Sebastian POV
I stepped out of the elevator into the private underground parking lot beneath the Blackway Industries. The weight of my meeting with Selene still weighed heavily on me but I couldn't relieve the pain, especially not now.
Making my way to my car, I spotted Daniel my P.A. standing next to my sleek black Audi R8 a worried expression on his face.
"Are you alright sir?" he asked me when I got closer. "The meeting went on for longer than supposed," he said.
"It went fine," I smiled at him "Do you know if Tyler is back from his trip?" I asked leaning against the car.
"Yes," Daniel nodded "He came back this morning, his P. A said he's trying to rest and stuff. Do you want me to fix a meeting with him for tomorrow?"
"No!" I shook my head slowly. Each moment I wasted; Philip Winchester was growing stronger. I have to act now. "Can you ask him to meet me at our 'Usual spot' he'll understand when you tell him and you can go home now, I'll drive back to the house,".
Daniel nodded, passing the key to me as he murmured a hasty goodbye to me. I could see the joy on his face, this was the first time he was going home early whenever he was with me. As I slid into the driver's seat, I let out a long, weary sigh. Leaning against the seat, I closed my eyes for a moment.
Sienna Winchester… the name that had haunted me for three years. I couldn't believe she was standing in front of me today, except for the uncertainty I saw in her eyes, she was still as beautiful as ever. The memory of the night she called me on the phone to break up was still fresh as if it was yesterday. The confusion, the hurt, the anger that had coursed through me when I got her text ending our engagement, a night to our wedding.
There was no explanation, no closure, just… the breakup.
Sighing, I started the car, loving the way the engine spurred to life. As I pulled out of the garage and onto the nearly empty streets of New York, my mind wandered back to the desperation I had seen in her eyes when she said she'd do anything just to clear her name. She needed me…
For years, I have tried to put Sienna in my past… tried dating several beautiful women but it took me only an hour before reality set in that I wanted no one else but her. Unable to fight her memories, I focused on building my empire.
It was Sienna's absence that birthed Mr Black. He was born out of necessity, out of my desire to prove to the world – to Sienna that I could be so much more than the poor boy from a boy family and a drunkard for a father. Maybe if she saw it, she would come back to me… that had been the plan.
I made connections in places Sebastian Grey would never dare to tread. I learned everything from finance to politics, to corporate sabotage, to the importance of wielding power how to keep it with you forever and all the dance that took place in most businesses in New York behind closed doors.
Soon enough! I had every government in my pocket because of all the information I seemed to wielded and they all pledged their loyalty to me. Strangely, losing Sienna was a blessing in disguise and opened me to a lot of possibilities. Things that I didn't think I could ever do. I became someone that you only read about in books.
And now, here I was at a crossroads wrestling with the decision of whether to help the very person who had set me on this path.
Unable to contain the way it seemed my brain was heating up, I pulled over to the side of the road, killing the engine. I leaned forward, resting my forehead against the steering wheel.
Aside from helping Sienna, regardless of the unresolved feelings that still lingered, despite my efforts to move, I knew something wasn't right. Philip Winchester wouldn't want Sky Corporation or fight for it desperately unless he knew something that no one else did.
These days, there were whispers about certain things… and rumours of dealings that I am still trying hard to believe. But this was a perfect opportunity to take down Sky Group and Sky Corporation, my lifelong dream.
I sat up, my resolve strengthening. I would help Sienna and stab her at the same time, exactly how she did me three years ago. I wasn't going to let go of that pain because it impacted my life way more than I could ever imagine. Gritting my teeth, I started the car again and pulled back onto the road.
Still, I couldn't ignore the way my heart had raced when I saw her again. The memory of her smile, the sound of her laughter, the feeling of her hand in mine – all came flooding back. Fresh and vivid as if time had not passed at all.
I would need a bigger and better plan. One that wouldn't involve my family. If my brothers knew I was helping Sienna, they'd flip over.
I arrived back at my penthouse a few minutes after midnight. As I stepped into the room, I knew I had company. Something delicious wafted up my nose, and following the scent, I spotted Tyler in the kitchen, his brows furrowed as he was stirring something.
"Hey Mom!" I teased him with a goofy smile "I'm so glad you showed up, I was starving,".
"You better have a good reason for dragging me out of the house by this time," Tyler glared at me looking up from the pot. "Daniel said it was important,".
"Yeah," I nodded picking a piece of fried chicken and popping it into my mouth. Tyler Patterson and I met in the first year I started Blackway Industries. He was fresh out of law school, a troublemaker and looked down on most of the elites because he swore he'd never want to be the kind of lawyer to be working for clients who abused power.
Though we've only known each other for three years, he had grown to be part of my family. At this point, he was my brother and his wise counsel saw me through whenever I was stuck.
"The chicken tastes really good," I commented taking another piece of chicken "Who gave you the recipe?'
"Don't try to stall, Sebastian," he sighed turning off the stove. "What did you do? Did you get a woman pregnant? Or a hit-and-run? Or is it something worse?" he sighed "I've been thinking of the worse things you can do nowadays. Meeting with other lawyers at the convention made me wish that you were a bit unruly. They had a lot of stories to tell about their clients and couldn't believe when I told them you were well-behaved and always listened to me,".
"Did you tell them how scary you are when I don't?" I shivered. "Anyways, you've seen the news about the Sienna Winchester saga right?" I started. Apart from my brothers, Tyler knew about my past with Sienna.
"It's difficult not to," he sighed "I almost felt pity for the young girl but karma has a way of giving back you know," he shrugged, his gaze still on me. He must have noticed I was avoiding his gaze because, in the next second, he came up to me.
"What did you do, Sebastian?" he asked, his eyes peeled on me "What have you done? Did you try to contact her? Do you know how much trouble you'd be if the police or the public should find out what you just did,".
"Gosh, you're too paranoid, Tyler," I laughed pushing him aside "Didn't you just say you wished I was a little naughty? Why are you changing your mind?"
"Not you getting involved with Sienna Winchester. It'll be suicidal. Now tell me what's going on,".
"Well," I shrugged "Sienna reached out to me asking for help and before you ask me if I thought about my actions, the answer is yes. I won't be helping her for the fun of it. It's going to come with a price,".
"You think she'd give you whatever price it is? Sebastian," Tyler sighed. "Can't you just stay away from her and end whatever deal you've made,".
"Too late," I gave him a sad smile "They're already in one of my helicopters on their way to the safe house,".
"What!" Tyler shrieked "Why would you do that?"
"Because this is a great opportunity for me. She'd do anything I want her to do. So, the way I see it, it's a win-win,".
"Sebastian," Tyler sighed "You're going to kill me one of these days. Honestly, Anyways, what do you want me to do? I am assuming that you have a plan in mind at least?"
"Yes," I nodded. "You'll draw up a contract for us. The contract will state that I'll give her all the resources she needs to clear her name. In exchange, she would make me the second highest shareholder in Sky Corporation and would give Grey Corps access to whatsoever deal any of Sky Group's affiliates wants to do,".
"What!" Tyler exclaimed "You might as well as for the company. That's a ridiculous price. You think she would listen?"
"She's desperate, Tyler and I am a business man. Don't worry, she'll do what we want. Prepare the contract,".