Chapter 5

Xavier

Natasha and Vera’s faces were quite comical when the lawyer announced that S.H fashion is being handed over to Angela. None of them saw it coming, but I did, I know Derek that well to be able to tell what he’s thinking. One point for Derek and zero for Vera; guess she didn’t play her cards well this time.

Exhaling marijuana smoke, I watched Natasha pace the room in a twelve-inch heel. She stopped suddenly and faced me. “How could he do this to me? How could he have done this to us!”

Trying not to let my amusement show, I blinked at her. “I do not get what the problem is.” She glared at me. “Angela is his child too, she’s also entitled to his property.” Besides, she’s the best person for the job and I think Derek knows that too.

“She’s not entitled to anything!” She hissed, her eyes holding venom. “She left Xavier, father knows that she left three years ago without any form of communication!”

I believe she left because of me. “She’s back now, isn’t she? The fact is she has returned and is willing to take over the company.”

Her eyes narrowed to a limited extent. “Whose side are you on Xavier?”

Shrugging dismissively, I puffed out more smoke. “No one.” Her ugly frown did nothing to affect my stance. “I am on the side that benefits me.” Leaning forward, I placed my elbow on my knee. “What do you have to offer to get me on your side?”

“Isn’t the fact that I’m married to you enough?”

“No.” I clipped, tapering down aggressive bitterness. “You and I know I do not give two fucks about this marriage. If you have nothing to offer except these shackling chains on our finger, then I remain a lone man.”

“I’ve already promised you two hotels out of the five hotels, what more do you want?”

Smiling triumphantly, I relaxed back. “I need the remaining three hotels.” Her eyes widened with disbelief. “You want my help in this little game you and your mother are playing, you’ll offer me the remaining three hotels.” Giving me the chance to demand anything was a very wrong move from her side.

“Those hotels are the only thing my father left me.” Her enraged eyes danced around. “You want me to hand them all over to you?” I smiled cynically. “That’s not only selfish but ridiculous!” She snapped. “I’m not handing my hotels over to you.”

Money, power, and the ability to instigate fear just by the mention of my name. I have it all. I have more money than sense, so technically, I don’t need her hotels to function but then aren’t we all playing this game?

The game of who gets what and how? This is not only the game of chess, it’s the game of economics.

“You’re aiming for something bigger,” I mused, standing to my feet. “You’re aiming for something that does not belong to you and to achieve that, you have to lose some shits, your hotel being one of them.”

“You don’t need the money, Xavier.”

“Who doesn’t?” I gave her a teasing smile. “Even Elon Musk thrives to get richer every day Natasha, why should mine be any different?”

Running her hands through her hair, she ambled towards the window and looked out into nothingness. “Fine. I’ll give you the hotels, but I want her out of the picture. I want her gone for good.”

Her tone irked me. “Order me on what to do again, and I’ll shove the hotel up your ass.” She avoided my gaze as she muttered an apology. “Just like the last time you suggested something like this, I’m still going to give you the same response. You can’t kill her.”

Her lips parted with shock. “Why not? What’s your deal with my sister?” The fact that she refers to Angela as her sister makes me wonder if she sold her conscience to the devil. “Don’t look at me like that Xavier, I saw how you were with her in the gym house and now you’re kicking against her death just like you did the last time.”

“It’s either you’re daft, or you’ve been blinded by your greed that you can’t see the things before you.” I’d go for the latter. “You heard what the lawyer said; if anything should happen to her, the company will be sold and its proceeds sent to Africa.” She rolled her eyes. “Do you still want to kill her?”

Massaging her temple, she resumed pacing up and down. “What do you suggest we do?” Halting suddenly, her eyes twinkled. “I think I have the perfect plan.” Her eyes snapped to mine. “If we can’t kill her, we can leave her in a useless state. Like send her to a coma or maybe drive her crazy then send her to the psychiatric ward.”

Angela doesn’t deserve to be part of this family. It’ll be the end of her. “Nobody is sending her to a coma or any psychiatric ward. We’ll use the same method we used previously, that way nobody will get hurt.”

Natasha’s face contorted in disagreement. “That same plan is the reason we’re in this dilemma. She returned didn’t she?” She arched her brow at me. “How sure are we that she isn’t going to return again?” Giving me her back, she stared at the portrait on the wall. “I’m sending her to a coma; she can stay there for the rest of her life.”

In a flash, I seized her neck, shoved her back into the wall, and faced her head-on. “You will do as I say, Natasha,” I snarled into her face. “If you lay a finger on Angela, I’ll send you to a coma faster than you think.” She clawed at my hand wrapped tightly around her neck. “Nobody…absolutely no one will lay a fucking finger on her!” I shoved her away and she crashed into the artifact. “You know what I’m capable of Natasha, you do not want to push me to the wall. We. Will. Send. Her. Away. Am I fucking clear?!”

“Yes.”

Good. I dare her to do otherwise.