CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Mr Rufus Pavilochenki sat, playing a game of chess with himself

Yet there was a chair opposite him for the imaginary chess player

He seemed to be winning.

He could hear faint footsteps in the distance.

Good morning grandfather

It was Donald. Mr Pavilochenki answered with a nod. Donald took a chair by his grandpa's side, completely aware of the old man's technique.

Donald watched him quietly, not wanting to interrupt his flow.

“How is my grandson Luca”

Came Mr Pavilochenki's voice. He obviously asked about his favourite grandson first

“He's doing good”

Donald answered

Mr Pavilochenki gave him a look

“Really, when was the last time you saw him?”

Donald took a moment to answer

“At his wedding”

Mr Pavilochenki sighed. The two of you need to spend more time together.

Donald nodded his head and cleared his throat.

“I have information grandfather”

“Really?”

Mr Pavilochenki was not as interested as Donald had hoped

“It's still in bits and pieces but I have reason to believe that Mrs Emilia Gray could be of help to us

Mr Pavilochenki paused for a moment.

Why would you think that?

If we get the evidence of Mr Hillary’s illegitimate son and show it to her—

Stop right there Donald, that's where you're wrong

Donald paused reluctantly. His grandfather hadn't even heard all what he had to say yet

“Your grandma knew the kind of man I was Donald, she knew that I killed to get what I want, but she never divulged my secrets”

“That woman may look weak and air headed, but don't be deceived.”

Yes Grandfather

Mr Pavilochenki looked at his grandson.

Just make sure I get what I want at the end Donald

I'll give you anything you want

Donald fought back the emotions that threatened to reveal themselves

All Donald ever wanted was

“Good job grandson, I'm proud of you”

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

Sharon held a large mug in her hands filled with hot coffee

Her current mental state demanded she drink something else, something to make her forget, to make her lose herself.

But she already had her fair share of alcohol the previous night, and it didn't end well

Her memories were fuzzy, but she remembered most of what happened.

What she couldn't wrap her head around was why she hesitated to follow the blonde dude.

She had clearly gone there for revenge, she had worn the lingerie so she would be appreciated, worshipped by whoever was lucky enough to get her laid.

But when the opportunity came, she had decided that she wouldn't stoop so low. What the actual fuck was wrong with her?

Was she being faithful to her marriage, to Luca on purpose?

It didn't make sense that he cheated on her, and she couldn't find it in her to cheat on him back

She remembered how she spoke to him. The words she said to him when she was drunk were probably the most honest thing that had come out of her mouth

Another thing she couldn't wrap her head around was the idea that she had told Luca not to touch her, and he had complied

He was clearly a sick prick, but it took a certain level of discipline to do that.

It was either his hatred for her was so much, that the mere sight of her gave him discomfort

Or

He was a blind fool

Claire's exact words

“Any man who does not acknowledge your beauty and elegance is a blind fool”

And Luca wasn't blind, so it was settled. He hated her to the point where she disgusted him

She took a sip of coffee

Well that was okay, she hated him too

Except she couldn't bring herself to cheat on him when she had the chance

Sharon slammed the coffee mug harder than she had expected.

Sharon caught a glimpse of one of the servants and she followed her and called after her

The woman was shy when she turned, but Sharon knew better

“I'm—I’m really sorry for all the trouble I caused you yesterdp

ay, I wasn't supposed to involve you, or borrow your dress. Please forgive me”

“The woman blushed, obviously not used to such treatment. She apologised back for no reason and assured Sharon that it was okay”

Sharon felt a cold presence loom over her suddenly, when the servant had left.

“You're overstepping your boundaries Red”

She raised her head up and saw Luca, staring at her from a distance, coffee mug in hand

Sharon was about to open her mouth and blurt out a series of apologies, but she needed to know what she was apologising for.

Did he mean last night or—

Sharon took a few steps back, realising that she had crossed the threshold of the main dining room and was now entering Luca's territory

She couldn't bring herself to look him in the face still

He just kept looking at her.

“About last night—”

“I didn't mean to—”

“Oh don't give me that bullshit Sharon. What part of last night did you not mean?”

He walked closer, until his legs were at the “boundary”

Sharon instinctively moved three steps backward.

“You manipulated a servant, and then you disobeyed two rules.

It seems you've forgotten all about my consequences

It seems you want your dear daddy, and the rest of the fucking world to know you're a very bad girl”

Sharon was quiet. She didn't

Protest, didn't swear at him. Like she had anticipated everything already

“Come here”

He said to her. Her knees became weak, but somehow she dragged herself to him

Why did he have to be so tall?

“You've been a very bad girl Sharon”

Sharon had a feeling those words weren't just about the rules she broke

But about her naughty outfit

He brought his thumb to her lips, and let it linger there.

Then he took his phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

She couldn't see who it was he was calling, because he raised the phone above her head

But she had a hunch. It her father. He was calling to tell her father about her secret identity

“Luca please—”

“Shhh”

He let his thumb slide into her mouth and she fought the urge to bite his finger off

Wait, it was probably someone else.

There's no fucking way he'd

The person he was calling answered and she heard the familiar voice loud and clear

“Mr Hillary Gray speaking—”