's interest was piqued.