The Billionaire Deal

Chapter five

[ Adelaide Knowles]

•

He had to be kidding me. I searched his face for any hint of amusement and all I was met with was the hardness of his facial features, pursed lips, and icy green eyes piercing through me. I gulped down a heartbeat, feeling the night air run through my skin.

We were on the rooftop of Vespera. One could easily view almost the whole of NY from where we stood, the music from the club throbbed distinctively. In a different scene, one could say it was almost romantic to be on a rooftop with the man of their dreams, listening to faded music and taking in the view of the city. Except me.

This was not romantic, no. This was a high-stakes situation where, once again, I would have Christian’s aid for whatever pleased him in return and help, like eating with the devil with a short fork. What I just didn't know is why Castillo would want me around. What was he playing at? And why the hell did he think I would agree to whatever suits his intentions?

“You have very remarkable audacity,” I noted.

He glanced at his watch, “And you have less than a minute to give me an answer."

“What if I refuse?” I folded my arms, keeping my eyes on his Stoic body.

“You already know the answer to that, Ms Knowles.”

“Adelaida.” I corrected. Not that it meant much, I just didn't want him addressing me like I was one of the people who worked for him or had an arranged relationship with him.

Will you want one? Last time I checked, you sought a job at that very company. My subconscious betrayed my thoughts. I rolled my eyes mentally at myself to shut the voice up.

“What do you need me for?” I pushed further. I wanted to know what could make Christian Castillo seek me out. It wasn't anything good so far as I was concerned, but it was worth knowing the extent of how bad it could get.

“That is up to me to decide.” I gave him a blank stare, watching his jaws tick, “But if it helps you sleep at night, it's nothing illegal.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“Don’t.”

The finality of the words took me out for a second. I was the desperate one here. I was sure he knew how badly I wanted to talk to Reyes and he was going to enjoy playing those games with me. People like him loved to toy with people's despair and, for what it was worth, maybe this was my chance to get back at him for every despair he had caused me.

Maybe the universe was working in my favor even though a lurking thought crossed my mind that things didn't just land easily on me. There had to be something else beneath this luck.

“Do you always make bargains like this? For a business person, don't you think it's too…rash?”

“One would imagine you're speaking from experience,” he replied in a dry tone.

“Aren’t I?” I knew he understood what I regretted the very day I signed the acquisition rights agreement to him because my family was in dire need.

“Why play hard to get, then?”

I could sense my anger rising at how dismissive his tone was whenever we grazed on the topic of what happened seven years ago.

Christian never did a thing with regrets. I knew that much. Years back, I never would have thought that there was a need to play that card, so I just hoped he acknowledged what we had. Not this time though. This time, I was going to bring him to his knees. I wanted to shatter him as he did to me, make him wish he had never met me. But for now, I needed to play along with him. Like he wanted me to.

“I don't need your help right now or ever again in my life, Mr Castillo. You find someone else to play your little games with you or shove it down your throat.”

His green eyes burned through me, I could feel my insides thrill with excitement at how intense his stare was, almost like he was scrutinizing me, marking every inch of my face with his gaze.

“You think this is a game?”

I forced my gaze away from him, squaring my shoulders and unfolding my arms around my bosom. He let out a tiny, almost silent scoff at my stance.

“Why else would you want to have me at your beck and call, Christian.” I knew he didn't like me addressing him like we were familiar. I did it anyway.

He narrowed his eyes at me, “You are very inquisitive, Ms. Knowles.” He had added emphasis to my name, a warning I didn't miss, “Make up your mind. I'm a generous person. However, I don't do well answering people.”

“How very considerate of you,” I sneered.

“You should count yourself lucky, Ms Knowles.”

“Adelaida.”

“Unfortunately, my generosity is time conscious.” He barely gave a response in acknowledging the correction, turning to walk away.

I nearly chuckled at his choice of vocabulary. Of course, he would say “time conscious.” It was the same as when he used the same formalities at the office to talk to people closest to him. A second habit.

“I need to know something though.” I called from behind, “How long do I need to answer whenever you beckon?”

“What are you scared of, Ms Knowles?”

You. Me. Us.

The fact that you could make me break into tiny shards until I am beyond repairable. That once I get sucked into your world, It would be the darkest point of my freedom. How deep my hatred is seared into my soul that I was willing to do whatever to get back at you for every damage you caused me.

So yes, I was scared of what this could be. Yet, I was willing to dive head-on into the void waiting to be filled with what we had to offer.

“I should know what I am getting into at least,” I answered instead.

“Hmm.” he gave a low growl, walking away with my question and the inconclusive conversation lingering behind.

•

There's a thin line between love and hate, but what I had for Christian was far beyond hate. I despised him so much, it scared me. Yet, I was willing to do puzzles with him because that was the only way I could get the justice my family deserved.

It was the same reasoning that propelled me to walk back into the clubhouse, directly to where the three men stood. One I could tell was Christian, the other man whom I recognized as the one who had come with him, and the third man with an imposing build, like…Reyes of Vespera.

Big Guy was still standing there, holding guard as expected, so I sat directly facing where the trio sat, slowly drinking a cocktail which I collected from a server. As though he could feel my eyes on him, I saw Christian turn around.

I don't know if I imagined it, but I could feel his mouth twitch into a satisfied grin. He knew I had taken the bait. Something told me that this agreement was going to lead to a series of baits. My alter ego could swear I was ready for whatever he came with. Deep down, I knew I should not be associated with the devil. But here I was, diving head first.

“How convincing did you sound to Mr Castillo for him to consider bringing you up in the middle of our conversation?” A deep voice boomed beside me, as I shuddered a sigh.

It was the tall and imposing man who I guessed was Reyes. He had his mask still on, it was difficult to tell what he truly looked like, except like Christian, he exuded a cold aura that made you feel like it could stifle you with one wrong breath and, unlike Christian, who made your nerves alert with sensation, this man made you guard everything that could possibly give you out with one wrong move.

I released a deep sigh, putting on my best confident facade, “Mr Reyes? My pleasure to meet you.”

“This had better be good.”

I don't know how well I came off, but Reyes had listened to me without interrupting, and after I was done, he said simply, “Done.”

My mouth almost stood wide agape, “What?”

“What good is it for an employee of mine to struggle financially when I can help.” It wasn't a question, and it made me wonder what else Christian had told Reyes.

“Sure…but if it wouldn't be too much to ask…”

He twitched his lips in a way that came off like he smiled, “Although, this should be the last time we will have this conversation though.”

“Of course, sir. I will never bring it up again.” I gulped a sigh of relief.

“You wouldn't need to. Check in with the HR, and we will inform the new worker to begin on Monday.”

“What?”

He said nothing in response except the sinister smile on his face as he walked away. The words were crystal f*****g clear. I was fired and this was all Christian Castillo's doing.