.CHAPTER 2.

THE ACHINGLY ARISTROCRATIC Kirkgarde Manor, located at 1813 Hill View, E.A in Verum City, Casterton State, was eleven thousand square feet of magnificence. Grandeur.

Right before the massive oak doors leading to the interior of the aesthetic mansion lay a long rectangular shaped fountain, smooth and well sculpted with fine hands. The tiled four corners were lined with a train of low well trimmed grass that could easily be mistaken for a green carpet. Crystalline water spurted upwards into the blue sky and downward into the hollow space in fours in a straight line.

Behind, there was an outdoor fire pit with unblemished white cushioned chairs for recreation as borders. In the fire pit, the Kirkgardes traded tired looking fire logs, lava rocks or wood with elegant well-polished reflective gray fireglass. Fireglasses are recycled glass polished to sin. They sparkle like soft diamonds as yellow flames stained with blue dance lightly on them. It had a fire and ice look that only added to it's beauty.

A good distance from the firepit, an overflowing infinity pool about 20 meters long and 5 metres wide with water about 1.7 meters deep graced a wide space. Crystal clear fluid flowed over one edge yielding an optic effect of water with no boundary. It was carefully designed to look as though the edge appeared to merge with the sky.

To the other end of the fence, there was an outdoor cabana with draping white curtains. Beneath it, there was a large daybed and pillows. Viewing the purlieus from above, the three artifacts made a triangle. The Cabana at the head, the firepit at the left and the infinity pool at the right. A round fountain adorned the center of the triangle and a carpet-like grass and trees spread out behind the cabana and the firepit.

A few distance away from the building, a guest cottage and a staff quarters slept.

The lengthy driveway that led to the 3.6 acre of land from the public road was divided into two equal parts with a gate inbetween. A gate Xaver's Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport was driving through now.

Parking his car in the garage, he took a deep breath. He hadn't gotten any sleep last night and he'd gone to work early this morning all the while stuffing coffee down his throat. Presently, He was exhausted, sick with all the caffeine and he probably had a hundred angry text messages from Crystal. Xaver just wanted to get home and crash but his mother, Clara Kirkgarde requested to see him and here he was walking up the three steps to the front door, the scent of fresh flowers tickling his nostrils.

On queue, the butler, a middle aged half bald man pulled the door open and Xaver nodded his thanks. If the exterior looked grand, the interior looked even better. A lovely chandelier hung from a high ceiling, directly above the little garden of roses sitting at the center of the house. On either side of the garden, stairs curled spirally upwards merging together at a hallway.

Straight ahead, after the garden, beneath the stairs was a rich living room. There was a center table with a flower vase, chairs and a large mirror on the ceiling, another chandelier hung off a small circle carved halfway through the reflective glass. On the right side, a large kitchen was filled with busy chefs and matrons. On, the left side, a gorgeous lengthy dining table and cushioned seats stood still. Clara hated flowers but it made the colossal home look livelier and Homier than it actually was so she kept them around.

The mansion contained five bedrooms, involving an expansive master suite, 5 baths, vaulted ceilings, spiral staircases, a sizable deck with a jacuzzi, wine cellar, music room, gym, sauna, steam room, business office, art room, playroom, computer loft and a separate private study or library.

It also had a home theatre or home cinema. This refers to home entertainment audio-visual systems that heighten a movie theater feel and mood using consumer electronic video and audio equipment. The Kirkgarde manor was also built with integrated home automation. It involves the governing and automation of heating, ventilation, lighting, air conditioning, home appliances such as washers and dryers, ovens, refrigerators and security. Most times, Wi-Fi is often used for remote monitoring and control via internet.

The basement had a music studio, a game room and a sizable sitting room.

Atop, the stairs, Clara Kirkgarde stared down at him. Her back rimrod straight, her hands entwined in front of her elegantly.

She was wearing a backless ankle length gown. It swooped down in a tender u-shaped pattern, ending just above her butt. The neckline was choker-like and the sleeves were long. On the left side of the dress, a slit was made, high above her knee, daringly close to her thigh. The material was a shiny royal blue colour, the crystals winking like little stars beneath the chandelier.

Her naturally black hair was cut short and dyed a healthy milky white colour, the roots still a dark black colour. The strands were painfully straight, the tips: razor sharp and leveled, caressing her shoulders softly. She reminded him of an Egyptian goddess.

Xaver never saw his mother slouch just like he never saw her laugh. Nothing about her was impulsive. Every move was calculated. The siren walk she did when her feet moved, her smile, the way she ate, the sultry way she talked as though she were waking up from sleep, the way she drew breath, the way she looked at someone. Everything was calculated.

They'd learnt how to act around her when they were kids. The nanny did a good job teaching them.

Clara Kirkgarde was never hugged. That was the first lesson. You know, the way a four year old boy would run into his mother's arms when he sees her. Not Xaver. Not Clara. He'd tried it once. A bright sunny day, he'd been so happy to see her he'd forgotten. As he raced towards her, he'd seen her eyes widen with fear before he was snatched back by his nanny and just as the fear came it left.

He'd wanted to ask. He was so curious he asked the nanny but she shushed him. Another lesson, you don't speak unless you're spoken to. Unless there is dire need for it. Everything about his childhood was calculated. He was trained to be calculated. His sister was trained to be calculated. But they had moments when they were liberated. Free.

His grandmother. She'd hated the fact that Clara tried to tame their spirits. She encouraged them to feel the energy that comes with being young but it was easier said than done. And when she'd fallen ill and was taken away, he was crushed. He missed her. He'd cried secretly but Dinah had heard him. He was a teenager, she was barely seven but she'd held his hand and stayed with him, her silent presence a soothing comfort.

Currently, Clara shifted and a hefty man whom Xaver recognized as Caleb, the chief security, about 7 feet tall walked forward and she wrapped her hand round his elbow as he led her down the stairs. The building had automation that dealt with security but their security team were nearby. They weren't lined up in the halls because it'll just be uncomfortable, they stayed hidden but present. They were always around.. The Kirkgardes didn't have much friends.

His mother looked quite small and delicate next to Caleb but she reeked independence and power as her stilettos made contact with stairs, aiding her descent. At the base, Caleb left her and she walked over to her son. Calculated. Deliberate.

"Mother", he let out as he placed his hand on the small of her back, his fingers touching her skin as he kissed her cheeks.

"You're not getting enough sleep, Xaver", she said as she walked to the living room next to the kitchen, leaving him to follow.

Before they could sit, a menial appeared, tray in hand and two gold lined flutes of champagne in tow. He felt like he was going to suffocate from all the stiffness. Clara accepted hers but didn't drink from it, she never did. She mostly drank when she hosted parties or gatherings. She drank because it was expected, she was meant to.

Xaver, on the other hand took a small sip of his and leaned back. He needed this to neutralize the caffeine or maybe he was batshit stupid if he thought champagne and coffee was a good mix.

A few moments passed and Clara spoke. As usual, she hit the nail on the head and he'd guessed why he would be summoned, he wasn't wrong, "Crystal said you cut her off. Why?" she raised an eyebrow.

Crystal was his fiancee. They've been engaged for a year now and she was already driving him out of his mind. All she did was shop for unnecessary shit and talk. Half the things she said didn't even make sense. Hell, everything she said didn't make sense. She was plain stupid and so fucking spoiled it infuriated him. The fact that she was dense as shit wasn't lost on his mother either.

"She was spending too much", he replied, his left hand loosening his tie tiredly.

Clara didn't flinch, her soft smooth tone didn't change, "She's brain-dead and spoiled. Give her whatever she wants".

"Of course. I'm stuck with a half-wit for the rest of my life. She'd drain the life out of me before the next year".

"We can't lose her, Xaver", there was a warning to the statement. It wasn't in her tone because Clara always managed to sound like a siren in heat, slow and sweet like still waters, even when she was furious but the warning was there nevertheless.

He ran a palm down his face, "She's going to stay cut off for a while. If I'm going to be married to that piece of shit she has to learn to be prudent and she's going to learn to work. Last two months, she decided on expensive white linens for the wedding. This week, she had the white linens removed and ordered light yellow ones. She's spent almost a million dollars on fucking linens". In addition, she was having a special wedding dress sewn for her and only God knew how much it would cost.

Xaver knew all the money being taken didn't even make a dent on his bank account. He hardly ever noticed money was leaving. He was a Kirkgarde. Money wasn't shit. And the "prestigious" wedding between he and Crystal would only make their already overflowing bank dollar sacks to pour out even more. They were richer than her parents but her family was rich enough. And the Kirkgardes were taking all they could get. All.

For years, the Kirkgardes have been through arranged families. It's been existing throughout history. Once a child is born, he or she is betrothed. To wealthy families, of course. The betroths meet later in their early twenties, when they're are old enough to ascend and govern the companies. They court for two or more years and then get married. No one cares if you two don't like each other. Marriage has always been business to the Kirkgardes. And it will always be.

"I don't care how much she spends or what your personal problems with her are. Don't ruin this. Make her happy, Xaver. Don't make her call me again". Even Clara couldn't stand her and Xaver knew an order when he heard one.

"Yes, Ma". No one gave two shits how he felt about all this, "She won't call you again".

"Good". Clara got on her feet and Xaver placed the customary kiss on her cheeks as expected. Invisible Caleb became visible again and began to lead Clara away.

As she placed one elegant leg over the other in a sultry delicate walk she called out, her voice light and sweet, like a woman who'd just orgasmed, "Get some sleep, love. You won't run the company from the grave".

I'd really like to, he thought.

~•~

Xaver walked into his office to Lucy Logan, his executive assistant of four years, dropping his morning cup of coffee on his desk.

"Good Morning, Mr. Kirkgarde", she greeted as soon as she saw him.

Xaver absentmindedly nodded his greeting as he shrugged out of his coat and sat behind his desk as Lucy began to refer to the files she'd dropped atop his table earlier, "You have a meeting by 9 o'clock this morning with Walcom Corporations and you're going to have to sign these documents, they're to be sent out by two o'clock this afternoon".

Clicking his pen, fingers moved as black stained white, "Remind me, why am I signing this?"

"To seal off the deal you made with two other companies. They need your stamp of approval".

Of course.

When he was done, Lucy left with the signed documents and Xaver fired up his laptop.

K.G Inc., the Kirkgarde technology company has been in existence since 1833. The towering building was nearly as high as a skyscraper with thousands of offices, elevators and document storage rooms. Of course, the initial building wasn't this big but as the years passed, there was upgrade.

The Kirkgardes produced high-tech devices including phones, cars, computers and so on. K.G Inc. was handled by Xaver's father and his father before him and so it has been for generations which led to the accumulation of inundating wealth, also aided by marriage.

After series of meetings, phone calls and emails, Xaver was almost finished when Alexander Mourmon, a full-time Casanova and Kirkgarde's long-time friend strode into his office. It was 6 o'clock then and the office was empty save for Lucy who only leaves work when Xaver does or if Xaver tells her to. As an assistant, she was always needed.

"Xaver, give yourself a break. Go home to Crystal", Alexander said drily as he took a seat.

"Mind your goddamn business", Xaver replied absentmindedly,

"I mean, she's definitely a succubus and toxic as hell but you need to stop working and go home to your wife".

"Fiancee"

"She has a ring on her finger. I don't see the difference"

"You're dense as fuck, then".

Alex laughed and shook his head, grinning.

"Tell me one thing you like about her"

"The sex is good", Xaver replied, his eyes and hands never leaving his computer. And the sex was good. Probably, the only reason he wasn't fully fighting their joining in holy matrimony.

"I knew I should have fucked her before you two met. I jerked off to her yesterday. In my penthouse".

"You can take her. If she'll have you, that is"

Alex rolled his eyes, "Of course, she will. I am Alexander".

This time Xaver laughed, "You are Alexander". His eyes still on his computer. Working with distraction was a rare gift and he had it.

"You're likely to die from work exhaustion and caffeine overdose".

As though summoned with words, Lucy walked in with Xaver's evening cup of coffee just as he was switching off his laptop. He'd been looking at the plan for the next phone they were about to release and sending the last email while Alex talked his ear off.

Taking a swing of the warm liquid, he sighed in relief and leaned back on his chair, watching as Alex watched Lucy pick up files and drop them in their appropriate cabinets on the other side of his office. As expected, Alexander had hit on Lucy more than once and she'd brushed him off.

"The charity event on Tuesday, will you attend?"

Alex snapped his attention back to Xaver. "The Charity event? What will I get in return for coming?"

"It's charity, Alex. You give. You don't get".

"Of course but you still owe me. Am I supposed to come with someone?"

He took another sip, "If you wish to".

A moment of silence passed and Alex spoke, "Lucy—"

"No", she cut him off as she picked up a document she was meant to fax to Walcom and stalked out of the office.

Xaver burst out laughing and Alex shot him a death glare.

"She didn't even let me finish"

"Leave her alone", Xaver replied, chuckling slightly.

Alexander was a sight to behold with daunting hazel eyes, golden hair sleeked back to perfection, high cheekbones and a quick easy smile for the ladies. A gentleman and a rogue. Perfect blend.

"She's coming with me, by the way".

"You didn't tell me Crystal was dead yet".

Xaver narrowed his eyes, "She isn't. This charity event is business not pleasure and as my assistant, her presence is highly required".

"Of course",  Alex replied, "I'll bring Whitney then". Whitney was Xander's girlfriend of six years. She knew he literally walked around with his cock out but she stayed with him anyways.

Xaver shrugged nonchalantly, his thoughts distant. He was going to make sure someone else got an invite. He'd like to see her again. This time, without his engagement ring.