Chapter 5

Tristan

I stare at the numerous faces across the board table. Each one of them looks terrified and curious at the same time. It is amusing to me really. They all look like they have something to say, but fear of the uncertain has them as quiet as a lost puppy. The only person who does not look terrified is sitting right next to me. Shane McCall. My friend and business associate.

He is the reason I was able to take over half of the company, The infamous Buckley enterprise. Two years ago, I went to him and asked him to infiltrate the company for me. I knew that David Buckley would rather die than sell his company’s shares to me, so I sent someone else instead. Shane is a well-known international investor. I knew David Buckley wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to have him as a major shareholder. Unknown to him, David has been working for me. He collected the majority of the company’s shares on my behalf and now, more than half of Buckley enterprise belongs to me.

I smile at the people looking at me with fear and curiosity in their eyes. The feeling of satisfaction settles deep inside me. One of my goals from three years ago was to get payback from the Buckley family. Not because Samantha Buckley dumped me after her snobby sister convinced her to, but because they stole from me. They took advantage of my inexperience and unfavorable situation. They almost led me to suicide, but I was determined not to give up. I made up my mind that I will get my revenge on them even if it is the last thing I do before leaving this world. I went through so much, did things that would have been impossible for the normal average human to do, just to get to where I am.

My family was never poor, but we never had a taste of luxury the way we do now. I know without a doubt that most of these men sitting here, looking at me like I am some alien, consider me an outcast. Not worthy of being a member of the elite community only because I do not come from old money. Only one thing will make these people give me the respect I deserve. And I know what it is.

I raise my head as Carla, my assistant, hurries into the board room, her expression looking scared and worried.

“Sir… sorry to disturb you sir, Miss Buckley is asking to see you, sir. She insists she won’t leave until she gets an audience with you sir. She’s making quite a scene outside. I’m sorry sir…”

A small smirk curves my lips at my assistant’s words. Finally. Just who I’ve been waiting for. I hate that I didn’t get to see the look of pure shock on her face when she heard the news. I need to revel in it.

“Let her in.” My voice is cool, devoid of the wicked excitement I am feeling inside.

Carla nods and walks out of the board room. A moment later, the doors burst open and she walks in. Just exactly how I imagine. Zaria Buckley. The woman I’ve been dreaming of seeing for years. One would think I am in love with her with the way I’m smiling at her as she slowly walks in, her eyes wide with fear and anger. But no, I am smiling because I finally have her just where I want her. At my mercy.

“I have been expecting your visit, Miss Buckley. Welcome, please, do take a seat. I was just about to address the board members.” My voice is firm but I don’t hide the amusement in it. I can see the frustration in her gaze as she glares at me. She looks like she has so much to say but she knows she cannot do it in front of her father’s investors and shareholders. 

“I need to speak with you in private.”

“We are about to have an important meeting. One which is important for you or Mr Buckley to be part of. So can we have this private conversation later?” I dip my head, waiting for her response as she stares at me, not backing down. I take the opportunity to study her properly. Her face still looks as lovely as the last time I see her with her sister. Even a blind man would attest to her beauty. Her fair skin has this natural shine that can be noticed from miles away. There is little to no makeup on her heart-shaped face. Even from here, I can see she has tiny freckles scattered across her rosy cheeks which makes her even more unbelievably beautiful. My eyes unconsciously trail down her body and I feel my lower body instantly tighten. Even through the baggy shirt, you can see the hint of a tiny waist that flares down to the widest hips I have seen in a while. The woman is damn beautiful and she knows it. You cannot have a body like that and not feel overly special and arrogant.

My gaze returns to her face and I can see the confusion in her gaze. She caught me watching. And it definitely affects her. Good. I smile at her then pat the seat closer to me. She watches me carefully before slowly sitting down, clutching her bag tightly in front of her as if the thing can protect her from me. No one will protect you from me, little brat. You’ve fallen into my trap and I won’t let you go until I’ve stripped you of your confidence and fire. You’re mine to do with as I please. You just don’t know it yet.

I don’t say those words out loud but the way she watches me with terror tells me she knows exactly what I’m thinking. I smirk and finally turn to the people seated.

“Hello everyone, I’m Tristan King and I’m the new major holder of the Buckley company.” I don’t wait to listen to their murmurs as I continue smoothly. “My purpose here is simple. To reshape the dynamics of Buckley Enterprise and implement new ideas. For the longest time, I have been interested in working with Mr David himself, but he wasn’t forthcoming. That is why I had my friend here, Shane McCall, reach out to the company and buy the shares on my behalf. So, I am happy to announce to you that starting from today, I am the new CEO of Buckley enterprise.”

Everyone at the table claps after my speech, except one person of course. I glance at Zaria and find her glaring daggers at me. I fight the urge to smile. Fuck, I’m enjoying this a little too much. I wait for anybody to say something or counter my words, but no one says a word. Not even the proclaimed fiery princess herself.

I can’t deny that I feel incredibly good. It had seemed impossible to be here a few years ago. David Buckley felt untouchable. His reputation of getting his hands in illegal stuff all around the world made him scarier than the devil. But now, the devil is nowhere to be found, no doubt cowering in shame, hiding in his room while he sends his young daughter to collect the embarrassment on his behalf. What a joke of a man.

“If that would be all, you may all excuse me. A mail has been sent to everyone’s address and I expect them to be confirmed and signed soonest. Thank you so much for your time.” I conclude. I stand up and walk out of the board room as soon as the meeting ends with Shane strolling beside me. I’m just about to step into my new office when I notice a woman running up to me. I recognize her as one of the board members. I’m not sure of her name though.

“Mr Tristan! A moment please!” the woman calls out, her tiny voice filling the hallway. I stop and wait for her to reach me.

“I’ll be waiting in your office while you talk to your… new partners.” Shane comments amusingly and leaves me alone with the woman. She is wearing a tight short skirt that shows off her long legs. She’s a very pretty woman. I wonder what she wants to tell me now. I have made everything clear during the board meeting.

“Hi, Mr Tristan. How are you?”

My eyes narrow at her. “I’m good, thank you. Miss…?”

“Please, call me Kris. Kristina in full, but my close friends call me Kris,” she chirps, fluttering her eyelashes like something is stuck in them. I hold back a sigh. My irritation grows by the second. What exactly does this woman want? “So, Miss Kristina, how may I help you?”

“Oh, well… I was just wondering if you’re seeing anyone. I really like you and I’d love if we could maybe go on a—”

She’s still rambling when someone else cuts her off.

“Excuse me, Kris, but I’m afraid I have to interrupt your discussion.”

Zaria’s soft voice slices cleanly into the space as she steps between us, positioning herself directly in front of me. Her eyes blaze with anger. If I didn’t despise her with every fiber of my being, I might actually find her attractive. What’s so special about her anyway?

Don’t lie to yourself, Tristan. I silence the wayward thought and focus on the furious woman in front of me.

“We need to speak in private, Mr. King. Now.”

Kristina turns to glare at Zaria. “Didn’t you see that I was speaking to him before—”

“I’m sorry, Kristina,” I cut in sharply, “but I simply can’t refuse the daughter of the former CEO’s request to talk to me in private. We’ll continue this another time, yes?”

Kristina’s fake smile wavers before she nods reluctantly and turns away, though not without shooting Zaria a filthy glare. I almost laugh. Women are truly fascinating creatures.

“So, how may I help you, heiress?” I ask the moment we walk into the privacy of my office. Thankfully Shane has given me the privacy he knows I need by staying in the waiting room of my office.

I study the woman in front of me. She looks like she is about to spit fire any moment now. Her cheeks are flushed pink and her eyes are wide as saucers and I don’t fail to notice her fisted hands. I wonder what is going on in her pretty head at that moment. Something that has to do with me being dead, I suppose.

“Why are you doing this?” Her voice is cool but I can hear a tinge of frustration. Confusion too. A small smirk curves my mouth at her question. Of course I expected her to ask stupid questions like this as if she isn’t one of the reasons why we are here in this particular moment together.

“What exactly am I doing, Miss Buckley?”

“You know what I’m talking about! Why did you target my father’s company? What do you want with my family? What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? Simple. I’m here to take back what belongs to me. I’m here to show the Buckley family that they are nothing and I’m here to take ownership of everything you love and hold dear. Is that explanation enough for you?”

My voice drips with venom as I wait for her to take my words in.

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