CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“So, it's kind of a nosy question but how did you two meet?”

Luca ran his hand through his hair. His legs were crossed in front of him.

“We kinda sorta bumped into each other you know, I couldn't take my eyes off her from then

You could say it was love at first sight”

He was so skilled in the art of deception, that Sharon could actually relate to his make believe depiction of their relationship.

They did bump into each other, but it wasn't love at first sight, it was hate.

“I didn't realise it was Luca Pavilochenki then, he didn't even tell me his name till later on. I fell hard, for him, and everyday I keep falling—

In love”

The reporter laughed. Luca's hand fell on Sharon's thigh, and he slowly rubbed circles with his palm

“The humour with you two, I must admit it's very rare to find billionaire marriages that are centered on love, not convenience”

“I had that same conviction, but my wife is just my match made in heaven. We can't really help it, it's love”

I see. This particular question goes to the Young Mrs Pavilochenki

There have been rumours that you were—

How do I put it?

People say you were forced into this marriage In consideration of your father's position in the business world”

Luca sighed silently.

It was a dangerous question, because it was tricky, too tricky for Sharon to answer.

And if he answered it, it would just prove the rumours true.

It would prove that Sharon had no say, no voice, and was indeed forced into a union of convenience.

Sharon cleared her throat

“Rumors like these are— bound to spread, and I'm not upset. If I was in a position to project the viewpoint of the public, I would be asking the same question, and if I was a random person I would have my doubts.

But you see my father has worked hard to become one of the most successful business men in the country.

It would be unfair to turn a blind eye to his perseverance, and judge his future success on the fact that he walked me down the aisle to marry the love of my life.

I'm his daughter, and he loves me. So he would never give me to a marriage of convenience.

As I'm aware I can't change your mindset or that of the public, I do appreciate the platform these rumours gave me to clear the air, as I know you would rather hear it from the horse's mouth.”

With that and a few ends credits, the interview was ended

Sharon heaved a sigh of relief.

If only her father knew how far she went to protect his image.

Would he love her like she was his child?

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

“Not the renowned business tycoon details, I need his classified information, everything there is to know about the skeletons he has in his cupboard!”

“I'll be honest with you sir, this man has roots that spread deep inside the media. He has one of the cleanest records I have ever seen

But you know what they say— the cleaner the history, the dirtier the secrets”

Donald smashed his hand on the man's table. Two computers that were poorly placed fell to the floor.

“You were given a hundred thousand dollars to get dirt on one man, and you have nothing?”

“I'm working on —”

“Palmer, I'm losing my patience”

He was bigger while standing. His arms were large and thick and he held a knife in his right hand.

The scar that ran through the left side of his face stretched from the spot above his eyebrows, crossed his eyes and scarred his mouth slightly.

In a split second, Palmer grabbed the man's hands and pinned it to the table

“Have you ever heard of the famous hacker that types without his intermediate and distal phalanges?”

“N—n—no!”

“Well I haven't heard of him either, but you’ll be just like him in a couple of minutes

If the knife’s sharp enough, it won't even take that lon—”

“His medical records! I have his medical records”

The man shook in his chair

“And there was a whistleblower—”

“What whistleblower?” Donald asked

“The only whistleblower that ever dared to cha-challenge Hillary Gray”

“Where is he?”

“In prison— he's in prison doing time for attempted murder”

Palmer let go of the man, but not without giving him a good scratch on the back of his hand.

“Wow, you pissed yourself. How pathetic!”

Three hours later Donald Pavilochenki was at the state prison sitting with a man who was handcuffed.

A warden was inside the room with them.

The handcuffed man seemed to be in his late forties, and time in prison had withered him of his best years. He looked distraught and had dark circles around his eyes.

Donald cleared his throat and turned to the warden stationed there

Just like that, the warden walked out of the room, and Palmer walked in.

The man's eyes grew wide.

“Surprised aren't you? Money power and influence has its perks. My family has roots that stretch to the Department of Correctional services.

How you answer me can determine if you spend the rest of your miserable life here

or not”

“Who are you?”

“I'm someone that needs information about a certain someone. The same person that framed you for attempted murder

Mr Hillary Gray”

A frown found its way to his face, but Donald continued talking

“Fifteen years ago, you attempted to expose Mr Hillary Gray for something, but you were shut down.

The evidence was cleared, his record was cleaned you won't even find the news on the internet. You ended up in jail

Did it have anything to do with his illegitimate son?”

The tension in the room was so thick, you could cut it with a knife

There was silence in the room

The man sat up and looked at Donald straight in the face

“His name

Is Blake”

“His name is Blake Gray—”