Jameson's POV
A low chuckle escapes my throat as I swing the glass of whiskey in my grip around smoothly before taking a sip from it. I have watched this video countless times, but each time feels like the first.
Seeing Sir Vanderblib react exactly how I want him to gives me deep satisfaction in my soul. The way the tight corners of his lips tighten even further as he answers the reporters' questions with a voice full of grudge. Even the blind can see that he is tormented within him ever since he saw my interview video about announcing Bella as my brand ambassador.
"This is exactly how I want all my enemies to feel each time they hear my name," I mutter, taking another sip of the alcohol.
Lamonthe enters my home office a moment later, "I can see that you are still celebrating, sir," he remarks.
"Sure. Do you want to join me?"
"S-sir?"
"Come on, Lams. We have known each other for more than a decade. You know when I am serious and when I'm not."
"That's exactly why I am surprised, sir. I have never seen you this happy, sir."
"That will be because you have never seen me achieve something this huge. Get a glass and join me, will you."
Lamonthe obeys. He gets a glass from the bar and gets to the desk in no time. After pouring himself a good amount of whiskey, he brings his glass close to mine for a clink.
"Cheers. I hope that motherfucker remains like that and even worse for everything he did to my mother."
"If that's what you want, so be it then," Lamonthe replies reluctantly.
Soon enough, a comfortable silence comes between us. I turn my back to him, watching the city pass by below me from my point of view in the window. It had drizzled earlier that morning, and the sun is currently trying to break through the shadowed clouds.
"Sir?"
"Hmm?"
"I think it's high time we talk about the campaign photo shoots. The PR strategists have been disturbing me about this."
"I guess its high time we talk about it," I reply, facing him again.
We discuss the various themes they have in mind, alternating between simple and something sophisticated, ir if we can take it all the way by going with sultry images.
I bite back a smile at the mention of something sultry. Bella and a sexy theme will be a match made in heaven. Her slim and slightly curvy body will wow most of our clients and might even end up getting us more customers.
Not to talk about how tight Sir Vanderblib's lips would be when he sees the pictures. At this point, I don't mind hiring a private delivery guy to get the pictures to him and also record his reaction when he eventually sets his eyes on them.
"Did you hear what I asked, sir?"
Lamonthe's slight brush on my shoulder jolts me out of my thoughts.
"What is it?"
"Which one should we be going with? We need to update the PR guy as soon as possible."
I give it a thought for a moment. Which would Bella like the most between the three themes?
While a simple picture of her will look good on the billboards, a sophisticated look will look even better. However, a sexy picture of her will have jaws dropping and mouths salivating.
"How about I give Bella a call to find out which of them she likes the most?" I suggest to Lamonthe.
He nods before going back to his chair to relax.
I speed dial her number. I find my heart rate increasing as I wait for her to pick up the call. When my feet can no longer remain at a spot, I begin pacing around slowly.
"She isn't picking up?" Lamonthe asks.
"No," I reply with a sigh, getting uncomfortable with each passing second.
"Maybe she isn't with her phone. We both know how crazy her living condition is."
Lamonthe's words do nothing to calm my nerves. The same urge I had a few days ago about Bella not being safe returns. This time around, it feels worse.
"I think something is wrong."
Lamonthe's brows furrow as he tries to process my words, "Where?"
"With Bella. Something doesn't feel right."
"Do you suspect that Davenport is maltreating her again?"
"Or even worse," I tell him, shrugging into my suit jacket, "I need to go find out what."
Lamonthe quickly drops his glass of drink and stands, "I can go check it out if you want."
"I will do it myself. Don't worry, Lamonthe. Just relax and finish up your drink."
Even though he looks reluctant, Lamonthe returns to his seat while I head to the door.
"Be careful, boss!" he calls out.
"Always."
The drive to Matt Davenport's mansion is a short but tense one. I continue dialing Bella's number all the way, still no answer.
After I stop my Bentley a few meters away from Matt's mansion, my fingers begin tapping on my steering wheel as I try to think of the best possible way to approach this without looking stupid.
What if Bella is doing alright and has refused to pick up my call just because she feels like I am bugging her too much?
I shake my head. Nah, if Sir Velanderblib had reacted the way he did publicly, only heaven knows what he would be doing to his daughter in private for daring to disobey him.
Bella must be going through it, I conclude before getting down from the car. The air breezes past my face and hair as I take the short walk to the gate.
"How may I help you, sir?" Someone asks from the intercom by the gate.
"I'm here to see your boss. Is he around?"
"Yes, sir. What's the name, please?"
"Tell him it's an old friend, will you?" I say with a low chuckle, wishing I will be able to see how pale Matt's face will be when he realizes that I am the one.
"I still need a name, regardless." The security man insists.
"Jameson Pentagon. That's the name."
I notice a slight hesitation in his voice, "Pentagon of Pentagon Beauty?"
"Exactly."
"I'll be right back, sir."
The line remains dead for a long time. When I can no longer endure the disrespect of having to keep me waiting, I jab at the call button again.
This time around, the gate slowly slides open. I take bold steps into the compound. One of my brows arches up in surprise when I see one of Matt's men approaching me.
"My boss is a little busy at the moment. But he asked me to handle you for him."
What exactly could Matt be doing that made him stuck up inside? I wonder. My heart skips a beat when I try to imagine if it has anything to do with Bella.
"What is he doing in there?"
"The real question should be what do you want? Huh?"
I flash him a mischievous smile as an answer.
"Look, sir, we can either do this the easy way or the hard way. I won't care about your social status before rough handling you. Tell me what you want right now!"
My hand goes to ruffle my beard as I think of the best way to answer his question without putting Bella at risk.
"Have I told you that I am an impatient man?" the man asks me, now folding up the sleeves of his shirt.
"So am I. Let's cut to the chase, shall we? Tell me where Bella is."
Instead of answering my question, he charges at me with a blow. I manage to dodge it. He comes right again. His hand lands on my cheek. The force from the action makes me lose my balance a little.
I retaliate, punching him back.
We both begin landing blows at each other at different parts of our bodies. Being heavier than me, he tries to jack his hand around my neck. But he missed. I end up tackling one of his legs, making him lose his balance.
He lands on the floor with a thud. I use my leg to press him further on the floor. He groans as I step on his neck.
"Tell me what the hell your boss is doing to Bella?"
"I… I have no idea," he says in between coughs.
"Yes, you do. Tell me right now or I swear to you, I'm going to end you right this minute."
"They are… in the… room. He is with… her."
My mind could only go to one conclusion, especially remembering what Lamonthe said Bella had told him the previous time she was in trouble. Matt is trying to abuse Bella.
A thick rage courses over me at that moment, which makes me abandon the man on the floor and storm towards the window I suspect belongs to Matt's bedroom.
Just the thought of knowing that Bella will be helpless beneath him makes my blood boil to a dangerous level.
"Matt Davenport! Come out here you beast!"