CHAPTER 4: HAUNTED

ADAM

I stare at the ocean view as my lawyer Antonio reads the contents of the merger documents.

“It's a really good deal Adam, you should sign. You both have controlling shares and he'll be taking a step back from the CEO position which leaves you to make that choice on behalf of the company.” 

I have known Antonio Guerrera ever since I was a boy, he was my father's lawyer and after he passed he became mine. He has always had a sense of loyalty to my family and we have always reciprocated that as well. As bad as I may seem, I always appreciate loyalty. 

I turn to face him while his nose is still buried in the documents “but it also states he'll personally handpick someone he trusts to be in charge of his own share. Last time I checked he has no family to succeed him.” 

Over the years, I have aimed at the expansion of The Knights Hotel. We have a chain of hotels around the continent. But having a hotel in California has proven more difficult than I thought. I did a proper research of all the hotels here in California and most were acquired through mergers. Golden Rose hotel is the most profitable hotel during all seasons of the year. I know that because I've been investigating them for a year before I made a move. Though, it needs a lot of work on their facilities and upgrading them to the latest technology, but that has never stopped them from generating an impressive revenue. 

“I know you're used to big corporations like this being passed down from generation to generation but it isn't always like that. Sometimes, they choose someone they trust completely that'll keep their legacy safe. That's really all that matters in this case, don't you think?” He gets up and walks over to the balcony joining me to stare at the ocean. “This place is beautiful. He did a great job with the landscape. I'm the right person to tell you that cause I've seen numerous hotels and this one blows me away.” 

“So you're suggesting to me that, this is way better than my hotel?” I ask cocking an eyebrow.

He hesitates for a second before answering, “Actually, yes. And that is why I suggested the hotel to you in the first place.” I rolled my eyes to him in response. 

According to Antonio, there's something about this place that captivates one's heart. I have to take it from him cause one thing everyone knows about Antonio is he is a sucker for romance. The only use my heart is of to me is for pumping blood to my blood streams. 

I never really had a romantic life after her. I still remember everything about her. Her laugh, her smile, her quirky smirk whenever she's up to something mischievous. I have tried for years to forget about her completely, but the harder I try the harder it becomes. She invades my dreams, my thoughts, my head. Fuck, just staring at the sea and I'm reminded of her cause it's the exact shade of her eyes. Even after five years, she haunts me still. She has ruined me for anyone.

“Adam, are you alright?” Antonio gazes at me with a worried look. 

“I'm fine. I'll sign the papers once I go over them personally”.

“I know.” He chuckles, “I would be worried if you didn't.” He taps my shoulders and begins to pack up his briefcase. “Now, I hate to leave you this early but my work here is done and I have to go enjoy this beautiful resort and a few pussies before heading home.” He winks at me. 

“Remind me your age again?” I ask. 

“I'm fifty seven and counting. When you are as old as I am you begin to appreciate life more and the beautiful gifts it provides. Also, it allows me to have a clear head and a clear mind. I would like you to request that some ladies be brought to your room. You look like you need this more than I do, you're looking so stressed out. When was the last time you dated someone?”

“I'm good. I have other ways to release my stress. Plus we're in the middle of a merger, I love to keep my head purely in the game.”

“Okay… if you say so.” He puts his hands up like a surrender. Antonio has always been like this, very playful. Only those close to him get to see this side but he's still one of the best lawyers in America. His ruthlessness is what my father saw and hired him in the first place.

“Be careful. I don't want my lawyer having a heart attack in the middle of a negotiation or worse.”

“I got you boss.” He chuckles 

I respond with a wry smile while he walks out. 

I turn around to stare back at the sparkling gray ocean. 

Five Years Ago

“I didn't do it Adam. Please believe me. I would never do such a thing to you.” My cheating whore of a wife cries out. Normally, those tears would strike a deep clenching pain in my gut but now, finally discovering her for who she is, I feel nothing. 

“I had those pictures checked if they were photoshopped the moment I set my eyes on them. They're very much real Claire”, I down the rest of my whiskey I had in my hands ignoring the burning sensation in my throat. “This is your ex, isn't that right?” It really hurts to look at this picture. “This is you hugging him, no?” I hold the picture up for her to see, “and here is you kissing him. You can't see his face clearly for the obvious reason that his face is buried on yours but you can see his tattoo, clearly identifying him.” 

I was ready to give her the world, I put her first in everything and that still wasn't enough for her. “I'm an idiot,” I murmured, staring into her eyes one more time feeling more broken than ever. “I never want to see you again. Get out of my house” I say quietly. 

“Adam, I don't know who's behind this or what they stand to gain from it but I need you to remember the promise you made to me. I need you to trust me and know that I'm telling the truth.” She walks a step closer, “I didn't do this!” 

I turn my back against her and pour myself another shot and take it in a single gulp. “Those promises were made by a fucking idiot to a cheap slut. Now, see yourself out of my property.” The eerily quiet room is filled with her silent sobs. I can feel her eyes burning a hole in my back but I'm too numb to feel a thing. I could feel her retreating from me. My heart aches for her to stay but my head is in charge right now.“Tell Sophia she is fired for letting you in”.

“Come on, let's go.” I hear John say to Claire. After I feel her gone, I grab the whiskey bottle to my chest as I land on the floor. I know you can't drink away your problems but fuck, I can definitely try.

Present Day

I mildly shake my head as my thoughts steered to the past that I make an effort to keep buried. I even went to great lengths of bringing down articles of our wedding and any mention of she being my wife. I wasn't completely successful in that area as it is the Internet, you can't completely erase something that once existed. 

“Mr Knight, Mr Miller is here to see you.” My secretary Lexi says opening the door wider for my soon to be business partner. 

“Adam. Hope the suit is up to your taste. I would've given you the penthouse but it is preoccupied by a very important guest at the moment. I'm sure you do understand.” He says smiling at me. He has a very friendly demeanor. He looks like those grandpas who are everyone's favorite. Looking into his eyes, I can see a hidden darkness. Sad to find out he doesn't have anyone to inherit his business. 

“It is not a problem, Nick. I understand how hotels are run. You don't have to explain.” 

He responds with a nod. And he looks around the suite noticing the papers on the coffee table.

“Do you have any concerns about the negotiation?” He asked me.

“Who will be running the hotel here? Seeing you're based in New York as am I…who'll be overseeing the hotel here?”

“I have a very capable person here that I trained myself. As you mentioned I'm based in New York as well which leaves her to handle everything here. And she hasn't disappointed me for a second.” 

“Sounds like quite a woman.” I commented, “I suppose she'll be the one handling your shares then?”

“No. She'll be doing more.” He whispered that I almost didn't hear him. 

“Don't forget the meeting that will be held later. That's if you're going to get over your doubts and finish signing those papers.” He said while standing up and buttoning his suit jacket.

“I have a huge announcement to make. It's long overdue anyway.”

“I'll send a signed copy to you in an hour, if I'm ok with your terms.” I say. I will not be pressured into signing an agreement that may bite me in the ass someday.

“I won't have it any other way. But, something tells me, you don't have a problem with the terms.” He smirks at me “I'll see you at the meeting, Adam.” And with that he was out the door. 

He is right. Something unsettles me about this whole deal and it has nothing to do with the terms. I walk over the coffee table and sign the documents to avoid stalling. I already know exactly what it says so why wait any longer. I hand the documents over to Lexi to email to Nick and his lawyers. 

Few hours later, John enters the suite with a grim expression and a file in his hands. A few hours ago I sent him out to find anyone close to Nick. Someone close enough to Nick that he may consider giving his shares to. 

I stare at John to decipher something but his look makes me guess for the worst. 

He reluctantly handed over the file to me. We stared at each other silently communicating the situation with our eyes. I already knew it was bad, but I didn't know the extent of how bad it was. 

“Were you thorough?” I asked, breaking the silence. 

“Yes, which is why you'll find what I found interesting.” He responds while handing me the file.

I open it quickly, flipping over the pages to get it over with as fast as possible but then I stop when I see a familiar smile. This smile has haunted me for the past five years. I could feel a strange chill go down my spine. I slap the file closed and screamed, “Fucking hell!!”