Tangled Embers

Episode2

KARL's POV

Finally, it’s out. Everything that had happened all these years was leading up to this moment. And now the battle line has been drawn. Well it’s been drawn pretty much since I was born but now it’s drawn with a red marker.

Dad just announced his retirement and in classic Martinez tradition, the ultimatum to decide his successor. We- Anton and I are to increase the revenue of our respective GMT Groups jurisdictions by 60% in a year's time- the annual stakeholders meeting.

“May the best man win” everyone cheered as he led the toast. I scoffed. They’re probably picking their sides now. The most profitable camp they can milk to soothe their never enduring greed. I looked around at their pretentious smiles and rehearsed speeches that perfectly conceals their innate ability to pounce on the slightest loophole of their “friends” and foes alike as long as it benefits them. That’s why I don’t even bother. It disgusts me. I don’t need friends.

Everyone is dressed to nines as befitting for my supposed welcome ball. And my eyes fell on a redhead at the corner. She drank with reckless abandon, a rather unrefined behaviour for a gathering like this. It's usually the superficial niceties and insincere schmoozing that makes my skin crawl.

Honestly, I’d rather be drowning myself in alcohol right now than be here.

My gaze lingered on her a little more than is polite. Her glistening red dress perfectly accentuating her hourglass body..

“Hey there trophy son” Anton said blocking my line of sight. Ugh.

“How does it feel to be used knowing you can be disposed of at any time” he continued.

My face was blank. I won’t give him the satisfaction of ruling me up “Hello Anton, yes my stay in the UK was amazing. You should consider furthering your education. That is if your brain still has such capacity”

He laughed, “You see, that's what you don't get. I don't need a Ph.D. or any qualifications to take what's mine. It's been mine from the start. So you can try to collect all the badges you want. Enjoy the temporary attention while it lasts, because no matter how hard you try, you can't have it. Trust me to make sure of that.” He said, flashing me a devilish grin as he walked back to his friends.

Yep. My daily dose of emotional drain. How I’ve missed that. A hard reminder that I don’t belong here. But I gotta do what I got to do, to survive. It’s not like I have that much of a choice anyways. I have to keep being the goody two shoes. The one that ticks all the perfect son boxes. I sighed. Great. Redhead was not at the corner anymore.

“Come here Karl” Dad- Mr. Martinez beckons

“Oh Karl my boy, the London gentleman smeared real good on you. You look quite dapper since I last saw you” Mr. Otto said with Sierra on his arm, smiling widely.

“Oh really? then I’m afraid you didn’t take a good look. I’ve been dapper since birth. Sire.” I said with a toothy smile I hope did not seem forced, ‘cause it is.

He gave a hearty laugh and turned to dad “ I love your boy Martinez”

“You should, he’ll be your son-in-law officially in a few months” Dad said rubbing his temples “And Sierra is looking just as gorgeous tonight, isn’t she Karl?”

“Of course” I said, bowing my head to kiss her hand in courtesy.

“I’ll leave you two to catch up now” Dad said, directing the men to another table.

Ugh.I’m not in the mood for any yapping right now

“You rarely picked my calls in London. Where are you with another girl?”

“There’s something called time difference Sierra. Maybe if you called at the appropriate time. I would’ve answered” I still wouldn’t.

“So no other girl?” She quizzed. I furrowed my brows “just checking, don’t like sharing what’s mine you know, it could get messy”. She said with a serious expression on her face. Is there a “mine-fever” going around that I don’t know of.

“Am I some sort of property?”

She giggled “you’re so cute and clueless. I love it”

She was raising her head to meet mine-

“WHAT!” I thundered, spinning around to see who’d just spilled wine on me. It was Redhead.

“I’m so sorry. Let me pay for your laundry” she said, quivering. She’s..pretty. Her small oval face would fit perfectly in my palm. Her succulent heart shaped lips might need some pruning. But this- I stared at the wine stain formed across my crotch area like I peed myself is so old school. Trying to get my attention? At least be creative. What a pickme.

“Of course you would. Follow me” I said sternly jogging up the stairs, seizing the opportunity to slip away from Sierra. Redhead came just in the nick of time.

I peeled the stained clothes off my body and slipped into a bathrobe in the suite room.

“I need them good as new, anything short of that you’d have to get me the whole Dior summer ‘23 collection”

I saw her swallow hard. Her eyes fixated on my sculpted abs. The corner of my lips twitched up in a smirk. I make ‘em speechless, I know.

“I’ll need a change of clothes.” I said to Jose, my P.A

She walked forward to take the clothes, not taking her eyes off me. I caught her just in time before she collided with the marble tiles as she tripped on her dress.

“Just how clumsy are you, Miss?” I leaned in with a grin “or should I say thirsty?” I tightened my grip on her waist and she shivered . A little fun won’t hurt

“I’ll just take the clothes… thank you” Redhead said, Wiggling free from my hold. She’s not a very good liar.

“Why do you deny yourself heaven?” I said, closing the gap between us “There’s more where that came from” I said using her hands to trace the contours of my abs.

She fought so hard to rein in her emotions, but it was a losing battle, as she bit her lip in a futile attempt to stem the tide of her turmoil.

“Are you sure you don’t want this?” I whispered, placing my lips on her neck. I traced my tongue along her neck in a tease, kissing her collarbone, cheeks softly, everywhere but her lips.

A moan escaped her mouth. she pulled me, crashing my body on hers and reaching for my lips as if begging me to kiss her.

I pulled away staring into her ocean blue siren eyes.

“It’s supposed to be my welcome party but it’s a mess down there” I said with puppy eyes “Do you think you can cheer me up”

“Yes” she said breathlessly, almost inaudible.

“Good girl” I crashed my lips on hers and she kissed me back like she’s been starved. I raised her thighs to wrap her legs around my torso, leading her to the bed.

I devoured her mouth like I knew each nook and cranny. Like we’d done this a thousand times. Like old couples, So familiar .

We peeled off each piece of clothing, till we were in our birthday suits. Damn she was beautiful. Her hair was scented with roses and her body was carved to perfection.

Her hard n*****s made me ravenous. I explored the path that laid between her legs with my fingers and our bodies danced in perfect rhythm, so mythical the world faded into silence. I just wanted to get lost in it. It’s odd that I don’t want this to end. It’s just a fling.

Just before her phone shrilled, shattering the spell of this perfect trance.