Deal

CHAPTER 3

CALLEN

It has been three years since she left. Three years she signed the divorce papers. Three years of my father's worries about finding her, or marry Leah, my new girlfriend. The sound of the phone, which began to ring, interrupted my thoughts, and with a sigh, I picked it up.

As usual, it was my father. I rolled my eyes and looked away, before hitting the receive button.

“Hello Dad.” I clutched the pen in my hand tightly, as I waited for his scolding again. It baffled me that, at my age, my Dad still treats me like a kid. 

'' Your girlfriend, Leah, said you haven’t been seeing each other for quite some time now. What are your plans, Callen? Are you still going to mess around?'' He asked and I heaved a long sigh. 

One thing I noticed about my father is that he thinks that I am fond of sleeping around with different women. That's the reason why I've refused to marry. But what he doesn't know is that I haven't found my heart desire yet.

 “I told you that the only way to claim the position of a C.E.O in the company after I retire, is by getting married.”

“ I understand Dad. But Leah isn’t the woman I find ideal enough to get married to.'' I responded, ''she forced on me through a blind date and I just need more time, I’d get someone el—“

'' You seem to misunderstand me, Callen.'' He chuckled and continued afterward. ''I have already submitted my retirement paper to the board and in no time, it will get approved. You have to be ready to take over.''

I lifted an eyebrow as realization dawned on me. There are so many people who are hell-bent on taking over his position if I am not ready by the time of his retirement. My grip tightened around the pen I held, as I remembered the ungrateful woman I saved from her husband three years ago. She ran away without fulfilling her own part of our agreement.

How I wish I could find her. I'll make her regret what she did to me. 

“I understand, Father. And I promise, it won't come to that, I assure you.''

''She’s on her way to your office. Don’t mess this up Damon!'' He said, and before I could open my mouth to speak, he'd already hung up the call.

 Curiosity took the best of me as his last words rung in my ears. "Who is on her way to meet me?" I asked myself with furrowed brows, and at the same time, a subtle knock sounded on the door. Before I could respond, a red-haired lady with a short dress that stopped on her mid-thigh, walked in grinning at me.

My countenance changed instantly, as I roared in anger. ''What are you doing here Leah? I made it clear the other day that I didn't want to see you again.''

 ''I’m sorry for what happened last time, Callen. How can I make it up to you, Darling?'' She walked up to me slowly, and put her hand on my chest, while I fought the urge to yank her off her feet and throw her out. There is nothing Leah could do that would make me change my mind towards her. She is the complete opposite of everything I stand for. She is like a loyal dog to my father and she has no morals or manners. 

 All these could have been avoided if that woman hadn't run away. Leah being the daughter of the company’s Vice President didn’t help matters. I don't trust him in any way and I have reasons to believe he wants the company too.

 '' I have already told you that I am not getting married to you, Leah. Why is it so difficult for you to understand?'' I muttered and dragged her hand away from my chest.

 ''You think your father wants you to get married to just anyone? He wants me! And even if he doesn’t, he has no choice.'' She sneered, and rolled her eyes, while I cocked my head and stared at her.

 “What do you mean?” I asked.

''You'll see, sooner or later. Bye!'' She blew me a kiss and walked out through the door, leaving me in a state of confusion. 

" Donald!" I called out to one of my guards who stood outside the door, and almost immediately, he rushed in.

" Yes boss!"

'' I want you to find me the woman from three years ago, Clara Clerk. The woman that escaped the Saint Hospital that night, I don’t care what you do to find her. I need everything you can gather. Her location, job, car number! Every fucking thing. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir.” He nodded and exited the room. 

As soon as he's out, Leah's words replayed in my head and I begin to ponder on it. But i was interrupted by a voice from outside.

“Sir!"

 Instantly, the door opened and one of my security guards entered, panting heavily. My brows knitted into a frown, and I glared at him. In my office, there's a rule to knock before you enter, and he just broke that rule.

“I’m sorry for barging in unannounced sir, it’s just…” 

'' This, better worth your disturbance, Col. What’s the problem?'' I dropped the pen on the table and leaned comfortably on the chair, waiting for him to speak up.

'' Your car, Sir. The latest model you bought four days ago has been ruined by two little boys who were playing around it. They wrote letters and horrible drawings on it. And also broke the traffic lights.''

" What?" I blurted out and sat upright.

'' We currently have them as our hostages, Sir.'' Col added, and I breathed a sigh of relief, and said coldly.

''That is good! Deal with them and make sure that whoever is responsible for them pays! Do you understand?''

“Yes sir, but the problem is that, these twins look exactly like you.''

My heart skipped a beat, and I widened my eyes as I stared at him, confused. “What do you mean by that?” I tilted my head and waited for his response.

Col gulped down and clapped his hands. Instantly, the door opened, and two men walked in with two little boys who were struggling to free themselves, while in tears.

''We are sorry, it wasn’t on purpose. Please don't punish us! We are sorry sir...'' They pleaded in fear, but I was lost in thought as I continued to stare at them. Col was right. The two kids looked exactly like me, but how come?

I have always been careful with the women I sleep with, making sure that none of them could threaten my empire with illegitimate children. I looked at the kids again, and something suddenly crossed my mind. " If these children are mine, then why hasn't their mother come to threaten me yet?" 

I looked up at the guards and asked with a stern face. “Who is their mother?''

Just then, I noticed a woman at the door who was trying to get in, but got restricted by the guards.

" Let her in." I said and leaned forward, my eyes intently gazing at her.