But I’m not lying, I do prefer him in dark clothes.
Because then I’m sure of what to expect and my mind doesn’t wander around trying to figure out what I can expect from him.
Right now, with his light beige suit, though he looks good enough to devour, I’m thrown as to what I should expect from him.
See, to me, clothes do make a man, or a woman.
The more somber the clothes, the more serious the atmosphere around them.
Look at it, when you dress funky with lively colors and chunky jewelry then it’s safe to say that you are in for a light mood.
Maybe that should be my conclusion upon seeing Gideon Black with these lighter colors, but the dichotomy of the lighter shades of beige and the stormy expression on his face and his frosty eyes, makes my head roll in confusion.
And wonder at the way he seems to be able to blend with any environment, yet still be the same intimidating man that features in my dreams.
“I’m not lying and neither did I come here to compliment you when I’m sure you already know what you look like” I say, annoyed at the way I can’t seem to get a read on him.
What is he thinking right now as he looks at me, drinking me in like that?
“Yet here you are, checking me out like there is no tomorrow.” he says as he takes a step forward to eliminate the small distance between us.
I look down when I feel my cheeks flame up.
I don’t want him to know that I’m blushing and the knowledge that he knows I was checking him out is a bit... embarrassing and unprofessional.
But I can’t help myself.
“May I take your coat?” Gideon asks, his voice still low and too intimate, for my ears.
I don’t respond with words, because I have nothing to say at the moment. I extend my coat to him and as soon as he receives it, I take a step back to get away from his intensity.
I spot a small table in the wide foyer we are standing in right now.
I go for it and place both my bags atop it. The table is probably made of rich mahogany, it’s gleaming in the light provided by the well-lit foyer.
I ignore Gideon but from the corner of my eye I can see him hang up my coat on the coat rack that stands close to the elevator. I turn away and take in the space I’m currently in.
There are beautiful dark hardwood floors that match with the soft ambience of the room, cast by the light from the crystal wall-mounted chandeliers that lead to the rest of the living space.
The further I walk into the duplex penthouse, the more I can deduce that Gideon Black is a man of taste and quality. Everything is just beautiful and it fits in the room just right.
From the art pieces hung on the walls to the probably priceless vases atop some dark wood furniture.
The walls around the large open room are ivory colored that go hand in hand with the dark woods around the room.
To my left there is seating area with beautiful, well organized white and ivory slipcovered sofas paired with gray metallic throw pillows.
There is a round gray wash coffee table in the middle and there are files and papers with the Black House Inc logo on them, scattered all over.
There is a fireplace in the middle of the room, the modern kind with a faux fire going; there is a pair of white slipcovered chairs that face the fireplace, standing at an angle from the two couches.
The whole living room furniture stands over a thick gray and white Moroccan trellis rug that covers the space but the hardwood floors take a quarter of the surrounding space left from the rug, creating a lovely contrast between dark and light.
I wonder if the owner of this beautiful space has that same dilemma within him. Because I for one, am in a constant battle with myself.
To either up hold the teachings of my parents or to go along with the example Stefan Demetri set for me and kill him like he did my parents.
Beyond that stands a wall of classically modern and very impressive floor-to-ceiling length windows that cover the entire space facing the city.
I seem to be drawn to them as if I also want to take a little peek and see what the owner of this beautiful, modern duplex looks at each morning.
I can’t help but want to have a glimpse, no matter how small, into his life. I don’t know why but I already like his personal space and that little bit of knowledge should be sending a red flag to my subconscious.
Maybe the alarms are already blaring, but I choose to ignore them, again, as I stand there, looking out the windows at the beautiful skyline of Manhattan.
I don’t know the exact location of where I am but judging from my current, coveted view of Central Park, I must be somewhere around Upper East Side.
The sun is sinking low into the horizon, the sky is getting dark and the twilight has never been prettier, and enchanting during spring than in this moment.
Yet within me, between us, there is a brewing of emotions and intended actions that need to be hashed out and acted upon before we explode with them.
But I can’t bring myself to do that. It’s not the reason why I came here.
I spot his reflection in the glass windows in front of him, watch him standing there like he is wondering what I’m thinking about. I’m over here wondering the same thing about him.
“You have a beautiful place here, it’s cozy.” I say sincerely. There is no need to be snide and rash.
Being wealthy does have an advantage to those blessed with it, there is no reason for me to hate or be jealous. Though I feel antsy and out of my element just by being around him.
Mama always said that I need to appreciate the good things in the world and I need to speak it into the world. Maybe then it will return to me. But who am I kidding, that works as much as my plans have these past years.
“Thank you. I actually think that was a sincere compliment from you.” he replies as he walks towards the center of the beautiful living room.
The space isn’t what I was expecting. In my mind’s eye I was imagining darker tones around the place but here there is wonderful balance between the two sides.
The ivory colors are darker than usual but they pop out with the random white.
“Okay, let’s get this done then. I’ve had a long day and I don’t think I have the strength to hold my tongue so try not to piss me off”
I warn seriously as I take a seat on one of the chairs, he gestures for me to take, facing the fireplace.
“I appreciate the warning. I will do my best to be frank and direct then.” he says as he instantly switches to business mode, his studying and assessing of me on hold for now.
“That would be great.”
“I won’t ask you why you hate your boss, Stefan Demetri, or why you want to ruin him. But what I would like to know is how far you are willing to go with this plan.” Gideon questions as he leans back into his own chair.
In that moment I’m assaulted by the emotions and anger that swirls within me whenever I’m around that bastard. I think of his lewd comments and the way he treats me like a slave.
I think about the sinister look in his eye as he lights up a cigar and his scary goons come into the office after hours.
I think about my parents, I see them rotting in dried blood on the floor of our trailer.
Anger, white hot and branding fills me so much so that I take a moment to respond.
“Mr. Black, there is no line of limitation that I wouldn’t cross to take him down. You have no idea how much I want him to suffer the way he has made me suffer.”
I don’t notice that my hands are shaking with anger until I notice his gaze is locked on my hands. Folding them on my lap, I fidget in my seat until I regain his intense focus again.
What I see in his eyes as our eyes meet hits me straight to the core and I almost gasp out loud. His jaw is clenched so tight, I swear I heard him grind his molars.
There is a play between the scorching fire and arctic ice dancing in his eyes as if he can’t seem to be able to handle the anger within him.
Anger that is consuming him as it does me.
I’m looking at myself right now.
The way his hands have curled into tight fists, the tenseness of his body, the danger oozing from him in spades. All of it makes my breath come faster and harder, I just hope it’s not so audible.
“This is more than just being framed is it?” I ask him but it’s a statement.
The way he is responding right now, the look in his eyes, the grief and pain intertwined with anger all equal to the thirst for vengeance that I can practically taste in the room.
“It’s always much more than what is on the surface, Miss. Smith.”
He suddenly stands up as if he can’t quite contain the strong emotions and thoughts that are assaulting him.
“Will you tell me more?” I ask him.
He is like a feral, dangerous animal that can attack me at any moment. He is restless but for some reason, the fire that blazes inside of him calls to something within me.
I feel the rushing of blood in my body, the tingly sensation, the restlessness within me.
I don’t know for certain what is happening but our eyes are locked and there is something happening between us. Something I can’t explain with mere words, because words are just so basic.
In this moment I feel much more alive than I’ve ever felt in all my years of living.
I can literally taste the power and vibrancy of life within me and I hate to admit it but this man, the man that stands large and intimidating in front me, evoked and manipulated me to feel this way.
I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.
“Let me show you instead.” is his only response.
I hesitate for a moment. I have never liked surprises and I sure as hell do not want to be caught unaware by this man.
Yet, I’m already in the unknown right now.
I don’t know exactly where I am, I don’t know this man, I don’t know what he is about to show me, but I’m in deep already.
I stand up with no hesitation. I’ve come this far already and I want to take down Stefan Demetri so much so that I don’t mind signing up with the unknown.
“Okay.” to which he just nods as if he knew I would agree with him either way.
“Before we can continue and go ahead with this partnership, Miss. Smith, I would like to know something. Something very crucial, if I might speak candidly”
By this time, he has managed to cool down some, but he is still stoic and his facial expression passive but still gorgeous.
“And that is?”
He studies me again for a second as if he searching me to see if he can continue or not. There is something strange about his hesitation but I shake it away.
“For any partnership I involve myself in, I always want to make sure it’s real and authentic. Not only to pursue a common goal but to gauge the ability of trust and loyalty towards the involved parties.” he pauses and looks at me and I pick up on what he is trying to say.
“Are you asking whether or not I am loyal and trustworthy to the cause or loyal and trustworthy to you?” I ask incredulously.
I mean, wow!
“Let me remind you of something, I did not seek you out, you did, so let’s not get our ‘loyalties’ talk twisted” I huff, affronted by his ill-veiled accusation.
If anything, it’s him that I don’t trust.
“My apologies, you might not have understood me.” he says as he stuffs his hands in his pockets looking regal and cultured, “What I mean is, for this to work, we have to trust each other and be a hundred percent honest.
What we want can only be successful if we work in sync and make sure that we understand each other. Revenge is a delicate thing, Miss. Smith, we have to make sure we are always on the same page each step of the way.”
Gideon Black, I’m gathering, is a very precise and meticulous man.
If the way his well-organized, clean duplex doesn’t show you, then his business reputation in America and the rest of world will attest to that.
He single-handedly pulled Black House Inc from the slums of ridicule and criticism after the news of a Ponzi scheme surfaced.
He kept the world focused on the other divisions of the power house conglomerate, making it much more profitable than in recent years.
That said, I know in my spirit and mind, that he will dedicate all his energy and attention to this billion-dollar plan.
That kind of energy is all I need as if I can have the same loyalty and trust from him, then I won’t hesitate to give my own hundred percent.
“I agree with you. But a man like you ought to know that trust is earned not given. And as for my loyalty, you have my word that it is dedicated to whatever plan of action that we come up. If it’s good enough” I say to which he raises an eyebrow as if he didn’t expect me to say that.
“Oh, I assure you, it’s a plan worth committing to, if you have the guts for it.” he smirks.
Chapter 8
Chloe
HAVE YOU EVER STOOD witness to some kind of vows or an oath? Attesting a kind allegiance being made?
If you have, you’ll notice that the atmosphere is usually serious, somber so to speak. Those taking part in this intermittent life altering concordat or agreement most often than not, wear solemn expressions on their faces, making promises; to commit to and uphold, to the best of their abilities, the promise being made.
Sounds like marriage vows, yes. But these were not marital vows that in these days mean much less than they are supposed to. No.
That is not exactly what we are doing here. We both have somber expressions on our faces not because we need to or because it a requirement, but it’s as a result of both of us understanding the gravity of the moment. A moment that will set the tone as to how the rest of our ‘relationship’ so to speak, will pan out. And also because there is too much tension between us.
The difference between us in this moment and all the other vows you have probably witnessed is that, this is not something we can just break or decide to quit on.
There is something sacred about this moment. Something rare and unusual in nature, because normally when you team up with someone, a stranger no less, you are not expecting the stars and the whole damn galaxy. Backstabbing and lies are always to be expected in business transactions.
But that’s not what I’m looking for. If I did, I would have gone another route. In essence, I wouldn’t be here, with this man, signing an invisible and intricate contract of vengeance.
This is not something to be taken lightly or think you can get out of easily.
You see, Gideon is not just asking me for my loyalty and trust, he is essentially probing me into giving my all into this plan. To dedicate and commit everything I have towards it.
What he doesn’t know is that I’ve literally devoted my entire life to bringing Stefan Demetri down. Giving up any and every dream I once had for myself. Forsaking all the normal things girls my age aspire towards.
All I know is to give every last bit of me to this mission. Pouring every bit of me that I still have left.
This right here is not just a make or break moment, it’s a life covenant being made. A covenant that shouldn’t be broken by all and any means possible because the consequences would be rather, dire and disastrous.
Standing here, I know that a promise made by this man to me isn’t some kind of pinky swear, it’s not even some kind of promise. It’s much more than that. So is a promise made to him.
I’m basing all of this on a feeling, on a gut instinct.
Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t think so.
There are a few people in this world that can keep a promise, much less a vow, but right now I know that I’m not looking at such a person.
“You do know that a man’s word can never be trusted right?” I say to him, remembering something Sam always complains about. That men are liars and deceptive in nature.
Especially those that look as fine as Gideon Black.
“One thing
you will learn about me Miss. Smith, is that my word is my bond. I trade on it.” He rumbles out with male pride.
Is it weird that I melt in a puddle of need just from hearing the way he says that?
Combine that with the fact that there isn’t a single trace of humor on his face, as if I just insulted him by adding him to the demographic of men that lie and cheat and hoodwink women, left right and center.
“I have conditions of my own, Mr. Black” I start.
No way am I going to just sit back and have him dictate to me what needs to be done around here.
“Of course.” He says, waiting for me to proceed.
“Just three things, nothing too big.” I start as I go back to stand by the windows overlooking Central Park, but turn back to look at him. There just isn’t a sight worth looking at than him.
“I want to know everything you know, all the information you have. I’m thinking since you had a bounty on my head, you know a lot about people. How to find them and everything about them.” My voice comes out clear and strong, making me proud.
“I will share every intelligence I have concerning our mutual matter of concern” He concedes after a short pause.
Why do I get the feeling that there is something concealed under that compliance? My nerves are still acting, shit.
“Secondly, I expect you to run each and every idea by me, including the ones you no doubt already have. All the theories and facts.” I state, knowing damn well that he has everything I need.
This is like a part two motion to the first one, but if there is anyone who knows the difference between the two points, it’s me. He just nods his head slightly. No objection there apparently. Good.
“And lastly. You need to see me as an equal.” I conclude, making sure my voice comes out strong, with no inflection of weakness or nervousness that I still feel in the pits of my tummy.
I don’t want to come across as a silly girl begging him. Pleading to be seen as an equal. This was really my only condition in all of this, I just needed to build up to it. Gideon can be intimidating, just as he is now, standing there with his emerald gaze poring into me as if questioning the very foundation of me.
The Billion Dollar Plan: Incongruity Series Book 1 Page 6