Bruno
"Sir, I think it's time you filled me in on what's going on." says a worried Chase after we finish discussing the most pressing matters regarding my businesses.
His request doesn't surprise me in the least. The last time we talked on the phone, he sounded out of patience though he didn't dare show it too much. I'd expected him to bring this up in this meeting.
Like me, control is key for Chase. And to control effectively you have to see all and know all. The lack of this leads to things spiraling out of control. That's what's been putting Chase on edge, I've been keeping him in the dark about Lina and as my security head, it doesn't sit right with him. However, If I know Chase he's already made an intelligent guess about what's happening.
I mean, what other thing drives a man to insanity besides a woman?
Speaking of things that drive me insane, since the previous day, a certain stubborn female hasn't been answering my fucking call or texts. The nerve of this woman. And here I thought she was too terrified to try to defy me. Whatever, if she's finally ready to play, I'll give her the match of her life, I think clutching my phone hard enough to hurt my palms.
Chase and I are seated on the opposite sofas in my less-than-glamorous abode. Chase must have questions about this too. Why would his filthy rich billionaire boss choose to stay in a middle-class house?
The answer to that is one word.
Spying.
A task which I have to do myself. This is too important to leave in the hands of one of my soldiers. I did mention that I had control issues, right?
Taking a sip of my scotch, I respond to his statement by saying, " I'm not ready to share yet, Chase. "
A silence follows however I can still feel Chase's frustration from my seat.
In a tight and controlled voice, he says," With all due respect sir, you're being reckless about your safety. I can't protect you if I don't know what's happening around you. I also can't protect her."
At this, I pause, the glass of scotch hovering just below my lips. And then I smile, a long slow smile that I know doesn't reach my eyes. From the corner of my eye, I see the head of my security fidget in his seat, the knowledge that he may have poked the bear dawning on him. I'm not known to kill people at random but I am guilty of killing a few people spontaneously. All it takes is one careless comment about something that I feel strongly about. Or someone.
Like saying I was putting them in danger when all I wanted to protect them from the whole fucking universe.
Bringing my glass to the rectangular table between us, I lick my lips and look at him.
Chase is exactly what you'd expect when you look at him, which is fine by me. In my line of work, I'm not much fond of surprises. The man's startling blue eyes always gleam with intelligence, his hair which is blond in colour is always styled to perfection and he always looks immaculate in his signature work suit. In short, he does things to perfection. However, he's a bit on the lean side. But don't let that fool you, former military, he's as lethal as they come.
But the thing I like most about this man is that for all the four and a half years he's worked for me he's never once failed to tell me what's on his mind, even if I didn't like it. That's because his devotion to me won't allow him to let me do anything that will put my life in peril, which if I'm being honest, happens once in a while. I don't even know what I did to deserve it. Anyway, that's what shields him from my monster this moment.
"It seems like you already guessed quite a bit about what is going on, Chase."
"A woman," he says in an admirably steady voice.
"Yes, "I admit with a sigh though I didn't want to bring anyone into my relationship with Lina until she was firmly by my side. But Chase is right. There's a possibility of Lina getting harmed if we don't take some safety measures now rather than. It's better to be safe than sorry. There are a lot of people in Mylari who would just like to use this precious possession to gain one over me.
"Lina and I have a history, Chase. It happened before you came to work for me." I talk calmly even though I'm feeling anything but. Whenever I'm reminded of that time, all the wonderful moments we spent together, I get angry when I think about all the wonderful times we missed out on in these last five years. We could have been so happy now by now.
In marriage.
I gulp down another glass.
Maybe that's just wishful thinking, a lot could've happened between us in the space of these five years. However, I can't help but think that Lina and I would still be together right now and not across the street from each other. When we were together I couldn't get rid of the feeling that she and I belong together. We fit so perfectly. So addictively.
It all feels so far away now, I think, running a hand through my hair.
The craving that I have for Lina is definitely taking its toll on me.
"We almost got married," I declare to see the other man widening his eyes for the first time ever.
"What happened?" he asks, surprised.
I smile a little.
It's just that the question is so unlike Chase. He likes to keep things strictly professional. He even refuses to call me by my name even though I keep telling him that he can, a right he's more than earned.
This is why his question about my private life takes me by surprise. It seems curiosity has got the better of him this time.
"A jet accident and my parents happened," I tell him, not minding informing him in the least. When you do the things this man has done for me, it's almost right for him to know such things.
He nods slowly, understanding clouding his face. He knows about that particular accident, which left me with a black hole in my heart. The one that instigated my rise to power in Mylari.
"So, what happens now?" he asks.
"I make her mine again, of course."
" And if she doesn't want to come back to you?" he inquires.
"It's not a choice," I say with grim determination.
I will have Adelina Rivera, I think, no matter the cost.
Chase raises an eyebrow at me but doesn't say anything. He clears his throat tactfully before saying," I'll have come up with security measures for her by evening and will run them by you at the earliest."
I smile inwardly.
You see, unlike Lina, Chase knows that when I say that I'm going to get something done, you might as well write it in fucking stone. Resistance is futile.
Grabbing the bottle now, I take a long swig.
********************************************************
I emerge from my room shirtless, barefoot with long damp hair clinging to my face.
It's six in the evening and I've just finished my shower, opting to just throw on some jeans only.
Making my way to the kitchen, I make myself a cup of black coffee even though I've barely had anything to eat today. Or yesterday. Or the day before that. Nor the day before...
Well, you get the point. I just don't have an appetite.
However, It feels worse today. Usually, I like the coffee that I make but this one tastes a bit too sweet and bitter. Nevertheless, I keep on forcing it inside of me.
I dump it on the sink half finished. What I really need, I decide, is a cigar.
`Reaching for a packet from in my jeans, I grab one and light it.
I take a puff. It goes a short way to filling the emptiness inside but it's better than nothing. Unconsciously, I start moving towards the window that gives me a perfect view of the front of Lina's house. I stare at it longingly.
She's so close but so far.
Whatever possessed me to leave her for a whole week. I can't leave without this woman for one more day. I need her. I crave her. I missed her when our reunion only lasted for about ten minutes. I don't know if I can make it for four more days.
When I've finished, I stuff the remainder of the cigarette in an ashtray. Grabbing my phone, I dial her number needing to hear her voice before I lose it and break my promise to leave her alone. It starts to ring. Thank God.
This time she better answer the fucking phone else my ass will be perched on her couch in about five minutes from now.
The phone keeps on ringing. After about fifteen seconds my mind starts to think about the shirt I'm going to wear to see her.
That's why I'm startled when her lovely voice finally comes through.
'Yes?" She answers through gritted teeth in a tight voice.
It's like music to my ears.