[ Sebestian ]
Days changed into weeks and weeks into months and months into years but I didn’t hear from Charlotte like she had disappeared from the face of earth. The manor felt like a lifeless place, every corner reminded me of her but I couldn’t stay with my parents either. They weren’t tolerable for more than spending time on dining table.
“Bastian, I am calling your name for last five minutes but you’re lost in some other world. What’s the matter with you?” Victorine’s voice reached into my ears, forcing me to divert my attention on her. She looked really pissed off by my lack of response.
“I am sorry, Vic. I am just tired. Can you repeat whatever you were saying?” I rubbed my face and tried to focus on the deal we had to discuss.
She scoffed and slid a folder in my direction, “I think it’s better if you see it yourself, Bastian.” She said with distaste. Her sour mood reflected how angry she was.
I gave her a plain look and opened the folder which definitely contained some bad news and my guess was right.
“Fuck! It’s impossible. How could you lose this deal? We did the highest bidding.” I closed the file with a slam and gave her a hard look. She was my best friend but inside the office, we did pure business and she messed up really big this time.
Her eyes turned dark in fury. She clearly disliked my accusation.
“Don not blame me for something we did together, Bastian. I admit, I was the one to represent our proposal to the government. I did my job as good as I could, we almost got the contract but then another company proposed a better idea and high bidding than us. I called you multiple time to ask your permission for increasing our price but you seemed too busy to notice the world around you.” She taunted me which was enough to quiet me.
“Can you tell me the name of the company who dared to claim what is supposed to be ours?” Suddenly my pride awakened. I hated competition both in business and in private life. One of the many reasons that drifted me away from Charlotte as she wasn’t ready to end her friendship with her friend, Liam.
“Skylark Group, they’re stepping into the construction business and it was their maiden deal that they snatched from us.” She answered quietly. She looked tensed so was I.
My blood boiled on the mention of the fastest growing tech company whose name had been a subject in corporate world, especially their CEO, one of the most desirable bachlor in the country.
“Call an urgent meeting of the team who prepared this draft. I don’t want to see them in my company tomorrow. There’s no place for losers here.” I said out of my anger.
“You need to calm down, Bastian. I am as angry as you’re. It’s our collective lose but I know how to fix it.” She said with a cunning smirk.
I raised my brows at her in curiosity.
“I know who can help us but you have to keep your anger at bay for a moment.” She said.
“Just spit your idea, Victorine. I am already on the brink of putting this whole place on fire.” I gritted my teeth.
“Liam Carter, the best strategist and business analyst in the country. I also hate this idea but seeing our reputation on the stake, I have to propose this idea to you. We can seek his help.” She finished and looked nervous anticipating my reaction.
The name triggered something within me. I balled my fists and slammed them on the desk.
“How dare you to mention his name in front of me, Victorine? That bastard snatched my wife from me. he ruined my life and you’re asking me to crawl on his feet to save my empire. I’d rather live on streets than yielding to him for his help.” I said while controlling myself from smashing everything.
“Okay, okay, I won’t pressure you to meet him but as your business partner, I have all rights to take my own individual decisions. I’ll try to contract him and let’s see how he responds.” She says firmly. She seemed adamant on her decision.
“Leave me alone.” I said to her dismissively.
“Okay.” She said in the same tone and I heard the chair screeching, “It’s been five years, Bastian but I don’t think you have moved on from her. You don’t realise it now but you’re neglecting your life and your work for someone who doesn’t exist now.” She added before storming out and I finally punched the desk to unleash my anger.
She was right. Not a single day had passed when I didn’t remember Charlotte.
I tried to engross myself in the work for the next few hours but it didn’t help. The pang of being defeated by outsider was unbearable. I had to investigate more about Skylark Group and it’s CEO who outsmarted Victorine in dealing with stubborn headed government officials.
A knock on the door again disturbed my personal investigation of Jonathan Carter, the mysterious CEO of Skylark Group.
“Come in.” I said coldly, it might be either my secretory or Victorine.
I heard multiple footsteps entering inside.
“You haven’t changed much in last five years except your long hairs.” I heard the most annoying voice and it was enough to push me over the edges.
“What the hell is he doing in my office, Victorine?” I gritted my teeth on her who accompanied him.
“Calm down, Sebestian. Your anger and impulsiveness cost you a lot. Do not repeat the same mistake. I am here on the invitation of Miss Baxter.” He said very calmly and sat on one of the visitor’s chairs comfortably.
I glared him and Victorine.
“Ms. Baxter told me that you suffered an incredible loss by losing the deal to Skylark Group. It’s sad to hear that the company which had been on the pinnacle of success for last decade, has a major set back when a new company came into the picture but I have a solution to your problem if you’re interested to hear me.” He said in a mocking tone but I had to restrain myself as I had to seek many answers from him.
“Bastian, please listen to him. Maybe, he can help us to regain what we lost.” Victorine insisted.
“You can share your ideas with Ms. Baxter. Leave my office at this instance.” I said closing my eyes. I wanted to ask him about Charlotte but my ego didn’t allow me.
“Alright, I am leaving. You were my best friend’s husband that’s why I kept my resentment of you aside and accepted Ms. Baxter’s request. Otherwise, you don’t deserve to live. I loathe your existence on the earth.
I raised my hand and my fist landed on his face. A gasp escaped from Victorine’s mouth but he broke the last straw of my patience.
“You have no right to accuse me for what happened between me and Charlotte because you were the one to create a wedge between us when you decided to flirt with her.” I spat in anger but his furious expressions turned into a frown.
“What the hell are you saying?” He pushed me away.
I scoffed, he was trying to play victim card here, “We got divorced because she decided to elope with you. I gave her everything, loved her madly but she chose a bastard like you over me.” I bashed him with all the anger I had for him.
“You have gone mad, Sebestian. No doubt why she disappeared all of a sudden. A pathetic man like you, was a curse on her.” He said and wiped his busted lips.
“You must leave now before I ask my guards to through you out of here. We don’t need your help.’ I said and looked away.
He said nothing and moved towards the door but he again turned, his eyes had sympathy directed on me.
“For your kind information, I have been happily married for eight years with a beautiful woman named Carla and your ex-wife was my best friend and distant cousin. I hope now you realise what blunder you created when you believed a third person’s lies over your wife.” He said and without saying another word, he moved out slamming the door loudly.
I felt like someone had punched me in the guts. His words kept resonating in my ears. He was married and he was a cousin to Charlotte. She never mentioned this to me.
‘You can’t believe him, Bastian. We saw the pictures and they were taken by your most trusted P.I.” Victorine said.
“Leave me alone.” I said coldly.
She wanted to argue but I gave her a cold look. She sighed and left the room to give me space. I slumped down on my chair and rubbed my face. The scene from our last meeting, her tears, her pleadings and my accusations on her character flooded back vividly. Did I make a mistake by trusting a third person over Charlotte. She was a devoted wife who never spared a glance at other men yet I humiliated her because my egoistic brain forced me to believe a few pictures which could be deceptive.
“What have I done?” I cursed myself. A sharp pain coursed through my chest. I destroyed my home and all these years I was blaming her who did every possible effort to save our marriage.
[ Sebestian ] “What is it?” I asked my secretory, James as he placed a silver invitation card on my desk. The young man adjusted his glasses and opened his mouth to speak, he clearly looked intimidated by my presence, “Miss Baxter ordered me to deliver this to you, Sir.” He replied. “How many times do I have to tell you that don’t bring unnecessary stuffs on my desk. Now leave.” I yelled on him. He didn’t waste another second and scurried out of my office. I again looked down at the beautiful card which had the name of the host; Alessandro and Aitana De Niro. I couldn’t miss this party even though I hated being alone during public appearance since I got divorced. Alessandro was a good friend and my presence was mandatory. I opened the card to read it, they were celebrating their 10th anniversary. They threw a charity gala to donate for the orphan children across the globe and it was tonight. “Fuck! Victorine never tells me about these events beforehand.” I muttered and pressed the
[ Charlotte ] I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The woman was looking back at me was no longer the girl who was a puppet in the hands of men but the brain behind a billion dollars empire unchallenged in the IT sector and now we were about to step in the construction business. We got our maiden project by the government and by defeating Blackwood Corp. Charlotte Montgomery, that’s what people would call me after tonight. Grandpa’s dream would come true in next few hours. Tonight, I’d reveal my identity to the world and tell them that it had not been Jonathan but I, who took the Skylark Group on the zenith. “Mommy, see, how am I looking?” Son’s cute voice reached into my years and it forced me to turn to him. A wide smile stretched on my lips by looking at my young man who wore a black suit and a shirt matching my champagne red dress. My heart again clenched. He looked exact like his father as he grew up, a constant reminder of the man whom I desperately want to forget. “You
[ Sebestian ]“Why the hell are we even here? This party is nothing but an extravagant pomp and show of wealth. We won’t gain anything except to devour the expensive wine. You are going to pay for this prank, Victorine.” I whispered to Victorine in annoyance. I was running thin on my patience. The party was as boring as the others I attended. I knew most of the guests and talking business with them or answering them on the unexpected defeat by the hands of their host had worn me out mentally.Why people judge one by his one failure despite a thousand success before? The answer I knew.“Have some patience, Bastian. The CEO is coming in our way only. Let’s confront him. He can’t walk away with what’s ours.” She whispered back.Jonathan Carter, who was greeting his guests, turned towards our table. The smile on his face irked me.“It’s my pleasure to host the two most important brains behind the most successful construction company in the country.” He said to both I and Victorine or I sh
[ Charlotte ]The endless cue of receiving greetings from my guests, mostly wrapped in surprise and envy, my eyes searched for the Blackwoods, who were yet to meet me. I knew them. After spending three years with them, I knew one thing about them, they’d not let this success crown on my head.My wait seemed to fruit as Mrs. Blackwood sauntered in my direction with a flute of champagne in her hand. She still managed to ageless even in her late fifties except a few fine lines near her eyes.“Congratulations on the way, Ms. Montgomery. I am shocked to see you after a very very long time.” She smiled at me, her thin lips curved upward. I couldn’t comprehend whether it was a compliment or a pun.“Mrs. Blackwood, it’s very nice to see you after a very long time. Green is your colour.” I complimented her matching her eyes, she wanted to see the same scary girl in me who couldn’t speak properly in her presence.Her brows twitched, she indeed looked amused and somewhat displeased.“May I know
[ Sebestian ]The blood in my veins boiled as the filthy bastard snaked his arm around her shoulder and she was actually comfortable with him but my touch was making her feel awkward a while ago. The masculine ego inside me revoked, this woman belonged to me, married or divorced.“Why would I molest my own wife, Mr. Carter?” I smirked unaware of the blunder I just spat out and saw her body turning stiff.“Mr. Blackwood, I think you’re crossing your line here. My friend doesn’t have a husband.” Jonathan spoke in her behalf which worked as a fuel in the blazing jealousy.“She was once my wife, Jonathan and we had a very passionate marriage but it’d be very inappropriate of me to share the details with you. Let us have a word in private. I’ll free her in a few minutes.” I said as calmly as I could despite the fact that I was desperate to smash his face and break his arms into pieces.“I am sorry but I can’t stay here, Mr. Blackwood. This is my party and Montgomery family is well known fo
[ Charlotte ]The party ended on the expected note as I wanted. The next day, it was the main headline of the news channels and papers. The social media was flooding with the pictures taken during the event and it made me feel contended except the one particular picture, mine and Sebestian’s during the dance. It had the title I dreaded the most.“Old flames rekindled between the ex-couples?”Fuck!A knock on the door of my office forced me to tear my eyes from the title of an online magazine. Jonathan was leaning on the door frame with different daily newspapers.“Not you, Jon.” I groaned in frustration and took off my glasses.He jogged inside and dumped the papers in the shredder. I watched the papers in long shreds falling in the bin.“It was inevitable, Lottie. Please don’t bother yourself with such shits, they’re going to be a part of your life from now on unless you wear a stone on your finger and change your last name for the third time.” He said grabbing a chocolate from my bo
[ Charlotte ]“Calm down, Lottie. I am here and I have dealt with douchebags like him. He is only trying to crawl under your skin.” Jonathan said as we were waiting for Sebestian’s arrival in the guest room.“I don’t want to face him yet, Jon. He is planning something, I can feel.” I shook my head and at the same time, the doors opened. Tara had my guest with her.His charismatic personality reflected in his demeanour. He wore his custom leather shoes and grey suit. I must admit that long hairs tied on the top of his head gave him a sexier look. His eyes hardened when he looked at Jonathan who was sitting beside me. He was the COO of my company which gave him every right to be present during business meetings.“Good afternoon, Mr. Blackwood. May I know the reason of this unexpected visit from you?” I stood up and forwarded my hand for a shake. Sebestian’s eyes tore from Jonathan and zeroed on my stretched hand.“I want to call truce.” He said taking my hand into his large palm. I felt
[ Sebestian ]“Are you serious, Sebestian Blackwood? You decided to yield against our ethics and crawled to her feet. Great! Just great.” Victorine willowed but I found her reaction exaggerating.“I stopped meddling in your personal life since you took over my position, Son but I agree with her.” My father spoke very calmly but I could feel his resentment behind his stoic face.“I didn’t do anything which may effect our image.” I replied to them.“Oh please, Sebestian. You were the one who opposed my idea to negotiate with Jonathan but since you saw your ex-wife, your demeanour has changed. What’s going on with you?” She raised her eye at me.“Whatever I do is none of your business, Victorine. I know what is good for my company.” I said icily.“It is my business, Sebestian and I also have the right to know what you do for the profit of our company.” She said emphasizing on the second last word.“Sebestian, you have to take us in your confidence if you want us to believe you.” My fathe