There were very few things that irritated Ryke. People that talked to loud, Women that didn't understand the difference between a one time fuck and a relationship, People that wasted his time, Prolonged conversations but most of all, it was not getting what he wanted.
He stared out his window with a frown on his face.
To say the meeting with Jacob Morgan had left him irritated would be an understatement.
"Mr. Sterling. It's finally nice to meet the genius behind Sterlings, Jacob said as he extended his hand for a handshake.
Jacob Morgan carried himself like he had seen it all. Considering that he was a man in his late seventies, he would be deserving of that right.
Peppered gray hair and beards with hazel eyes that looked kind when he smiled.
"Mr Morgan. The honor is mine", he took his hands.
" Why don't we get down to business. I went through the documents personally. Only the best for a company as good as Sterlings and I have to say I was very impressed. Well I hadn't expected anything less".
Ryke nodded.
"But there is an issue. You see I've always prioritized family over everything else. I would not be where I am today without the support of the people that I love the most. Family provides backing and stability even though you don't think you might need it. With your past and your background, though quite unfortunate, you do not have that. I want a man with a heart and not just a heart for business and that unfortunately isn't you. Perhaps in a few years, when you have a stable relationship we can see about having that collaboration but for now Mr. Sterling, I would have to reject your offer".
In all honesty, he didn't need Jacob Morgan. His company was doing just fine on its own. But one thing even he could admit was that in business, you needed partners. You need to expand your network which was exactly what he was trying to do with Morgan.
Family had been nothing more than a painful nail. One he couldn't wait to get rid of.
He built Sterlings from the ground. He had gotten this far without any backing or stability.
He didn't need it then and he definitely does not need it now.
"If there is a chance that you can have it all Son, never stop until you get it".
Sterlings was currently the third best accounting agency in the world.
"If you are not number one then you aren't a number".
Suddenly an idea popped in his head. He picked up his phone dialing a number.
Christian picked up on the first ring. Efficient.
"You keep the calls pouring in like this and I might actually think you miss me", came Christian's voice from the other end of the line.
Ryke kept quiet.
"I see, you are in one of your moods. What do you need Ryke?".
Ryke didn't have any one he could consider as a friend. He didn't like anything that could be used as a weakness but if he could have given out an ounce of his trust, Christian would have been on the receiving end.
"I need you to draw up another contract".
He couldn't see him but he knew he rolled his eyes," What is it about this time?"
"Put the same details as the previous one. All I need you to do is change the last part regarding ownership for a year".
"You are leaving the girl alone?"
Ryke glared at his phone, "Why would I do that?. I want you to replace it with a marriage agreement".
"You want me to what?. You want to get married?. Ryke is that not a little bit extreme?. The girl is only eighteen. She just got accepted into college. I could understand a year because of that twisted mind of yours but this is-"
"Is going to be ready in the next hour right?"
Christian sighed tiredly, "Do you want me to send it over to you?"
"No send it directly to Steele Co-operations"
"Ryke"
"Goodbye Christian" and with that he ended the call.
Two birds with one stone. He smiled.
******
The wind blew at her hair causing the wavy strands to hit her in the face.
That had been a total burst. A year didn't sound so bad. She could suspend college and just pick up from where she left. School had never been a problem.
She bent down placing a rose each on her parents graveside.
"Logan said I'm your exact replica. I don't think that's true though. I don't think there is anyone in the world that can match up to how beautiful you were. Logan is having a really hard time now that's why he hasn't visited in a while. I'm scared Mum. I'm being forced to do something I don't want to do. If I don't, we could lose it all. We could lose our legacy.".
"It's just for a year but that is enough time for him to ruin me. I don't know what to do Mum. Logan won't admit it but I see it. He is scared that he has failed you and Dad. I hate that we didn't have more time together. Maybe if you had been here this wouldn't be happening.
Tears came to her eyes," I miss you both so much".
She knelt down kissing the stone of their graves.
The rain waited for her to get into her house before it came down pouring.
Her phone chimed indicating a new text.
Bels❤️❤️: You want me to come over and cuddle you to sleep?
God!!!. She really loved her.
Me: I would say yes but it's pouring heavily. I'll just have to manage Tootie.
Bels ❤️❤️: I can't believe you would replace me so fast.
She laughed. Her phone chimed again.
Bels❤️❤️: You feeling a little better?
Me: Yes. I'm just going to go to bed and hope tomorrow is better.
Bels❤️❤️: Goodnight. I love you.
Me: I love you too.
She got into bed. Her eyes had barely closed when her bedroom door flew open.
"You went to see him?"
"Jesus Christ Lo, when did you forget how to knock?"
He didn't answer her, " I specifically told you not to go and see him just like I told you not to plan that protest".
She glared at him. They hardly ever fought.
"What would you have preferred I did Logan?. Just sit back and watch my best friend's mother's restaurant get destroyed?".
"I could have helped her build a restaurant someplace else".
"Wow, so throwing money at people is the new solution. Hey there you have cancer?, take a million dollars and feel better".
"You know that's not what I meant. Ryke Sterling is not a good person. He is an egotistical asshole that thinks he can do whatever he wants without any consequence. I needed you to listen to me just this once Crystal".
She looked at him. She had really messed up by what was going on in his eyes.
"What happened Lo?"
"He had his lawyer draw up another contract".
Lo opened a piece of paper and started reading.
"In the event that Logan Steele fails or refuses to comply with the terms of this contract, he shall forfeit all rights and ownership of Steele Co-operations to Ryke Sterlings.
He read a few more lines, "He has only until the end of the day to sign the contract".
Logan looked at her, "It gets worse. Before he was only requesting that you would be signed off to him for a whole year. Now he wants a marriage?".
She stared at him confused, "A marriage to who?"
Logan handed her the paper.
"You Crystal. He wants to make you his wife permanently".
Crystal would agree that it came as a shock, but what was even more shocking was Logan’s signature that glared at her in a big bold intricate form.
The air in the room suddenly felt too thin. She kept trying to reach and grasp for it.
The room began spinning.
"Snowflake!!!" was the last thing she heard Logan scream before she fell to the ground and everything went black.
Dread crept over her, a chill running down her spine. She stared at the message, a surge of fear and confusion flooding her mind. Who was behind this threat? The text had come from a different number. Her thoughts raced, trying to make sense of the menacing warning.With a shaky hand, she put the phone down, her mind reeling with a thousand questions and an equal number of fears. The ominous message echoed in her mind, leaving her on edge and uncertain of what would come next.Taking in a deep breath, she composed herself and walked out of the building, hurrying to the one person that made her feel safe in all the chaos revolving around her life.Crystal threw herself at Ryke immediately she set her eyes on him, catching him off guard, and he hesitated before wrapping his arms around her. It was unexpected; her words of missing him, the sudden embrace, all of it felt unreal to him, especially given the strained circumstances between them.When they finally disconnected from the hug, R
“I asked you a question, Crystal,” Logan gritted his teeth.Shaking her head, Crystal took a step back from the painting and let out a hollow laugh, “I just realized something. Crystal? I thought I was snowflake.”Logan’s glare intensified, “That still doesn’t answer my question.”Crystal rolled her eyes and turned to Isabella, “So I guess I was wrong and you are innocent,” she spat."Wrong or not, it doesn't change the fact that I had nothing to do with whatever mess you've found yourself in," Isabella finally spoke, her voice calm but tinged with an undercurrent of irritation.Crystal's frustration flared, her eyes narrowing as she retorted, “Logan might have gotten you out but I know what I saw and I have evidence. There are also witnesses that saw you enter Ryke’s mansion.”Isabella chuckled darkly, a bitter edge to the sound. "Evidence can be deceiving, and witnesses can be manipulated. You should know that, Crystal."Crystal shook her head in disbelief. "I trusted you, Isabella
Crystal stepped into the sterile, echoing confines of the visiting room at the correctional facility. Her breath caught as she caught sight of Isabella, sitting calmly, seemingly indifferent to the world around her. Crystal's heart pounded against her chest as she approached the table, her emotions in turmoil, her hands trembling with a mix of apprehension and longing for answers."Isabella," Crystal's voice quivered slightly as she took a seat across from her former best friend. Isabella lifted her gaze casually, her expression unreadable. Crystal's eyes searched Isabella's face, seeking any hint of remorse, of the friendship they once shared, but found nothing."I'm surprised you came," Isabella remarked casually, her tone devoid of emotion. "I had to," Crystal replied, her voice breaking slightly. "I need to understand, Bels. Why? Why did you do it?"Isabella leaned back in her chair, a faint smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she
Chloe slowly fluttered her eyes open, the hazy blur of the hospital room coming into focus. The sterile scent, the faint hum of machines, all too familiar yet always disconcerting. As her vision cleared, she caught sight of Christian, his relief evident as their eyes met.A faint smile tugged at Christian's lips, but Chloe could see the underlying worry etched in the lines of his face, his attempt at humor failing to mask his concern. "Hey there, sleeping beauty," he quipped, a weak attempt to lighten the weight of the moment. "Is this becoming our thing now? Almost getting killed and ending up in the hospital?”Chloe managed a small, tired chuckle, but the gravity of their situation weighed heavily upon her. "Seems like it," she murmured, her voice hoarse from the ordeal. "But I wouldn't mind a change of pace anytime soon."Their banter masked the underlying tension that lingered in the air. Chloe's gaze softened as she reached out, her fingers lightly brushing against Christian's ha
The cacophony of voices echoed around him, distant yet somehow piercing. He found himself standing in the hazy periphery of a scene, a memory from his childhood that remained etched in his subconscious—the day he overheard his parents arguing.Their voices, once muffled whispers, now reverberated sharply through the walls, a symphony of discord that shook the very foundation of his understanding. Logan crept closer to the partially ajar door of his father’s study, drawn by the urgency in his parents' voices. He lingered, unseen, on the periphery of their heated exchange."I can't believe you're bringing this up again!" Jessica’s voice was filled with a mixture of anguish and exasperation."Jessica, he deserves to know," his father's voice replied, the weight of responsibility tinged with a hint of sorrow.Their words were like shards of glass, piercing Logan's sheltered world, fragmenting the illusion of his reality. He stood frozen, unseen, as the truth unfolded in the exchange bet
Logan's sleek black sedan pulled up outside the police station. Stepping out, his demeanor was one of controlled urgency, every stride purposeful as he approached the entrance.Approaching the front desk, he spoke with a tone that demanded attention. "I need to speak with someone in charge regarding the arrest of Isabella Montez."The officer behind the desk regarded Logan with a hint of skepticism, his uniform crisply pressed as he sized up the affluent newcomer. "I'm sorry, sir. I can't provide details about ongoing cases."Logan's frustration simmered beneath his controlled demeanor. "I understand, but Ms. Montez's arrest is a mistake. I need to rectify this immediately."The officer glanced at his computer screen before meeting Logan's gaze. "I'll see if someone can speak with you, sir. Please wait here."Minutes dragged like hours as Logan paced the station's lobby, his mind racing with a myriad of scenarios and strategies to make Isabella's release. Finally, a stern-looking de