CHAPTER TWO:THE COLLATERAL
1347 Words
Chapter Two : The COLLATERAL
“Elena's Pov”
“ phone ringing “
I was reviewing a large pile of documents when my phone vibrated through my glass desk.
The caller ID was one word .
Home.
I stared at it for several seconds before answering.
"Yes?"
"Miss De Luca, " the familiar voice of the family butler greeted. "Your father requests your presence at the estate."
I leaned back in her chair.
"Did he tell you why “
" he didn't."
"Okay when?"
"As soon as you can"
My fingers against the desk.
"Okay i will be there"
The line disconnected.
No goodbye.
No explanation.
I wonder what he wants from me now. I hope it's not one of his attempts to convince me to stop working because I won't . I built everything I wanted piece by piece without his help , made my decisions, and I earned my achievements myself . I don't need an audience to know that I'm doing well . My success isn't the loudest, but it is real.
And he is the only person that refuses to see it .
To him , every milestone is luck, every victory is temporary, every step forward somehow traces back to him. He thinks I'm still the little girl who couldn't survive without him and his guidance because admitting otherwise would mean that he is accepting that I never needed him as much as he wanted me to.
So he overlooks the woman that I am , the one who solves her own problems, and can stand tall without waiting for him or anyone to catch her if she falls. He would just rather believe that I am struggling than admit that I have grown well beyond the version he could control.
…
Three days later...
A black Sedan came through the estate's iron gates, the tires over the white driveway before stopping underneath the entrance.
I stepped out without any help or waiting for anyone to open my door.
The mansion was exactly as I remembered ,beautiful, elegant, untouchable.
Dark colored stone climbed two stories into the sky while lilies crawled across sections of the walls. Water poured endlessly from the golden fountain at the center of the drive through and perfectly sculpted hedges across the gardens that looked like artwork rather than nature.
Everything was stunning.
Everything was deliberate.
Nothing about the estate existed without purpose.
Two guards standing outside the entrance dipped their heads respectfully.
"Miss De Luca “
I responded with a slight nod
The whole ambiance was filled with calm light pouring through the skylight. Marbles were beneath my feet, interrupted only by Italian rugs and clean furniture that had remained for years.
Servants just continued their work in silence.
No one stopped.
No one looked .
No one said anything.
"Your father awaits you in his office."
"I thought as much."
I gave my coat to a maid .
The walk to his office was familiar.
Portraits of long-dead patriarchs watched from the walls, each wearing the same unreadable expression.
Power.
Control.
Legacy.
I can't believe I am here to see my father , Leonardo De Luca, a sophisticating man, ruthless and cunning, the Ceo of Asterion Group, he had always kept me away from the business, with his black hair and brown eyes and always stern facial expression, rival to everyone, although I have had no reason to , I have always been scared of him
His doors to his study were already open.
He stood beside the window overlooking the city , one hand tucked to his pocket while the other held a golden glass.
"You are here."
"I was told to."
He turned.
A faint smile appeared , not warm enough to be affectionate, but enough to acknowledge me.
"I have missed you here ."
"I was working."
"So I've heard."
I walked farther into the room before stopping.
"You didn't call me home to discuss my schedule."
"No."
Silence settled comfortably between us.
Unlike most people, neither of us filled it .
Finally, he gestured to the chair towards his desk.
"Sit."
I remained standing for another second before deciding to.
"What is wrong “
He returned to his chair,
"There is someone , a man"
"Okay ?."
His lips moved so slightly.
"I need you to be close to him."
"You have hundreds of men."
"I do."
"So why me?"
"Because none of them can offer what you can."
"And what's that?"
"A clean name."
I adjusted moving one leg over the other.
Okay ?."
He handed me a thin file .
I opened it.
A photograph.
A sharply dressed man , it was Rafael, I know of him , he is Confident , Dangerous or so I have heard .
The type of man who looked as though he never accepted 'no' as an answer.
I looked back at her father.
"And?"
"He has become involved in an international investment that intersects with our interests."
"You want information."
"I want clarity."
I closed the file.
"You've never needed me to obtain clarity before."
"I've never had someone in your position before."
My gaze narrowed.
"You want me to get close to him “
"I'm just asking you to make him believe you met by coincidence “
"And if he isn't interested?"
"He will be."
"You sound confident."
"I rarely make requests without knowing the outcome."
I leaned back.
"So, I'm a bargaining chip."
"No."
"No?"
"You are my informant."
"Oh , wow Nice play of words."
"They're accurate."
I held his gaze.
"You've always said family stays outside business."
"I said I would protect my family."
"And now?"
"I still am."
"By sending me toward a man whose name half the underworld speaks with caution?"
His expression didn't change
"I would never send you if there is danger."
"You are not telling me everything."
"I am telling you enough."
"I demand honesty."
"There are matters that don't concern you."
"Yet somehow this assignment does."
"It does."
I drummed her fingers once against the armrest.
"What if I refuse?"
"You won't."
His answer came too quickly.
My eyebrow lifted.
"You sound certain."
"I know my daughter."
A faint smile crossed my face , not amused, merely acknowledging the move.
I picked up the file.
"I'll meet him."
His shoulders relaxed by a fraction.
"But understand something."
He looked at me expectantly.
"If I discover you've used me for reasons beyond what you've told me..."
My voice remained perfectly calm.
"...I'll expect the truth from you before I hear it from anyone else."
the smile slowly disappeared from his face.
"I wouldn't ever insult you that way."
I rose.
"I hope not."
I walked out, the office door clicked shut behind me,
My room looked just the way I left it before I traveled , just as if time itself stopped at my expense . The floor to ceiling windows still filled the space with beautiful golden light. Fresh roses sat in the golden vase on my stand, their sweet scent filling the room .
Someone had maintained it meticulously.
Of course they had.
I slowly took off my heels and let them fall onto the cream rug before running my fingertips across the polished dresser. My walk-in closet remained color coded, every designer piece hanging exactly where I left it .
Home had always been extravagant.
But wealth was never really what impressed me , it was the sense of fulfillment, owning something that was mine and didn't belong to my father or any other person , just earning a life for myself.
I looked around the room everything was so organized and beautiful, definitely expensive but that is not what makes me feel fulfilled
I did.
No matter how hard my father tried to convince himself otherwise.
…
I wonder why he suddenly wants me to get information for him , why not his consigliere Lucian , it doesn't matter, this should be a piece of cake I said with a smirk. Having no idea what I am in for .
- Writer
