"How come you are late?" Will queried the guys immediately they arrived.
Ryan slumped on the chair while Kyle grabbed two bottle of juice and threw a frozen pizza into the microwave, he set the timer then return to Ryan side and handed him a bottle.
"Is this supposed to be good or bad?"
"Don't know yet but it was definitely intensive." Kyle heaved, "more than anything you've experienced ."
Ryan chuckled, "that babe was savage, I think we might get along fine."
Kyle joined in, "Yeah, if we overlook her intention to destroy you, she was definitely a bad ass, even Janice had no idea."
"Will you give me the details or do I get to catch it from the gossip column?." Will went to the microwave and remove the pizza then serve them.
"I thought you have a first class ticket to the show." Kyle picked a slice of the pizza as did Ryan.
"Meaning?"
"Your babe was the first knight." Ryan mumbled.
"Infact, I think this is purely her influence on Candice."
"Or maybe, Candice had always had it in her, she just happened to be the catalyst."
"Can you guys speak English, who are you talking about?" Will asked curiously.
"Are you back to your one night stand?" Ryan asked.
"Do you have any others girl?" Kyle paused.
"You meant Shelby?"
"Yeah."
"What was she doing there?"
"Everything.' Ryan sipped his juice then proceeded to narrate all the event that took place.
"Wow."
"And Ryan didn't even do justice to the show." Kyle chuckled, "you should have seen the vibes, man, she was so confident, I wanted to grab her right there and announced to the world that she's mine."
Will laughed, "on which planet is she yours?"
Ryan joined in the laughter, "try it, she might string you up and hang you dry in public too."
"Wait and see, now that her revenge is complete, she will have no more excuses."
"Except for her stun gun." Will teased
While Ryan laughed.
"But wait..." Will sobered up, "after everything she planned, she gave you the CEO position."
"Yeah, I can't tell what she's thinking."
"Same here." Kyle dropped his bottle, "knowing how much she can't stand you, I expect her to kick you out and trust me, that wouldn't be hard."
"Yeah, I'll talk to her tomorrow."
"But how do you intend to handle the two responsibility?" Will asked.
"I'll find a way." he stood just as his phone rang, he checked his screen it was his mother, he showed his friends, "what do I tell her?"
Kyle looked at Will who shrugged, "Ignored it till you know what to do.'
Ryan nodded then went to his room.
*****
"Hey?" Ryan looked at Kyle's tired face, "what's wrong?"
"I couldn't meet her." he sat on the chair.
Ryan stood and pour him a drink, "Will couldn't meet Shelby either."
"Thanks." he took the cup, "did you speak to Janice."
"Busy too but not as much as the rest and any spare time she has was spent with the kids."
"Did you talk to your brother?, how did he loose the share?"
"Actually..." Ryan sat opposite him, "Candice got them fair and square, the i***t gamble himself into dept then paid it off with his shares."
"Everything?"
"Yep."
"And your mum?"
"Sold it to her young lover, who sold it to Candice."
"Great, seams as if Candice is truly out to get your family."
"Exactly, this is ruining them, so why is she sparing me?"
"Maybe.. because you are the father of her dearest nephews."
Ryan scoffed, "I hope so but she isn't that sentimental."
Kyle smiled, "did you call your mother?"
He shook his head, "no but she hasn't stop calling since yesterday."
"And?"
"I've been avoiding her, I really have no idea what to say I her, hell even I don't really know what going on."
"Except for the fact that you made the headline, you and your family are currently the top three searches and the next three are the auction, company and crime related to your family but nothing on Candice, ...I mean she's the main cast, she should be..."
"Yeah, she basically used me as sheild."
"You think that was her plan."
"I can't even say, I've gone through all her plans and they are solid better than solid, they are great, I have no reason to refuse and as for the refund on embezzlement, it's an old clause, mostly over looked, it was included when my great grandfather got betrayed by his friend who embezzled the company fund, although he was caught, the fund was never recovered and that was the beginning of pride downward spiral, he also died from the shock."
"Wow, I didn't know that buts it's a good one, we can also include it ."
"Yeah, I told Will about it, he want to check the legality."
They turned to the door when they heard a knock.
"Did you order something?" Kyle asked.
"No." he stood and went to the door, "when next will you see her?"
"In the evening when she's done with the inventory."
Ryan opened the door, only to see his mother, "mum?"
Sylvia barged in, walked past him to the sofa, "how could you ignore my calls?"
Ryan heaved closed the door and joined her, "I was busy."
"Busy ignoring your mother while she's distressed." she nodded to Kyle who stood to greet her, "fetch me a drink, I'm quite parched."
Ryan shared a look with Kyle then rolled his eyes,
"I can't believe that unruly girl, I can't even gain access to my own home and account ."
"What do you mean by that?" he set the glass on the table then fill in the wine.
"Exactly, I told your brother you had no idea what those witches where up to but he said it was your plan."
"What?, what's king thinking?"
"A solution... When you refuse to return my calls."
"I'm sorry... I was..."
"Keep it." she sipped her wine, "I don't know what you are going to do but I need access to my home and account."
"Of course, I'll solved that but mum .. your name wasn't on the list of the executive who embezzled..."
"Of course."
"So why on earth did Candice take over your home, she had no right to and I wonder why the police indulge her."
"Do you want me to find out?" Kyle volunteered.
"Oh please, you should know how this unruly girl behalf, she probably spread her legs for them."
Kyle gasped shook his head and left the room, he never could tolerate her.
"Mum?"Ryan exclaimed
"What I did my research on her, I heard she had four kids, live with her sister and she's not married neither is she with their father, how low can she gets?"
"Seriously..." he sat opposite her, "do you actually pretended not to know or do you actually don't know?"
"Know what, I know for certain she's one child I'll not like my son to be associated with only to discover that the brat, you introduce to me yesterday is her sister, was that why you were ignoring my calls."
"So you knew, you knew about the children." he stood.
"Of course, I made it my job to find out."
"Then you must know King could spend the next 10 years in prison for r**e then."
"What?" she put down her glass "what are you saying?"
"So you don't know?" he chuckled, "I don't know if I'm relieved or not."
"Explain, what do you mean by your brother going to jail, what had he done this time?"
He sat down again, "seven years ago, he r***d and impregnated Candice while he had just joined the company and she in highschool."
"Wait...wait, she's..." She ran a hand through her hair, "she's the girl."
"So you knew!" Ryan exclaimed
"I can't believe this." she scoffed, "I can't believe that piece of trash came back to destroy my company." she stood, "seams as if she and her wretched family hadn't learnt their lesson."
"Wow mum, way to go, I wish grandpop could see this, he will definitely roll over in his grave," he stood, "I wish there's a recorder or something to trans..."
"That's it, that's it." she grinned then hugged Ryan , "I knew you would come through, you were always the best, now watch..." she smirked "watch as I put that sassy girl back in her place." she turned and left the same way she came leaving Ryan baffled.
*****
"Hey?" Ryan pecked Janice, "how's it going."
"Better than expected, more people turned up than expected."
"Which is good, isn't it?"
"Yeah?"
"Where's Candice?"
Janice pointed to the corner where she was seated with Shelby.
"What are they doing?"
"Instant deduction, she can't seam to trust anyone else with it."
"Wow, never took her for the hard working type."
Janice grinned, "I told you, you haven't met the determined Candice."
"Oh, I sure did after that board stunts, I think she's definitely capable of anything."
Janice chuckled then looked towards her sister, "is... Is that your brother?"
Ryan followed her gaze to the man who just pass by thems, "what is he doing here?"
Janice moved between the guest and went the Candice.
"As usual the mother hen." king said sarcastically
"I think you should leave, king." Ryan said just as Kyle also arrived behind them.
"I think I'll let the lady speak for herself."
They turned to Candice who looked at them and said, "please do not gather, you are all blocking my view of the stage and you may even divert the guest attention, property auctions will begin soon, so go find a seat."
King smiled, "I knew you would want me next to you."
"Get lost king, I've got nothing to say to you."
King chuckled and brought out his cell phone, he passed it to her, "come on for old time sake."
She took it then gasped and king collected it back immediately, "now I'm sure you understand what I meant.'
Candice nodded slowly.
"Good, I'll see you later." he bent and kissed her lightly on her lips then walked away.
"What was that?" Janice exclaimed.
Candice sat frozen in her seat.
"Candice?" Shelby held her hand.
"Huh!" she turned to Shelby.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." she stood, "I'll go check the VIP stand." she stood and walked away stiffly, ignoring everyone concerned look.
"What just happened?" Janice asked
"He threatened her." Shelby replied then adjusted the desk, "I don't know what it was but he definitely threatened her." she stood,
Kyle turned and went after Candice.
Shelby stood, "can you round up here, Janice?"
"Sure."
"Good, I'll be right back." she turned and went in search of Victory.
Janice turned to Ryan, "would you..."
"Of course." Ryan said and went after Kyle.
*****
"I knew you would come." king stood, from the stairway he was sitting then turned to Candice.
'I don't have much time, what do you want?"
"Aish!" King squeezed the cigarette, he was smoking, "you don't have the luxury to be rude to me, you know."
"Tell me the price, it's obvious there's something you want."
He lean against the rail, "you."
"What?"
"Just kidding, no matter how much you upgrade yourself, you still aren't worth being in my bed, so erase the thought, you can never be in it."
Candice winked, "its.. what exactly do you want?"
"For starters my house."
"Then your mum's house I suppose."
"Hmm, nah." he waved his hand, "nah, you can keep that I don't mind."
"Fine, I'll give you that." she folded her arm across her chest "but what is the assurance that you won't blackmail me again or that you do not have another copy?"
King chuckled, "I guess you will never know."
"I'm not a weakling you know, I refused to bend to your will."
"Really?" he scoffed, "that sounds odd, I clearly remember you bending at my will."
Candice heaved, "Bastard, I see you haven't grown up."
"I heard you had the bastards."
Candice stiffened.
"I wonder what will happen if I upload it on their school site, every parent will see it and point at them, In three days, they might not even he able to walk in the street."
"You ...you." she took shakky steps towards him.
"Exactly, all the more reasons for you to answer my demand, you have a family to think about now."
Candice hit him across the face furiously, "how...how could..." she tried to hit him again but he caught her wrist in the air and pinned her against the wall.
"You really haven't learn how to behave, have you?, do you want me to pay your kids a visit?"
He face paled immediately as blood drain off it.
"Exactly." he threw her hand down, "my demand just increase, transfer all your shares to me."
"What?"
"If I don't have them by tomorrow, you kids will definitely not be going out for awhile." he removed his cell phone and dialled a number.
"No, you can't do this." Candice grabbed the phone and threw it across the stairs.
"What, oh!" he exclaimed, "I wasn't going to send it." he walked down and took the broken phone, "I was calling my ride, you took my car, remember?" he checked the phone, "its broken, now you owe me, a phone, a car, my house and my shares."
"I...I..."
He raised his index, "before you say something foolish, this isn't the only copy I have, in fact I have videos, I doubt you forget that, did you?"
she shook her head.
"Good, so be obedient and think about the children, they will be devastated."
Candice nodded.
"Good... now in good spirits I'll be expecting my gift."
"Okay, I'll give it tomorrow, I .. there..are some..."
"I don't want to know, tomorrow, I better have them."
She swallowed audibly, "yes, you will have them."
He nodded, "now as a sign of good faith." he tilted up her chin, looked at her eyes then at her clenched fist by her side, then at her bust through the opening of her shirt, "wow, you grew well."
Candice turned her face but he pulled her back.
"You should give something, how else am I supposed to trust you and wait." he pulled her hair back roughly then kissed her roughly, "ah!" he exhaled, "you taste so good, better than I remember." he grinned, "I can't wait to have you back in my bed."
"What?"
"Hmm, infact, you should be there tonight."
"I... I need to..."
"What better way to show me your good will..." he trail her cleavage with his thumb slowly, "than to repay me..." he cupped her boobs in his hand, "with your body." he smiled then bend and kissed it.
Kyle entered the stairway suddenly causing them to jolt, he looked at Candice who looked away in her loosed shirt then turned to King and hit him twice in the face.
"Whay are you doing?" Candice pulled him back.
Ryan entered to see a bleeding King.
"Is he your boyfriend?" King asked as he cleaned his face.
"Not everyone is like you." Candice unfist Kyle hold on King.
"Then if you aren't..." he pulled her closer, "how do you compensate me for this?" he showed her the blood stains on his handkerchief.
Kyle launch at him again but Candice pushed him back.
"I'll see you tonight and any other night of your choice."
"What?" the men exclaimed except King
King smirked at Kyle who was looking at Candice dumbfounded, "Good choice." he patted her butt as he walked away.
Kyle shook Candice furiously, "are you out of you mind?"
"No, I've never been more same than I am right now."
"Tell me you where only joking, tell me you do not intend to spend the night with him." he shook her again.
"You need to stop treating me like I'm yours, cause, I aren't and I'm never going to be."
"What!" he released his hold of her.
She looked at him then walked away.
"Can..." Kyle tried to call her but Ryan held his hand.
"Don't, you are both emotional right now, you should give her time to calm."
"No, I.. what on earth is she thinking,...she should..."
Ryan shook his head and they both headed to the parking lot.
"I'm okay, I'll drive home, you can go back." .Kyle said then drove off while Ryan returned to Janice
"Hey, how did it go?" Janice asked.
"Terrible, Kyle's gone home."
"Really what happened?"
"Not even sure myself, Candice volunteered to spend the night with King."
"What ?"
"Yeah and Kyle lost it."
"Huh." she heaved, "I'll talk to Candice, she probably didn't mean it or maybe she has a plan."
"I hope so."
Janice patted his shoulder, "cheer up, are you participate in the auction?" she changed the topic to cheer him.
"Yeah, I need to get my mum house back, I'm afraid she might insist on moving in with me if I don't."
Janice grinned, "then get ready to pay double."
"Where's Candice?"
"Upstairs, the auction is holding there, you should go, who knows you might also find your dream house."
Ryan smiled, "aren't you coming?"
"No, I have some packing left to do."
"Packing?"
"Yeah, didn't I tell you, we are moving away tonight?"
"What?
"Oh, sorry, I must have forgotten, things have been hectic."
"Where to?"
"Candice surprise." she shrugged "but I think it's the house bestowed to pride chairman."
"Oh!"
"Never mind, the moment I discovered the location, I'm going to invite you for unpacking, housewarming and whatever excuses I can come up with."
Ryan grinned.
"Yeah and..." she whispered in his ear, "we get to have our own room."
Ryan chuckled, "that's perfect." he kissed her lightly then went upstairs.