"Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer"
People at the top, the ones others call successful, the ones people envy mostly fail because of their greed. Their bank accounts may not be failing or giving any inclination of failure, but their soul is. Money makes anything dirty. It transforms people, makes good people sick basard... Someone had said "Money would make a sinner out of a saint" and that was indeed the truth.
"It's not enough, more more..." this is exactly what sometimes make them even more successful or ruin their life.
Oh L.A... sunny, luxury, tan, money, cockiness, red carpets, galas, the one place where extravagant and superficial is the "go to standard". I've never been here before and yet, from the looks I'm getting, it looks like I definitely fit in.
Walking in a slow pace to reach the table where her brother was waiting. Mary couldn't help but notice the looks she was getting from the men in the restaurant. Apparently it had been a good idea to change her style. She had always been a simple woman, the flashy dresses, the stand out trends never caught her interest. But now, she had decided to change that.
The simple girl was gone. Her natural long curly hair, passed along by mother's black heritage, was now straight and cut in an elegant short bob. Her stylist threw out every single pair of sweats she owned. Now she was more, feminine.
Today she was dressed in a white shirt and red tight skirt that reached her ankle, there was a cut running up to her knee that showed off her beautiful tanned skin. She had been in L.A for only 2 days and yet, even though she stayed in most of these days, she had already gotten some colour. And seeing her brother, she couldn't help but notice how handsome he had gotten. He also had gotten tanned, his curly hair shorter than the last time she saw him.
He had their dad's whole face, up to the light freckles on his nose, he even had the same brown eyes. And now, even though they still argued on that, she thought they now had the same voice. He was basically their father's twin. Same height, same face, just a whole different persona and aura. Gale Wolfe smelled confidence. He was a rich and successful 27 year old businessman. She couldn't help but be proud of him.
Reaching the table with a grin, she presented her hand.
"Mister Wolfe. Pleasure meeting you today." She said, her smile wide between her glossy lips.
He chuckled lightly before getting up and pulling her in a familiar warm hug.
"Why is it so complicated to meet up with you?" He asked pulling back, checking her out.
"Wohh" He said, finally taking in the change in her.
"Yup... Simple Mary is gone. Hello there I'm confident Mary, nice to meet you." She said in a laugh.
But he didn't laugh, his face showing off his obvious shock at taking in what he had in front of him.
"You look..."
"What?" She asked
"Gorgeous" He finished with a tight smile. And he knew what he was thinking. This went back to a month ago when they had that conversation. When she decided to take up the challenge and make Davis Trefford pay.
She sat down at the opposite side of the table, facing him.
"So how do you like L.A?" He asked, also sitting down.
She grimaced slightly and he chuckled, he knew her so well.
"I knew it. God, I saw it coming."
She shrugged, her attention on the menu facing her.
"I mean... It's not so bad... the sun, the cars, the stores... yeah... But you know how I am about my privacy... I just hope to God-
"Don't worry about it." He cut her, a hand on hers.
"I'll make sure of that." He finished with a smiled, and she returned it.
"So you? You've been living here for years now..." she asked, looking up to find him playing with his drink.
"Well, it is indeed the place to build business relationships, literally every business owner lives or owns a house here. Here and New York are the two places where all the events take place, so it makes my life easier." He said
She stared at him for a few before smiling.
"What?" He asked
"It really suits you Gale. I'm happy you love what you're doing and you are successful. Dad would be proud."
She looked away for a few seconds before looking up to find him staring at her with a smile.
"I love it. And I'm happy."
She smiled back.
"It's good. And talking about happiness. What about your love life? You have never introduced anyone to your only sister should I be worried?"
"You sound like a mom, stop."
This earned him a laugh that brought attention to their table, so she abruptly stopped.
"Oops" she whispered
Then it was Gale's turn to burst into a loud laugh. She looked around to find even more people staring.
"Why are you suddenly acting so shy ?" He asked, mockery in his eyes.
"Shut up, I'm just not used to the looks... people have been staring for a while now..."
"Well" he leaned closer.
"You're sitting in front of a very famous 28 year old business owner, and you're gorgeous. This probably explains it."
She grinned.
"Yeah right."
A waiter finally came around to take their orders and, as soon as he left, the look on Gale's face changed, so she knew.
"So you're really serious about that still?" He asked, leaning closer so that only her could hear.
She shrugged.
"We shouldn't talk about that in public Gale... but to answer your question yes. D.T (Davis Trefford) will pay."
He stayed put, right in her face. Studying her.
"I don't like this." He finally stated, looking away, a dark look on his face.
"I don't either but it's done for. Like I said, nothing will stop me."
He exhaled for long before turning to her.
"There's an auction taking place in two days."
That got her attention so she drew closer.
"I think you should accompany me, it would be a pleasant way to introduce you to the high society of my world. Dress up, the press will be there, as there are few famous people from the entertainment industry who always show up too."
"So he will be there?"
"No... but by Saturday, I do have a golf meeting with a few investors and his son Xavier. As much as I don't like them, we do have common interests in multiple surfaces. As of D.T, I would love for you to meet in the most badass and shocking way ever." He finished with a smirk.
"For someone who so disliked the idea in the first place you seem to be having fun." She noted
He laughed
"Well, I think in a certain way I waited for this day to come. And now that it's finally here... I'm enjoying every second of it."
"As you should" she said
The waiter came back and they finally got to eat. Gale filled her in about everything she needed to know about LA, everybody she needed to know about and, by the end of the conversation she couldn't believe how important she was.
"You what? When did you do that?"
He grinned.
"Mary ain't no way in hell I was going to build an empire and give you nothing."
"No! I know- of course! I mean, I knew you filled my account with something... But buying stocks, making me a shareholder and reserving an important position for me at the company is very different. You're giving me-
"What you deserve. You're my sister. If anything happens ever everything should go to you. You own this company as much as I do."
She looked away
"This is crazy..."
"And your brother, so this is justified."
She sighed and they got up and left the restaurant. Later on, Gale explained to her everything she needed to know about business, and even though she had studied it for a few years just to ease Gale's mind that if anything happened she would be able to look out for herself, she still didn't want to start being a part of it seriously. This was his world. Not hers.
"I'll send a lawyer to explain everything about your rights and the paperwork. Good night." He said as drove away with his chauffeur.
Back to the house, she sighed. It felt weird. All of it.
Being in LA, suddenly being so important. Right now no one knew, but of course as soon as she will show up at her brother's arm, people will ask question and raise interest on her.
She shook her head.
She should stop hesitating. There was a reason for all of this. This was worth it.
Walking up to bed, she got lost in her laptop, reading everything about D.T and his family. So many scandals, so many carriers ruined. And yet he was still sitting pretty up there with his multiple mistresses. She also found out his son Xavier was now taking care of most of the important deals. D.T had mostly walked away from that part of his business. But that didn't make him any less richer. He was still worth two billion dollars and his company was growing thousands of dollar by hour. His son made sure of that, she found out Xavier was excellent. He was up there with her brother, and actually it was in public records that they both hated each other's guts.
But it was known Gale Wolfe was at the top. For his generation he was the most prominent businessman and it was said by 2040 Anwolfe Holdings would be a trillion dollar company. Reading about that made her proud, she knew if their father was still here, he would be so proud. But it also made his death now look worthless, and that broke her heart.
Two days later:
In the car, Marilyn was anxious. She was never in the public eye. Even though their family was very famous, their father had made sure to make it illegal for the press to repost any photograph of his children. Gale eventually got out of there as soon as he started his business but she remained protected and mostly unknown by the public. In Virginia Hamptons of course everyone knew her, she was born and grew up there. But here, it was another story. Hell, after her dinner with Gale two days ago, people were speculating on a blog that she was his woman. How ridiculous.
"Miss, everything okay?" Her chauffeur asked, noticing they had almost reached the mansion, and her breathing was curiously loud and fast.
He looked up.
"Yeah... I'm fine..."
He merely nodded before throwing his gaze back on the road.
"Mister Wolfe said he is already there. He had to go earlier because there are few people he needed to meet and discuss with."
She nodded, silent.
Staring at her manicured hair her nervousness went away a little as she remember how she looked today. Her stylist had made her look so good. She was wearing a nude pink and brownish dress, the dress went up to her neck in a diamond chocked, her back was naked, two straps holding both sides together in a beautiful knot. The dress stopped just below her knees, her legs showcased. She was wearing brown stiletto heels, close in color to her dress. Her hands were decorated with a diamond bracelet and the other with a formal watch by Vacheron Constantin. The dress was tight to her body, making her curvy ass and opulent chest stand out.
Her make up was also really nice looking. Red lips, brown smoky and dramatic lashes making her hazel eyes stand out. She looked gorgeous. But still, she was overconscious. She could look as good as she did. This didn't remove the fact that, this was not her world.
The car finally stopped and she exhaled for long. Getting ready. Her chauffeur signaled at a guy to open the door for her before unlocking and moments later it flew open.
A gorgeous smile on her face, she welcomed his hand and got out, her purse in hand. And as she was walking, she couldn't help but notice the looks on her. Even the press at the entrance were probably asking themselves who she was. Some threw looks behind her to see with who she was accompanied but there was no one else in the car.
As she reached the entrance she almost stumbled back noting her brother grinning. Hands in his pockets a proud look on his face. He also looked good as he always did.
She walked closer in a slow pace and stopped in front of him.
"You look different today monkey." He teased with a name he loved to call her when they were younger.
"And you too Mister Wolfe."
He took her hand and led her inside, and suddenly all gaze on them.
"I hope you enjoy yourself here." He said as he led her to in a room full of people. There was a buffet near the walls and in the middle different tables where different personalities sat.
With ease, Gale led her to a table in the front where two men stood to welcome her.
"Daniel Kent this is my sister Marilyn Wolfe" He said as a blond older man drew a hand to welcome her. She shook his hand with a smile as she looked up to the next one, younger.
"This is Gerald Fitz. They are the investors I talked to you about." Gale continued
"Nice to meet you !" She said, shaking Gerald's hand.
They both stared with numb smiles on their faces. They looked curious, so she looked up to her brother who chuckled.
"They were just informed that you are the second main shareholder at the company. And are excited to see what you have to offer."
She smiled, suddenly tense. This was going too fast. She had no intention in starting to work for the company yet.
But she left that for later, for now she would let Gale introduce him to all the personalities he worked with.
Later on, they drunk, joked and she learned that Gale was actually liked by a lot of people. And also by women, some of them threw acid looks her way and she couldn't help but laugh and tell him about it.
"Ew..." he said with a laugh
And she returned it.
"Exactly!"
After long hours of auction that she took no part in, she eventually felt the need to leave for the bathroom.
"You want me to come with you?" Her brother asked, his look and ear obviously still on the auction. But a hand on her forearm.
"No, I saw it when it we walked in, it not far, I'll be quick."
He nodded and she took her purse and walked out the room.
The man was still talking through the mic, and hopefully people's attention stayed on that while she walked out. In the bathroom she did her due and stopped to wash her hands. She felt a bit tipsy from the champagne she had been drinking since she arrived but she still felt good. Getting out her red lipstick, she fixed before staring at her reflexion. That was so not little Mary. She had really changed.
Shaking her head and suddenly feeling a bit out of breath, she walked out to a balcony where the moon was high in the sky. Everybody was in the auction room so it was void of people. She reached the borders of the balcony where she laid her purses and hands before exhaling a long long breath she hadn't even noticed she had been holding.
The wind was warm, the air mixed with the expensive perfumes people wore heavily tonight. She felt her purse vibrate, indicating that she just received a new text from her brother.
"Hey, where are you? You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm taking a few seconds in the bathroom to fix myself up, Be right back."
"Okay."
And as she was putting her phone back in her purse, the figure facing her suddenly made her stumble back. Her purse falling off the balcony, but the individual quickly held it.
Heart beating fast, she looked up to the figure, to find a man. Wow... and a very handsome one at that. She fixed her dress with her hands, a nervous tick of hers, before he spoke.
"I guess I'm not the only one to find these events boring."
His voice was a blissful melody.
Her heart leaped as he extended her purse back.
She took it back quickly and couldn't help but warm up as their hands touched. God...
He was tall, taller than her brother, and that said a lot, he had light brown hair with blond highlights. His eyes were an emerald green and his face was pure art. His dimples where showcased with a grimace he made, as his mouth twitched to the side. So then she realized, mortified, that she had been staring, mouth open...
Quickly, she shook the embarrassment away and summoned her very good acting skills.
A smile on her lips, she looked up to him.
"Thank you, and yes. To answer your question, this event is the most boring event I have ever attended."
Her gaze dropped to his lips that he had just licked before speaking. And God.. God... So freaking sexy.
"I see" he simple added.
His eyes obviously curious, as he studied her. Took her appearance in, before speaking in a formal but curious tone.
"Why have I never seen you around?" He asked, a brow arched up, his lips almost a flirtatious grin but she wasn't sure. It was almost like he was as good as her in hiding his thoughts.
"Maybe because I never attended before."
"So you're new here." He asked, not really a question.
"Indeed."
He nodded, agreeing with something in his head.
She fixed her hair that was getting blown by the wind before looking at the scenery facing them. She could see downstairs the press taking shots of late coming guests and those who were leaving early. The night was quiet and the stars were high.
She felt him draw closer, so she turned to look at him. Woh...
He was right in her face, staring at her. Nervous but prideful, she decided not to showcase her embarrassment. He would eventually speak and make clear of what his intentions was. And so he did.
"Are you married?" He asked. His tone cautious, his voice hoarse, she noticed his breathing was fast and loud.
As an answer, she drew her left hand up. No ring, but she didn't give him a smile. Nothing.
She saw his eyes go from her ring finger to her eyes before dropping to her lips. So then she exhaled nervously. God... she freaking exhale...
He was about to say something when she suddenly gathered the courage and stepped back.
"I have to go."
Yes, this situation was getting out of hand. She knew if he had just tried to touch her she wouldn't help herself. And she didn't want that. The press was here... her brother... hell she had better things to do.
But as she turned to walk away he followed her and stopped her a hand on her forearm.
"What's your name?" He asked, his gaze suddenly dark, his breathing fast. He looked on the edge. And she was also, his hand on her was burning and awakening something she didn't want to wake.
Then she heard steps get closer.
"Mary?" She heard behind her, to find her brother taking in the scene with curious eyes. And when his eyes dropped on the man, he suddenly got tense and strode closer fast.
"What's going on?" He asked staring at the hand of the man on her.
She shook him off and he easily removed it.
"Nothing, I dropped my purse and he was giving it back." She lied suddenly feeling weird about the tension in the air.
She looked up to find the man stare at Gale with acknowledgement. It hung there a few before falling again on her, and all the hunger and lust she thought she saw a few seconds ago was gone. Now it was just plain black. A dark wall that made reading him nearly impossible.
"Thank you again." She spoke, tempting him to at least provoke a reaction. But nothing, he was suddenly void, but she could swear she saw the ghost of a smirk.
He looked up to her brother and rested his hands in his pockets, suddenly appearing nonchalant.
"Been a while Wolfe." He said, and she quickly turned to see her brother tense even more before throwing a tense smile.
"You bet."
He looked back and forth from Gale and her and he got the message.
"This is my younger Sister. Marilyn."
He nodded slowly, his gaze sliding up her figure again, taking in her body then her face before smirking. Actually smirking.
"I'll see you around then, Marilyn." He said, nodded at her brother who returned it before walking away.
She watched his figure disappear behind a door and turned to her brother who sighed.
"A friend?" She asked
He nodded then shook it and actually groaned.
"What is it then?" She asked again.
"It's Trefford, Mary... Andrew Trefford."
So then she looked up to him, and realization dawned. God.
"Stir clear of him." Her brother warned his lips tight.
"Nothing scares him. And people like that are the scariest... Thank God he doesn't like his father, otherwise he would be a terrible enemy."
"He doesn't like his father." She repeated
"Hates his guts. Probably more than us." He added
"Doubt it."
He laughed darkly before pulling her away.
"Don't let his face fool you... he is dangerous Marilyn."
Marilyn and not Mary? This was bad...