Forty-seven

Forty-seven
Eve

I always knew that Charles was manipulative and conniving, but I never thought that he'd be this ruthlessly heartless and psychopathic.

He just dragged me into the mess of his family when he damn well knew that they're all out for his blood, and now he's put me in danger. He doesn't even care about me… not one bit.

He just wants to achieve whatever messed-up plan is in his head. I always thought that maybe… just maybe… beneath that cold, calculating and manipulative front of his that there'd be at least a little bit of warmth and caring heart.

Guess I thought wrong.

How did I even develop a crush for this… this disgusting piece of heartless scum? Oh, right. His looks. His otherworldly looks and mesmerizing eyes… that's what got me going.

But now… he disgusts me.

“So, what's it gonna be?” He asked, staring down at me with his dark, cold, mesmerizing eyes that once used to make my heart flutter. “Make your choice right now, we don't have much time. They're probably wondering what we're doing up here.”

Once again, he's got me cornered.

Charles Herman, I swear to God I'm gonna make you pay one way or another for dragging me into your family's mess. And if anything happens to me, I'll haunt you down till you join me in the afterlife.

“Fine,” I said in a hoarse voice, trying to calm down the storm building inside of me.

Ugh! I want to smack him across the face again!

“Good.” He said, “Now, let's go.”

When we returned to the dining hall, they had already finished the main course and were having dessert.

“You quite took your time in the restroom,” Adam stated, his voice dripping with cold sarcasm as he regarded me with his chilly, hard eyes reeking of disdain and disapproval.

Before I could think of an excuse, Charles interjected.

“Yes, of course, Father, you see Eve wanted a little tour of the house, so I had no choice but to oblige.”

How he could think up a plausible lie with two seconds still terrifies me.

“That's right.” I nodded in agreement, forcing out a faint smile.

God, I wish I weren't here.

“So, how did you two meet?” Ian asked. He seemed quite interested in me, and I was beginning to see he was mainly part of the reason Charles wanted me as his fake girlfriend.

He wants something from him. But what?

Charles had clearly written it all down and told me to memorize it all the moment I signed the contract… which I did.

“Well…” I shifted nervously in my seat, definitely not ready to tell such a cheesy story.

I told them the exact same shitty story Charles told my parents… about how we met on Instagram, he chased after me, I played hard to get, but finally gave in and all the boring stuff… but cleverly leaving out the part that I attend their college… Herman College.

I had a feeling that telling them that would mess up my college life.

Surprisingly, they all seemed to buy the story, but the hatred and disapproval in Adam's and Emma's eyes were still there. Ian genuinely looked… happy, I guess? And Finn… oh, I dare not look at him.

“How long has it been since you both began dating?” Ian’s enthusiasm in our relationship was all over the room.

“Enough about them.” Adam grunted, eyes drifting from me to Ian, “This is not the reason we're here. Where's Dad?”

Ian straightened up, “Apparently, Dad could not make it today, so he told me to handle things over here.”

“What?!” Adam's surprised voice echoed through the room. “He told you to handle it?”

“Yes, of course.” Ian replied, “Is there a problem?”

“You bet there is a problem!” Adam retorted, “I don't get why he's letting you, an outsider, handle this when I am the CEO…”

“Acting CEO.” Ian cut him off coldly. “Dad is still the CEO… you're just the temporary one… who couldn't handle things in his absence. The company nearly lost billions of dollars because you…”

“Oh, don't you pin this on me!” Adam slammed his fist on the table, “Finn was the one handling that project! Perhaps if he had done his job properly, then none of this nonsense would be happening!”

“Oh, Finn, huh?” Ian's unimpressed eyes drifted off to Finn, who had been sitting in utter silence, then his eyes flicked back to Adam, “You let Finn handle such a project as big as that? Hmm! Exactly why the name CEO isn't befitting upon you.”

Adam's jaw tightened, “Don't you dare insult me!”

“It wasn't an insult, I'm just saying things as they are.”

Oh, God, I certainly do not want to be here!

I whipped my head toward Charles only to see he was as calm as a river as he ate his dessert, his face telling me that he was enjoying this.

Ugh, such a psychopath. Ew!

“Oh, yeah? Saying things as they are? Yeah, right! As if you haven't always been jealous of my CEO position in the company.” Adam sneered.

Ian looked unimpressed. He looked as though he was holding himself back from saying it.

And as hypocritical as it sounds, I want to hear him say it.

Since I have been cornered by the devil incarnate himself to be here in this weird family, a little bit of gossip wouldn't hurt, right?

This family hates each other… almost want to kill each other, the hypocritical and curious side of me wants to know why.

“What, what do you want to say? Come on, say it.”

“Honey, that's enough.” Emma finally said something, placing his hand on Adam's shoulder.

“No, that's not enough.” Adam slapped her hand off him. Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, Emma shot me a glare, but I quickly averted my eyes before our eyes could meet. “I want to hear him say it.”

“Father. Uncle. That's enough.” Charles finally spoke, his voice cutting the tension in the room, “I don't know why you're both fighting when the problem has been solved.”

All heads snapped towards him, obviously surprised.

“What do you mean?” Finn spoke for the first time, surprise written all over his face, his voice hard and cold.

Charles tilted his head to the side, a jeering smile playing on his lips. “I fixed the problem that you couldn't. Obviously.”

“Apparently, Charles is great friends with the son of the CEO of Silver Group and settled things with them,” Ian explained.

“But… Charles, how do you know what's going on company when you're not even a member?” Adam enquired, bafflement written all over his face. “I mean, everything was being handled with total discretion.”

“Oh, Finn told me all about it.”

“What?!” Finn's surprised voice echoed all across the hall as he jolted straight.

That alone told me Charles was lying.

Both Emma and Adam snapped their heads towards him.

“You did?” Emma sounded more aggravated than surprised.

“Since when have you and Finn been so close to discuss the company's matter?” Adam demanded.

Charles' smirk kept broadening with triumph as he stared into Finn's terrifyingly creepy eyes, “When the project went haywire, he needed someone to talk.”

“And that person was…”

“Yours truly,” Charles gestured to himself.

Finn's face was so terrifying that I had to look away.

“I didn't tell you anything.” He growled, enunciating each word slowly as he glared daggers at Charles.

“You did.” Charles stood his ground. “You must have forgotten. You were drunk that day, so you confided in me. Out of my own magnanimity, I stepped in and helped. Now the problem is solved. You will be hearing about it first thing tomorrow morning from each of your secretaries.”

I saw Finn's fist clench under the table, his veins popping out of his skin. I could tell he was controlling his rage.

Ian sucked his teeth, “I was impressed by how Charles solved a simple problem that you both, the CEO…” He paused, his gaze flickering to Adam, then to Finn, “...and the general manager couldn't solve, so I convinced him to give him a position at the company.”

“You what?!”

Surprise was written all over their faces.

“He will be the new project manager starting tomorrow.”

“But Ian… isn't that a little sentimental?” Emma stepped in, panic written all over her face. “Just because Charles solved a little problem, you're what, offering him a position at the company? Come on, he doesn't even…”

“...understand business?” Charles cut her off, his smirk broadening, “Oh, I assure you, Mother, you have nothing to worry about.”

Finn rose to his feet, murderous rage written all over his face. “I'm tired, I'm going to bed.”

And then with that, he walked off.

Emma inhaled, then exhaled as he glared at Charles.

I glanced at Charles... only to see the triumphant gleam on his face which screamed: Told you so!

Adam himself still had that hateful look on his face.

They've all forgotten about me.

Now sitting here in silence, watching all this unfold, I'm pretty much convinced that Charles is up against his father, mother and brother.

What I'm asking myself is: Is Charles really a member of this family? Why do they hate him so much? What are the circumstances surrounding all this? And why is he willing to go to such lengths to get what he wants?

I think the prominent question here is…

What does Charles hope to achieve with all of this?