Chapter Eleven
1532 Words
The jet took off, and as they soared into the sky, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this business trip would change more than just their company’s future.
The private jet cruised through the sky, enveloped in luxury and silence, except for the faint hum of the engines. Nicholas remained engrossed in his laptop, fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard, while Vivian leaned back in her seat, scrolling through her phone.
“You know,” Vivian began, setting her phone aside, “for someone who works so hard, you don’t seem to have much of a life outside of business.”
Nicholas raised an eyebrow but didn’t look up. “I could say the same about you.”
Vivian smirked. “Touché.”
The flight attendant returned with a tray of refreshments. Nicholas took black coffee, no sugar, no cream—just like always. Vivian, on the other hand, opted for another glass of champagne.
“Where exactly are we staying?” Vivian asked, swirling the golden liquid in her glass.
“A private villa. Blackwood Enterprises arranged it,” Nicholas replied, finally closing his laptop. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, as if assessing something.
Vivian arched a brow. “What?”
“You seem… distracted,” he said, setting his laptop aside.
She scoffed. “And you seem annoyingly observant.”
Nicholas chuckled. “It’s part of the job.”
Vivian rolled her eyes but smiled slightly. As much as she hated to admit it, Nicholas was one of the few people who could match her in both wit and intelligence.
As the plane began its descent, an unsettling feeling crept into her chest. Something about this trip felt different, like it was leading her toward something she hadn’t prepared for.
And for once, she wasn’t sure if she liked that.
The black car pulled up in front of the luxurious villa, surrounded by towering palm trees and overlooking a private beach. Nicholas stepped out first, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings as if assessing every detail for any flaws. Vivian followed, slipping her sunglasses over her eyes as the warm breeze swept through her hair.
“This is nice,” she admitted, looking at the modern architecture of the villa.
Nicholas nodded. “Blackwood Enterprises doesn’t do anything halfway.”
A staff member welcomed them and led them inside. The villa was sleek, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the ocean. Everything screamed wealth and power—typical of anything associated with Damien Blackwood.
Vivian dropped her bag on the couch and stretched. “So, when’s the first meeting?”
Nicholas checked his watch. “Tonight. A formal dinner with some investors.”
She groaned. “Great. I need a few hours to unwind before I deal with business talk and fake smiles.”
Nicholas smirked. “You mean before you charm the entire room?”
Vivian shot him a playful glare. “You flatter me, Kingston.”
He shrugged. “It’s not flattery if it’s true.”
There was a brief silence between them—one that neither of them acknowledged but both felt.
Vivian turned away first. “I’m going to check out my room. Don’t bother me unless there’s an emergency.”
Nicholas watched her walk away, a small smirk playing on his lips.
This trip was going to be more interesting than he expected.
Later that evening, Vivian stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of her sleek black dress. The fabric hugged her curves perfectly, giving her an air of effortless elegance. She applied a final touch of lipstick before grabbing her clutch.
Nicholas was already waiting downstairs, dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit. He looked up when she entered, his eyes scanning her briefly before he returned his attention to his phone.
Vivian smirked. “You could at least pretend to be impressed.”
Nicholas pocketed his phone. “You always look good. No need to state the obvious.”
She rolled her eyes but felt an odd warmth at his words.
The two of them headed out to the black luxury car waiting for them. The event was being held at an exclusive rooftop venue owned by one of Blackwood Enterprises’ partners. As they entered, the low hum of conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the soft melody of a grand piano filled the air.
Vivian instinctively put on her business smile as they made their way through the crowd. Nicholas, ever composed, walked beside her, nodding occasionally to familiar faces.
Halfway through the evening, an older investor, Mr. Harrington, approached them. “Ah, Kingston! Good to see you again,” he said, shaking Nicholas’s hand before turning to Vivian. “And you must be Miss Sinclair. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good things, I hope,” she said smoothly.
The man chuckled. “Very good things. Though I must say, you and Kingston make quite the power duo.”
Vivian raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
Mr. Harrington smiled knowingly. “You two have an undeniable chemistry.”
Vivian shot Nicholas a glance, but he remained unreadable. “Strictly business,” she replied.
“Of course,” the man said, but the amusement in his eyes remained before he excused himself.
As the night went on, Vivian found herself stealing glances at Nicholas. He was always so composed, so unreadable, and yet… something about this trip felt different.
And she wasn’t sure if she liked that or not.
Eleanor sighed as she fastened her coat, glancing at her husband, William, who was double-checking their travel itinerary. The weight of their unspoken worries hung between them. For years, they had kept Ava’s true nature hidden, hoping she could live a peaceful life. But now, with her twenty-fifth birthday approaching, the prophecy loomed over them like a dark cloud.
“It’s been years since we last saw the Seer,” Eleanor murmured. “Do you think she’ll have answers this time?”
William’s jaw tightened. “She has to.”
Their flight was booked under the pretense of a business trip, but in reality, they were traveling to a secluded village deep in the mountains—a place hidden from the modern world. It was where the Seer, an ancient woman with the ability to glimpse the threads of fate, resided.
Nathan, unaware of the real reason for their trip, leaned against the doorway of the living room. “You two seem really tense about this trip. Are you sure it’s just business?”
Eleanor forced a smile. “Just some company matters we need to sort out.”
Nathan didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. “Alright. Be safe. I’ll keep an eye on Ava.”
William placed a firm hand on his son’s shoulder. “Take care of your sister.”
Nathan scoffed. “She’s older than me.”
“Doesn’t mean she doesn’t need looking after,” William replied before glancing toward the staircase. Ava hadn’t come down to see them off, likely still asleep.
Eleanor hesitated. “Maybe I should wake her—”
“No,” William interrupted gently. “Just let her sleep.”
With one last look at their home, they left.
Meanwhile – Shadowcrest Manor
Selene paced in her lavish suite, the glow of the city skyline reflecting off the glass walls.
“They’ve left,” her informant reported, standing by the door. “Ava Sinclair is home with her brother.”
A slow smile curved her lips. “Perfect.”
Her plan was already in motion.
Ava yawned as she descended the stairs, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The house was unusually quiet, the absence of her parents and Vivian making the space feel larger than usual. She found Nathan sprawled across the couch, flipping through channels with a lazy expression.
“You’re finally awake,” he said without looking up. “I was starting to think you’d sleep all day.”
Ava rolled her eyes and headed to the kitchen. “I had a long night.”
“Doing what? Reading romance novels?”
She grabbed a glass of water and took a sip before leaning against the counter. “And what if I was?”
Nathan smirked. “Then you have no right to judge me for playing video games all night.”
Ava shook her head with a small laugh and joined him in the living room. It had been a while since it was just the two of them at home. With Vivian always busy and their parents constantly occupied with work, moments like these were rare.
“I still can’t believe Mom and Dad just left us alone,” Nathan said, stretching. “Vivian’s on her business trip too. Guess that makes me the man of the house.”
Ava snorted. “Please. You still ask Mom to do your laundry.”
Nathan gasped dramatically. “That was one time!”
Ava shook her head, amused, but a strange feeling lingered in her chest. Their parents had left in a hurry, barely giving details about their trip. Something about it didn’t sit right with her.
- Writer
