Chapter 3 - Niccola Fairchild

Niccola Fairchild POV

“That fucking weasel,” I say as I enter my office, followed by Steph. I shake my head, allowing a single tear to roll down my cheek. I immediately clean it with the sleeve of my blouse as I pace my office from side to side, not being able to think or process what just happened.

“I don’t understand. What is she getting out of this?” Steph asks as she leans against the door with her arms crossed in front of her chest, and I shake my head, way too angry to speak.

I haven’t seen my mother for over ten years, and suddenly she appears out of thin fucking air demanding that I work for her? Hell no. I am not going to allow this to happen. “Control,” I let out through gritted teeth.

“What?” Steph asks as she frowns, moving from the door and standing in front of me with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

“Control, she thinks she can control me,” I say, and Steph lets out the loudest laugh I have ever heard coming out of her mouth.

“Has she even met you?” She says sarcastically as she raises both her eyebrows, shaking her head.

“We need to get out of this contract.” I let out, and Steph closes her eyes before they meet mine once more. Steph nods, walking to my desk and opening the files on my desktop where the contracts are. “I’ll send these to Legal,” Steph adds as I nod.

“I am sorry, there’s no way I can get you out of this contract without making some serious damage to your image or worse, your bank accounts,” Luna says, and I shake my head.

“How much?” Steph asks as she stares at Luna, who bites her lower lip slightly, reading the contract again.

“More than you have in your accounts, this would ruin you. But…” Luna says, and I cross my arms, turning my back to her as I look out of the window. I know exactly what she is going to say. My mother is the queen of manipulation…

“Yes?” Steph says, and I let out an exasperated breath as I spin, staring at my best friend and our lawyer.

“If we do this, we will get recognition and money, a lot more people will know who we are, and we will be booked solid for…. Forever,” I say, and Luna nods, and I close my eyes, trying to control my own emotions. Having my mother’s last name never opened any doors for me. I always said I was not that Fairchild, and it seems like my lie is catching up to me.

“Miss Fairchild,” I hear someone say as the Limo door opens, and I nod, getting out of the car. I stare at the building in front of me, and my stomach twists and turns. The building I used to run in the corridors. The building in which my father died.

“Oh wow,” Steph says as she looks up at the mirrored building and wraps one arm around my shoulder. “Let’s get this over with,” she says, and I let out a breath, shaking my head and taking a step away from my best friend.

“I think I’m gonna need a couple of hours,” I say as Steph frowns, staring at me. “I’ll see you at dinner.” I let out, turning around and pulling the zipper of my leather jacket up.

“Hey, where are you going?” Steph shouts, and I give her a wave without looking back. I haven’t been in New York for what? Fifteen years? I didn’t think I would ever have to be back in the city. People can’t blame me for needing a couple of hours to get through this. The next month is going to be the worst month of my life. I can already feel it.

After walking aimlessly, I enter a small bar. I look around, and it seems like one of those bars no one would like to be caught dead inside. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding as I walk to the bar and pull the stool to sit.

“What can I get you?” The bartender asks, and I look at him.

“The strongest stuff you’ve got,” I let out, and he nods, turning his back to me and walking towards the top shelf. Immediately after, he places a glass in front of me and pours a golden liquid inside. The smell immediately hits my nostrils, and my stomach turns.

“Keep them coming I let out after downing the first glass, and the man raises both his brows as he smiles.”

“Tough day?” He asks, and I laugh.

“You have no idea,” I say as he pours another one, and I empty it in seconds. I look around the bar and notice the only other person in the bar. A man sitting in the booth right at the end, cradling a glass between his long fingers. He raises his glass at me as he stares me down, and I raise mine before emptying it one more time and closing my eyes, enjoying the burn.

I stand, grab my bottle, and walk to the guy. “Mind if I join you?” I ask, as he looks at me with the brightest blue eyes I have ever seen in my life.

“Sure,” he says, nodding at the booth, and I slide to sit in front of him, placing my bottle on the table. Misery loves company after all. I look at the guy trying to read him, but I can’t. It’s like he has a mask on, not letting anyone through.

We sit in silence for a while, just enjoying each other’s company, staring at each other, drinking. Clearing my throat, I stand and walk to the jukebox next to us, and as I inspect the options, I feel his hands on my waist, and I close my eyes, feeling the warmth as I slide the coin into the machine.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Maps starts playing, and my misery company pulls me to him as we sway to the music. My back pressed to his front while his fingers dug into my hips. With one swift movement, he spins me around, and his lips collide with mine. His kiss is hungry but precise, as if he would never lose control.