LOGINShare
13. Promising Pathways.
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56-
River and Sebastian emerges from the center elevator of three, into a massive foyer made with black marble, and wall to wall views of Manhattan. A beautiful space with very little furniture and plenty of space, like a posh furniture Ad—Only right before River’s eyes.
“It’s just another boilerplate prospectus. Since the merger is moving through its quiet stages, the standardized methods are coming together.” Sebastian conveys, and he nods, remaining attentive. “Wait here,” he orders and River replies with a curt nod.
Sebastian strides over to the reception area, where a young, beautiful receptionist stands to greet him with a blushing smile. River watches the exchange with curiosity, noticing how the man glows under the glare of the sun, with deep dimples and shimmering eyes. He was handsome—a man with a life behind his eyes, and experience to match.
After working at the prestigious company for just a couple months, River ha
Related chapters
Color Me, Black 14. Un-Beautiful Things.
-For all of five minutes River stands at his door frozen, sweating from trepidation. He can hear the loud shuffling inside his apartment, the boxes at the door a clear sign that James had returned after a week. He expected it, but not so soon when the wounds were still ripe with blood and still ached like the burn of hellfire. River wanted to confront James, who could explain him just up and leaving. To get things off their chest and fix things before they got too sour.The second River turns the key in the door, it flies open revealing Cassie Malacca, a stunning Samoan with long, wavy black hair. “River, hi.” She greets with a lack of enthusiasm, but even with that expression she has an enviable beauty.River forces a smile, but Cassie doesn’t return it. “Why are you here?” He questions, standing on his toes to look inside the apartment. Instead of answering, she peers at him as if intimidated by his very existence.&n
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Color Me, Black 15. Moving On.
-After going out with the one friend River knew himself to have outside of James’ posse, he knew he had to get out more. So, when Andi invited him over to his place for dinner, he felt inclined to accept. Even if he stood at the entrance uncertain, he wanted to be there, or if he wanted to be anywhere but in his bed. He knocks three times and waits, but when the seconds tick by and he gets no response, he knocks four more times, seconds away from giving up.The door swings open, revealing Andi, moist from the shower he’d just hopped out of in a hurry. “River, you’re here.” Andi announces and River smiles.River couldn’t help but stare at the man’s body, all chiseled and cut. Taut from his consistent visits to the gym, three times per week. River’s eyes widen the moment his eyes drift lower and a minute gasp escapes his parted lips when a rather distinct bulge below the white towel reveals itself. River’s eyes remained
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Color Me, Black 16. The Love Doctor.
-“Can I kiss you, River?”The question halts River’s thoughts, but he remains quiet because of his rising libido. It attracted him to the doctor, but he didn’t know how to respond or react.“I don’t-, I don’t know.” River stutters and Andi chuckles.“I like you,” the man states outright and River mutters, capturing a breath after swallowing the lump that lodges itself in his throat.“Andi, that’s-,”“You don’t have to say anything, River. I know you may not feel the same way.” Andi steps back, and River feels the warmth growing colder by the second.“It’s not about feeling the same way.” River begins, and Andi sighs, nodding his head in the pretence of his understanding. “I
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Color Me, Black 17. Worst Laid Plans.
-After countless hours of muddling, Sebastian felt galled, and helpless. Exposed to himself, and witless to handle his obscured introspection because of the countless clashes with family members.After visiting his father’s grave, the entire family had gathered in his penthouse, leaving trails of their visit in every room. As he wipes water droplets from the master bathroom floor, his head spins in reproach, but Jonathon knocks at the entrance and leans against the doorframe.“Vera is already halfway through your liquor cabinet.” He chuckles and Sebastian huffs. “This won’t last all evening, you know.”“I didn’t ask for any of this, Jonathon.” He says, discarding the wet paper towels into the waste container that stands between the toilet and the large vanity sink close to the entrance of the bathroom.&nbs
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Color Me, Black 18. Hooked.
-Sebastian steps into the haunting and lonely interior of his Penthouse. His breathing lapsed as he wipes at his sweaty brows. Sweat that soaks his running clothes with sweat, as well as his face and grey tracksuit. Evidence that his morning begun any other, but Sebastian needed change to ease his mind—calm his scattered conceptions.There was an ineffable need to settle the Merit Global merger, considering many were wary of the proceedings. The board had given River a day off, to gather his bearings and take care of his mother’s funeral. A process that Sebastian himself had dreaded each time he had gone through it himself. Burying a parent was never easy, burying two had already taken its toll on Sebastian. No matter how much he hated his father, it still hurt him when the man passed. Carlton Black’s recklessness had torn their family apart at the very seams, and it thrust his mother into a cycle of
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Color Me, Black 19. Seatbelt Lights.
-River, Grace and Sebastian sits in the fancy, four seat cabin of the company's Private Jet. A sleek, and modern piece of machinery that provides ample space for a small communion. It had already been several minutes since they had taken off and the aircraft was already soaring through the clouds over New York, with smooth precision. It's leather and woodwork design, so stunning- River was brimming in calculated exuberance. It was the first time that he had ever traveled in anything that paid his rent for three years, with enough change to build a small house. Yet it was all trumped, by his fear of extreme heights.Grace was worried about Sebastian and his distraught guise. It had just appeared out of the blue, the moment they had all met outside at Sebastian's Limo. If she hadn't been so uneasy, she would've been amused. Sebastian had promised to not be his arrogant self, but Grace didn't know h
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Color Me, Black 20. A Touch of Class.
-After the flight, the afternoon went by swiftly after a meeting to discuss strategy. Jaeger was in attendance, and like always he challenged River, with ironclad skepticism. The trio had then retired to their hotel, to rest up for another meeting in the afternoon to discuss the funding River had conjured up.Sebastian and Russell Adams sits at the seating area of Hanstrom Mechanics Conference Department, conversing like men of their interests did. Speaking about business, and their experiences in the field. Two poised men, that were aristocratic and dapper. A level of charisma that impinged upon every woman, and man in the room."I've never worked on any kind of machinery in my life." Sebastian chuckles and Russell laughs."I've been fixing television units and radios s
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Color Me, Black 21. Personal Deal.
-"When submitting merging offers, the acquiring firm, which is Black Co., should consider every potential bidder and plan strategically." River says as he sits forward, and gestures with vigorous hand movements atop the table."Every form of payment might be decisive for the seller." Sebastian affirms and River nods."Yes, because with cash deals, there is no doubt on the real value of the bid. A perfectly strategized, contingency of shared contact is to be implemented because Merit Global speaks dollar signs." River declares, apparently in sync with Sebastian."Meaning, a cash offer preempts them, better than securities and promises of great revenue. They need to see it through not only their eyes, but the eyes of Black & Co. just how much higher their stock market
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
Latest chapter
Color Me, Black 51. Epilogue.
- "I've been lying to you this whole time, and you don't deserve this, you deserve better than me-," he stops when Sebastian closes the distance. "You don't get to tell me what I deserve, because I want you, and you sure as hell don't deserve a mess like me, but I'm not willing to throw away something like this because of my insecurities." He finishes with a firm shake of his head. "But-, but you're-," River sighs, shaking his head in vehemence. "I wasn't sure I was pregnant until last week, the day we went to that restaurant with the boys." He admits. "They said it could be a mis-fire, but Dr. Abrams confirmed it when he called." "Well, I couldn't be happier." Sebastian grins, gently shaking River's shoulders with his rough, but calming hands.
Color Me, Black 50. No Boyfriends Allowed.
-As River awakes, the sounds of a new day invites him into a feeling of solace and warmth, but it doesn't last long. The sudden feeling of sadness washes over him, yet he manages to get out of bed and to the coffee machine. Though, as he goes to pour a cup, the doorbell rings.River clutches the coffee pot with a frown, considering pouring it out and taking a sip before answering the door. His face then falls as he remembers his predicament."Oh, yeah." He shakes his head. "I can't have coffee."He places the pot down and walks out of the kitchen, then into the living room from the hallway. Learning his lesson from too many unexpected pop-ups, River pauses before opening the door."Who
Color Me, Black 49. A Deal To Seal.
-Minutes into the discussion end of the meeting, River has everyone eating out of his hands. Many were still skeptic, but all he could do was designate his point of view and give them a clear and concise view into a possible future."Merit Global's revenue is at an all time high, Mr. Kennedi, so we're hoping to see triple that if and when we agree." Julian Marx chimes in, and River faces him. "We however believe, that this merge is a tactic to remove the competition, by taking it over." He narrows his gaze at River."I respect that as your take on this, but I must inform you that Merit Global is a complementary corporation to Black Co.," River begins and Jason scoffs loudly, but Julian stops him with a hand on his shoulder. "However, I reviewed the balance sheets, and I've discovered a few discrepancies that could harm this
Color Me, Black 48. Battles.
-River's eyes fly open, startled awake by the loud ringing of his cellphone. He quickly shuffles to sit upright, grabbing the gadget from the bedside table to answer."Yes, h-hello?" His voice cracks,"Mr. Kennedi, thank heavens you're awake! I've been trying to call Sebastian all morning, but he won't answer." Grace informs River, who is still half asleep and groggy.After his confrontation with Sebastian, River retired to his room to avoid the face-to-face with the man. He had busied himself with the Merit Global merger files, in hopes of distracting himself. Fortunately it had worked, and River fell asleep after preparing his own presentation since Charles didn't show up, nor did he hear anything else about the man returning. He didn't see nor hear a peep from Sebastian since their last conversation.
Color Me, Black 47. Face Down.
-- Earlier -The second River enters the bathroom, he crouches over the toilet, spewing out the bitter, acrid liquid from his mouth. He wretches, coughing and sputtering, whilst trying to remain quiet. More vomit comes up, burning his throat as it comes up to fill his mouth. River opens his mouth, choking as his gag reflexes react to the acid in his throat.He could hear Sebastian on the phone, but the man's voice grows louder minutes later. Luckily, River had dealt with his vomiting and was seated beside the toilet- gathering his strength."River?" Sebastian's voice startles him from the other side of the door. "Are you ok?"River straightens up and wipes at his lips desperately. "I'm
Color Me, Black 46. Truth In the Pudding.
-As tensions rise in the room, Sebastian steps forward. "Hold on, Charles. That is completely absurd." He assures the man."I don't know what you're talking about, but if this was in any way my fault I apologize and I assure you, it wasn't intentional." River interjects, staring at Charles who scoffs and turns to face Sebastian."Oh, cut the horseshit, you've been out for me since that day in Chicago! The media team created the tutorial based on your design, and Merit Global is eating it up." Charles complains."Are you sure it's not eating you up?" Jaeger interjects, smiling feebly at Charles."Stay out of this, village biscuit." Charles points at Jaeger."My, my.
Color Me, Black 45. Love & Business.
-Sebastian straightens his composure, and walks around his desk as Camila enters. He'd set himself straight, deciding that whatever she had to say wouldn't deter him from apologizing to her. He wanted to be honest, even when it was the hardest thing to do. Hard to make up his mind and come to the realization that she didn't deserve being left in the dark."You look troubled. Should I be worried?" Camila's voice floats across the office and Sebastian looks up then smiles weakly."Camila. What brings you by?" He asks, walking up to greet her."I came to apologize." She cuts to the chase, ignoring his offer for her to have a seat. "I just don't like wasting my time, Sebastian, and it felt like I was.""I agree I'm not very forthcoming wh
Color Me, Black 44. All The Chances.
-As Sebastian pulls into the large driveway behind the villa, he thinks of the moment he'd met River. The feisty, confident young man who put him right in his place. He didn't know that love at first sight existed, but Sebastian could tell that the second he met River in person he felt a connection. The thought of it all distracts him until he's bumping into River as he steps into the living room."River?" Sebastian frowns, but solely out of surprise and embarrassment for his clumsiness."Hi." River smiles, but he notices Caleb and Cairo clutching on to River's hands. "Me and the boys were just going to walk to the stables, maybe pet a few horses." He begins, but he dresses back suddenly aware that Sebastian was home early."Come with us, papa." Caleb ple
Color Me, Black 43. Serial Love.
-- Two Weeks Earlier -The nearly inaudible ding of the no-smoking and seatbelt signs sound, pulling River's attention from the file he reads while seated in the first class cabin. The lights above each seat becomes illuminated, causing a certain unrest in River as he sits up and closes the file. Seconds later the light in the first-class cabin dims, and River fastens his seatbelt. His hands fidget as he fiddles with the strap around his waist, feeling a sense of confinement. He failed to decipher why he felt trapped, but he knew all too well that his fear of flying had already begun to weigh down on him.It was mere hours after takeoff, and the lit signs above the passengers heads clicking on meant they would soon arrive. River remains calm, as his stomach feels stirred and bothered by the shaking of the aircraft. No Flight Attendants could be seen, but he could hear them in the lower cabins speaking to unaware passeng
