Runes Sterling

Thea sat at a quiet, corner table in the reception area of the Blackwood company . The sound of soft music and conversation filled the air.

A smile danced on her lips as she recalled how last night had played out. Seth was exceptionally attentive, his kisses passionate and delicate on her skin. And the love making felt different. She decided to make a stop at the company today as per his request.

She had no clue what to expect.

Thea decided to distract herself with the news. Her fingers scrolled through feed after feed, and paused on a financial report.

The report showed a continued decline in Runes’s company shares. The sight of the red numbers gave her a feeling of satisfaction. She knew it was working.

A voice from behind her broke her focus. It was a familiar voice, one she had hoped to avoid.

"Well, well. Look what we have here," Runes said, a fake, pleasant tone in his voice. He walked closer, a condescending smile on his face.

Thea looked up, her expression calm. "Runes. I wasn't expecting to see you here."

He chuckled. “Well, I'm here because the owner of Mayqueen requested to meet me today. He wants to discuss things with the Blackwood Empire and the Sterling empire.”

“Uhm.” Thea said simply.

“And what are you doing here? Hoping to beg for alms from the Blackwood? Don't bother. I doubt he's willing to associate with the likes of you.”

Thea went silent, a look of confusion in her eyes. What the hell is he saying? Looking for alms? How?

She leans back, folding her arms. “I believe you have somewhere to be?”

“Actually..” he settles next to her across from the table with a rocky smile. “I have the whole day. The Mayqueen empire sees me as an asset and showing up late isn't a problem.”

Thea narrowed her eyes on him in disbelief, how cocky can this asshole get anyway?

“What are you really doing here?”

Thea chuckled, "I have to answer to you?”

“Yes. What do you think the security would do if they found out you're lurking around here aimlessly? They'd throw you out without a second thought.”

Thea rolls her eyes, could he get any worse?! What business of his is it that she was here. Besides, why the hell does he care what she's doing here anyway? And importantly, what business does he have with the Blackwood Empire?

“I'm here to see my husband.”

Runes chuckled in disbelief. “That nobody from last time? He works here?”

Thea frowned. "My husband is not a nobody."

Runes laughed, a loud, unpleasant sound that caused a few heads to turn.

"He is, Thea. Everyone knows he is. A man who got married to you hoping he would be able to squeen a few pennies out of you. I heard you had nothing in your name.”

“What?”

Runes leaned forward, his voice a low whisper. “I thought you would learn from what happened. Nobody wants you Thea, they want your money. But married a loser, a man who couldn't give you a penny even if he wanted to. It's a real shame.”

Thea stands on her feet, ready to leave. She won't sit here and let this bastard talk down at her like some self righteous nutcase!

“Or are you stalking me?” he asked.

“What?” Thea asked, a laugh of disbelief escaping her.

“See? I'm right. Come on Thea, I'm married to your sister now! Get over it!”

Thea scans the man, the more she crosses paths with him, the more thankful she got that she didn't end up with this loser. How could she have missed how terrible he was as a person?

Maybe it was fate.

“You think very highly of yourself, Runes Sterling.”

Runes smiles, adjusting his coat. “What can I say? I'm the most eligible bachelor in the country. “

Thea scoffed. “Sure. How could I ever forget, your royal highness?”

“You know, if you need help with money, you could just ask. I'm ready to help you. Besides, that's just the type of man I am. After this deal with the Mayqueen Empire, I will be swimming in money and you?” He shakes his head.

"Is that so?" she asked, arms folded. After the hit the Sterling empire took in the past few days, Mayqueen would be out of their bloody minds to patent with Runes.

"Oh yes." he said, his voice full of pride. “After everything you did to ruin my reputation online, none of it worked! Look at you, here to see your janitor for a husband. Where is he anyway?"

Thea clenched her fist, she knew she had the upper hand on this matter but he'll, Runes can be so condescending!

Runes gave a dramatic sigh and leaned back in his chair. "But I, on the other hand, am thriving. My company is about to be bigger than ever. You should have stayed with me, Thea. You would have been a part of it."

Thea did not respond. She just looked at him, a small, subtle smile on her face. Her calmness frustrated him. He was not getting the reaction he wanted.

"I have a new deal," he said, his voice a low boast. “A deal with the most powerful business in this country. The Mayqueen Empire. They are the best in the business. The number one. And they want to work with me. They want to partner with my company. They have seen the potential in me and they want a part of it."

Runes leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with pride. “We are signing the paperwork next week. My company is going to be bigger and stronger than ever. The world is going to know that I am the future. The King of Zean. And you… you will be nothing."

Thea’s smile widened, a real, satisfied expression now on her face.

"That's great, Runes," she said. "I'm very happy for you."

Her simple words seemed to confuse him. He had expected her to be upset. To be angry. To be sad. But she was none of those things. He was about to speak again but stopped himself. He did not get the reaction he wanted.

He stood up, a frustrated look on his face.

"You should be sad, Thea," he said, his voice low. "You are going to regret not being a part of my life. You will see. I am going to be the most powerful man in Zean. And you will be a nobody."

He walked away, leaving her sitting there. Thea watched him go. She looked at her phone again, at the red numbers on the screen.

Her eyes flickered back at him, a smirk dancing on her lips. If only Runes knew the current state of his so called company..