Daniel's POV
Throughout our ride to the airport, Annabel remained silent. I wanted her to understand the reasons why we could not fund Lucian's app.
It was not jealousy.
I mean, yes. The sight of her clinging to Lucian always stirs a storm in me.
But I am a man of professionalism. I don't mix business with desire. I suffered way too much before I got to this stage of my career.
If Lucian's app idea was better than Annabel's, I would have picked him.
When we got to the airport, Diho was already waiting for us.
My gaze shifted to Annabel, who stood beside me, lost in her thoughts.
I tilted my head sideways, close enough so she could hear me.
"Annie, I know you're angry at me, but please, you have to keep a good energy on this trip. You wouldn't want our investors to see you like this."
To my surprise, she said something completely different.
Her eyes widened, amazed. She opened her mouth to speak, but her lips pressed into a thin line, probably finding a better word for whatever she was about to say.
"Mr. Stroke, who exactly are you…?" Her eyes fixed on the jet parked across from us as she read out the bold lettering on it. "Dan Stroke."
Then she turned to me for the first time. "How rich are you? How can you have a whole private jet and still act like it's nothing?"
I rolled my eyes in a proud way.
"Well, this is nothing."
She scoffed. "Did I hear you say that a damn private jet is nothing?"
She lowered her gaze at me. "Tell me, are you into hard drugs?"
A mix of surprise and laughter flashed across my face. "Annabel, we need to go in now."
She couldn't look away. A quiet gasp slipped past her lips as she walked beside me, her eyes still darting around the huge jet.
We got to the villa suite where Cassian had arranged the meeting.
Typical Cassian, his high taste for luxury never ceases to amaze me. There's no doubt I'm doing better than him in the tech world.
But his extravagant lifestyle would make anyone outside our circle think otherwise.
The villa suite feels secluded, even though it's part of a resort. Coastal cliffs, tropical gardens, mountain views, and an overlook of a glittering city skyline.
Everything felt as though he had built this place to live in forever. But what baffles me is that he barely stays here. The only time he uses it is to host a business proposal.
We reached the layout, and that was when my eyes finally found Annabel again, she was staring around in awe.
With a brisk tone, I said, "Annabel, I don't think we'll be having much time here. I'll be busy all the time. So, I want you to feel relaxed, rest a bit, and get ready. Our investors will be arriving soon for dinner."
Her eyes kept wandering around the room. "Okay, Mr. Stroke."
I scoffed.
Mr. Stroke?
I just don't liked her being formal around me.
I dipped my hand into my pocket and moved closer swiftly, covering the distance between us.
"Annabel, just feel free here. We're no longer in the office."
Her lips curled into a knowing smirk. "So… what are you trying to insinuate?"
"Just call me Daniel."
She gave me a faint smile. "Fine… Daniel."
My brow eased. "Good." I turned to leave but stopped halfway.
"Lest I forget, I'll message you when to get ready. You might not see me around here again except for dinner."
She lowered her head, maybe disappointed. "Okay."
Then I stepped an inch closer, tilting my head. "Annabel, please don't mess this up. This might be your best opportunity to get your big dream together. I want your speech to be outstanding."
"The company is counting on you," I added.
She smiled softly. "I will give everything it takes."
Just the assurance I needed.
I left and went in search of Cassian.
I arrived at the room he had directed me to earlier when I phoned him.
And there he was, my old-time friend.
We've been through tough times. We worked together, shared the same pain, laughed together, and now we're both doing well.
I opened the door, and his face lit up immediately.
"Daniel Stroke," he said proudly, coming closer.
"Cassian Lawson."
Our voices echoed through the room as we embraced tightly, laughing nonstop.
He gestured to a seat beside him, and we kept reminiscing about old times.
Not long after, the room door opened, and in walked the last person I ever wished to see again.
James Williams.
Son of my father's mistress.
Just seeing him triggered the pain I'd kept buried for years.
The memory of catching my father and his mother together in bed flashed through my mind.
That day, I wanted to hide everything from my mother.
But it was as if someone had already told her to come see for herself.
The way she cried bitterly, yet my father felt no remorse. He simply said that Cassian's mother was lonely after her husband's death, and he decided to comfort her.
The most pathetic excuse I've ever heard.
We had taken Cassian and his mother as family. He was like a younger brother I never had.
My mother made sure his mom never felt lonely after losing her husband.
And her payback was to sleep with my father.
I watched my mother be heartbroken for a lifetime. That's why I'm scared her new marriage might not work out.
What if she gets her heart broken again?
What if the new man leaves, just like my father did?
I never understood why my father left until I grew up.
He'd been having a secret affair with Cassian's mother because her husband had left her a large inheritance.
As the gold digger he was, he pursued her. And after their nasty affair was revealed, my father followed her, but she discovered his intentions and broke up with him.
Since then, I've never seen my father. I wonder where he is now.
Well, I don't give a damn anymore.
My hands curled into fists. The air felt heavier, like I was about to choke. My pulse pounded in my ears as I gripped the edge of the dining table, fighting the urge to stand up and tear James apart.
"Ah… brotherly," his voice came from the entrance, mocking, as he stepped inside toward me.
My eyes burned, and I could feel my veins popping.
"Stop!" I yelled, halting him in his tracks.
I turned to Cassian. "Was this part of your plan?" Without waiting for his answer, "How on earth did you plan this without telling me you'd be inviting him?"
Cassian moved closer, stroking my shoulder gently. "Daniel, I only thought it would be for the best if you reconnected. Besides, he's playing a huge role in this project too."
I stood up with force, the chair toppling behind me.
"You see this?" I shifted my eyes from Cassian to James and back again. "I'm fucking out!" I barked.
I made to leave, but Cassian held me back.
"Daniel, it's been eighteen years. You can't remain angry forever.
Besides, we can't risk losing our investors because of the grudge you have against James. Think of your employees who are counting on you, and think of the young creator you flew all the way from New York. You can't afford to turn them down."
Fuck.
He's right.
As much as I don't want to see James' face, I can't let Annabel feel like I purposely sabotaged this project.
I eased my shoulders, my jaw clenched. "Just make sure he avoids me the whole time."
Cassian threw his hands in the air. "Alright, sir," he replied sarcastically.