Chapter Five - Collision Course

“Victoria, we need to leave,” I said, voice clipped, irritation threading through every word, but she didn’t move. She didn’t even look at me. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her stubborn chin tilted upward.

“I don't feel like going anywhere,” she said defiantly. “You handle it, I’ll stay.”

I took a step toward her, fists clenched at my sides. “You don’t get it. This meeting is important, and we have schedules to keep. I don't have time to waste.”

“Then go for it, simple. I am not your bodyguard.”

“But you are supposed to be on that pitch.”

“To say things you and I worked on together. Look, babe, whether I stay back or not, you have all it takes to seal that deal.”

This was one thing about Victoria that I never really understood

 She loved to push just to see how far she could go before I broke, and it infuriated and excited me. She knew what she wanted and knew how to get it, unlike Elara, who could almost pass for a remote-controlled robot.

I exhaled through my nose. Damn her stubbornness. “Fine, you can stay here. But you have to be at the next meeting.”

Her lips curved into a smile, and I wanted to punch it off her face, but instead, I gave her a kiss, turned, and left the room, each step echoing through the empty corridor.

Things were different now. Elara was too easy to instruct, never questioning or defying me. She was no challenge. But Victoria was nothing like her, and that was what pulled me to her.

Her strength and confidence put me on edge and sent sparks flying in my brain.

Outside, I slid into the car, and the driver shut it after me. Taking out my phone, I dialed a number I had called an unhealthy number of times in the last few months.

“Any news?” I barked.

“Not exactly, sir. We haven't found anything.”

I slammed the phone against my shoulder. “Why am I paying you if you're this incompetent? Is New York so big you can't find one woman?”

“I am sorry, sir. I am doing my best, but there's a chance…”

“Two weeks. That’s it. If in the next two weeks there’s still no word, consider your job gone.”

“Yes, sir,” came the cautious reply. I hung up, frustration coiling in my chest like a live wire.

The drive passed in tense silence, my thoughts circling.

I walked into the lobby of Steel and Bricks, nodding at the receptionist before being led up to the conference room. This was supposed to be an easy acquisition. It was folding up, and they needed the money.

But immediately, I paused by the door; my world froze.

Sitting at a desk, poised and professional, sat Elara.

My hands trembled, and my pulse hammered in my ears. Her eyes met mine for a fraction of a second, and I saw the shock and confusion mirrored in hers.

But she quickly straightened, blinked, and looked back at her papers.

The CEO entered, followed by the manager, and my head cleared just enough to put on a mask.

“I am guessing you both have met?” the CEO asked, curiosity sharp in his tone as he looked from her to me.

“Yes, we have,” I said quickly, forcing a smile.

Elara chimed in, her voice light, almost too light. “No. I mean briefly.”

He and the MD exchanged awkward glances, and the meeting started. I caught her eyes once, and the stab of something I hadn’t felt in years pierced me.

But I had to focus. If I wanted to get this wrapped up, I would need to put on my control suit.

When it finally ended, she rose immediately, gathering her papers like they were shields, and stumbled out without waiting for any confrontation.

But I had to see her, so I came up with a reason to.

Standing by the door, I took a deep breath and knocked.

“Come in,” her voice called from outside.

She looked dashing in that navy-blue dress that hugged her skin, and her ponytail sat gracefully on her head. Not for one minute did she look swayed by my presence.

“Elara,”

She turn

 She loved to push just to see how far she could go before I broke, and it infuriated and excited me. She knew what she wanted and knew how to get it, unlike Elara, who could almost pass for a remote-controlled robot.

I exhaled through my nose. Damn her stubbornness. “Fine, you can stay here. But you have to be at the next meeting.”

Her lips curved into a smile, and I wanted to punch it off her face, but instead, I gave her a kiss, turned, and left the room, each step echoing through the empty corridor.

Things were different now. Elara was too easy to instruct, never questioning or defying me. She was no challenge. But Victoria was nothing like her, and that was what pulled me to her.

Her strength and confidence put me on edge and sent sparks flying in my brain.

Outside, I slid into the car, and the driver shut it after me. Taking out my phone, I dialed a number I had called an unhealthy number of times in the last few months.

“Any news?” I barked.

“Not exactly, sir. We haven't found anything.”

I slammed the phone against my shoulder. “Why am I paying you if you're this incompetent? Is New York so big you can't find one woman?”

“I am sorry, sir. I am doing my best, but there's a chance…”

“Two weeks. That’s it. If in the next two weeks there’s still no word, consider your job gone.”

“Yes, sir,” came the cautious reply. I hung up, frustration coiling in my chest like a live wire.

The drive passed in tense silence, my thoughts circling.

I walked into the lobby of Steel and Bricks, nodding at the receptionist before being led up to the conference room. This was supposed to be an easy acquisition. It was folding up, and they needed the money.

But immediately, I paused by the door; my world froze.

Sitting at a desk, poised and professional, sat Elara.

My hands trembled, and my pulse hammered in my ears. Her eyes met mine for a fraction of a second, and I saw the shock and confusion mirrored in hers.

But she quickly straightened, blinked, and looked back at her papers.

The CEO entered, followed by the manager, and my head cleared just enough to put on a mask.

“I am guessing you both have met?” the CEO asked, curiosity sharp in his tone as he looked from her to me.

“Yes, we have,” I said quickly, forcing a smile.

Elara chimed in, her voice light, almost too light. “No. I mean briefly.”

He and the MD exchanged awkward glances, and the meeting started. I caught her eyes once, and the stab of something I hadn’t felt in years pierced me.

But I had to focus. If I wanted to get this wrapped up, I would need to put on my control suit.

When it finally ended, she rose immediately, gathering her papers like they were shields, and stumbled out without waiting for any confrontation.

But I had to see her, so I came up with a reason to.

Standing by the door, I took a deep breath and knocked.

“Come in,” her voice called from outside.

She looked dashing in that navy-blue dress that hugged her skin, and her ponytail sat gracefully on her head. Not for one minute did she look swayed by my presence.

“Elara,”

She turned,

 arms crossed. “Sebastine, what do you want?”

“I just need a minute…”

“As you can see, I am busy,” she interrupted, straightening her chair. Her eyes were sharp and wary.

Just then, the door burst open, and a blond walked in, accompanied by a little girl.

My attention snagged on the child first, assuming that she was the lady's, but as the child turned toward me, my heart stopped.

“Mummy!” she yelped and ran toward Elara.

She had dark eyes, the same sharp curve of the jaw, a faint dimple in the left cheek. Not even the hair down her back could hide the glaringly undeniable truth.

She was mine..