Chapter 33 :
The light flickered in the darkroom as Laura sat on the other side of the desk. They did her hair in a slick ponytail, and they clad her in a tight leather suit.
She regretted ever making this deal. It had cost her so much, her friendship, her child, and the one guy who's ever made her feel herself.
'What's taking this guy so long,' she thought as she looked at her watch while chewing her gum.
"Ahh... Liyra, you're looking beautiful as always," someone called out.
Laura got up from the seat and walked around the table with a fake smile plastered on her face.
"Carlton, It's Laura, not Liyra," corrected Laura as she fake a French accent.
"Potato, Potato," said Carlton while waving his hand in dismissal, "There are both the same to me," he continued, the French accent dripping heavily from his words.
'Why can't this little man take a hint,' thought Laura as she slightly bent her knee to hug him.
"So what wonderful prizes have you brought for me tonight," asked Carlton while his hands overstayed their welcome.
Laura stood up and walked seductively towards the briefcase on the table. She was just about to take it up when Carlton called out to her.
"Hey poupée..... this better be good," warned Carlton, his funny French accent changing slightly for the American accent and the look that he gave her was one that could kill.
"When have I ever disappointed you Carl?" asked Laura asked she took up the briefcase and walked over to him. Carlton gestured to one of his bodyguards to move the desk that the briefcase was on earlier in front of him.
'And he couldn't have moved his little lazy ass over to the desk?' Thought Laura. Her foot was aching from standing in these heels that her boss gave her.
"Poupée, why are you wearing that grimace on your face?" asked Carlton while holding this cigar in his hand.
"Carl-" she started, but got interrupted before she could complete one sentence.
"Look outside, come on," demanded Carlton as he dragged her towards the window. Laura obliged, and she could not utter a word as she stared at the stars glowing in the sky. It was amazing.
"You see. The moon is shining, the air is amazing and you're in my marvelous presence. What else do you need?" asked Carlton as he lit his cigar.
'Yeah, the air is amazing, right? Well, too bad you're ruining it's thought Laura as she looked at his cigar.
Carlton saw when Laura glanced at his cigar and said, "Poupée, have told me", "I would've brought a case for you.... here take this," continued Carlton as he handed her his cigar before wiping his and on his coat.
"Hugo, Cigar," Carlton called out as he held his hand backward for the cigar. Laura thought he looked like a peacock.
"I'm so glad that you took your place among the ranks with your father," said Carlton as he gave Laura a genuine smile.
"I wouldn't say it was a matter of option," shrugged Laura before moving the stray hair from her face.
"Child, watch your mouth," warned Carlton in a serious voice.
"I'm loyal to your father, not you, so watch what you say about him around me," advised Carlton as he took a smoke of his cigar.
"Poupée, you'll make an influential leader one day," he said.
"Thanks, but that's not wh-" started Laura as she looked at the stars once more.
"Since your father is going to die and all," said Carlton casually.
'What is this bouton talking about?' Laura asked herself as she gave Carlton an unsure look.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
Carlton turned to Laura faking an expression of shock and asked, "Oh, you didn't know? Guess I should've kept my mouth shut then."
'Hopefully, she hands the position over to me,' thought Carlton while giving her a sympathetic look.
"Why wouldn't you tell me," she asked confusedly.
Carlton then shrugged and said, "I mean if your father didn't inform you about his condition, then that means he wanted you to live your life free of worries."
Laura sighed and looked down at the busy road. This was too much for her, yeah she knew her father loved to death and would do anything for her.
Laura regrets ignoring him when he tried to reach out to her.
"So poupée, what are you going to do?" asked Carlton as he watched her, eager for what her answer was going to be.
'What am I going to do?' Laura asked herself.
'Do what your mom would've done,' her subconscious answered.
"I'm going to step up to the position, Carl" she answered confidently while giving him a wide smile.
'Of all the time you rebelled and curse your father, you finally take his position serious when he's on his deathbed,' thought Carlton as he gave Laura a fake smile while looking at her in envy.
"But poupée, don't you want to travel and experience what life has to offer?" said Carlton, hoping that she'll reconsider.
"Nah, I think I've done a lot of exploring honestly..... I just want to settle down and accept my birthright," said Laura as she checked her phone.
'Christ, she's really serious,' thought Carlton as he ran his hand through his hair.
"You know you could take a break before starting, you know," said Carlton as he placed his hands on hers. "I mean, I could take care of things while you're gone and when you're ready, you can come right back." he continued.
"Well, taking a break sounds awesome, if I'm being honest," started Laura. And Carlton straightened his back and got ready to say something.
"But if I take a break when I come back I'd be completely clueless on what to do.... And as the head, you're not supposed to be in that predicament, ever" continued Laura while moving her hands as she talked.
'Well looks like I have to send someone that can sweep her off her feet, for me to get what I want,' thought Carlton as he gave Laura her a small smile.
'Things come to those who wait,' he thought with a small smirk on his face.