INSANELY FALLEN

APPOINTMENT

ISABELLE’S POINT OF VIEW

“Seb! You are back.”

The little energy ball ran towards me and hugged my knees hard, showing his affection.

“You saw me this morning, little guy.”

I responded to him a bit gently, yet sternly. He knows how I am around strangers, so he didn’t pout at hearing my harsh tone.

“Maybe I missed you badly.”

My younger brother could always make me smile, even in my toughest situations. Bryan is the last born among us and the apple of our eyes. Apart from others, we share a strange bond. Both of us play with toys, but no one else knows this. Everyone assumes that Bry has an obsession with toys, but actually it’s me. When he was three years old, we established this highly secret mission of playing with plastic, and I made him swear not to disclose this to anybody. We do not want dad or my big brothers to have any advantage over me, right? It’s lame, I know, but that’s what I am. A strong, bold girl who doesn’t have the quality of one. What would dad say if he realized how his fighter girl plays with Woody, Cinderella and Cars? They would go crazy with hilarity. And I obviously do not like that. Besides, it was exhilarating to have our little secret, and I was aware of how much fun it brought to Bryan. It gave him a sense of protecting me from others.

Char or Charlie, my second brother, arrived with a handbag full of, I guess, toys. My eyes lit up for a millisecond but masked it instantaneously, remembering the situation. However, their arrival has brought some color back to my face.

“Am I missing something?”

Char’s smiling expression altered on sensing the tension in the room and his piercing eyes never left mine. Somehow, he knew I was the reason for this mess.

He is three and four years older than Jaco and me and two years younger than Neb, which makes him twenty-three. Bry is just five years old, and, of course, is a latecomer whose presence has only brought us immense joy.

Charlie’s inquiry was answered by our fuming older brother, who rambled on about what took place while all the others, including me, kept mute. Seriously, Neb should be five, not Bry. Connecting the pieces, Char understood what precisely he was missing, and by his sudden burst of obscenities, he didn’t seem to appreciate it either.

“Keep your mouth shut Char, Bry’s here.”

I stated, shooting invisible daggers at him. He peered at Bryan and came to a pause. Good. Bry’s awfully young to listen to all those.

“Look guys, I am nineteen and I know how to choose my own decisions. I have made one and if you don’t like it, suck it up. I will not change it.”

Saying those words, I spun to Miller, who was making a face which I couldn’t quite lay my finger on, and extended my palm. He pondered for a moment, but after seeing my dad’s defeated nod, he held it tightly.

“We have a deal.”

With that, I took Bry and the toys from Char and headed to my bedroom, leaving them behind with their own business.

...................................

MILLER’S POINT OF VIEW

“She is awesooommeeee....”

Nathan shrieked in a high-pitched voice, making me wish I carried a pair of earphones.

“Are you positive you are not gay?”

I have asked Nathan the same question for the millionth time today, but he keeps doing the same. He was literally squealing like a fan girl after the brief episode at the Stapletons and, honestly, I was quite impressed as well.

“Stacy, Christina, Mia, Alana, Marga...”

Nathan went on and I shook my head, exhausted.

“Okay okay. I admit it. You are straight. But please don’t provide me with the names of your endless whores.”

“Hey... they are good in bed.”

“Nathan. Stop.”

I seriously do not want to hear his bed life after such a drama. I feel drained already.

“Man! You really need to get laid.”

I sent him a sharp glare, which seemed to shut him off for the time being. Before I could embrace the silence for too long, my phone rang. I connected the Bluetooth to the car speaker and answered the unnamed call.

“Shawn Miller.”

My greeting’s always short, and I like to keep it that way. Besides, no one would call me without knowing who I was.

“Stapleton.”

Looks like I have a competitor in shortening the greeting. Can’t she at least say her full name? I feel like I have more manners than her, which is a huge criticism coming from my side.

“Yes?”

I asked, suddenly having the urge to sound like I was not surprised by her call.

“Nothing. I simply called to ask how you are doing.”

Sarcasm was dripping in her voice, and I took a deep breath to keep my calm. Seriously, this girl is the epitome of an egoistic brat.

“Is there any particular reason for your call?”

I suggested, being polite for the first time in my entire life. I really need to finish Lucas and she is my only option, otherwise I would have shown her my true face by now. Nathan was eyeing me and the stereo curiously, as if she was talking from inside the box.

“I was expecting a b***h. Anyway, about the deal. Email me the details to ‘sebstaple666@g*******m’ now.”

Her voice was nonchalant, and there was not even an ounce of respect in it. I wonder how I will be able to tolerate this attitude of hers in the coming days.

“I have placed the folder containing all the details on your table.”

Is she blind or what?

“Ben burned it. I want the details in five minutes.”

Then the line went dead. Are you kidding me? No one has ever hung up on me. Especially not like that.

“b***h”

I muttered, hitting the steering wheel hard, picturing her face instead of the round object.

“She is really something else.”

I turned to face Nathan, who was grinning like a wolf.

“Yeah, she is. A high grade bitch.”

I replied, still not understanding how someone could take her arrogance as coolness. I seriously need to take my best friend for a head check-up.

“Suits you.”

I could feel the humour in his words, but failed to grasp the logic.

“Excuse me?”

“Come on Shawn, you won’t get a better girl than her. She can control you with her pinky finger.”

I gave a sharp turn to my house, causing Nathan to hit the window hard.

“Idiot.”

He shouted at me as I parked the car, but I avoided him and got out in a swift movement. I almost ripped out the door from the passenger’s side and glared at the person on the seat. Nathan was still rubbing his head because of the impact and, without caring for his insults, I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him out of his seat.

“What the hell, Shawn? Are you at that time of your month or something?”

He joked again, despite the way I was stabbing him with my eyes.

“One. I don’t need a girl in my life. Two. No one, I mean no one, controls me. Three. That b***h is going to pay for her attitude the moment I get my job done. Four. If you want to live long, keep your b****y mouth shut. Do you understand?”

Nathan nodded phlegmatically, hiding the smirk on his lips unsuccessfully. Knowing that he’s my best friend for a reason, I left him on the porch and entered the house.

“Is she getting under your skin?”

“For heaven’s sake, Nathan, give your tongue some rest for at least five minutes.”

I swear no threats will get into that thick skull of his.

“Okay. Last question, did you send her the E-mail? I am sure it’s past five minutes.”

“Shit.”

Attaching the secret files to the e-mail, I sent them to the concerned ID in record time. At least the number is correct for her character. 666. Satanic numbers. But I think even Satan is better than her.

The response was surprisingly quick.

“If it wasn’t for Lucas, I would have been out of the deal for your unpunctuality.”

How dare she speak like this to me? Doesn’t she have even a dust of manners in her? Here I am, trying to be polite for at least once, and this is what I get in return?

I called her immediately, and it was answered on the second ring.

A list of words to call her clouded my mind, but they came to a halt when her arrogant voice was heard.

“Tomorrow morning at 9 am sharp, your office. Cancel all other appointments. And don’t be late.”

The beeping voice irritated the hell out of me. She hung up on me again, twice a day.

I promise if she proves herself to be a failure for this, she won’t see another sunrise. I don’t freaking care if she’s the daughter of a Mafia King or something, but I will skin her the moment she becomes useless for me. The way she ordered me! God, I will make her see what a real man is. I can’t wait to get my hands on her, to rip her limbs part by part.

“Are you okay?”

Nathan had already changed into his PJs and was now looking at me with confusion. He practically lives here.

“Do I look okay?”

I barked back, storming towards the set of stairs.

“Jeez, calm down.”

He was about to close his door when I remembered something.

“Hey, you are screwing my assistant, right?”

“Who, Maria?”

“That one”

“Yeah, she’s hot.”

“Nathan! So you have her number?”

“Yup, why do you ask?”

He scratched his head, a signature pose he makes whenever he didn’t know what was happening.

“Call and tell her to cancel all my appointments for tomorrow. And to vacate her cabin before 9 am. She can screw you all she wants, but out of my office, alright?”

Again avoiding his shouting, I slammed my door shut and called it a night. Tomorrow I am going to have a long day.

………………

ISABELLE’S POINT OF VIEW.

“Is there any way I can change your mind?”

I sat up straight on my bed and patted the mattress, asking dad to join me. His tired body plopped beside mine. I lied down on his lap and gave in to his soft massage on my scalp for a few minutes.

“I can’t live in fear anymore, dad. I look like a tough girl to everyone outside, but you know how broken I am. At least to imperfectly stitch my wounded self, I need this. I need to see him, dad. I need to kill him. Please dad, I can’t do this without you and the boys. Please.”

“I can’t lose you, either, Seb. Not now, never.”

“You won’t, dad, I promise. I will always be your fighter-little girl.”

“You already are, angel.”

He placed a soft kiss on my forehead and I knew that he was on my side.

“Going to meet him tomorrow?”

“Yeah. 9 am.”

“Be careful with him. Miller’s not an ordinary business tycoon. He can be dangerous.”

I thought back about our conversation and a ghost of a smile replaced my frown. I am damn sure he was boiling with anger after hearing me ordering him like that. And man, it’s only the beginning.

“I know, dad. Don’t worry about me. I have it all under control.”

After a few silence-filled-minutes, he left my room, and I set the alarm clock to 7 am. Let’s see how dangerous he can be.

With an evil smile still on, I went to bed. Tomorrow is going to be fun.

…………………

“You’ll call me immediately if anything goes wrong. Right?”

“Yeah, Ben. And I am sure you will come and protect me like my knight in shining armor the moment he snaps his finger at me.”

“I will break him if he even stares at you for more than necessary.”

“Yeah, right.”

I tried my maximum to get to Miller’s office alone, but Ben was persistent about driving me. I knew it would end up like this. It always did.

I never thought the huge mirrored building of Miller’s would ever make me feel happy. Jumping out of the passenger’s seat, I bid a quick bye to Ben, who still continued to give me warnings, and paced towards the entrance. Everyone seemed to be meticulously dressed, that my simple black hoodie and jeans were alien here, or so I got the looks from here and there.

“May I help you?”

A young brunette, maybe in her early twenties, approached me. Despite our highly opposite costumes, she had a warm smile on her face.

“Miller. Shawn Miller?”

Just because she is nice to me, it doesn’t mean I have to reciprocate, especially not until I was certain of her intentions.

“Do you have an appointment, Ma’am?”

Why the hell is she still smiling?

“Guess so.”

I shrugged and hid my hands in my jeans pockets. The brunette took her mobile out and typed a quick E-mail to someone about the arrogant visitor. I am sure there’s an appointment. I mean, we were supposed to meet today. We discussed it the other day. Right? Or more likely, I have ordered him.

What if he doesn’t want to continue his deal after the stubborn act I pulled yesterday?

He is the only option I got to destroy Lucas. I shook my head several times to stop being a p***y. I have never depended on anyone before, and I will not change that. If not Miller, then someone else. I am sure Redfield has gained quite a lot of enemies.

“Sir is expecting you, Ma’am, and I apologize for the delay.”

“So, there is an appointment, huh?”

That’s a surprise. He must be really desperate to finish Lucas off. Just like how I wanted.

“Yes, Ma’am. Please take the elevator to floor fifteen and someone will be there to show you your way to the office.”

“Well. Thank you then, Miss..?”

“Amanda Florence.”

“Thank you, Miss Florence. Hope to see you soon.”

“Same way, Ma’am.”

She smiled a bit more widely, if that’s even possible.

“Isabelle, or you can call me Seb.”

“Sure, Ma’am. I mean Seb.”

See, I can be nice if I want. She chuckled, and I headed to the opposite side.

There were two elevators, and one was already on the tenth floor, so I took the other one. The first thing I noticed about the elevator was that it was surrounded by sea waves. It was hard to decipher them from the real ones. The paintings were so realistic.

Pressing on the topmost floor, for a few moments I gave into the beautiful surroundings around me. Whoever did this must have a great taste in art, and I really wish it not to be Shawn. Because I can’t imagine him as anything other than a black color loving guy. Someone who’s so obsessed with darkness.

I can always be wrong, though.

The elevator bell dinged, and I was out, only to feel claustrophobic around six to seven suit-covered ladies. I thought Amanda said ‘someone’ would wait for me, not the entire floor!

And when did I become such a celebrity? I was about to turn back and hide behind the safety of the elevator doors when a male voice filled the place.

“That was a mistake, girls. You can all go back to your place.”

As if on cue, they scattered to different cabins, some of them not forgetting to send me a glare before leaving. I didn’t have to do anything back because I was already glaring at them. What can I say? That’s my usual posture.

“Miss Stapleton?”

I gave a brief nod to the young man before me. He was an inch or two taller than me, with dirty blond hair. His body was well built, which could easily be identified as a fighter’s. I know that because I have four of them at my home, including myself. Though he looked intimidating, a positive aura emanated from him.

“Be careful next time when you take the elevator. That’s only meant for the Miller family.”

Now I understood why I was covered with bees. Simple rule: all the employees want to look good in front of their employer. And what’s more of a chance than being his family’s favorite?

“You are not much of a talker, are you?”

I didn’t respond, which he effectively dismissed with a smile.

“Don’t worry, neither am I.”

A small chuckle, but something near a laugh escaped my mouth. This guy is good.

We stopped in front of another cabin, but a much bigger one than the others.

“Before meeting the ‘main man’, let me introduce myself. Hey Miss Isabelle Stapleton, I am John Tucker, Mr. Miller’s personal assistant from today. It’s a pleasure to meet you, young lady.”

“You are new?”

“Oh, she talks! Sorry. And yeah, I am new. Apparently, Sir’s previous assistant was screwing his friend. So he thought that I was a better preference than some foolish girls. But poor him, he doesn’t know I am gay.”

He whispered the last part, ensuring no one heard us. I raised an eyebrow at him. Him? Gay? That would be a loss for many girls, except for me. I am not into any of them, actually. Does that make me asexual? Whatever.

“Nah!! Just kidding. I am straight as a ruler.”

I shook my head, trying to mask an amused smile that really wanted to come out.

“Are we meeting Miller anytime soon?”

He sighed.

“And here I thought I was going to get a date tonight.”

I coughed, covering my laugh, and succeeded as he took me towards another large door. He opened it a little, but before I could peep in, he stopped me with a pat.

“You can laugh, you know. It doesn’t destroy your ‘I am a bad girl’ look.”

He winked at me, like literally winked, and pushed the door even wider. I stood there for a few moments, looking at him, confused.

“If you have finished flirting, I think we can begin our meeting.”

Oops. I totally forgot about the big-headed moron here.

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