The Unexpected Meetup.
1195 Words
Chapter Three - The Unexpected Meetup.
Clara's POV
Three years later.
The air in London was always an intoxicating blend of old money, expectation and sophistication.
Stepping out of the cab, I pulled the collar of my coat tight, Beside me, Aiden skipped along the sidewalk, his small hand holding on tight to mine.
At three years old, he already had the eyes and jawline of the very man I was risking everything to destroy. Each time I looked at him, I saw Damien Kingsley.
Being in London made matters even worse, three years had passed by yet the memory of the charity gala still lingered in my head.
The night that had completely changed everything. The night that turned me into a mother, one thing I would have never imagined becoming.
I should not have come back.
Every single thing reminded me of him and I hated it.
"Mommy, are we finally going to see the big boats?" Aiden asked, his tone was laced with excitement and his eyes twinkled with curiosity.
I smiled at him. "Not today. We are meeting a friend for work, remember?" My tone was steady.
Aiden nodded but the disappointed look on his face was evident.
I would have really loved to take him for a little tour around town but to be honest, I was afraid of bumping into Damien.
Aiden and I stood in front of a large building with imposing walls. The building was made of glass and obsidian.
Carlos Carastas owned the building, He was the reason why i finally returned to London after three years.
A few weeks ago, Carlos had reached out to me for some work-related deals. At first when he told me he was in London and he wanted us to meet in person, I was skeptical because I never intended on returning but when he made mention of "Damien Kingsley" my interest immediately piqued.
I saw it as a chance to correct the mistake I made three years ago and finally complete my mission.
Carlos was waiting for me in a top floor office that smelled of cold ambition.
He did not look like a villain, he looked like someone who had been starved of his birthright for so long.
"Clara Whitmore."
Carlos rose from behind his desk that probably cost more than my first apartment. He offered me a handshake which i reluctantly received. "How does it feel to be back in London?" He asked immediately I pulled from his grip.
I cleared my throat. "Normal but as you know, i am not here for the nostalgia, i am here to work." I replied.
Carlos smiled, he looked impressed by my enthusiasm. "Please, sit." He pointed to the sofa by the corner.
I nodded, settling down on the sofa with Aiden in my arms. Carlos did not seem to mind Aiden's presence considering how he did not bother to acknowledge him.
"I see you and the Kingsleys have history, considering how you were quick to accept the job offer when i made mention of Damien Kingsley."
I gulped a lump down my throat. "Personal stuff."
Carlos' smile widened. "Personal rivalry, I like the sound of that." He crossed his arms. "I want you to look into Damien's recent deal with Blue stone corporations."
"Okay..." I paused to raise a brow at him. "Did you find anything suspicious regarding that?"
This time, Carlos' smile disappeared. He leaned back, his eyes narrowing.
"That is your job Clara, it is why i hired you."
The sudden bitterness in his voice was a mirror to my own. I knew Carlos also had a personal grudge against Damien but i did not press further.
"I need the ledger, Clara. Damien keeps a physical backup in his private safe at his apartment, If I have those signatures, the merger collapses, and the Kingsley name becomes synonymous with fraud." Carlos clenched his fist tight.
That was a lot to begin with. The goal was to avoid Damien whilst my stay in London but it seemed like that would be impossible but I could not back down from the first task.
"I will get it." I said confidently.
Carlos looked like he had more to say but Aiden suddenly interrupted with a loud groan.
"I am hungry, Mommy!" Aiden complained tugging at my arm.
I felt slightly embarrassed by a nagging toddler, I turned to flash Carlos an apologetic look. "Sorry, we haven't really eaten anything since we arrived in London asides airport food."
Surprisingly, Carlos did not seem bothered at all. "That's fine. I know a place where you both can grab something to eat." He paused to grab his phone and some other things from his desk. "Bills on me."
I nodded, pulling Aiden from the couch. We carefully followed Carlos from behind.
I was guessing wherever we were headed to was not quite far from the Carastas' building.
Immediately we stepped out of the building, Three black Range Rovers pulled up to the curb just twenty feet ahead.
I felt my heart stop instantly as security scrambled out, forming a circle.
The door of the center vehicle opened and to my uttermost surprise, a man in a grey suit stepped out.
His presence is so commanding, pulling the attention of everyone towards him.
Damien.
He looked exactly the same.
His movements were precise, he had his usual expressionless look.
All of a sudden, Damien stopped to button his jacket, his eyes roamed over the crowd as if searching for something.
"Mommy, look! A big car!" Aiden shouted, his high-pitched voice echoed loudly.
Damien’s head snapped toward the sound, his eyes searching for the source of the voice.
"Aiden, down!" I hissed, grabbing him by the waist.
Without thinking, I rushed behind a massive decorative concrete planter, pulling Aiden with me.
My heart raced even faster as I hurriedly placed my hand over Aiden's mouth.
"Shh," I breathed into his ear. "It is a game, Leo. A hiding game. Do not make a sound."
Through a tiny gap between the planter and a trash receptacle, I saw the polished black shoes of a man stop. They were mere inches from our hiding spot.
I could hear his breathing. I could even smell his cologne.
"Sir?" a deep voice asked. A bodyguard. "The chairman is waiting inside."
There was a long moment of silence, I felt Aiden’s hot breath against my palm.
"I thought I heard..." Damien’s voice was a low and laced with uncertainty "Never mind. Let’s go."
The footsteps receded.
I remained in the dirt for a full minute, my gaze shifted to Aiden who was staring at me with wide, questioning eyes.
I had come back for revenge, but seeing him again made me realize it was more than just that.
Damien Kingsley was five feet away from discovering he had a son, and I was one mistake away from losing the only thing that kept me human.
"Care to explain what just happened?"
Carlos' voice cut through my thoughts.
Now, how was I supposed to explain to Carlos that the man he wanted to bring down was the father of my son?
- Writer
