9. Just him...

9. Just him...

"What?!" Diane hissed, eyes blazing.

Sasha inhaled calmly, watching the older woman unfold. "That's it mom" she said. 

"What an insect she is! Not dying. Not disappearing" she heaved. "Choosing now of all times to appear". 

"Maybe..." Sasha said standing, her face shifting to something sad and aggrieved. "Maybe it's not Lucien and I after all. We are not fated together mom"

Diane scoffed. "What do mean by that? She walked to Sasha and held her hands, squeezing it gently. "I won't allow that. It's you or no one for my Lucien. Do you hear me?"

"Mom..." Sasha teared up, her voice slightly shaken.

"You have me behind you. Just go and prepare for the engagement party" Diane pressed.

"Mom, you know Dahlia is---" Sasha tried to refuse.

"Stop it" Diane cut. "Unless you don't want to marry Lucien"

"No mom, I want to marry Lucien. I really love him!" she sobbed.

"Then show it. Love makes people do things. Show me what your own love can do. Or I will bring someone else who will" Diane said, freeing her hand. She walked to the dining, and poured herself a glass of wine. 

"The engagement party has been pushed already. This weekend"

Sasha's eyes widened. "Mom..."

Diane smiled, obviously pleased with herself. "Yes. So, all you have to do, is cling unto Lucien and make him listen to you. I need a grandchild soon..." She drawled, her tone edged with suggestion. However, Sasha still looked confused. 

"What do you mean mom?" she asked, clueless. 

Diane clicked her tongue, stressed at Sasha's slow nature. She twirled the drink in her glass and swagged it down her throat. She placed it down on the table and took deliberate steps towards Sasha. 

Once she stood in front of Sasha, she mirrored her eyes with hers. 

"Sasha, oh Sasha" she sighed, placing her hands on Sasha's shoulders. "Aren't you a naive one? But it's fine. You have me. I won't let anything happen to you" she said and gave her a gentle pat. 

"Well, what I mean is..." she trailed, removing her hands from her shoulders, "once you give me a grandchild, even if my son wants to leave you, he can't" she smiled. 

Sasha gave a nervous smile. "Mom... Lucien might not like this"

"I'm Lucien's mother. And you're the woman he loves. No matter what happens, he won't be so angry as to hit you right? He will just have to accept it" Diane said, her voice firm. 

"But mom"

"Sasha!" Diane hissed, annoyed at Sasha's righteousness. "I can see you're being slow. Perhaps, I should bring someone who understands the game and have her run things for me"

"No mom. I'm sorry" Sasha apologized. "I will do better".

Diane snorted. "Whatever. You can leave. I already made my point. I will only watch your actions from now. You know they say, action speaks louder".

"I won't disappoint you mom" Sasha said with a dip of her head, hiding the glint that flashed in her eyes. 

"I hope you don't" Diane smiled widely, enough for Sasha to feel her spine go cold. "You know I like you" she said and left, her heels clicking with purpose on the marbled floor. 

Sasha looked at the cold shadow the older woman left behind as a sinister smile stretched her lips thin. She raised her head, satisfied with her actions. "Naive?" she whispered into the silence. "Oh Mrs Voss...just wait until I show you my strengths". Then she grabbed her handbag and left. 

At DAH Global.

Evening already took over, painting the blue sky with streaks of orange and purple. Dahlia was already done with the day's work and just stood in front of the floor to ceiling window, looking over the skyline of the city. It was beautiful.

A knock came on the door followed by Gaux's voice. "Miss Winters, you have a mail" 

Dahlia arched her brows. "A mail?"

"Yes Miss Winters" Gaux replied.

"Come in Gaux" she said. Gaux walked in, with a tablet in hand. 

"Here it is Miss Winters" Gaux said, handing the tablet over to Dahlia. Dahlia looked at her with a smile. 

"From who?"

"Mr Fisher" Gaux replied. 

"Really?" Dahlia said, voice a bit excited. "Let me see".

She took the tablet from Gaux and looked at the mail. A smile tugged at her lips. 

"Alright" she exhaled, handing the tablet back to Gaux. "I guess, we'll have to work really hard tonight" she said. 

"I'm here for whatever you need" Gaux said, readiness edged at her words. Dahlia only smiled at her and said nothing else. 

Two hours later, Loop Club. 

"Boss" Jace greeted, as soon as Lucien stepped out of the club's entrance. 

Lucien walked out, his steps steady, despite the bottles of whiskey he had emptied. The first three buttons of his shirt were opened, his hair disheveled a bit. However, that didn't dim his hot look. If anything, it accentuated it. 

Jace opened the door for him and he walked in.

"Boss" Jace called him as soon as he was in the car. "Mr Fisher sent a mail"

Lucien clenched his teeth at the mention of that investor. All thanks to him, that woman made fun of him. "What does it say?" He still asked. 

"It's about the project" Jace answered respectfully.

"Alright. I will look at it when I get to the house" he said, throwing his head backwards as he leaned on the headrest. 

 "I will be taking you home sir" Jace said and turned on the ignition.

"No..." he breathed, voice hoarse from drinking. "DAH Global....take me there"

Jace looked at him, a bit hesitant. He knew what waited at DAH Global and...who. 

"Drive Jace" Lucien's voice came cold. 

Jace collected himself and hoped it was the whiskey talking. Because if it was really his Boss...

However, he dared not say anything and veered the car in the direction of DAH Global.

Dahlia was already done with her project preparation and packed up few files into her handbag. She stood from her seat, and did a little stretch, her eyes flickering to the wall clock. It was almost 12am. She heaved a sigh and took her bag and began walking out. 

Gaux was waiting for her in front of her private elevator and once Dahlia arrived, they glided downstairs. 

Her car was already waiting for her in front of the company and with a calculated click of her stiletto heels, she reached it in no time. The driver pulled open the door for her and she stepped forward to enter it. 

In that moment, a strong palm closed around her wrist. Dahlia's eyes widened as dread filled her. Her breath hitched, her pulse spiking as instinct took over. She yanked back hard, raising her bag to strike. 

The streetlight caught his face, the visual of the person halting her move mid-air.

"Dahlia" he called her, his voice rough...and just too familiar to mistake.

Her chest tightened. It wasn't a thief. Not a rando. It was just him— Lucien.