How do you tell your best friend that your parents were murdered when you were nine years old, in your trailer home, and the only clue you have to the person responsible is a name that was uttered in trembling fear?
How do you tell your best friend that everything you have done from the day the police found you in that same smelly, trailer, two days after the night your parents were murdered, has led to this place, to work for that same monster?
How exactly do you tell your best friend that all you are after is revenge and you are going to get it no matter what stands in your way? How do you tell someone that you are willing to sacrifice everything for it?
How?
Keeping in mind that your best friend is sheltered and has a wonderful family. They might not have had the best start in life and her biological father is not part of her life now but she has two amazing people that love her. Her mother Margaret and her sweet, wealthy husband, Charles.
“Because, it’s a great experience for me. Yeah, I know, don’t give me the eye roll Sammy.” I mumble.
I’m trying to divert her attention by baiting her with the mentioning her epic eye rolls. Sam is a professional eye roller, she does it so flawlessly that the witness almost always feels inadequate and offended, even over a minor issue.
I guess it’s part of her modeling career. However, she doesn’t bite. Prompting me to explain myself.
“You know I’m almost at the end of my four year plan, just a few more months. I’m already looking for something.”
As I say that, my mind wanders off and literally runs to think of the Adonis I met Monday morning.
The wall I bumped into. I can see him as clear as watching a movie.
I see him, on his haunches, helping me to gather my stuff including my girly stuff. I see him, in my mind’s eye, offering them back to me. Then his eyes. God those emerald gems.
Sam’s excited shriek shocks me back to the present and I turn to her startled.
“What Sam? I didn’t know you would be this excited for me changing jobs.” I say amused and notice she has her palm over her no doubt open mouth, as if she is shocked about something.
“What’s wrong with you? Did you see Beyoncé somewhere?” I glance around the small restaurant just in case Queen Bey is actually lurking in disguise somewhere around here.
“Oh, don’t give me that. You totally just blanked out and you were freaking smiling at whatever, or whoever, you were thinking of” she says as she looks at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I wasn’t thinking of anyone.” I lie as I feel my cheeks heat up slightly and she gasps out loud again.
Busted!
I’m getting sloppy these days. I’m usually very good at lying and concealing my real emotions.
“There you just did it again, and you even blushed! I have never seen you blush in all the time I have known you. Like ever!” she squeals, to the delight of the men around staring at Sam—captivated—but, she isn’t bothered. I can’t say the same.
“Spill the beans and you better not lie to me” Sam scoots closer to me. She is like a puppy so hell bent on affection, but I can’t resist her.
So I hash out the way I bumped into Gideon Black and how he offered me a job. I leave out the risqué parts about blackmail and my own sinister plans.
When I’m done, she just stares at me like she just met me.
“Chloe! I don’t even know what to say right now.”
Which is a huge deal, seeing that Sam is never speechless.
“I mean Gideon Black? People’s Sexiest Man Alive for four consecutive years? Gideon Black the financial mogul? Number thirty-eight wealthiest man on Forbes list Gideon Black?”
She asks but I know she is really just making statements.
“The Ponzi scheme Gideon Black?” And with that she sits upright and looks at me seriously.
I just look at her back. I don’t blink, and neither does she.
“Chloe. You can’t be seriously considering this? Tell me you are not actually going to do it?” she pleads
“I haven’t committed to anything yet Sam, calm down. I’m just saying his offer is intriguing at best.”
I try to pacify but with the day I had with the blow Stefan Demetri gave me and thinking of Gideon’s parting words from Monday morning, I know my conviction is leaning more towards him and his offer.
“Intriguing at best my ass. I know that look in your eye, Chloe. I know you are going to do this.” she says in an alarmed tone. “Chloe, Ponzi schemes are serious.” she tries to reason with me.
“I hardly believe he is guilty Sam. I mean, has there been an arrest?” I ask her
“Well, not yet. They must be gathering more evidence to lock him away. I mean, swindling investors of 450 million dollars is no joke” she says.
See what I meant by Sam being smart and intelligent? Sam stays on top of all the current affairs happening in and around the world.
“Yeah, I know but Sam be realistic, the story has been going on for more than a year now, with no arrest made. Meaning there must not be any substantive evidence to actually prove that he did it”
I think back to the look in his scorching orbs.
There was something about the way he talked about my boss, the disgust and ill-veiled violent anger, screamed to me that he knows he was framed.
As I sit here, defending him to my best friend, I realize something. A decision that I know I made earlier this morning, in that bastard’s office.
I’m going to meet Gideon Black tonight.
Chapter 6
Chloe
AS THE CLOCK STRIKES six o’clock signaling the end of my musings and the beginning of a wild journey, I rush to pack the files I need to work on and the things I need to study in order to work out another angle to my plan.
See, a man like Demetri most likely has so many weak spots, but the way everything is set up, it’s layers upon layers. So, you really have to tuck in and dig. And I have just enough patience for that.
There is always something, just lurking in the shadows. All I need to do is shed a little light on it.
I don’t know Gideon Black and well, I’m not happy about working with him or for him.
But I do know that Gideon has the same idea that I harbor in the depths of my mind and my soul.
There is something uncanny about him that calls to me in a strange yet comforting way. I don’t want to observe it further, I just want to go with my gut on this.
Maybe when I hear him out, it won’t work as I want it to but there is something going on within me. I’m much too fired up, I’m angry and I have nowhere to direct my emotions and feelings.
The lunch with Sam didn’t help much since we ended up arguing but I know I need to see him.
I need to bring this bastard down. Come hell or high waters, I will make it happen.
When I step out into the cool early evening air, I spot the beautiful, familiar Lincoln SUV waiting at the curb. It looks intimidating, parked front and center.
Does the man know anything about inconspicuousness?
There is no way anyone will not find out about this... business relationship or whatever the hell it is, when he sends his ‘security’ and his car like that.
I bet the car itself is already raising a few eyebrows from my fellow coworkers as they all rush out of the building like bees.
I stand there looking at the car.
Maybe I should just ditch this and go home.
After all I don’t owe Gideon anything. He might know a lot about me and about my ‘plans’ but those are all shot to hell at this point seeing as the bastard rejected them. It makes me mad just thinking about it. So, I’m good.
Now I feel ridiculous just standing there like a loon. So, what if people see me enter this beautiful car? So, what if they talk? So, what if they wonder whose car it is?
I know damn well that’s none of their business and I don’t owe anyone here my loyalty.
I owe myself loyalty and
honesty.
And while we are on the honesty track, my palms are sweaty and I feel butterflies the size of eagles, flapping around in my stomach. As I take slow, measured steps towards the car I realize that I’m nervous.
Not only because I don’t know what to expect of Gideon Black’s world or what he is going to propose. But I’m particularly nervous about being in his vicinity, to be around him.
Is this the time to admit about my more than a bit racy-dreams?
My nights are restless now, since meeting him days ago. I often wake up several times during night, not from my usual nightmares no, but from the vivid, sensual images of Gideon. His eyes haunt me even in my dreams.
Dreams in which his breathtakingly gorgeous face is the star, his voice melting me in ways that make me question if I was made of some kind of soft substance that melts when in contact with heat.
Because that’s what Gideon Black is. He is heat personified. With raw, untamed power that radiates from him in waves, while in a relaxed stance. I wonder how he would react when antagonized.
When I approach the waiting car, a large man that was with Gideon the other day gets out from the passenger seat and he opens the back door for me.
“Miss. Smith, Good evening. We are here as per the request of Mr. Black, ma’am” the suit says, in a stoic face.
With his face that looks like he was being harassed before, standing there looking intimidating. Not your average city security team. This guy looks lethal and can be down for anything at any time, no notice needed.
“Thank you.” is all I manage to say as I nervously get into the beautiful car. The suit closes my door and in a matter of seconds, the car is in motion.
I’m alone in the back and my mind runs back to a few days ago when I met him. I swear I can still catch a whiff of his delicious scent right here in this car, which would make sense, it’s his car after all.
But I know I’m being ridiculous.
I don’t even know why I’m thinking of a potential business partner the way I am.
I’m not Sam. I have zero experience when it comes to dating and seduction.
And to be honest, I’m fine with that. I don’t need the added stress and responsibilities and dependability that comes with being with someone.
The last time I loved someone with everything I had, depended on them, they were taken away from me in an instant.
People leave.
They leave and no matter how much you stand there, over their rotting bodies shaking them and calling their name, they won’t ever come back.
They always leave.
I’m so lost in thought that I jolt back to reality when I notice the car is going underground. Where are they taking me?
This better not be a setup of some kind, I don’t think I can tolerate being hoodwinked and bamboozled right now. I’ve had a very trying day and my fuse is short already.
The car comes to a stop and few moments later, the same man opens my door. As I gather my coat and my bags, I look around and notice the impressive collection of luxury cars.
I wonder which movie stars and wealthy people live here. Where is here anyway? I wasn’t paying attention on the way over, too lost in thought.
The suit gestures for me to follow him to the chrome elevator that waits by the corner. The parking garage is lit up in fluorescent lights and it looks like a scene out of some action or horror movie.
I don’t know how to feel about that.
I have no sense of location. I don’t know the two men that drove me here and one of them is putting in some codes and scanning his hand over the sensor panel at the left of the elevator.
This is some A-grade kind of security. Why does a man need this kind of security?
Unless he is also involved in some illegal, shady underground business. That familiar trickle of fear comes back.
“I didn’t catch your names.” I say with a voice that I hope is strong and sure. “After all, you seem to know who I am yet I don’t have the same pleasure.”
“My apologies ma’am. You must recognize me from the other day. My name is Steven. Tom Steven, head of security for Mr. Black” the suit that opened my door says as the elevator doors start to slide open after the security clearance is granted.
“And that is Peter Stanhope. Not much of a talker though.” Tom says as he indicates to the man that was driving the car.
I’m impressed and a bit confused as to why Gideon needs all this security, and the fact he sent his head of security to come get me? Now that’s more than a little strange. And flattering.
“Here you go ma’am.”
Tom gestures towards the now open elevator and I turn to look at it, seemingly frozen in my movements.
Should I really be doing this? I’ve never been this nervous. Well this kind of nervous, before.
“Miss, he is waiting for you” Tom informs me, with his stoic expression still intact. Jolting me out of my internal battle.
I look at the open elevator doors and wonder, for the hundredth time, if I’m doing the right thing here by entering the lift. A lift that will carry me to God knows where in this building.
Here goes nothing. Surrendering to the unknown.
I take a deep breath and enter the elevator. As soon as I turn around, expecting to see Tom and Peter enter with me, the doors begin to close softly.
My panic begins shortly after that as the elevator swiftly jerks into motion.
I’m internally screaming at myself, telling myself that I shouldn’t be doing this. Yet I stand there, my neck straight and my breathing nice and slow.
To anyone looking at me now, it seems like I’m confident and ready but inside, I’m a mess.
A puddle of emotions going haywire, all reacting to the fact that I’m about to meet the sexiest man alive, with the most amazing green eyes ever created by God Himself.
Did I mention that he is confident with himself and he commands power and attention around every room he is in?
There is a mirror on both sides of the lift and I turn to look at myself. I chose the best outfit I have in my closet.
A really expensive, red silk blouse, a present from Sam, paired with black suit pants that does wonders for my generous behind. With my favorite pair of red bottoms. I think I look professional and slightly... appealing.
Maybe I just wanted to feel special and beautiful today, but I know that’s not the reason. I chose this specific outfit, and did my makeup in a smoky, alluring way, just for this.
For the man I’m about to see.
The elevator comes to a halt, and the doors slowly open.
The first thing I feel is the magnetic energy that is the Gideon Black.
My eyes haven’t caught sight of him yet, but I seem to be developing a type of sixth sense, a Gideon sense, because my body starts tingling.
The hairs at the back of my neck and those on my arms stand up on end. My heart beat slows dramatically. My breathing slow and hard.
I start with his pricey black Oxford shoes and travel up, taking in the soft beige suit pants he is wearing.
I know without a doubt that those suit pants cover some muscular legs, I salivate a little just trying to imagine them.
He stands with his feet wide apart, braced for any type of action. His hands are stuffed in his pockets and he looks so intimidating. I gulp.
I continue with my journey, my exploration of sorts, and notice that he is wearing a white dress shirt today, with a vest matching the suit pants.
No jacket. No tie. Just an open collar and I peak his perfectly tanned skin just taunting me, begging to be revealed all the way.
I feel my body heating up from the tips of my toes to the roots of my hair.
I know he is also taking me in, checking me out as I so shamelessly did to him. But through it all, our eyes haven’t met. As if we are saving the best for last.
The anticipation builds. The air between us crackles and shifts but it doesn’t go away. If anything, it intensifies.
And then our eyes meet.
Like a powerful, magnetic cataclysm effect, our eyes clash but they hold.
I can’t tear myself away from his gaze.
The way his forest green emerald orbs suck me in is an experience I’ve never had in my entire life. The way I feel them manipulating me, seeing through me, past my very large and thick barriers.
No one has ever done that in my life. I think I’m slightly panicking.
Gideon Black is a powerful aphrodisiac to my system and I’m not so sure if that is a good thing or not. The last thing I need is to be hooked on him.
It almost feels like he owns me.
Owns my reactions to him. Owns my thoughts whenever I’m in his presence, hell, even without him around, my consciousness is linked to him in some way that confuses the shit out of me.
Then he breaks the tense silence between us and the moment is effectively broken when he says with an air of importance,
"Like what you see?”
Chapter 7
Chloe
THE WAY GIDEON STANDS there, a few feet away from the elevator, with his feet spread wide apart like a warrior who has just conquered the world, makes me feel a rush of excitement that I don’t understand.
He is smirking slightly as if trying to make fun of me but then the look in his eyes right now, it seems as if he actually wants to know what I think of him.
Like he is genuinely concerned about whether or not I do like what I see.
It makes me feel a bit powerful in a way I don’t want to observe too closely, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that.
“No, I think you look better in black. It matches that gloomy expression you wear all the time” I say dismissively as I exit the elevator and step closer to where he stands,
“Liar.” he says with that oh so low voice of that I can’t seem to get enough of, with a bit of displeasure that makes my heart pound harder.
The Billion Dollar Plan: Incongruity Series Book 1 Page 5