Cut the roots.

MARIA'S POV.

The next morning came quickly. And for the first time in years, I slept like a child who had no reason to worry. I.was finally going to get my revenge on Allen.

I walked down the marble stairs with my hand on the railing. The house was quiet. For a moment I felt like I was the only person alive. Adam was a busy woman. Unlike me who stayed in the shadows, Adam liked the spotlight— everything was to help me anyway.

I was about to walk to the living room when I heard noise coming from the kitchen. I reached for a bat lying at the corner of the house.

I had no house help, and I saw Adam leave this morning and she has never been back before nightfall.

I slowly walked to the kitchen, holding the bat tightly, ready to strike down the intruder. I cautiously took a peak.

Fuck, i almost forgot. Micheal lives here now.

Micheal was at the stove. He had rolled his sleeves up and his shirt was loose at the collar. Steam rose from the pan and made his hair curl at the edges. He moved like someone who had done this a long time. He looked at me and nodded but didn't say anything. His eyes slowly moving to the bat in my hands.

I smiled, hiding the bat behind me, forcing my smile to go wider, praying it would conceal my red cheeks.

“You want something?” he asked, his eyes still on the bat at first, before slowly meeting my eyes. His voice was low, tired in the right places.

I shook my head and quickly threw the bat to the side. “I didn’t know you could cook,” I said, trying to change the topic.

He shrugged and glanced at me. “You know nothing about me—” he paused.

“Maria,” I frowned.

“I know,” he replied, his face and voice unreadable. “How you don't mind,” he added, turning his attention to the stove. “I wanted to keep my hands busy.”

“Oh, I don't,” I smiled, folding my hands under my breast. Just the scent of the food was enough to make me travel to another world. A lot better than the usual breakfast I take almost everyday— tea and a few slices of bread. That's because that's the only thing I can do.

“I didn’t know what you wanted so I made—” he waved his hand over all the dishes. “Sorry.”

“Nah,” I waved my hand. “It's fine. I'm just shocked you know your way around the kitchen. Looks like I have a lot of things to discover about you.”

His hand stopped. The spoon hovered above the pan. It was obvious he didn't agree with that. Instead he put the spoon down and reached for two cups.

“The faster we start,” he said, pouring coffee into the cups, “the faster we can get away from each other.” he said flatly.

Harsh. But it's true.

I sat on a stool at the island. “But our deal needs talking,” I said. “Thwre is no team work without communication.”

He handed me a cup. The coffee was hot, bitter in the way I liked.

He took his cup and leaned against the counter, eyes on me like he was measuring my face.

“Who works for Allen?” he asked suddenly.

That was plain.

I blinked. The steam made little halos around his head. I set the cup down and tried to be casual. “What do you need them for?” I asked.

“To kill a tree,” he said, his voice calm, “you cut the roots. To weaken a god, you take away the worshippers.” He sipped his coffee.

I nodded in agreement.

“Who are his highest allies?” he asked.

“Come,” I said, walking back to the living room. “Allen has done nothing but made the company his. He worked with different shitty people to get my grandfather's full approval.” I turned back to him, handing him a book. “Thjs are the names of the people that Allen works with.”

Micheal took the book, flipping the pages in a controlled way. His eyes narrowed when he flipped to another page.

“These are all tough families,” he said finally, looking back at me. “What exactly do you want, Maria?”

“Allen would soon turn that company to his own. It was founded by my family. I can't watch it get stolen.”

“So you want to take it back?”

I slowly shook my head. “I want to kick him out.” I picked up some files from my table and handed it over to him. “Allen is fully backed by the council. They didn't like the fact that a woman would head them. So they supported him.”

“That means your grandfather is involved.”

I frowned. I wasn't sure if that was a question or a statement.

“He's not,” I answered sharply. “My grandfather cares about me. I was the one that left the group with a promise that I will make them pay someday.” I walked closer, closing the gap between us. “I want them to come back and beg me. I want them to beg for my return to the company.”

“The company is already doing good, compared to yours,” he said, his eyes shining with amusement. “Allen is doing a pretty good job.

“Not if my company has something to say about it,” I smiled, holding my head in pride.

His lips curled into a faint smile. “I like the fire,” he said walking towards the wastebin at the corner. “Your goal is to make your company bigger than Rodriguez's group.”

I nodded, watching his every moment with keen interest. But my eyes suddenly widened in shock as he tore my plans into shreds.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I screamed.

He raised a finger to silence me. Number one rule in the line of business,” he turned back to me. “Never try to take your rivals' allies. Make them come to you.”

My brows furrowed in curiosity. “What are you talking about?”

“I'm saying I'm taking over. You want to take back your company,” his voice dropped into a low but dangerous whisper. “I want to kill Allen. At all cost."

I smiled, handing him another documents. "Well then, I think it's time to choose a face. Micheal."