“Wait a minute. What do you mean by what I am trying to do?” She asked, her tone getting slightly angered as she stood up.
“You know what I am talking about.” I hissed, turning to her.
“No, I don’t. According to you I lied to you. So tell me what you are talking about.”
“Don’t disturb me.” I said sternly.
“No. Listen. You are believing Elmer because he told you I was going to tell you this before and you believed him?” She asked.
“Didn’t you think for a second that he might be saying this to clear himself up and put all faults at me?” She continued, agitated.
“Why don't you believe me?” She asked in a croaked voice.
“Who is Nicolas?” I asked hurriedly. Her eyes widened upon hearing, her mouth gaped along with a look of stagger sweeping off from her face.
Fright mixed with distress formed over her face which made my heart ache in the terror of knowing something unbearable for both her and me.
She narrowed her eyes at me in… disgust?
She whispered, “Someone I love as much as I love Rufus.”
Her words were sincere.
“And how much you love me, huh?” I asked mockingly.
“More than anything.” She replied earnestly but I belittled her words and scoffed.
“Enough Candice. Don’t show this to me.” I said icily.
“What happened to you, Tyler? What did Elmer tell you that you are not believing me?”
“You want to know what he told me? He told me you have a very dark past, that I don’t dig your old scars. Your love for Nicolas, you lie… everything.” I told her.
How can I trust her when exactly what happened made me lose trust in her?
“Tell me who should I believe? You who is not telling me anything or your Father who even told me to stay away from it?” She gasped, looking at me in extreme sorrow.
She looked at me in an incomprehensible dolor. A reflection of heartbreak as she lowered her gaze.
“I.. don’t know what to say to convince you.” She breathed out.
“Just answer my one question, Candice… Are you cheating on me?” I asked with cracking difficulty.
Knowing it’s answer very well and cursing myself for asking this.
Candice looked at me in disappointment and whispered as a tear glistened on her cheek.
“Tyler I thought.. of all people you wouldn’t trust me… You will believe in me but you are like everyone else.” Her voice was deeply grieved, mixed with anger.
She sniffed and wiped her tears and hissed.
“You are going. Fine then, go and when you will come back. I’ll tell you everything about me. But promise you will not hate me then.”
“It depends.” I said coldly, took my bag and was about to leave but she called me again.
“Tyler.”
“Now what?” I asked, being irritated.
“Have breakfast before going.” she said coldly and went to the bathroom.
I grit my teeth in consternation, not apprehending anything, falling the depths of turmoils and losing my path more.
But despite all this, I should be happy that Candice said she will tell me everything when I return.
Unwillingly, I sat down to save breakfast. Candice came to me passing me a faint smile. She leaned in close to me and whispered.
“Tyler… no matter what happens, never forget I love you and cannot cheat on you.” I hummed looking away.
Taking a bite of my pancake but she held my hand and ate my bite. I looked at her annoyed. Her aura was emitting intense sadness.
I turned to her, a bit of chocolate syrup left on the corner of her lips.
I remember the time when she wiped the cotton candy from my lip so I did the same.
I moved my hand close and wiped it off quickly, not meeting her gaze.
“Candice… My love for you drives me insane.”
Her mouth gaped, she pulled away. It wasn’t like before. It was awkward and I don’t know how these words escaped unwillingly.
I cleared my throat and left without saying another word.
***
Me and George were in Paris now to know about the problem with The Dark Seductress who sniffed not only on my work but on my life as well.
I entered my hotel room, stressed about both work and my life.
A woman was trying to piss me off and now I am here to show her what happens when you get personal with me.
On the other hand a strange situation where I don’t know what to believe anymore.
I shouldn’t think about it, Let Candice tell me.
I sighed and sat on the bed. I opened my phone only to see texts from Candice.
Have a safe journey.
Have you reached yet?
If you have time, call me.
I don’t think I can ever be angry at her. A smile came to my lips upon seeing her text. I thought of replying her and I did,
Yes. I have reached my hotel.
I see. Call me when you’ll be free. Her reply came immediately. I was about to call her but the door knocked and it was George.
He entered and said,
“Sir, here’s the file about Ms Julia Larney.” I hummed, motioning him to give me the fine. I put my phone aside and opened the file.
“Looks like Missy needs guns immediately because of the outbreak of rivalry gangs and she has insufficient weapons.” I said, checking her file.
“Her manufacturing company is not making enough so she needs instant assistance only to be received by me.”
That’s why she was willing to fall so low only to make me help her out.
“But too bad. Her game is over.” I scoffed, rolling my eyes off.
I’ll indulge myself in breaking her empire as my last job. She’ll pay for angering me.
“So that’s why the little Miss needs our assistance urgently.” I said, closing the file.
“Also, Sir.” George called me. “What?”
“About the guy Nicolas.” I turned my attention to him.
“Did you find him out?”
“Sir, he lives in California with his wife and son. He is about Madam’s age. There’s no specific relation between her and him. We couldn’t find any except…”
“Except?” I raised an eyebrow.
“He is from the same brothel where Madam was born.” He said.
“Could it be.. he is a childhood friend?” I asked myself.
“It is possible, Sir. He visited Madam a month before you decided to make your introduction official to Madam.” he said.
“Maybe she didn't want you to know she came from a brothel?” He asked with a shrug.
I hummed. Suddenly Candice’s words came to my mind when she said she loves him as much as she loves Rufus.
“Did.. .I misunderstand something?” I paused, turning to him.
Maybe she didn’t want me to know where she was born or about her mother, knowing her insecurity, it must be it.
“I guess because it doesn’t seem like she would betray you.” He said softly.
But if she didn’t give money to Nicolas then to whom? She surely withdrew money but never transferred it and he never came.
‘Could it be… Candice is telling the truth and her Father is plotting things?’
My thoughts were interrupted when the door knocked again and this time, Austin came. I looked up from my file at him.
“Welcome sir.” He said. I hummed and said.
“Good Job, Austin.” I said.
“Thank you, Sir.” He smiled.
“Seems like Mr Julia has an important meeting tonight to negotiate with her rivals. Let’s give her a warm welcome in the evening.” I smirked darkly.
“Great job for choosing this Hotel.” I said to George.
“I need to keep the target in place.” He said.
“Let’s create conflicts.” I said.