"The same company which now is under my name?" Markos inquired curiously, making Valeria chuckle softly. "Yes, the same one. Well, I went over and completed the formalities to take over. That company was the only thing which was my inheritance. Till this date, I have no idea why uncle didn't pay heed to it. Perhaps because it was a dying and non-profitable one." Valeria continued telling him about the things ahead.
"Working hard I brought the company to the point where it is now. Everything was going well until you came along. We needed a big investment to solve the issue of the ownership. I am sure you are aware that I still don't own the company and my uncle somehow convinced the board to hand over the attorney to him." Another soft chuckle escaped her lips. "I have no idea how you managed to buy it."
Meanwhile, Markos had been listening to everything calmly. This was the first time he spoke to clear up the misunderstanding. "I didn't buy it or convince the board for the power of attorney. When I came back to Milan, my priority was to find you. Honestly speaking? I still have no idea why I wanted to talk to you, tracking you I stumbled upon your financial situation." Valeria became stunned upon his confession.
"Your sly uncle wanted to discard you from the rightful share of wealth. So, I seized the opportunity to have the power of attorney. Well, let's just say that I threatened, bribed, kidnapped everyone to have it." Markos laughed as if he had remembered something. "How could I let the chance slide when it could bring you to me? And see, you are here. Right under my roof and currently in my bed."
Markos softly laughed when Valeria playfully smacked over his chest. Whereas, the man pulled her into his embrace and pecked over her forehead. "I am sorry, Valeria. For everything." This time his voice was shallow and turned into a bare whisper. While, Valeria could sense the tension and seriousness in his voice. "I never meant to hurt you in any way, taking over your company was to protect it."
"That bastard, your uncle was going to declare it bankrupt and gobble up all the money alone. Upon my arrival, I came to know about your father and knowing how dear you hold the company. I just had to get the power of attorney" Markos wrapped his other hand around her waist too. Pulling Valeria closer, he displayed some fear before continuing after the pause. "I wouldn't claim that I did it for you because my sole intention was to bring you to me."
"Although, later on when I dug in more many things popped up. I had no idea that you had a tough life after your father died. The case of your marriage with Castello Karman was another tragedy." Markos paused for a moment once again. His worrisome expressions indicated that he was collecting his thoughts. "One thing I can assure you, Valeria. I never spoke or thought bad about you. Ever. Till now."
"I wouldn't deny that I had the intention of taking revenge from you for leaking our pictures and videos. I still do want to confront you for doing that. But swearing on my late mother, I never thought or spoke bad about you. I have no idea where and how you heard me talking bad about you with your father. That day when mister Hayden offered me money, he sent me straight to the airport with his guards."
Valeria couldn't help but feel conflicted, at first it was guilt for making Markos a laughingstock. And now he said something else which conflicted with the events. Valeria supported herself by placing her palm over his chest. Glancing at the man half laying down under her, she confronted him. "What are you saying? I heard your voice myself when I went to your place. Whatever I heard changed my mind and made me hate you."
Markos shook his head while shrugging his shoulders. "I have no idea how that is even possible, Valeria. Your father bought that place from me before forcefully sending me abroad. I was threatened to never come back ever and never try to reach you. When I was at the airport then how could you hear me conversing with your father?" Both of them became even more confused with the conversation ongoing.
"What do you mean? Then whom did I hear that day?" Valeria settled herself even more that subconsciously she was sitting over his waist now. "It was certainly your voice, I cannot mistake it. It was definitely your voice, Markos. If it wasn't you then who could it be?" Valeria became curious and seeing his confused expressions; she didn't see any trace of fear. Markos was genuinely unaware about whatever happened.
"I have no idea, Valeria. Just think about it, if I had the intention of hurting you, like really destroying you then wouldn't I have already done it? Everything about us from that night was available on the university's forum. It still isn't hard to attain all of that and make it public on bigger channels. How can you even think like that about me? I know we both have a history with bad blood but this is too much."
For a moment, Valeria thought with her hands over his chest. On the other hand, Markos had been trying hard to maintain his emotions. Valeria was sitting right over his crotch and seeing her in the position. Markos couldn't help but recall that steamy night. "So, all these years everything among us was a big misunderstanding? Goodness! I never leaked those pictures, Markos." She groaned.
"They were stolen from me and till this date I have no idea who did that terrible thing. But I swear, it wasn't me." Valeria tried to explain her side while Markos gulped. He placed his hand over her thighs while the other one clutching the bed sheet. "Goodness! Why would dad lie to both of us? You were told that I leaked everything. While I was made to believe that you have ditched me for money."
-.-.-.-.-
Check out book 2 of the series:
Billionaire Bastard's Cunning Little Pet