CHAPTER FIVE: WE MEET AGAIN

BEATRICE’S POV

Seven years had passed. Seven years of working hard to make ends meet and take good care of my babies. Claiming a new identity, a new name, and finding a purpose. Aunt Silvia had been of great help and treated me like her daughter ever since, even after Sarah’s death, and I was glad that I wasn’t utterly alone in this world. However, it still made my heart ache to date that I couldn’t save Sarah. I owed everything I was today to her.

“Don’t forget, Tricia, you must convince him to partner with us. The company depends on it. Your job, too.” Alpha Lee Drakon, the company’s CEO, reminded me as he rolled in his chair, stroking his mustache. The light from the window reflected on his bald head. He was a plump man who had unending rules that I always seemed to overcome. 

“Alright, sir,” I mumbled. “I promise,” I added, and he waved me off.

STRINGS was a tech company, and we competed with two more companies that seemed to want Mr. Evans’s sponsorship. Having someone like him on our team would give us many advantages, so they said. However, I didn't know what he looked like. According to sources, he was a man of secrecy. His Beta Ryder had attended all his meetings.

I awaited his driver, whom his Beta had said would pick me up. My phone rang in my brown leather bag, and I pulled it out to see Aunt Slivia calling.

“I was just about to call you,” I said the second I picked up.

“Mummy, it’s me, Cooper.” His sweet little voice echoed through the phone, and I smiled. “Grandma said you aren’t coming back home tonight. Is that…” His voice trailed off, followed by several cracks.

“Mom. Mom. It’s..”

“Caleb.” I completed it and heard him giggle. 

“How do you know?” He sounded excited, and it made my heart flutter. Growing up, there had been a lot of commotion concerning who was who, which made the boys figure out their pattern of doing it. They were pretty smart for their age.

“Because I am your mother, and I love you.” I heard the others grumble, and I quickly added, “All of you.” I heard them laugh.

“You should come home early. Could you meet our Math teacher? He is handsome and single.”

I let out a sigh. It had been three months already of them trying to match me with men they believed was right, even though I kept explaining to them that I did not need a man, not after everything I had to go through.

“Promise you will when you get back. Meet him, we mean.” Caleb’s voice jotted me back to reality. 

“Please, Mummy, don’t say no. Every other kid has a dad, and yesterday, the school held an only Dads activity, and the other kids made Charlotte cry.” Cooper chirped in, and it made my heart break into tiny bits. I felt so bad that I had to keep them away from their Dad. I had to lie to them that he died, even though it was all for their good.

A black car pulled up before me, and the driver plopped out his head.

“Miss Tracia?” He said, and I gave him a nod.

“Alright, darlings, when mama gets back, okay. I have to go now. I love you, all.” I hung up and placed it back into my purse. At that moment, I realized that I didn’t get to speak with Charlotte and  Aunt, too. That would have to be later. I sighed as I got into the car.

After fifteen minutes, the car parked in front of one of the most luxurious hotels in town. BEYOU, it read clearly. I stepped out with the Beta standing outside the White building.

“Come with me. He is a busy man, and he is just in town for business. He awaits you in the lounge. Last floor.” He informed me, escorting me to the elevator. The always-occupied hotel seemed too quiet today, as though no soul existed, and it made me wonder what type of man he was, but I was at least grateful that he was meeting with me directly. It would make the negotiation easier.

My heart raced slightly as I approached the lounge, and I wondered why. With every step I took, the pace increased.

“He is here.” My wolf whispered, causing my heart to stop, as well as my legs.

I knew who it had to be. My nemesis. It was impossible. I couldn’t let him meet me. Not when I had to pretend to be dead to escape him years ago. I had to hold my breath and wait till I was buried to run off with the help of Sarah. I made them believe that I had poisoned myself from the fear of him. I couldn’t let him see me. Quickly, I turned around and made my way back to the elevator. 

“I believe you came here to meet me.” I heard his oddly familiar voice, and my breath hitched. I gripped hard onto my dress as my heart raced. My feet were oddly stuck. I couldn’t move even when he got closer. “Hi, Beatrice. It has been forever. Missed me?” 

I gulped down a lump of saliva and slowly raised my eyes to meet his. A smile spread his thin lips.

“Can we proceed with the meeting? I have somewhere to be in ten minutes.” He said so casually and strolled away as though he wasn’t shocked to see me. I walked behind him even though every single voice in my head was telling me to run as fast as I could.

But my job was on the line. All I had to do was sign this and leave, never to see him again.

I played with my fingers as his eyes ran over my proposed plan. He looked as breathtaking as always. His eyes. His lips. That night…

“I’m afraid I must turn down your company’s proposal. You suddenly show up from the dead. Who knows what other secrets you have.” My jaw dropped as he spoke, and I got up. “I spent years blaming myself for your death. I’m glad you are safe.” His eyes softened before he walked out of the lounge. Leaving me overwhelmed with shame and guilt