Chapter 2
1102 Words
Serena
“Excuse me…”
I blinked. Surely I must have heard wrong before there’s no f*****g way in hell he expects me to do such a ridiculous thing.
Adrian sat back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb. His expression was annoying, smug like this was all a game to him.
If he doesn’t take those news down, my life was basically over, but I couldn’t give him what he was asking for. There was no way in hell.
“How do you expect me to give you 25% of my family’s company? What do you think will happen when my parents find out or the board?”
“Come on, Serena. You are smart, and you should know that all we need for this transaction is your signature. No one else needs to know. You are the CEO after all."
“Adrian, please tell me you are not f*****g serious about this.”
“You heard me,” he said casually. “25% of Callaway Enterprises. And you show up in public with me dinners, parties, press appearances. We pretend the rivalry is over. A clean slate.”
“A clean slate,” I repeated bitterly. “That’s what you call this? Extortion? And what do you think our parents would say when they see us together, huh?”
“That’s your business. You handle your family, I’ll handle mine. But I’m not changing a single thing.”
“Our families have been rivals for years. No one is going to believe anything we do or say. They are not going to buy it, Adrian.”
“Yes, they will.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because I own the media.”
“Come on, Serena. You barged into my office unannounced, tried to bribe me with pocket change, and now you’re backing out. This is me being generous.”
My nails dug deeper into my palms.
“And why, exactly, would you want 25% of my family’s company?” I asked through clenched teeth. “Haven’t the Moreauxs taken enough from us already?”
He got up and walked back to the window, watching the busy city like the gods watch over their people.
“Your family was responsible for my uncle’s death because of how greedy your father got. And you accuse us of taking from you.”
Adrian’s words hit like a slap sharp and unexpected. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him, his back turned. He didn’t bother facing me.
“That is a bloody lie,” I said quickly, defending my father. “Everyone knows your uncle couldn’t handle the deal going to the ground that he took his own life."
He walked towards me, slow and deliberate.
“And how would you know that, Serena? You were probably off at some elite finishing school while your family cleaned their hands with someone else’s blood.”
I swallowed hard, unsure whether the tightness in my chest was guilt, rage, or fear. Maybe all three.
“So this is revenge?” I asked bitterly. “You want to take everything from me and humiliate me just to settle some ancient score?”
He was too close now. Too calm. His rich cologne filled the space between us. I hated the way my body responded tense and aware.
“You’re insane,” I whispered.
He smirked again, and I wanted to slap it off his face.
“Maybe. But I’m also your only option.”
I shot to my feet. “You’re disgusting.”
“You came to me, Serena,” he said, turning around slowly. “You didn’t have to. But you did. And now you’re out of cards to play. I am your only bet.”
I hated the fact that he was right. And what I hated more was that my heart wouldn’t stop racing. That infuriating tug I always felt around him. The one I’d buried years ago and sworn never to acknowledge again.
If I give him what he asks for and my family finds out, they would never forgive me. But if I do nothing, I bring disgrace upon the Callaway name.
Why did things have to be this complicated? And things were going so well before this scandal broke out and destroyed my entire world.
He was my last line of defense, and I had to do what needed to be done. When it backfired, I’d handle it too.
“Ten percent. No public appearance.”
“Not a chance.”
“Fifteen percent. No public appearance.”
“Twenty percent with public appearance. That’s the best offer you’re going to get from me. Your family’s side of the business is powerful, and having that in my arsenal would come in handy.”
I couldn’t believe I was about to do this.
The silence stretched between us, thick with tension. Adrian stood tall, his expression unreadable as my mind spiraled into chaos.
This wasn’t just any deal it was a deal with the devil.
My voice trembled slightly. “Fine. Twenty percent. Public appearances. But this ends after a year, because I can’t afford another public scandal.”
He gave a slow, satisfied smile like he’d just won a war. “Naturally. I’ll have my legal team draw up the contract. You’ll have it by tomorrow.”
I felt like I was signing away a piece of my soul, and doing this behind my father’s back felt wrong. He could never find out.
“And one more thing,” I added, forcing steel into my voice. “You don’t touch anything else in Callaway. No decisions, no interference. This Is just a front. You’re a silent partner. Got it?”
Adrian tilted his head. “You’re not in a position to make demands, Serena.”
I stepped forward, closing the distance between us. “I am if you want this to work. You may own the media, Adrian, but it’s either my way or not at all. It’s up to you now.”
He stretched his hand forward. “I guess we have a deal, then.” I hesitated before taking his hand.
“I’ll take everything down before you get home.”
“Good.”
Without another word, I walked to the door, about to leave, when I heard him say, “Wear red to the gala next weekend. It’ll look good in photos.”
I slammed the door behind me without a word before walking away.
This was going to end badly.
- Writer
