(Colton Cypraes)
'I'm finally gonna meet him. From the brief description, he seems like one of those uncultured mutts. Why did they have to partner with us? There are far more people and companies that would work with them. I only have a name and a blurred photo; all the private investigators I've hired to find out anything about him return with their tails between their legs. Not even my most trusted people could find anything about him. I have to meet this bastard. My anger is boiling over. He never appears in the media, it's as if he's a ghost.' My thoughts are circling, at this rate, I might burst a vein. I set my drink on the table in my office. It's not too early to drink for me anyway.
Staring at my city through my office window seems euphoric. I swore never to set foot in this cursed place, but here I am. I couldn't even stay away.
"Mr. Cypraes, they have arrived."Julie, my assistant, informs me.
"I'll be right there." Sensing my rage, Julie quickly walks out of my office.
Each step I take seems grand, like I'm finally going to be face-to-face with my mortal enemy, whom I've never even met or seen a single picture of him. His online accounts only have books and food, not even a small picture of him.
I quickly spot a man with short black hair, the same height as me, with a lean build, he's in a blue tailored suit, by the looks of it, it's a brand. Who's he trying to impress? This is going to be interesting. I can't hide the smirk forming on my face. As I push the glass door open to the meeting room. I spot them. The Moonlight company. They mainly deal with restaurants and things to do with food, they're well known. They are the best at what they do. They even have cafes. This is a multi-million dollar partnership with them, but I couldn't care less. Everyone in the conference room stands to greet me as they should.
"Sir," Julie interrupts my monologue, "they are representatives from the Moonlight company, this is...."
I don't let her finish, I extend my hands. This guy just grabs it and shakes it.
"It's a pleasure to be working with you. I've heard so much about you. I'm..." I don't let him finish, I put pressure on my hands, holding his hands firmly.
"I know who you are." My tone is flat, my displeasure displayed on my face.
"You must be the famous, Mr. Ligh, IT'S. INDEED. PLEASURE. TO. FINALLY. PUT. THE. NAME.TO.THE.FACE." Everyone in the room falls quiet, even my secretary seems a little on edge by my little show of power.' I'm gonna enjoy eating you alive.'
" I'm sorry you're a little mistaken." He deadpans. " Mr Ligh is yet to grace us with his presence." He lets out a sigh as if this isn't the first time this has happened.
"There he is." He sighs again. I turn my head around to finally meet the bastard.
" What the fuck!" Everyone looks at me as if I've grown a third head. Maybe I have. Because what the hell? Who? What?.
" Umm...is this the meeting room? Sorry for being late." He addresses me. I hate it. I hate him.
"Mr Cypraes, meet the famous Ligh." The other one finally says. I look at him, and he offers a small smug look. " I'm Jake Sanderson, the team leader. I'll be representing the Moonlight company. Mr Midnight is here to make sure we don't make a mistake."
I bite back my comeback because I think I've just embarrassed myself. Even my secretary is feeling sorry for me. Her demeanor says it all. Great first-time impression.
" Did I miss something?" he finally speaks again. This guy is Ligh? I need to pull myself together. I quickly glance at him, he's not even in a suit, I mean, it's a black shirt with a little cat on the side, he's wearing black trousers, so that's something, his shoes, though, are very distracting, who wears rainbow colored shoes? Technically, it isn't rainbow-coloured. It's just.....
" Mr. Ligh, don't be late again, this is a very important meeting." He just stares at me as if I'm a foreign creature. He then turns to my secretary and whispers to her.
"How do you cope with him? You know what not to answer, it might get you in trouble." Did he just shrug at me? This idiot just disrespected me in my own company. Of course, I never voice out my irritation, but my face doesn't do so much.
Clearing my throat, "Let's get to business."
During the meeting, I can't help but glance at my wristwatch. This is torture. I look at Ligh, who's so engrossed in the presentation my team has drafted. I can't help but smile. His focus is top-notch in every detail he's asked questions regarding it, but why do I feel like this? I just realized people are staring at me. I'm still smiling, and Midnight is looking straight at me.
" What's your take? Mr Colton," he looks at me while pointing to a kids' section on the draft displayed on the screen, "regarding protecting the kids when they are left alone to play in that area."
"Well, we could have guards to protect them, we could also change it a little bit to include a section where you must have a card for identification, we could also include a security detail to guard them so that only the guardians who dropped their kids are the ones allowed to take them."
"I'd like that, thank you. I guess that will also be included in the final draft."
After the meeting ends. I don't stay long enough to become acquainted with anyone, especially not him. Julie can't keep up with me. I walk fast while loosening my tie. I need a drink and fast. I open my little cabinet and pour myself whiskey. God, I needed it. My heart is still thumping faster.
What is this scary feeling? Am I having a heart attack? I'm pretty sure. I need to get checked by a doctor.
My trains of thought are interrupted by a knock on my office door, though it's made of tinted glass, I can still make out that the figure is that of a male, but damn it's curved nicely. Just the way I like it. I can't wait to see this person.
"You may enter." He walks in. Fuck! How can one person make me feel like my heart is going to explode and yet despise at the same time?
"Mr Ligh, what can I do for you?" My voice is laced with venom even though my heart seems weird.
"Please call me Ligh, calling me Mr makes me feel like I'm old."
I raise an eyebrow because why are you telling me this? He continues.
" I just wanted to apologize for my earlier behavior. Also for coming late. I was a little busy. I hope we can work out being acquainted. If you'd like that."
I'm not going to miss this opportunity. I've been waiting for a chance like this. This clueless person just brought itself to its predator.
"Of course," I extended my arm, " I'm looking forward to working with you." He looks skeptical, but I smile, and he offers a faint smile. I inhale sharply because why?
Plum blossom, my office now smells like plum blossom, and it brings a calming wave with it. What type of cologne is that? He already left my office, but it smells just like him. Plum blossom, it's not strong nor is it weak, it's just the right amount. This is going to be hard.
Ligh, I wonder how he'll feel under my touch, holding him beneath me. Would he taste like plum blossoms? His hair it's curly. How will it feel on my fingers when I touch them? He's perfect for me. I can't have him. I'm supposed to hate him. He's supposed to pay for what he did. I'll make sure he does, but why am I hesitating?
It's been 5 years. But I still can't let it go. He brought this on himself, but why, when I looked at him, he looks so innocent? I want to corrupt him. Shit! I need to go home and have a long, cold bath. I can't indulge myself too much. It's his fault.