Chapter 5 - "Clause 6"

“Clause 6.”

Those words halted the billionaire, Romero Kingsley’s hovering pen, he raised his head from the documents before him and shot a piercing look at both the silvered haired men that sat beside him.

“You can't sign the deal Ro-” One of the men, Jackson, paused, reminding himself who he was dealing with, he corrected his statement “I mean Mr Kingley.”

Because even though he and his companion, Easton, were clearly older than Romero they dare not offend or disrespect him in any way.

“Why?” Wilson, the billionaire's PA asked with a frown seated on his face, why were they stopping the approval of the deal after coming so far?

With a deep breath,Mr Jackson replied “Clause 6 states otherwise.”

Romero retracted his gaze and followed down to clause 6.

“It states that an individual willing to join the Old Wealth must be responsible-”

“Excuse me?!” Wilson exclaimed with shock, he stared at both the old men and then to his boss.. Were they planning to have their heads on a platter? How dare they call Romero Kingsley irresponsible?

“No, no, no,” The other man, Eaton said, quickly waving his hands, he adjusted himself on his seat “Actually the clause continued, saying that the individual must have a family or plan to, with obvious evidence.”

“Oh.” Wilson recoiled immediately, he let out a frustrated sigh… he knew that clause would outrightly disqualify his boss, staring at the billionaire and from the way the latter gripped his pen, Wilson knew Romero was getting upset.

‘Old Wealth’ was the corporation of men of caliber, old men and generations that have kept their wealth going and increasing from generations to generations, though Kingley Romero was feared, and he dominated all the aspects in business world including rulers but .. not the Old Wealth and that, Wilson knew vex Romero more than anything.

“So,” Romero started, his voice calm but one could easily detect the underlying annoyance beneath it, “I wouldn't sign this because I am irresponsible?” He shot up a brow, a challenging one at that.

Romero knew his worth, even his name alone was a commanding force, a lot of highly placed men and rulers wanted him to be a part of their business and sure ‘Old Wealth' wouldn't be an exception right?

“According to the Clause, Yes.” Jackson knew he had to be more choosing of his words if he wanted to get out of this conference room unharmed and intact just as he had come, because beneath the tuxedo and composure Romero was ruthless.

Silence descended.

Romero stared into space, his countenance cool but he was raging inside … he had long wanted this, he wanted to be a part of this corporation but here he was stuck with this miserable clause. Fuck it!

“If you don't mind, we did like to take our leave.” Easton announced carefully, breaking the silence, with a small nod from his boss, Wilson closed the documents and as he was about handing it over to one of the men, the door burst open.

“Boss, boss!” Came the frightened yell, Rosco, one of Romero's men burst in, he halted in his tracks immediately seeing that he might have got in at the wrong time, despite the look of disapproval on the boss' face he continued.

“There is trouble, boss.” He started fishing out his phone from his pocket “There is a scandal news going on and it involves you and a lady.”

Every brow in the room shot up, surprise skating their faces, of course they were surprised because the Romero Kingsley the world knew was the one that never happens to be around women, never, but even if he was, no one has ever gotten a wind of it.

Wilson was already trembling with fear, confusion washed over his face … But when did his boss go out with a woman? He was doomed!

“That's… is that not Albert's daughter?” Jackson asked pointing at the Tv which was currently airing the news, everyone turned their attention to it, Romero took the remote and increased the volume.

“Early hours of Monday morning, a beautiful lady who turns out to be Albert Malvern’s daughter is captured coming out of the most sought after billionaire, Romero Kingsley's room after what looks like an intimate night. Could this be a secret relationship?”

Cold sweats break out on Wilson’s forehead, “Sir, I … I ammmm sorry,” he stammered, staring at his boss whose attention was wholly on the news … “I would take care-”

Romero slammed the remote on the table startling everyone in the room but the next thing he said shocked them more.

“Ocean. My Ocean.”

At first the billionaire was getting furious at whoever was behind the news, ready to ruin whosoever had the guts but that feeling disappeared when the said lady's picture was placed in full display, her ocean blue eyes reminding him of their intimacy.

Eyes widened. Gasps filled the room not only because of the remark but the expression seated on the billionaire's face .. instead of the usual cold, blank or furious look, Romero's face bored a bright smile not a sly smile or a lopsided mischievous smile.. but a fucking bright smile.

Seeing his reaction, both men smiled, “Wow. So a secret relationship this was.” Jackson said with a smile drawing Romero's attention, he extended his hand pointing to the documents “Please sign, we are indeed happy to have you in our corporation.”

Wait? What! … Wilson stared in amazement as his boss didn't debunk the misunderstanding the old men obviously had but went ahead to append his signature and shook hands with them before they left.

Coming back to his senses and falling in steps behind Romero and Rosco following suit “Boss, I will make sure she pays for this, including the media too.” Wilson said quickly, pulling out his phone.

Romero halted immediately, almost making Wilson hit his head on the billionaire's back but was quick enough to control himself, making Rosco who was behind hit his head against the back of Wilson's head.

Rosco was about to release strings of curses when Romero's deep voice halted his action.

“And if I may ask Wilson,” The billionaire turned to his PA with a blank expression which had always scared the younger man “On whose order will that be? Yours?”

Immediately shaking his head, “No sir.”

Romero turned before saying “Rosco get me that woman.”

“Yes boss.” Rosco answered immediately from behind.

“And mind you,” he paused and with a stern warning “Unharmed and unscratched.”

***

She was ready to leave two days ago but …

Aliyah stared up at the two men positioned beside her bed, both dressed in black tuxedos and dark shades, and not only were they two, they were more, they took turns in standing beside her bed and two days ago she was shocked to find that two more were guiding the door.

Aliyah let out a frustrated sigh “Could you please tell your boss that I am fine now and I need to go home?” And again she was met with silence.

She rubbed her forehead in weariness, after the day she woke up, one of them had explained that it was their boss that wanted her to be healthy and safe so he put her in the hospital, at first she was relieved that they were not sent to kill her but then she was placed on strict and thorough supervision, only her best friend, Juliet was allowed to visit.

“I just want to go homeeee!!” She screamed, yanking off the sheets from her body.

Once she had speculated that maybe she had been kidnapped but then would a right thinking criminal place her in a hospital after he had kidnapped her? or even allow Juliet to visit, so that thought seems unrealistic to her.

But what if their boss was a criminal?

“I want to go home.” Aliyah muttered silently, tears began to form in her eyes and soon she began bawling out her eyes.

To her shock, one of the men fell to his knees, fear written over his face, “Ma’am please don't cry, our lives would be on the line, please.”

Aliyah looked in disbelief when she stared at both men, especially the one on his knees, he seemed very scared and frightened this made her stop crying.

The man slowly stood to his feet and gave her a small bow.

A phone rang, and the other man picked up, “Oh okay.” He ended the call and announced “The boss is coming.”

The door opened and without looking at who had come in Aliyah pleaded “Please I was to go home, release me please.” Her voice shaky.

“And who made Ocean cry?”

That question stilled Aliyah… Ocean? That name sounded so familiar to her, her forehead pulled up folds as she thought of where she had heard that .. oh no! The stranger!

She shot up her head but was met with a more unexpected shock because standing before her in a casual black shirt, short sleeves, putting the tattooed arms on display and black pants to match, is Romero Kingsley, her ex's Uncle, Justin's billionaire and mysterious Uncle.

But why was he here?

And why did he call her that name the stranger had-

Oh my damn days!!! … Aliyah's eyes widened, fear gripped her as realization dawned on her .. She had a one night stand with her ex's Uncle, a very ruthless billionaire.

‘What have I done!!’ She screamed fearfully in her head, she was doomed.

“Ocean.” He called gently breaking her from her trance, Aliyah immediately sprang to her feet, took a few steps back, she bowed slightly in greeting to the billionaire who only stared with amusement dancing across his features.

“Take your seat dear.” He said, the endearment reminding Aliyah of their night together… she quickly shut out those thoughts.

She slowly obeyed him, Wilson entered, he placed a big brown envelope in her hands, holding the envelope she looked at the billionaire who only stared back at her with fascination dancing in his eyes.

“Your boyfriend who happens to be Boss' nephew cheated on you with your stepsister, your stepmother and step brother had taken the inheritance your father left for you and ever since your father's death you have become the element of ridicule and maltreatment.” Wilson explained making Aliyah shut her eyes as memories of the past started biting back at her, she opened her eyes, shook her head trying to rid her mind of the past.

“But,” The billionaire went beside her, took her shaky small hands in his large ones, he squeezed them slightly and that gesture strangely calmed her down.

Romero released her hands gesturing to her to check the documents inside the envelope, she obeyed and pulled out the envelope only for her eyes to read the heading of the documents, shocking the daylight out of her.

“MARRIAGE CONTRACT!!” She exclaimed.

Romero nodded with a smile, this time a sly mischievous smile. “Take my last name and reck all the havoc you want, Ocean.”