Chapter 5

Eriantha

"Anders, do you even know that you are scaring us?" Vivan was the first one to speak, as I was hardly breathing, it has been like this ever since we have learnt about the loan sharks. Whenever Anders goes out I am worried that they might do something to him, or whenever he says things like this, or when looks riled up I feel as if we are in danger.

We have deliberately kept the loan shark issue a secret from Vivian, that's because we both know if she learns about it, she will try to help us, using her family's money or her connections.Its already a problem for her that she has been coming here everyday hiding from her family. We don't wish to pile up on her problems. There was no point in tarnishing her with this dirt.

"That's because it's a bit of a situation here" Anders quipped while grinding his teeth, he was trying to subdue his pent up frustration. My brother doesn't like my best friend and I am the reason behind it.

"Are you going to sit like an snow man? Didn't I tell you to come up right away?"

I stood up immediately, as I was in the habit of always following his orders. Vivian grabbed my arm, "And are you going to speak cognizable sentences? Like, where do you want her to go and why were you so relieved to find me here, because that's really very shocking."

Anders closed his eyes and exhaled, something which he has been frequenting recently to get a grip of himself. My poor brother! Fortunately, he has stopped drinking ever since father's death, but I am afraid too much stress might bring back that habit.

"Mr.Karwitz is here, and he wants to meet you."At this point I thought Anders was talking to Vivian, so I turned towards her right away, wondering why Leonel was here to meet her? She looked slightly pale, but, held up her mask of composure.

"It's not Leonel Karwitz, it's... it's... Mr. Darcel Karwitz. You...you know him right Vivian? He just came asking for Eri...I...I... really don't know..."

Vivan relaxed momentarily, but now  a frown appeared on her forehead.

As for me, I froze.

'Who doesn't know him?

Darcel fuckinghandsome Karwitz!

He is here! Looking for me?

Did I just die? Is this heaven?

The youngest CEO in the perfume industry,  the head of  second best brand in the market after Cedine. I literally worship him like a fan girl. I have a collection of his interviews, looking  at his cover photos in magazines is my guilty pleasure. I can literally write an essay on him at any given moment.

It's not like I haven't seen him before, he was there briefly on the day of Father's last rites,but at that time he simply offered his condolence to my brother and left right away. My father was head of the Reux Perfumes. Not many remembered our history, but of course great men like Darcel Karwitz don't become great for nothing. They know how to touch the sky by staying grounded. That's the impression I have had of him even when he had just started off in his first year, and had received the youngest entrepreneur award.

I still remember, there was a a perfume making competition where I had participated under the pseudonym 'Sobriquet' which became the inspiration behind my own online brand now. He was the jury in that competition. I was the winner, but I didn't attend the award ceremony because I had to keep my identity hidden, but, I clearly remembered his words:

"Perfumery is a science blended in art. Know your science well but don't forget your art."

I had etched those words in my heart and mind.

"Eri..." Anders almost shouted to bring me back from my reverie.

"What do I do?" I asked out of sheer panic and rubbed my clammy hands.

"I don't know what this is about, but please don't do anything that can make our situation even worse." Anders pled.

I returned from my high and looked around, we are going through a nightmare, and someone of his stature is here looking for me, should I really be excited? Or, should I be worried?

Vivian held my hand gently, "I will come with you."

"But you are already busy Viv." I protested, but I was ignored right away, as she simply dragged me along with her without another word, something in me told me that Viv was vexed.

I opened the door of our meeting room with trembling hands, the only decent room in this entire office, I took a quick glance, fortunately it was cleaned up recently and the air conditioning was functioning properly for a change, I thanked my stars.

There he was, sitting across the small oval shaped glass table, his tall frame made it look even smaller. Darcel Karwitz, the twenty eight years old, sinfully handsome CEO of Karwitz Perfumes. That man was tall, really tall, his physique was lean but he had well trained muscles. His custom made suit hugged him the most appropriate way.

And his face?

I am not a poet, but if I was gifted with that art, he would have been my muse.

His brown hair dropped slightly longer along his neck, but it was waxed neatly at the back, the well defined square jaw gave off an aura of determination, he had a perfect Nubian nose to complement his features, and his gorgeous green eyes sat on me, pinning me at the door where I was standing like a bundle of nerves. If senses could be seen with naked eyes, mine would be found escaping like a helium balloon.

My legs were frozen and my heart was beating out so loud, that probably it's sound was echoing in the entire room. It was like a dream come true, a fan girl moment, but all I felt inside me was fear.

I clenched my fist, my nails hurt my palms, I tried hard to school my features in order to look confident.

Right at that very moment, taking us by surprise, Vivian stormed into the room like some werewolf and banged on the table.

I could hear the glass top crack.

"So, it was about you. No wonder Leonel had been so curious about my life all of a sudden, especially my best friend whom he avoids like a plague."

I have never seen my friend lose it like that.

'It was expensive Viv why did you have to hit it so hard?Where's all the strength coming from?'

"Fuck"

Before I knew it a curse escaped my lips. I bit my lips immediately in a futile attempt to take back my words.

His lips twitched and a hint of amusement reached his eyes. Did he just smirk at me?

His face didn't give away much. Just like those pictures, he was impassive and yet gorgeous.

"I thought you were better than your brother." Vivian snarled, "But, I was wrong, all of you are the same.  I had my own suspicions, when you suddenly appeared during Late Mr Reux's funeral, but then I thought maybe you have some humanity left in your blood. I should have known better, it was all because you wanted to buy this company. I know well about the Karwitz corporation's aggrandizing tendencies. But, listen well Darcel, the Reux aren't selling their family company. Never."

Darcel cracked up a deep laughter.

This man could laugh? I didn't know if what I saw was for real.

He lifted his palm in an attempt to stop her, and she took a step backwards.

Did she flinch? I couldn't tell.

"You are quite the Knight in shining armour Amber. I never knew you had this side too. But, let me disillusion your presumptions about this whole thing. To begin with, me coming here has nothing to do with Reux Perfumes. I have no intentions of buying this..." He spoke sardonically as he shrugged and raised his hands in the air, trying to find an appropriate word for this place.

Well, this place is a company, we were 'The Reux Perfumes'. The oldest perfume brand. I know we aren't upholding any of that glory, but he didn't really have to rub it on my face.

Some of my previous excitement dissipated. It could be called disappointment of a fan.

So you are not as nice as I thought you were.

I looked straight at him, this time minus the nervousness.

"Amber, I wouldn't I have approached Mr.Anders if I had any intention of extending business with Reux Perfumes?"

Vivan was back to her collected self from God knows what kind of superpower, her mask was back.

"Oh really then why are you even here?"

"Because I am interested to speak with Miss Reux. Alone" He emphasised the last word, while scanning me up and down.

Vivian opened her mouth to say something, but Darcel stood up, I knew that man was really tall, but now he was standing this close to me, so the height difference was prominent.

"Vivian"

He called her name this time, and she took a step back as if her body was on auto mode, or that she got the message, a code which probably wealthy lots understood. She turned to her heels and gave me a brief glance, I couldn't say if she was intimidated, because one can hardly tell much when Viv had her mask on.

"I have to go now, but call me right away."

Before I could stop her she was outside the door, and I was left alone with Darcel Karwitz.

His eyes were glued to me, there was a hint of amusement, and it was at that moment I realised I was dressed in the shabbiest way possible.

I was in my blue jeans which had seen better days, and a black cropped top, my neon pink sneakers stood out way too much, and the number of crystal bracelets I was wearing, was a bit of an over kill. My hair hasn't been washed for days, because I have hardly any time for myself, hence it pulled up in a bun.To a man who was so impeccably dressed, and is a part of the Karwitz corporations, I must look like a homeless loon.

Crossing my arms in a defensive way, I cleared my throat, it wasn't the time to be intimidated by him, and I was a bit annoyed by how much he belittled our company.

"Why are you here Mr. Karwitz?"

He glanced at his ridiculously expensive Blancpain watch, making it obvious that I have asked him something which he had already stated and he doesn't intend in wasting his precious time on repeating himself.

"Let me rephrase that Sir." I had to crane my neck to look at him, but I would look him in the eye than look puny. I took a step forward to look at ease,"Why do you want to meet me?"

The green eyes peered at me as if they had got a glimpse of my soul, "I am here, because you have been ignoring me Miss Reux."