The Helicopter touched down on a small, secluded landing pad surrounded by dense forest reminding me of one of our vacation homes. As the rotors slowed, I and Monty climbed out, our legs slightly wobbly from the intense flight. The air was crisp and clean, a stark contrast to the smoky chaos we'd left behind in New York.
"Where is this place?" I asked one of the suited men but he ignored me and gave me instead an iPad.
"Mr Black would drop instructions for you on the iPad every morning, so do well to check it out and also there's been a slight change of plans. From tomorrow, you'd be staying in a building Mr Black has prepared for you in the city because of the schedule he has planned out for you. There's no need to come with clothing, everything has been provided for,".
He bowed and walked towards the helicopter while I and Monty stood there staring at him not knowing what to do or say. We watched as they lifted into the sky and disappeared into the night.
"That was rude!" I hissed and turned to the forest behind us. "He didn't even have the decency to take us to the so-called safe house," I complained.
"This way," Monty said, gesturing towards a narrow path leading into the woods. "I see a path there. It should lead to the safe house,".
As we made our way through the trees with only the moon giving us light, I couldn't shake the feeling of unreality that had settled over me. Just hours ago, I had stood before Sebastian, like a shameless fool, begging for his help. I was a fugitive.
After about ten minutes of walking, we emerged into a small clearing. A modest but well-maintained cabin stood before us. Its windows were dark and shuttered. Monty approached the front door, and tapped on it, waiting.
Moments later, the door swung open, revealing a familiar face. "Chelsea!" I exclaimed, relief washing over her at the sight of my old friend. Sebastian kept to his word after all.
Like Monty, Chelsea came to live with us the year I turned 11. She was a victim of trafficking from Europe and thankfully, had been lucky to meet my father who bought her freedom.
She stepped out onto the porch, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "Thank God you're both safe," she said before pulling me into a quick hug "I was terrified when some men showed up at the café and said Mr Black asked them to take me to a safe house. They wouldn't answer any more questions after that. I was worried that something had happened,".
"He said they were going to have you arrested," I supplied gulping down the glass of water she offered me. "I wonder how he knows you,".
"We've met before," Chelsea shrugged. "In those days when they would like us up and put us for sale, I met him. I think he was the one that made me obvious to your dad back then. Anyways," Chelsea shook her head "Let me introduce you to Kennedy," she pointed to a scrawny man with an over-sized suit, bourgeois glasses and red curly hair. He looked like a character from a cartoon and not a lawyer.
"My name is Kennedy Foster and I promise I will be discreet and offer whatever help you need. So, may I know the nature of the help you need?"
"We don't know yet," Monty said "But I'm guessing it's going to be a contract of some sort. We'll know when next we speak to Mr Black,".
"Okay," he nodded "But you should have in mind what you would want to give him in return, it'll help you negotiate better. Mr Black will not be an easy man,".
"We know that," Monty sighed "Let's discuss something else. I'm tired of hearing that name,". Turning to Chelsea, he asked. "Did you look into Janice,"?
"Yes!" Chelsea nodded and opened her bag "It's not so much but I got a picture of them meeting at the subway Four months ago… around the time that your father died and then one time last year, at the exact location at the subway and every attempt to reach out to the orphanage has failed,".
"You could also request for a DNA test now that the body of your father is yet to be exhumed and also yours. A clear match would be a tangible and the best piece of evidence ever," Kennedy chirped in.
"That's out of the question," I shook my head "No DNAs will be conducted,".
"Why?" Kennedy seemed surprised "That's the easiest way to prove that you're the real Winchester,".
"Drop it, Kennedy," Chelsea said giving him a cold look "I told you, you'll only be allowed to do what we say and not what you want. You agreed not to ask questions and just be silent about everything. That's exactly what I want you to do,".
"Fine!" Kennedy sighed softly pushing his bourgeois eyeglass that had slipped to the bridge of his nose "I'll keep that in mind,".
"Let's just call a day, guys," I sighed rising to my feet, "I'm going to bed,".
***
The next day, the helicopter came back to pick us up at Blackway Industries. Sebastian had sent a message across for a meeting that morning. When we arrived, his secretary told us that he was in a meeting and asked us to wait at the reception.
After a while, the uniformed blonde from before came inside the room and told us that Sebastian had finished with his meeting and would see us now and that we should please follow her.
Together, we rode the elevator and stopped at the fifteenth floor. The uniform blonde took us to a door at the corner of the corridor and asked us to go in before leaving. When we pushed open the door, I noticed it was a conference room and Sebastian was sitting at the edge of the table with him was Tyler Patterson.
Tyler Patterson was a renowned lawyer with the most reputable law firm and was one of the kill-to-get law firms in New York. Not only did they have a track record of several, serial successes, they were selective with their clients. Only the 0.1% of people could afford them and most times, not every wealthy person could get them too because of how stringent their selection was.
Also, Tyler Patterson was the second most eligible bachelor in town. Everyone talked about him, his looks, his composure and everything about him exuded the kind of mystery that every woman wanted. There was a time I wanted to meet him so bad but my dad couldn't secure one date.
Seeing him in the conference room in person made me giddy and I couldn't help but smile.
"You're here," Sebastian said flatly and indicated we seat on the other side of the conference table "This is my friend, Tyler… he's a lawyer and I've asked him to draw up the contract. So, he's going to pass it to you know, you read and if there are terms, you're not comfortable with or something you'd need adjustments to; just point it out to him,".
My heart sank with fear as the realization of what Sebastian was doing dawned on me. He was serious about everything and using someone like Tyler to draw up our contract was a power move. If I try to contest it afterwards, my chances of winning would be slim and I might lose the company.
"Good morning, Miss Winchester," Tyler gave me a curt nod and passed some documents to me "Mr Grey already briefed me of everything, so just read that and…" he pointed at Kennedy "Your face looks familiar. Are you a law student?"
"Yes!" Kennedy rose to his feet bowing severally until I thought his head would fall off. There was pure joy on his face as he spoke "I interned at your chambers two years ago and appeared at several court cases too before I got my license. It's a pleasure to finally meet you sir. You're everything I want to become someday,".
"Really?" Tyler smirked "That's a good dream, Kennedy. So, you're representing, Miss Winchester?" he asked.
"Yes sir," Kennedy nodded "I'll go through the documents after she's done perusing,".
"Sure!" Tyler nodded and turned to me "You don't need to worry about anything, Miss Winchester, there are no baits or hidden clauses. But read and tell me what you think before we proceed with the signing,".
Just like he said, there were no hidden clauses. The contract was the simplest of contracts I've seen. It was just a page and the terms were clear. It was almost unbelievable. Without saying a word, I passed it to Kennedy.
After a few minutes, I heard Kennedy speak, his gaze was on Tyler now "I think your client is asking for too much. I know Miss Winchester is in a more disadvantaged position now but asking her to make you the second highest shareholder in Sky Corporation is risky and as good as asking for the company,".
"Right?" Tyler chuckled "But your client would be riding on the tailcoat of my client and his influence. After we signed the agreement and he introduces her to the world as an ally, no one would touch her. She doesn't need to worry about being arrested or harassed by the police, all the charges against her will be dropped and her slate wiped also, he would help her fight for her birthright by testifying in court and providing evidence. That's a lot and his prize at the end equates everything he'll do and it's not up for negotiation. It is either she agrees to it or not,".
Kennedy nodded, his eyes still on the contract. A few minutes later, he raised his head and said "Fine, but your client would need to do more than just testifying in the court for my client,".
"What do you mean?" Tyler asked leaning on his chair.
"My client would be going against strong forces… people who do not want her to claim her birthright and at this point, she would need all the help she can get. If your client can provide resources to help her fight, actively participate in helping her regain everything she's lost then... we have a deal,".
My gaze flitted to Sebastian who was listening quietly and for a moment, I wanted to reach out to Kennedy and ask him not to make such a bargain and that I was going to take what I could get because if Sebastian changed his mind or refused, then I was doomed.
"Fine!" Sebastian nodded after a while "But you know that there are certain things I cannot do under the premise of a fiancée. If Miss Winchester would be willing to marry me…".
"No!" I yelled springing to my feet. Noticing that everyone was looking at me strangely I quietly sat back down and continued speaking in lower tones. "I'm super grateful for the offer but No and you don't need to give me any more resources. Everything will go as planned,".
Hurt flitted through Sebastian's eyes for the tiniest of seconds before he nodded to Tyler who nodded in response and turned to me.
"Since you agree with the terms, Miss Winchester, please can you sign the documents?"
I nodded and collected the pen he offered to me. Without thinking, I scribbled my name and signature on the contract and passed it to Sebastian who did the same. Then our witnesses signed and just like that, I became bound to Sebastian Grey, again.