Beyond Redemption

CHAPTER ONE

Kieran's face twisted in anger as he slammed his fist on the polished mahogany desk.

"You're not listening to me, Father!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the office.

Elijah Saint - Kieran's father and the Chairman of Black Swan Holdings- looked up from the papers he was studying, his expression unreadable. He was a tall, imposing figure in his early 50s, with a commanding presence that demanded attention. His piercing honeyed brown eyes, a shade lighter than Kieran's, seemed to bore into those he meets, as if sizing them up for potential weaknesses.

His dark hair was flecked with gray, combed back to reveal a prominent forehead. His tailored suits highlights his broad shoulders and chest, giving him an air of unyielding authority. When he spoke, his deep, resonant voice was like thunder, making it impossible to ignore him.

"I'm listening, Kieran," he said calmly. "You're just not making sense."

"You can't seriously expect me to authorize this shipment." Kieran said blazing with frustration. "You never listen! You never consider my opinions. You just dictate and expect me to follow."

Elijah leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I'm trying to teach you the ways of business, Kieran. You need to learn to make f*****g tough decisions and always, always prioritize the company's interests."

"Tough decisions?" Kieran's laughter was bitter. "I've been making tough decisions even since I took my first step as a child." He sighs. "Dad, all I'm saying is postpone the day of these shipments. Those packages are risky"

"So? Put more men on it. We have a contract to fulfill." He said shrugging.

"I need to make sure there are no mistakes. I need to be thorough. I'm not authorizing that shipment." Kieran says clenching his jaw and banging his fists again.

Elijah's expression turned cold. "That's enough, Kieran. The Damascus family are expecting their package. It's going out as planned. End of discussion."

Kieran's face burned with anger. He held down his father's stare and finally turned to walk out when his father called him. "Kieran?"

He only turned his face halfway.

"You better make sure there are no f**k ups. I wouldn't like any. Now...Get out!"

Kieran Saint stormed out of the sleek, black glass tower that housed Black Swan Holdings, a multinational conglomerate founded by his father, Elijah Saint. The building's imposing exterior seemed to loom over the city. It was a masterpiece of modern architecture, with a façade of polished black granite that appeared almost liquid in the sunlight. A subtle pattern of silver accents danced across the surface, evoking the image of a swan's feathers.

As Kieran strode across to the parking garage his scowl intensified. He had just endured a grueling meeting with his father, he felt like breaking something or someone. He flexed his hands. The tension between them was palpable, being the director of Black Swan Holdings wasn't an easy task given the real nature of their job.

Black Swan Holdings was just a front from the government and masses not to know what the Saints actually do in the business world. Money laundering, gun running and casino deals were the true nature of the Saints family business. Kieran knows the Saint family don't know what straight is anymore and he could feel the weight of his father's expectations bearing down on him like a physical force.

His long strides ate up the distance and reached his black Aston Martin DBS. The car's sleek lines and powerful engine seemed to hum with anticipation, as if sensing Kieran's dark mood. As he slid behind the wheel and fired up the engine, the sound of roaring metal and pounding music enveloped him, momentarily drowning out the turmoil in his mind. He peeled out of the parking garage, weaving through the city streets of Las Vegas with a precision that bordered on recklessness.

The speed and adrenaline rush temporarily calmed his nerves but Kieran knew he couldn't outrun his demons forever. The darkness that had been simmering beneath the surface all day was threatening to boil over.

"I need a f*****g drink." He grunted.

Kieran walks into his home and went straight to the bar. He takes a glass and pours his scotch. He sips and flashbacks of his arguments with his dad comes to play. He had a bad feeling about the Damascus deal but his father was stubborn as ever.

"Fucccccccccck!" He yelled as the glass goes crashing into the wall alongside the entire bottle of scotch. His voice echoing throughout the entire house. He takes another glass and opens up a new bottle of Scotch and goes to sit. Few minutes later, he could smell her before she spoke.

"How many times have I told you to call before coming here?" He said clearly irritated.

"If you weren't so upset and smashing glasses. You'd know i did call. Plus having a key to your house means I can come and go as I please, dear brother." Ruby Saint said as she looks at the mess Kieran created.

Ruby Saint was a vision of elegance. Being a girl, her father didn't work her like Kieran. She had it easy, way easy than he did. Her slender figure was draped in designer silk. Her skin glowed and her facial features were finely chiseled, with high cheekbones and a delicate jawline. Her eyes, a deep shade of brown that sparkled with warmth and kindness. Her dirty blonde hair cascaded down her neck in a loose bun, framing her heart-shaped face with effortless sophistication.

Despite her polished appearance, there was something vulnerable about Ruby, a sense of gentle fragility that makes you want to protect her from the world. She had a soft smile but also a deep-seated sensitivity that made her feel things intensely. Her brother always said she felt things too deeply.

"Care to tell me what's making you upset?" She asked as she cleans up the broken glasses and spilled alcohol but he doesn't reply. "Okay." She knew she wasn't getting a response out of him.

"Just…Whatever he might have said to you. Ignore him.”

He grunts in reply.

She sighs. “K, just forget he said anything. You know…”

Ruby sometimes gets so exhausted from banters between her father and brother. Their relationship is so strained. Growing up, she's had to get used to it.

“Trust me I really want to. He makes it so damn hard.” Kieran replies through gritted teeth.

Their father wasn't perfect but he treats her like a princess. With Kieran, it's a different case. She gets their father wanting to perfect her brother as the great business tycoon that he is. He's practically raised him in his image. But sometimes, it was hard but Kieran will never admit it. He's too egocentric and he'd let his pride kill him first before ever letting anyone see him vulnerable much less their father.

“When last did you get a goodnight's rest?”

“Quit acting like mom.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, I'm sorry. I forget you're replusive to family love and care.”

He groans. “I just need a good fuck.”

“Can you be less vulgar?”

“It's my house.” He said sipping his scotch.

"Oh right! Your Marquez suit is here."

"My what?" He said turning to look at her slowly.

"Lorenzo Marquez su...."

"I know what it is. Why is it arriving?"

"The heritage gala."

"No." Stern and cold.

"Actually...Yes. If I remember clearly, you said that even 'Elijah Saint wouldn't stop you from attending her function.'" She said with hand quote sign. Pause. "You keep your promises." She said in a sing-song voice.

"I'm not going." He said curtly.

"It's a good environment for your mood right now. You could meet a new fake barbie plus you could use the networking, you know. All those..."

"Fine, Rue. Stop talking. You're going to make my head ache." He said cutting her off and standing up. He sighs. “I did promise. We'll go.”

Smiling, she throws a small fist in the air. "Yes!"