Chapter 29 Blackmail
Asha
Ten PM.
The moment of truth.
I take a careful look around the park. There are not really many people around. Just a father walking with his daughter and an old man sitting on one of the benches, probably enjoying the breeze.
I sit on an empty bench feeling uncomfortable already.
"He said ten PM. Why isn't he here yet?" I grit my teeth, shoving my hands in my hoodie pocket.
"You even stick to time," a warm hand pats my hair, "What a lovely creature you are."
I almost jump out of my skin when I hear the voice behind me. I swirl around so fast to discover it's just the bastard, Rheagar.
"You scared me, what the fuck?" I knit my brows together in a deep frown.
He shrugs his shoulders, and rounds the bench sitting behind me, "It's a good thing you came."
"Go straight to the point," I hiss, "Auren doesn't know I'm here."
"He isn't supposed to," he dips his hands into his hoodie pocket and brings out an envelope.
My heart skips a beat. What does he have in there now? Something with which to blackmail me?
I swallow down the lump forming in my throat. I mustn't let him see I'm getting scared, or it'd be worse for me.
He slides it on the bench, passing it to me.
"Here, open it."
I grit my teeth, my heart hammering in my chest. Anything from him seems like bad news, and I'm not ready for it.
"What's in there?" I mumble.
"Open it and find out for yourself," he rests against the bench, lazy smirk playing with his lips.
I bite my lower lip, and reach for the envelope with trembling hands. My hands are now clammy with sweat as I pick up the brown paper, my hands sticking to it.
Fuck.
I can't get rid of the bitter feeling that's pooling beneath my stomach.
I slowly open the envelope, the feeling of dread enveloping my chest with more force.
What could be in here?
I finally peel it open, and bring out the contents. Photos... of me?
I knit my brows, squinting my eyes to properly look at the photos. They are photos of me and Rheagar! Sitting at the cafe in the middle of our discussion.
"What the heck is this?! What is this for?" I turn to him, horrified.
"Just in case you wanted to play smart, I just wanted to remind you I have the upper hand."
More dread spreads across my chest. My throat feels tight, and numb. I can barely say anything back in response, so I just stare at him in disbelief.
"If you ever try anything funny, these photos will be shown to Auren," he spreads his legs wide, "by this time you should already know how much Auren hates betrayal," an unsettling smirk rests on his face.
I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat, but it doesn't push down. It stays stubborn, clinging to my throat like a safe haven.
"Play your part of the game properly, and we'd have no issues," he shrugs casually.
"This is blackmail!" I manage to spurt out my words.
"What else did you think it was? How else did you think I'd control you?" He snorts, "Don't make anything worse for me or yourself. So you better behave properly."
Think. Think. Think!
I never imagined he would be this smart. He apparently has the upper hand here, which is a huge disadvantage to me.
Ugh, Lucien, say something!
"What do you want me to do?" I place the photos aside and clasp my trembling hands together.
"Simple. Feed me information from inside. Let me know Auren's every move."
My brows shoot up, "That's me betraying him!"
"That's the point sweetheart. Make sure he doesn't know about this because if he does, you'd be the one in trouble," That unsettling smirk widens into an eerie grin.
Oh this is bad. Worse than I expected.
"Uh..." I fiddle with my fingers, thinking of the best reply to give him.
I'd be damned if I leaked Auren's schedule out. He'd find out too quickly; I know he will.
Tell him you're not familiar with Auren's schedule. Make him believe so.
Lucien's sweet voice pops up just at the time I need it the most.
"I.. I can't even do that," I try to sound firm.
He scowls at me, "Don't try to play smart here," he warns.
"Auren's a freaking crime lord. I have nothing to do with his schedule. How am I supposed to even leak Intel to you?"
The question seems to knock a little sense in him because he sits up straight, then rubs his chin in thought.
"That's a fair point," he mumbles.
"Exactly. I can't help you with that," I look away, my heart pounding in my ears.
I really want to get out of this situation. It's becoming too creepy for me.
"Well, you just have to do your best," he shrugs his shoulders again.
"Huh?" I face him, my brows arched questioningly.
"Just feed me intel. I don't care how you do it," he closes the space between us, grabbing my arm, "Even if you have to seduce him to get information out of him, do it," he finishes with a note of finality.
His icy eyes stare into mine, melting me into a puddle. My body trembles, and cringes under his touch, my teeth slightly clatters.
"You—"
"Remember," he reaches for a photo, "I have these. Sending it to Auren wouldn't take so much. So you better be careful," he pulls away from me, then stands up.
"I want some information about his plans in looking for me before tomorrow evening. If I don't get it, I'll send him these photos, and you'd die," he backs me.
"You have two options; be a good girl and feed me intel, or leave this cruel world and your miserable life behind."
His words deal a blow to my chest, leaving a cut in it. Now I'm between a rock and a hard place.
He looks over his shoulder, and gives me one final look before walking away into the darkness, leaving me standing there, hopeless.