C4 Four

Tyler’s POV

I watched her go and I felt more angry than I had ever let myself be in a long while. I knew how to manage her well, but I couldn’t fathom why a stubborn staff member was getting this huge reaction from me.

I struggled to put my emotions in check as I dealt with the reality that no lady that was not my mother had ever spoken to me in that shrewd and condescending tone, not even Rose -my fiancée- and this lady, this goddess-like lady had just done that.

I knew at that moment that I had met a different kind of force to be reckoned with, not the kind that was my fiancée, just a more stable force, a more attractive one that I greedily wanted for myself.

I busied myself with a lone game of chess while I waited.

“It took you five years to destroy my bar, you just did it in a slower and unnoticeable manner,” I said as I heard Nikos approach me, settling on the chair opposite. I didn’t bother to look up at him, but I knew he had that remorseful look he always carried in handy.

The one that suggested he was going to do better, but the thing is, he never actually did better.

I played with my ring as I allowed him to prattle on and on, his bucket of flimsy excuses never failing to go dry. “Listen, boss, about the cheap alcohol, it was a huge mistake from the dealer's end, I made sure I paid well.”

“I knew you would say that because I’ve heard that excuse before Nikos. Do you have something else, something new?” I asked him and waited for a response when there was none, I nodded and continued. “Well I guessed so, I called Rivera's winehouse and asked them for the transaction they received from Sky’s and the invoice I received doesn’t add up.”

“I swear, maybe it was a mistake. You gotta believe me Ty, we know from way back!” Nikos resorted to pleading, using his usual lines. I was disappointed, the least he could have done was to deny the allegations, now I had no other choice but to reduce him to a mere butler position.

“Should I just fire you?”

He was silent, looking at me with a wariness I was sure was going to turn rabid at any second, he turned red when he noticed I was serious with the question.

“Is that even on your list of options? You’re going to fire me?” He said, yelling now.

“It will be embarrassing if I have to call security to take the ex-manager out of his former domain, maintain your calm,” I said to him, and I saw him explode right in front of me.

I didn’t know which of the situations had prodded this reaction, was it my mother’s unnecessary interference or the review from the critique, I knew the possibility of it being the newest employee was also on the table.

“F**k you Tyler!” He cussed, “I will get you for this, I know all your shits! I will get back at you, punk a**!” He yelled and I looked at him like he had gone mad.

“You’re fraudulent Nikolai,” I said softly as I picked up the bishop from the chessboard in the center of the table.

He stared at me with rage and shook his head.

“I swear on my life you are going to pay for this.” He said and stormed off.

I knew of all the money he had smuggled, millions, hundreds of thousands, and I was assured he was going to be alright, he had been a smart thief but a bad business manager.

I couldn’t keep him as a business manager, which meant he wouldn’t remain friends with me. I was okay with that. He hadn’t been much use.

My eyes clapped on the new employee and I removed my eyes immediately, she was serving a table and her attractive back swished as she moved graciously from table to table, there was more to her, I was going to uncover it all layer by layer.

********

It was an annual tradition to celebrate major signings and the anniversary of the Nelson franchise. My mother was at her best, alongside Rose, they had organized an impeccable party as usual.

Elise replaced Nikos as manager of Sky and the staff were over tonight to wait on the guests here. We had chosen the branch’s largest hotel in New York to have the party.

I stood at the head of the table in the large hall and watched as members of the elites waltzed gracefully around the massive hall, exchanging pleasantries and sharing dry jokes. My mother walked over to me with a flute of champagne in her hands and Rose in tow.

“Tyler,” my mum’s cold as-ice voice called out to me and I smiled at her, the most fake one I could muster. “why aren’t you interacting with the guests?”

“I have greeted everyone I should,” I argued and she scoffed.

“Rose has been very useful tonight. I did tell you she was a perfect bride for you didn’t I?” My mother asked, the look of pride not absent from her cocky expression.

“I appreciate your choice,” I lied and swept my eyes over to look at my ‘wife-to-be’. She had been my birthday present, and a psychopath one at that.

“Tyler is most kind to me,” Rose said blatantly and I wondered where the lie had come from. We never had a civil conversation that didn't lead to arguments, just sex, and a toxic friendship.

“I guess mother does know best.” My mother smiled and I watched in utter disbelief as they both walked away.

I wondered how she managed to be a sweetheart with my mother and the absolute monster with me, always throwing tantrums.

“What the heck,” I sighed as I grabbed a champagne from Alonso, I needed air and I was going to get it. I had spent most of the earlier hours of the evening greeting and faking smiles, what was expected from me was the toast and I still had enough time before then.

I walked out towards the balcony, away from the glittery decor, I knew I was high because the drink had been a coping mechanism for me throughout the night, taking a sip when the conversation went in ways I didn’t enjoy.

“Shit, look where you’re going!” A soft voice yelped as I stepped out on the balcony and rammed into them. I moved back to gather myself and held on to the door frame before looking up to see who I had bumped into.

At first, her face was a little unclear but on closer look I saw that it was the blonde goddess from Sky’s, I was drunk and the next thing that came out of my mouth was cringe, even to me.

“Rude one!”

She looked at me with horror before moving farther into the wide balcony allowing a distance between us. I stared at her with intensity as I drew closer to her.

“Hello,” she muttered under her breath and my eyes narrowed in surprise.

“I should have known you were inadequate. A girl as perfect as you has to have a flaw, you’re already taking a break and the evening is barely started.” I challenged and I watched as she raised her perfectly arched brow in question.

“Allow me to say that you’re also out here and you’re supposed to be the host.” She responded, the sting I had heard a lot of the last time was missing from her voice.

I bent to her height and tilted her jaw so she was looking clearly at me, our faces were close enough for a lip lock to occur but that was going to come a little later.

“Elsa,” I whispered as I slipped a lock of her stray hair behind her ears, I heard her suck in a breath. “Who are you?”

She hesitated before her soft-looking lips upturned in a frown, maybe it was the drink talking but she looked a little vulnerable before her poker face returned.

“What does that even mean?” She asked me, and I brought my face closer to hers, I could scent her and she smelled glorious.

“It means you’re the most intriguing person I’ve ever met,” I muttered, her lips slightly parted. I wanted them on mine.

I could feel the tension bubbling in her as my fingers trailed up her hair skin, maybe because I felt it too, and at that moment I wanted nothing but to hold her in my arms.

A sharp intake of breath followed by my name being called by a familiar voice, brought me back to reality and I turned.

Standing at the door was Rose with a glass of wine in her hand, and a shocked look on her face.