Chapter Four

C/r acci/ent (a, d) trigger warning!

***

My mind raced back and forth; from work to the dream. Those seafoam eyes flashed before my eyes whenever I blinked, creating a rush of emotions that electrified my nerves enough to have that slickness between my legs. The pressure intensified as I remembered the feel of his hands; a touch so real, and yet, it wasn’t. The dream felt real because of the strength of light his eyes gave, their intensity and the silky feel of his skin against mine.

My heart only thumped faster as I remembered it, almost sending me off the edge again at its mere memory.

“Tristan…” I don’t know how many times I mumbled that name today, but still nothing came to mind. The man in my dreams didn’t exist in the real world.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair and tried to focus on the papers in front of me. The words on the page danced, causing the sudden flash of such beautiful seafoam eyes to appear every time I blinked; work didn’t help forget him. The pen I had wrapped my fingers around was now set down on the table, long forgotten as I just stared at the words, but my mind didn’t process them or its meaning.

The sound of a knock made me snap away from the sinful dream. “Come in,” I mumbled, reaching for my pen again.

“Ms. Kwon, I have the documents for today’s boarding meeting,” Cameron, my assistant, said as he stepped into my office.

“Good,” I mumbled, finally focusing on the words on the page in front of me and my pen ready in hand to either decline or accept, and sign it.

“We’re holding the meeting with the Williams again, this Friday. I think they got a lawyer and now we can think about having their company under our supervision and we will receive 60% of the profit, ma’am.” He stated, causing me to look up and raise an eyebrow at him. Upon seeing my expression, he quickly cleared his throat, “I mean you, you will, Ms. Kwon!”

I hummed in approval, “Is that all, Cameron?” I asked.

“Um.. No. Ms. Kwon, you have a message from your boyfriend.” He said, handing over a tablet.

“Boyfriend?” I raised both eyebrows, looking down at the invitation to a late night date.

“It’s from Antonio Venturi.”

“Antonio Venturi is not my boyfriend, Cameron!” I slightly raised my voice. The name brought a rage of emotions to rush through me. Anger dominated over the disgust and guilt. I gritted my teeth and my breathing turned quicker... harsher. The name filled me with such rage, I felt tears of anger building up in my eyes, ready to fall as my frustration sparked.

“Sorry, ma’am.” Cameron immediately apologised and retrieved the tablet from my hand; my grip had tightened around the device but thankfully, Cameron managed to get it off my hands. I had the anger to throw that thing across the room.

That Venturi was the core reason of the family’s dispute, while there were disputes before, it certainly wasn’t as worse as this. I knew Jackson always envied and hated the attention I received and my confidence to lead. But a part of me regretted not trying harder in convincing my half-brother, but he would never take advice from a woman, especially if that woman was me. I wanted to take things to my own hands, but I was blinded by the rage that built inside me from the words he spoke, and now he comes crawling back. Jackson didn’t listen when he needed to, and for that very reason he was suffering now. Though the guilt was there, but a part of me enjoyed watching him struggle, and trying to find a crack that would get him out of this rut.

“Deny it, and block that Venturi!” I told Cameron, before returning to the papers in hand.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“When is the meeting with the board meeting?” I asked, signing mt name along the dotted lines.

“In about thirty minutes, ma’am.” He answered, checking his watch.

“Ok, you may leave, Cameron.”

“Thank you, Ms. Kwon.” He said, turning away.

A sudden thought crossed my mind causing me to stop my assistant from waking out, “Cameron.” I called, gaining his attention again.

“Yes, ma’am?” Cameron turned and his eyes searched me with confusion.

My eyes flicked to the side as I tried to find the right words, “Have we ever worked with someone by the name of... Tristan?” A rush of heat ran through my body as I spoke his name. The name alone had something come undone within me. My heart fluttered with every letter of the name. I let out a shaky breath as those brilliant eyes flashed in my mind. Something about those eyes had me craving them every minute, along with his touch. Eyes usually held only one colour or two; something in between but these eyes I dreamed of, these held many shades of green, from light turquoise to glints of deep emeralds. It wouldn’t choose a colour, it simply danced from the dominate seafoam to another. I didn’t know how I was able to remember every detail about this man in my dream. In dreams, one only remember one or two details, or if any, but from the moment I felt his presence to the second he released himself inside me, I remembered it all, and it didn’t help the pressure rising in between my legs.

“Is there a surname, Ms. Kwon?” Cameron’s voice suddenly ripped through the images and flashes in my head.

I frowned, “No, just check.”

“Eh.. sure.” I could see Cameron’s confusion and slight hesitation in accepting the odd task. He really didn’t have an option here, if he wanted to work under me, he needed to take every order I gave, no matter how odd or unusual they were.

I sighed and leaned back on my chair, closing my eyes. The azure- green eyes immediately came to mind, not allowing any space for another thought. I turned my chair around, opening my eyes again, the tall buildings and clear skies I saw through my windows gave no comfort. I gazed down as the soft petals of the flower and plants that sat in front, still no comfort, not even their scents gave me comfort. I bit onto my bottom lip, thinking of his hand that laid on my thigh. His skin felt like silk running over my body, yet sent electrifying sparks to my nerves.

“Tristan.. Tristan.. Tristan,” His name left my lips multiple times, feeling so right on my tongue but I couldn’t remember anyone by that name. If I didn’t remember the name, I would definitely remember the eyes, such unique eyes that pulled me into the darkest of sins. I knew, I sent Cameron into an empty task, and I didn’t understand my need to find his man, if he actually existed, if anything he was simply a man I dreamed of; a plain piece of my imagination.

Looking down at my Michael Kors watch, I sighed realising it was almost time for the board meeting to be held. I stood up grabbing my coat and tablet. My heels clicked against the tiles confidently as I walked towards my meeting room. I brushed off every greeting that came my way from the employees that walked past.

When the meeting room came into sight, I reached for my tablet again and scanned through the topics that would be held today. My ears picked up quiet whispers and murmurs causing me to frown. Cameron’s voice was the one I recongised, “Ms. Kwon, asked me to do something strange today.”

“What?” The voice of another employee sounded through.

“Yeah, she asked me to search for someone by the name of Tristan.” I gritted my name and scoffed as Cameron announced it.

“Tristan? Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you think she’s dating again?” I raised an eyebrow as more voices joined in.

“Just how many scandals has she been in this month?”

“Wasn’t she dating that actor last week?”

“Yeah, Kean Acherman.” I rolled my eyes at the name, sighing.

“No, wasn’t it Chase Pierce?”

“The reporters are already asking when they are getting back together.” Cameron chuckled.

“Yeah, they dated on and off.”

“It was a total mess!”

I groaned and pushed open the door, startling them. They quickly rose to their feet, seeing it was their boss had walked in, “Hey, seriously?!” I scoffed, “I didn’t realise my dating life was part of the agenda for today’s meeting.”

I shook my head hearing the murmurs of apology follow through, “Is everyone here?” I raised my eyebrows looking around as I sat down on the high end of table.

“Yes, Ms. Kwon.” Cameron answered, a look of regret passing his features. I sighed and nodded, “Let’s start with the briefing of sales. How’s the one to one strategy coming alone?”

“Ms. Kwon, the one to one customer strategy, you have started, is now going viral.” Cameron said, before he handed it over to my sales department representative, Claire, “Yes Ms. Kwon, and a lot of celebrities are promoting Sooyaa’s Desires’ products via social media. We’re getting positive results quicker than expected.” She spoke, showing the results as a graph presentation.

“Excellent.” I muttered, nodding in approval seeing the rise over the three months and staying stable.

“And since the sales have become stable, we would like to know your opinion on strengthening the marketing strategy by hiring a new model, because it will increase the brand’s awareness and expand to the product lines and sales.”

“Hmm..” I wondered, “And will that maintain current data?” I questioned.

“Yes, in this way you will be able to maintain the current product costs and increase-” She was cut off by the sharp sound of a phone going off.

“Lana!” I snapped, my eyes locking with the girl, the little intern, as she struggled trying to get her phone out from her bag; with trembling hands she reached for her phone and turned it off.

“Sorry, ma’am.” She said, putting her phone down.

“Don’t you not know the general rules of these meetings?!” I glared at her; I could feel my blood boiling against my flesh, “Is it so hard to turn off your phones during meetings?! All of you check your phones, I will not tolerate this!” My words put everyone in motion to check their phones.

I sighed, turning to my sales representative, I said, “Continue, Claire.”

“Eh.. yes, ma’am, as I was saying, hiring another model will maintain the current product costs and increase sales at the same time.” She finished.

“Good.” I nodded, “Continue developing the brand without losing the brand’s characteristics, because our products rely on individual satisfaction, rather than other people’s opinions.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Everyone chimed in.

“What’s next?”

“The next briefing will be on the company’s expansion gala.” Cameron told me.

“Hmm.. and where are we on that?”

“We have decided on the food and music, however, we would like to hear the colour you have chosen for the decorations.” He said, choosing his words carefully. He was already in trouble, he knew, and he didn’t want to make it worse by blaming me for running slightly behind in setting up the event.

“I haven’t given a colour yet?” I frowned.

“No,” he said. “And we would like to know as soon as possible.” He immediately added quickly.

“Seafoam..” I mumbled without even thinking. I heard them shifting, turning to one another with questioning glances at the colour I chose.

“Seafoam? Are you sure, ma’am?” Cameron asked on behalf of everyone.

“Yes,” I replied, “Make a range of matching shades from turquoise to seafoam; blue, grren.” I felt my lips stretching ever so slightly as the mysterious Tristan’s mystic eyes flashed before me. I have started getting used to the colour, but not the rush of pleasure electrifying nerves that ran through my whole body.

“Ok.” Cameron said as he hesitantly, noting down the colour.

“Ok, I have sent out the invitations via email. There will be a huge crowd. This will be the biggest event Sooyaa’s Desires will host this year, so it needs to be absolutely perfect, understood?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded as they all answered me. Though I listened to the briefings and words of the board meeting, my mind did flicker back to the dream, every few minutes, it seems this dream will continue to torment me and increase the slickness in between my legs, longing for the pleasurable sensations Tristan brought me; the sparks that dancing of my skin and the sweet joy of his touches.

I sighed, knowing the dream was going to keep me occupied for the rest of the meeting.

* * *

I glanced down at the papers in hand as Claire went over the sales and products line basis again. I sipped my coffee and asked, “Cameron, where’s the marketing plan for Christmas and new years, I asked for you to print it out again?”

Receiving no answer, I frowned looking up at him, “Well?” I asked as he stared tiredly at the words before him.

He sighed, looking up at me slowly, “Isn’t this too harsh, ma’am? It’s almost 11 pm, we’re all very tired. You hold us up to go over the same things over and over again. I really think it’s too much.”

“Is there something important you must attend to Cameron?” I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“No, but-”

“Then, why bother leaving without getting your work done. Let’s be real here, this company needs to be thorough and well equipped for the expansion. And you must go out of your way to maintain it, and your jobs.” I scoffed, “Why do I bother hiring you, if you can’t stay in for a little while longer to get things done? What do I pay you for?” I snapped, glancing around the table, tired and worn down faces each glanced at me with begging eyes.

I sighed, shaking my head, “Fine,” I gritted my teeth, “but I expect a thoroughly examined file on my desk by tomorrow evening, got it?!” I snapped, before standing up and grabbing my belongings.

“Yes, Ms. Kwon.” Everyone chimed again, before departing the room.

I shook my head and walked out, “This is why robots needs to be built!” I grumbled, trying to reach for my car keys. Without bothering to greet anyone on the way out, I brought myself to the underground car park.

Unlocking the car, I sat on my driver’s seat, before placing my belongings on the passenger seat, and putting on the seatbelt. As my hands wrapped around the steering wheel a tired sigh let my lips, the words mother said to me last night floated around in my mind. The whole day the dream had occupied me, preventing me from remembering the words exchanged between us. But my car brought back memories of what happened; of who she thought of me as.

Starting my car, I drove steadily out, trying to block out the memory, and trying to seek comfort in the eyes I dreamed of. Tears built up in my eyes causing the lights to become smeared and appearing as bright rigid round-like bubbles before my eyes. Her words still affected me greatly, pushing down on my lungs like a heavy stone, and creating a lump in my throat, that started turning my breathing into an impossible task.

I had leaked a few tears last night too, even when I vowed myself crying was something never to do again, crying weakened the soul and crumpled away confidence. I sighed, trying to keep them from falling. I couldn’t let tears win, because their victory would ruin me. Frustration built inside me once again, adding a few tears of fury.

A strange feeling arose in the pit of my stomach, as I gazed at the silent and empty roads ahead, but shoved the feeling down and concentrated on driving carefully. The absence of cars or other vehicles didn’t settle right with me, it wasn’t a Sunday to cause such silent roads at this time. My eyes flickered across the roads wanting to spot a vehicle for a little comfort and to stop myself from becoming paranoid. The headlights of my car illuminated the lines of the tar roads, nothing else. It seemed as if the trees that covered both sides of the road were spreading into infinity, starting and then ending by nothing but pitch darkness. The buzzing silence of my car irritated me, with a simple turn of volume adjuster a faint jazz melody played through my speakers.

I sighed, wiping away the tears with the side of my hand, while holding the wheel with the other, tightly enough to turn my knuckles white. My mind tried to picture those brilliant seafoam for comfort again, but a strange flash of light came from the side, and I didn’t have time to investigate as a sudden force hit my car; a loud bump and shake that shattered the windshield.

I screamed, hiding my face from the shards of glass.

I lost control of the wheel.

My shoulders and arms screamed in pain as the sharp edges pierced through them. Blood coated my skin.

I grabbed the wheels again, trying to stir control of the car, but it skidded from my control, crashing into a tree.

The force made my head bang against the wheel.

I groaned as my head became heavy, and my eyes became blurry and even in a death gripping pain, I still whispered the name of someone I hadn’t met, yet, gave me something to hold onto.. to fight, an unknown strength, “Tristan…”