CHAPTER NINETEEN

In a well lit, tastefully furnished office, Donald sat with his arms crossed. His brown hair was scattered and covered his forehead.

His eyes were closed and he was deep into his thoughts.

While Luca was on his honeymoon playing husband, he was doing the real work

His brain came up with many different scenarios of how the information he gathered was pieced together to make complete sense

But there was a problem, it didn't make complete sense

Luca was the smarter, more handsome brother. Donald was never a stellar student, but he was tactical.

His brother would have pieced it all together a long time ago, but Donald wasn't his brother

There was a knock on the door

“Come in”

Donald said in a gruff voice.

A petite woman walked in holding some files in her hand

She wore glasses and had short black hair.

“Sir these are—”

She paused to look at Donald sitting down.

“I'm sorry, I'll just drop them on your desk”

“You were expecting Luca, did you forget he was on his honeymoon?”

“I just thought—”

“It's fine, you can drop them”

The woman was Luca's secretary. A little young, but if she worked so closely with Luca, then there was no doubt she had potential.

“Take a seat”

He said before she could turn to leave.

Without questions, she took the seat opposite him and sat down. She looked slightly uncomfortable.

Donald sat up in his chair and placed his hands on the table.

“You look like a very smart person”

He said, his eyes still glued to her.

It was an observation, but why did he make it sound like a compliment?

“I won't say I'm the smartest person in this —”

“I believe you're smart, otherwise you wouldn't be working here”

“ Yes sir, I guess so”

“I have this riddle that has been bothering me.

Imagine I was a renowned business tycoon

And my wife had fertility issues, what would be my next move?

The lady thought for a moment

If I were in your shoes, I'll keep trying, but if it doesn't work out after a long time, I'll try surrogacy.

Because I'd need an heir to succeed me, one way or another.

Donald sighed

“If you didn't try surrogacy, what would you do”

“Adopt a child”

“Like I said before, we're talking about me.

I don't think surrogacy or adoption is something I would like to try”

“Well, if you were someone with a not so high moral standing—”

“I assure you, I don't have a moral standing, I'm very— promiscuous. Riddles aside, I'm a naughty guy”

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat

“Well in that case—

I guess you'd be willing to go to any lengths to have an heir, even if it meant—”

“Fucking every woman I found attractive”

Donald said

But he was looking at her seductively

She narrowed down her gaze and adjusted her glasses

“You wouldn't want to do that if your success was influenced by public opinion sir”

“Yeah you're right. I'd do it secretly”

Imagine I had a son in that secret affair, what on earth do you think would make me to abandon him?”

“Well he would be illegitimate, that aside I see no reason why a father should abandon a child he waited so long for”

“What if my wife gives birth a couple of years later

“If that happens, you will be faced with a difficult choice. You will either come clean with your affair and face public backlash and raise your two children together—”

“Or?”

“Or you'd have to abandon your illegitimate child and face your immediate family”

“What if I then abandoned my son, would there be a good enough reason for me to do so?”

“No, nothing would justify it. Even if he had psychosis, you'd have no right to abandon him”

“Psychosis you say—”

******************

Rule number 5; you are not allowed to see other men

Rule number 6; you will always address me respectfully

Rule number 7; you will remove every thought of childbirth — if any

Rule number 8; you will keep to your side of the house

Rule number 9; you will not involve yourself in my personal affairs

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE RULES WILL LEAD TO SEVERE PUNISHMENT, OR OTHERWISE THE DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITY AS RIANN

That was it, his terms and conditions.

It was delivered to her room that morning.

There was something she didn't quite understand.

If Luca was so hell-bent on ruining her life, why did he forbid her from seeing other men?

It would be a good enough excuse if he divorced her for cheating.

Was he perhaps possessive of her?

Or did he just want to make her life miserable for as long as he could?

Whatever reason he had, she had her mind made up

She was going to abide by his rules, and kill him when she got the opportunity

She had just taken her bath, and the servants had left.

If there was one thing she knew she was good at, it was looking good

She wore a peach sundress that had a little split at her left side.

It was made of cotton, and it gave her nicely at the bust.

Her hair in a single loose braid, and her baby hair was scattered around her edges, making her look more beautiful.

She stepped out of her room looking like a pampered princess.

A servant was standing a little far from her door, she looked nervous

“Good morning Young mrs Pavilochenki

your food has been set in the main dining”

“I'll be right there”

When Sharon arrived, the table was set. But Luca wasn't there.

Stupid of her to think he would want to have breakfast with her, he only did it the previous day because the reporter was coming by.

Sharon ate her meal in silence

She hadn't seen Luca anywhere, hadn't even heard his voice and somehow it worried her.

She finished up her meal quickly and was about to leave, but Luca was still in her mind for no good reason.

She was standing in the main dining. To Luca and Sharon, it was Versailles.

No red or blue lights. Sharon could come and go as she pleased.

She her eyes lingered past, to the other rooms

The restricted areas—

Her legs began to move towards the parts he told her not to. She didn't know what she was looking for, but she knew she was looking for something.

She could feel her goosebumps increase after every step she took, she could hear her heart beat faster each second, but her legs were moving.

She heard unsettling sounds as she passed by a room, then she slowly walked back

She couldn't make out what it was, but her hands moved to to the doorknob

Then she felt cold shivers run through her spine.

She felt a strong arm grip her waist and another cup her mouth.

Strong arms that she couldn't push away

A gagged mouth, and she could only let out muffled screams

Then she turned her face slowly

And her eyes widened in shock —