Chapter 51 Fifty One
AMELIA XAVIER
Sweet dreams don't last long, do they?
A dream one didn't want to wake up from, but had to because then if you didn't, you'll be labeled dead or in waiting (if you're the pope — but you're not, so you'll probably be dead)
I opened my eyes, yawning from having had the sweetest dream in years. I rolled to the end of the bed half expecting to rest on a body, but met with the blanket instead.
This made me wonder about two things; first, how the fuck did I get here? and secondly, where the hell was Owen? But, the answer to the first question easily came, Owen probably brought me to bed after falling asleep last night. Then there was the second question.
I stood from the bed stretching my hands and walking lazily out of the room. The house scented nice, like freshly made toasts, scrambled eggs and coffee. A smile formed on my lips as I moved to the dining area, my eyes caught a small note that sat beautifully on the dining table close to the coffee cup.
Picking up the note, I felt the thickness of the paper as I peered into it smiling at how beautiful his writing was — he used a calligraphy pen;
Good morning, pumpkin.
Didn't want to disturb you while you slept. Went out for work and by his grace, I promise to be home before dark.
Bon appetit.
I bit my lower lip to keep from smiling because my lips already ached. Owen knew how to make a woman happy.
I looked up at the clock to check the time, I needed to call the doctor to check up on the baby.
9:30 am
Fuck!
OWEN WINTERS
The look on Amy's face when she'd see my little treat played in my head as the meeting was going on. I stared blankly at the projector, scribbling on the pad in front of me.
“The Russian bratva are seeking more ammunition, Mr Winters, and they're demanding a lot, these days they want the XM7 rifle type of gun…” I looked down at what I had scribbled on my pad and chuckled a little too loud.
“Mr Winters?”
“Yes?” I glanced up at the man who was speaking, he had mascara on, and seemed taller than usual. I suspected he also wore boot heels — that was the only reasonable explanation for his height.
“Did you get what I said? I asked if we should carry on, you know how stubborn those Russian's can be,” he repeated slightly pained that I didn't get him the first time.
“Mr…”
“Grovel Sir, it's James Grovel,”
“Well, James, do you think I care how stubborn they can be? They're requesting too much, so I suggest we cancel the trade,” I said, already wary of the day.
Night was more fun.
“But Sir…”
“Cancel the trade with the bratva, I have somewhere else to be,” I instructed, pissed off at his bugging.
“If we cancel the trade, it would be a problem for the Winters. Please reconsider,” a brown skinned lady said, adjusting her glasses.
“And your father… I mean, Mr Winters would be furious if he heard that…”
I stood up ironing my suit with my palm. “Dismissed. As I said before, I have somewhere else to be.” I took my pad and walked out hating the feeling that I just did the wrong thing.
A beeping sound came from my pocket, and I knew without looking at the caller ID who it was.
The almighty Kayla Xavier. Rodriguez.
I smiled while answering the call. “Mrs Rodriguez, long time no see, even though we have not actually seen,” I joked lightly. Her laughter sounded like a fairytale except she was the villain.
“You always have a way to make me laugh in disgust, Mr Winters,” she said in that accent that blended both British and French tones.
Like when one learned a foreign language using a language app.
“It's my pleasure after all to make such a dignified human as you laugh at all, considering how sad your life is… all paint and no words,” I countered and she laughed once more, this time louder than before.
“Let's meet by dark, we have a lot to discuss,” she said in a calmer accent.
Dark? I promised Amy to be home by dark.
“No! Now would be better, I'll be there before you say Peter Parker.”
“Peter Parker,” she chuckled.
“Funny,” I said dryly and hung up.
7:00 pm
The room was not to my taste.
How the fuck could someone have such taste… someone in the mafia?
“This place looks just like your style,” I said sarcastically, putting on my dark shades to make the repulsive colour look better.
“Welcome to my humble abode, dear friend,” Kayla Rodriguez said.
“Yes, the colour is very humbling. The fact that it contrasts with my behaviour must tell how you so much hate people like me,” I played sitting on the couch.
At least this was comfortable.
Kayla laughed, her eyes squinted as though she were in search of something.
“I'm part of you, Owen. I am your kind of person.”
I forbid.
“I called you here to inform you about something…”
“Spill it,” I blurted out checking the time on my phone.
8:00 pm.
Today went faster than before.
“I wanted to have fun with you a little, but you're a very boring person, so I'll just spill it,” she mimicked, partly mocking me. I brushed it off and focused on the drink the servants served. Ice. Red wine. Spirit. Poison. No, real poison.
I smirked.
“The Rodriguez has decided to collaborate with you. You know, like an alliance,” she said, excitement washing over her like the first rain after a long drought.
Don't ask me how I knew about this kind of shit — I have a masters after all.
“You seem more excited than the person who is receiving the news,” I said, my gaze still at the liquid in front of me. “Aren't we both meant to be? You. Me. Us? We can finally become greater than the Xavier's!” She exclaimed, her teeth visible.
The Xavier's.
Amelia Xavier.
I checked my time once more, I decided it was time to leave. Staying in another woman's place was a more serious crime than staying out late.
“Sorry, Kayla, I'll have to say no to this so called collaboration. The Xavier's last I heard want to create an alliance with you, and become greater than them? The Winters are content with ruling France, especially when we have a relationship with the Xavier's. Goodbye,” I poured out, not my mind, but a carefully calculated statement, so as not to get on the crazy woman's bad side.
She was a former Xavier, after all.
I stood to leave, dropping the glass of wine on the table. “This also is poisoned. I know my wine, Mrs Rodriguez,” I said and turned to leave, but her words stopped me mid air.
“Is it Amelia Xavier? Are you in love with her?”
“Depends on what you believe love to be, Kayla. She is a close business partner.”
Another calculated statement.
I walked out and shut the door behind her.
9:30 pm.
I hurried home and into the shower, Amelia probably didn't notice when my car pulled over and when I entered the house and into the bathroom.
I hoped she was fine, because the house was unusually quiet.
Watching the water drop from my hair down to my body, it felt soothing how it trickled down to my legs.
Father's call was soon to come, and I waited on it. Anytime soon, it'd ring and I would have to explain all the fucking decisions I made today.
I came out of the shower, a towel round my waist and my hair dripping wet.
“What a fucking long…” my voice trailed as I saw Amy standing before me. She gasped and I gulped.
But then the most embarrassing thing happened. My towel which I ensured was tied properly round my waist, dropped to the floor.
I was bare.