3- Vaughn

Vaughn

It's been two weeks of total confusion and two weeks of me walking on eggshells. I actually expected to see my name on TV. The news of me being exposed for what I revealed to that stranger that night, but none of that happened.

It was like that night never happened and to date, I've not heard from him. It's like he doesn't even exist. His words are still ringing in my head, him saying that he was going to see me soon. Why? And who is he? I've tried looking him up, a handsome man with an interesting scar, but I find nothing.

That early morning, I woke up still sitting in the same spot he left me. I was so damned embarrassed and I was very grateful that it was still kind of dark, unless people would have seen me. I rushed into my car and drove off. Taking something with me, his suit jacket.

I had it dry cleaned and it's still hanging in my room. I know he's rich. The jacket was a designer that literally cost millions, causing me to wonder more about his identity. I'm going to find him.

I check my schedule for the day and I realize that I'm supposed to go to the law firm. I'll be accompanying my supervisor to a court case today and I think I'm late. I rush into the bathroom, have a quick shower and just when I freshen up, I hear a knock on the door.

“Who?” I ask. Fixing the buttons on my shirt.

“Wren. Get your lazy ass out now. Do you know what the time is?” My sister's voice rings in my ears and I curse under my breath, before running out of the room.

I go outside to meet Wren, my elder sister standing by the door.

“If you have anything to say, start spilling. I have to run along. There is a court hearing today.” I inform her and she purses her lips meaningfully.

“I don't think that will be possible, Vaughn. You have to cancel immediately.” I frown at her words and I squint my eyes at her.

“What do you mean??”

“You’ve been running around too much these days and you don't even know what's going on in this house.” I exhale sharply. I know what's going on. And that's why I've been running around.

My father's law firm suffered a huge setback and he had a lot of losses. Lost his best lawyers and is currently owning a huge debt. This year has been the worst for my family and I've been running around for money. If Dad can clear the debt, he can hire good lawyers and get back to business.

The fact that I won Best Law Student of the Year means nothing. Our firm is still insignificant and we only get minor cases that pay less. Like the case I'm going for now.

“That's why I'm going with Zoey. We need the money.”

“You see! Dummy. Your little awards are not going to clear our debts, Vaughn. They keep stockpiling along with mom's medical bills.” That too. Fuck!!

“I'll think of something. Just give me some time. I will get us out of this mess.” My father used to be one of the most influential lawyers in the whole of London. But things started going bad for us at the beginning of this year. Mom got sick and Dad was accused of a scandal and was cancelled by the public.

“Maybe that will be when we are thrown out of this house and all our assets will be taken from us. Do you know Dad signed this house as collateral?” I already know that.

“Well, that's not why I came here. Dad has already found a solution.”

“And what's that?”

“He's been trying to look for money to borrow-”

“Again??” I interrupt her. We've not cleared previous debts and he's burrowing more, how will he fucking pay them back?

“This time is different. It's a really huge sum and Dad plans to use it to pay off his debts and restore the law firm. After that, he will start paying back.”

“I don't know much, but I know it's a young man. And he's coming today. He wants to have a meeting with Dad as they sign the final deal. And he requested for the whole family to be present. That's why you're not leaving the house today. Come downstairs.” I frown. My dad can focus on his means of making money and I will focus on mine.

But I don't complain. I never do. I never argue with people and just agree with them.

“Wren—”

“Don't argue. Come downstairs.”

I sigh, “And who's this man?” I ask tired as we both head downstairs.

“I only know little about him. He's young, rich and belongs to the mafia.” She whispers the last words in my ears and I pause in my tracks. The mafia? Why would Dad want to borrow money from a member of the mafia from all people?

“Don't stop. Keep walking.” Wren tugs me and she begins to drag me. As we approach downstairs, I can see the multiple guards dressed in black suits, surrounding our huge sitting room. These are not my father's guards.

Seeing guards makes me even more curious as I wonder who exactly this man is. And why the mafia?

We finally come down the stairs and my eyes fall on my father speaking to a man. The moment they hear footsteps, they both lift their heads from the papers they were looking at.

And it feels like my breath has been knocked out of me when a pair of unfeeling onyx eyes lands on me.

“He is so handsome.” Wren giggles excitedly and I don't say anything as I just stare into his eyes back. Shock and confusion written in my eyes.

Why is he in my house? It's the handsome from that night. In my house, in my sitting room, sitting with my father.

“Meet my kids, Vaughn and Wren. They are here like you requested.” Dad says and while Wren Blushes as she stares at the man, I feel a sense of doom.