Chapter 8 Chapter 7:
Devon:
Xavier’s fist connects with my face and I stumble backward. “What is wrong with you? You are losing focus, something you rarely do.”
As much as I hate to agree with him, he’s right. These days have been exhausting for me.
I sigh, peeling out my boxing gloves and dropping them on the floor, with a silent grunt, I come out of the boxing ring. Xavier Castillo owns an underworld boxing ring, where gangsters fight for money; he owns an criminal mafia organization known as The Nexus that operates secretly but to the world, he owns a fast-chain security company.
Xavier Castillo and I are worlds apart, and honestly associating myself with him is termed dangerous. We once met at a party two years ago, he was rumpled and blazing with anger, one look at me and he said, “Do you want to spar? I could certainly use it.”
And, now. We always ring each other up when we need to throw a punch at each other, aside from our regular meet up twice a week; we don’t see each other in parties or even converse.
I walk out of the boxing room and into the premium lounge bar, Golden Retreat is one of the wealthiest lounges owned by Xavier in New York, just daily revenue sums to a million dollars. Things here are really expensive. To get a reservation here is also really hard.
From the plush leather seating, to the polished mahogany floor, behind the bar, there’s a display of expensive vintage drinks, including whiskey, cognac, wine and champagne. Soft music from the piano plays from the other end.
I slide into a chair, ignoring the few people’s eyes on me. Xavier joins me, he has already removed his boxing clothes and has pulled a woolen sweater over his head, you would think that the owner of Golden Retreat should be wearing a suit, but nope. Not Xavier Castillo.
“Something is bothering you, I know you well enough, want a drink?” Without waiting, he signals for the waiter and orders a bottle of Pinot Noir.
“I have a daughter,” I blurt out the words, my secret is safe with Xavier, that I am assured of, “I recently just found out about her.”
Xavier furrows his brows, staring intently at me.
“She’s two and a half.” I say, without waiting for his words. “And, I want to be in her life.”
“What’s her mother's name?” He finally asks, the waiter stops and drops the bottle of wine on the table. Xavier pours himself a glass but I decline, the last thing I need is getting drunk.
“Arya Morris.” I say, typical Xavier will find all information about her, he deals in major business that I will consider illegal, like a mafia alliance and still, I don’t know why I hang out with him.
“Her name sounds familiar,” He says, his voice thick with an Italian accent, he brings out his phone and starts to type, when he looks up at me, a dark expression looms over his face, I don’t like that look at all.
“What’s going on?” I ask worriedly.
“Dude! She’s on Tinder!” Xavier smirks, picking up the glass of wine, “And, damn. I knew I recognized her name, we went to elementary school together, I didn't stick out since we moved.”
“You what?” Out of everything I am expecting, that was the least of it.
“Yes, I still follow her on social media, she was dating some douche bag, Kevin Lere, such a shame they didn’t get married, from the internet, they were pretty close. She was cool then, but we didn’t like hangout and stuff, but hey.” He glances at the screen, “She’s drop dead gorgeous, she’s the mother of your child, then ask her out, get married and have a loving little family.”
“I don’t think she’s ready to date-” I begin, but he already cuts me off.
“Then, why is she on Tinder?”
“She doesn’t want me, she made that really clear.”
“Oh,” His lips form a frown. “Well, look at the bright side; at least you still have a loving daughter.”
That’s it, I am done here. Talking to Xavier can be exhausting sometimes, especially when he runs his mouth a lot, he’s only like this around people he knows, he’s always stiff whenever he’s working.
“I have to get back to the office,” I tell him, standing up. At the entrance, the coat check attendant hands over my coat and my car keys, thanking him. I drive out of the bar, clutching the wheels, I take a turn towards the street that leads to the company.
When I reach the office, Daphne joins me as we stride towards the elevator.
“I got all the necessary information on Kevin Lere,” She tells me, earlier, I had told her to get me all the information to know about him, if a man cheats in his love life, there’s a possibility he will cheat in his work life, “He actually works here as a managing direction for the division of marketing.”
Brookes Technology is big enough that I can’t keep count of all my employees, and it’s even rare to come across them, so it hits me as a surprise to learn that he’s working here.
I adjust my suit jacket, “Is that so?”
“Yes sir, and it was hard to dig up, but I just learnt that he was bribing some clients in order to gain incentives, also, he sells the company’s goods outside work just to get promoted.”
My jaw hardens at the newly found information; I had a feeling that Kevin Lere is like that, that fucking bastard. “Fire him,”
“Yes, sir.” Daphne replies, when the elevator opens, she strides over to her office while I walk to mine. I have been getting calls from influencers all over the world to attend the empire summit gala tomorrow as a date.
The door clicks open and Barbara, my step-mother walks in, dressed in her Camel max mara coat, her thick blonde hair wrapped into a bun, her stilettos click on the marble floor as she makes her way over to me.
“Devon,” She says brightly, “You have been ignoring my calls for the past few days, why?”
I open my notebook, pressing my pen. “I didn’t realize that talking to you gratifies our relationship,”
“Oh, come on. Don’t be like that, Devon. I am your moth- step-mother,” She corrects herself; “I love you.”
“It’s funny how you say the word love so easily, do you even know what love is? Do you know rare love is?”
She crams her knuckles together, still standing there, “Aren’t you going to invite me to sit?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary, since you are leaving now. What do you want?”
Her smile falters, “The event tomorrow, your father and I will be there and of course, the media will want to see your date. Go with Alisha, her husband can’t go with her since he’s busy, she’s an A-level actress, you and her will stand out together.”
“I don’t plan on bringing any date to the event tomorrow, Barbara.”
“Well, I expect you too; I won’t waste much of your time, Devon. Your father and I will be present, and I am sure we have a lot to catch up on.”
The thought of seeing my father tomorrow brings a foul mood to my soul, I watch as my step-mother turns and leaves. My screen lights up with a text from Daphne reminding me I have a meeting. I used Vera’s picture as my screen wallpaper.
I took the photo when she was drawing, the moment she looked up and smiled at me, I knew I had to take her photo. Now staring at her bright smile and light green eyes, I can’t help but smile.
I can’t afford to lose her, she’s part of my life, and I know I will love her forever. The thought of Arya crosses my mind again, what if she’s serious about this whole dating thing? Sooner or later, if we even make this custody thing work, will she introduce a new man to Vera?
Do I have to babysit Vera while she goes on date and find the love of her life? I don’t know why, but the thought makes me uncomfortable, standing up from my chair, I go downtown to get a cup of coffee, I am not the kind of man that sends my assistant on all works including getting me coffee, as I walk to the coffee shop, my phone buzzes and my father’s name lights up the screen.
“Hello?” Under normal circumstances, I would have declined the call, but it's been so long since I have heard his voice. I am only giving him five minutes.
“You aren’t busy nice to Barbara,” He says, his voice rough around the edges, “Why?”
“We both know why,” I say hard, striding hurriedly.
“How dare you speak to me that way?!” He retorts.
“If you don’t have anything to say, I will hang up now.” I press the phone to my ear.
The other line goes quiet, “I will see you at the event tomorrow.”
And, then I hang up, because something is better left hidden.