Chapter 8 Chapter 8
Theodore
Clumsy.
She dragged the chair back, and a scraping sound itched my ears as she sat beside me. Her effort to make low noise, in vain.
Her face held a red tint, like she had just discovered who I was, the boldness behind those eyes when we were alone in the room, disappeared, replaced with something.
Fear.
She placed down her tablet, opening her book like she was in a class.
What was Mother thinking about hiring someone like her to spy on me? She should have done a better job watching her.
Or maybe it was an act. An act to appear clumsy, fearful, like others.
Some had acted naively, seductively, and even stupidly just to get close, but they never lasted. Because I had them disposed of.
So I wondered what dear Selena was up to?
She clasped her hands nervously as she listened to Mr Andrew speak of the buildings to be incorporated.
“There are groups of buildings in Russia that have been marked and taken. For this particular building, it lies at the center, and it's hard pleasing the owner, she seems to know the market value, so nothing is getting to her. Not even a threat.” He whispered the last part.
“Then, you know what to do. Use whatever is necessary.” Ethan added and Andrew nodded.
This meeting wasn't necessary. Traveling over here wasn't necessary and a total waste of my time. But I wanted to.
Because of Selena.
Leaving her in the cold was a warning, though the idea was from Hannah.
I wanted to see how she looked. Being cold to the point of death so I watched her from the front camera installed on my phone, the way she shivered in the dust of snow.
But what I wasn't expecting was her fainting just after the car opened and Ethan stepped out.
Ethan had to look for a doctor nearby for her.
She was weak.
Just how was she going to survive my world if a little cold made her collapse?
“Other buildings on estate B have been said to be bought by another. Apparently, themarketing department spoke to the landlord, but he went behind selling it to another party.” Andrew informed and this cast murmurs to the room.
Ethan's eyes shifted to me, but I wanted someone else’s.
Selena’s.
She was too focused. Focus typing whatever on her tablet.
I could see her seriousness from my side. How her brows squinted as she listened to the words spoken.
Someone raised their hand from the side and I darted my gaze in that direction, meeting the eyes. She must be new because she dared to bat her eyes, her pink painted lips parted slowly, forming into a smile.
“An agreement has already been made though it wasn't documented. Boss,” She turned to me fully. I wondered what department she was from to be so daring.
“The landlord is pretty old with an eleven-year-old grandson. Compromising our deal should be the same for his grandson. I’m sure that would make him reconsider and take our offer. Or..” She drawls.
“I can use force and make him hand it over.”
She knew what she was doing. Thinking of drawing attention, hinting at being familiar with my ways. A devilish smile covered in red, an invitation to indulge her.
“But that shouldn't be–”
I snapped my gaze to my side at the sound of Selena’s voice and her eyes locked with mine. It seemed she didn’t just catch my attention, because everyone’s focus drifted to hers.
She tightened her hold on her tablet. She didn’t like the sudden attention.
My eyes trailed to her neck, watching her swallow. Fear tingled her skin, her eyes weaving as she looked at me.
But in the midst of fear, there was something else, something so subtle.
Admiration.
And maybe I could see this, because of how she had gauged me fully in that little room.
I had thought she had been scared seeing me for the first time. Everyone was. Even those with the mission to flirt, had shivered the first time seeing me. But she didn't, instead there was an entanglement of ownership dancing in her eyes as she took me in.
Like she wanted me.
“Speak.”
Her hands clasped together and she swallowed again. Anxious. She opened her mouth to speak, but I heard nothing.
“Speak, Ms Selena. It seems you have something to say in response to–” I turned to the newcomer.
“Valeria sir,” Valeria answered, a glare directed at Selena.
Selena must have noticed this, because she retreated into herself again.
Just what type of person was Selena? Weak, pathetic but there was something fierce in the depth of those eyes like she was capable of lashing out.
And just to prove me right, she smiled. The fear gone like it was never there.
“If he was ready to give it out to others desperate knowing our company’s reputation, then he is definitely not scared of anything.” She spoke.
Hmm, company reputation. It seems dear Selena has something to say about my ruling.
“That’s the reason why I’ll interrogate him instead.”
Valeria's tone was filled with venom as she snorted, clearly displeased at being interrupted. But Selena wasn't done.
“Instead of threatening him, maybe we could talk to him and offer a better commendation." She innocently advises, her gaze soft despite the tone in the room.
A few snorts echoed in the room.
“Ms Selena, I understand you are new, but you should know the company has always taken great value in its project, there is no room for adjustment. The deal given is sixty-five thousand dollars and that’s enough for the building acquisition." Anastasia answered this time.
I had asked her to bring Selena to the meeting.
“Oh,” She murmured slowly, her shoulders slumped. She was restricted, but she had something to say. It was in her eyes, but she said nothing.
Selena was soft, easy to push aside, easy to shut down. She won’t last long.
In this world, the weak are cut and their skin is fed to the sea fish.
“Take her words into consideration Valeria, and Anastasia, add Selena to the project, and maybe educate her on how the company works?”
She snapped her head upward looking at me, her gaze in disbelief.
“Why? Isn’t that what you wanted? To be involved? You’ll have to follow Anastasia now.”
“But..I’m your assistant, and I shouldn’t be,” She murmured, her words barely reaching my ears.
Just something about her look, the nervous clench of her fingers on the table, made my lips curl in a smirk.
Selena seemed like a flower, a delicate, beautiful flower, but one yet to bloom, covered with hidden layers and each petal promising a beautiful clause.
But was that the real her?