SHADOW
SEDUCTION
WRITTEN BY : NOEL INNOCENT
CHAPTER FOUR: Unraveling Ties
Relaxing in my chair, I couldn’t
fathom the idea of building a company solely
for food experimentation. Money wasn’t my
sole motivation, and such endeavors were far
from my interests.
My phone buzzed, George calling about an
unavoidable meeting. Sighing, I returned the
call. “Speak.”
“Sir, where are you? You have a meeting at four
this afternoon,” George urgently informed.
“Today?” I questioned, seeking an escape route.
“It can’t be cancelled,” he emphasized.
“I’ll be there,” I replied, cutting the call. My gaze
wandered outside to Lacey, who was diligently
managing my schedule and affairs. Dialing her
office line, I summoned her over, conveying her
importance with a subtle finger gesture.
As she entered, I couldn’t help but smile. “I can’t
get used to it.”
“The papers?” she questioned, leaning in. I
sensed her unawareness of our proximity. As
my face neared hers, she turned pale and
withdrew. “Sorry.”
“I need you to take care of things,” I instructed,
grabbing my phone and car keys.
“What do you mean?” confusion etched her
face.
“I won’t be returning today.”
“But, sir, you have a meeting in the next hour.”
“Hmm,” I mused, smiling. “Cancel the meeting or
attend it for me. Your choice.”
“This is unbelievable!” Lacey exclaimed, her
secretary personal vanishing. “You buy a
company with no interest?”
“I told you,” I stepped closer, “to see your face.
Plus, I want to marry you.”
“People’s lives are involved in this!” she yelled,
not flattered. “If this company goes to ruins, do
you think I’ll be happy?”
Reaching my limit, I grabbed her head and
pulled her closer. “Miss Lacey,” I frowned, “I
don’t appreciate you raising your voice. One
more word, and I would kiss you.”
“Are you kidding me?” She slapped my hands
away. “I demand you give this back to Sir Ethan.
”
“Why?” I put on my jacket. “Are you in love with
him?”
“I am!” she yelled.
“Are you sure?” I frowned, sensing her anger.
“You mean to tell me that bastard has Fuçked
you?”
Anger appeared on her face”That’s obviously
none of your business.”
“Let me share a secret,” I whispered to her ear, “I
don’t care about virginity, but whoever has Fuçk
the person I wish to marry is in dying.” I
withdrew. “Choose your words carefully. Is
Ethan your lover?”
“Of course not!”
“That’s a lot better.” I finally smiled. “Cancel my
meeting. I’ll be back before the second one,
promise to attend that. Is that better?”
“I suppose.”
With that, I left the company, got into my car,
and drove off. I was met with an angry sight of
George. “Don’t tell me.”
“One of the models for the new launch
surprisingly fell sick,” he explained.
“Where is she?”
“Rushed to the hospital.”
“Where’s the substitute?”
“Right here,” Diana threw herself at me, and her
embrace didn’t sit well with me. “Did you miss
me?”
“Why didn’t you pick someone better?” I
frowned, pushing her away. “I’m sure there were
better choices.”
“I’m your cousin,” she frowned. “Plus, I’m a
model,” she yelled, sounding offended.
“I really don’t like seeing your face,” I told her.
Handing the files back to George, I directed my
attention to him. “The photoshoot will begin
while the meeting continues, right?”
“Yes, sir. The board of directors is in the meeting
hall.”
“Excellent,” I muttered. Today had unexpectedly
become more stressful.
leaving me to face the aftermath of
his absence. I had to present the report in his
place, wrestling with the details of a new variety
of food that now required research. The
upcoming week seemed daunting.
After exiting the meeting hall, I dropped the file
on my desk, exhausted. The vibration of my
phone jolted me. Answering it, I absentmindedly
picked at the food in front of me.
“Lacey?” Monica’s voice reached me. “Are you
okay?”
“What are you saying? Of course, I’m fine.”
“You haven’t heard the news.”
“Is my father dead?” I asked, surprisingly
unfazed.
“Worse than that.”
Moving to the news site, I was met with a
gruesome image. ” what is this?” The sight of
Edwin personal assistant dead body on the
floor, if I try to look closely, his hands were cut
off in pieces, eyes pulled out but left there to
die.
“Someone posted it right after killing him,”
Monica explained.
“Oh my god, who could do such a thing?”
“Not all, Lacey,” Monica clarified. “Edwin got
beaten up, nothing serious, but enough to
dislocate a bone.”
My hands covered my mouth, the shock evident
on my face. At that moment, Arthur walked in,
looking exhausted. Our eyes met, and he smiled,
seemingly oblivious to the grim news. The mix
of emotions inside me overwhelmed me as I
watched him approach.
I had long wished for his demise, even prayed
for it. However, the news of someone else
executing it left me angry. Not out of pity, but
because I wanted to be the one to end him, to
carry out my own vengeance.
“The meeting is over?” Arthur asked, and I
nodded.
“Come with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m hungry,” he declared. “We’re having dinner
together.”
“Why would I want to eat with you?”
“Isn’t it normal to eat with your boss?”
“No.”
“Then make it a meeting, discussing my
schedule.”
As I stood up, I voiced my intentions. “Sir Arthur,
I have no desire to get close to you. I also need
you to cancel this wedding.”
“I can’t do that,” he frowned. “You might not
know it, but you belong to me.”
“I am no one’s property.”
“You’re mine, Lacey.” He ran his hand through
his hair. “Too tired for this. Get ready for dinner.”
“I love someone else,” I stated, but Arthur
seemed unfazed as we left the company.
“You said that earlier,” he remarked.
“So why are you still trying to marry me?”
“Because I’m offended,” he frowned. “No one
rejects me. What do you need that I can’t give
you?” He opened the car door for me, and as we
drove, he continued. “I’m handsome, rich.” His
brow lifted. “What else could a woman want?”
Looking at his face this close, I frown ” I like
blond hair ” that made him exhale as he retreat ”
you have dark hair ”
His proximity made it hard to deny his charm.
“You’re unbelievable,” he said, noting the silence
that engulfed us during the drive. Arthur’s phone
rang, and he answered on speaker.
“You finished the yoghurt again!” the voice on
the other end complained.That made me laugh,
had no idea when I burst out ” you have
someone in there?”
” Just get a new one” Arthur growl, his voice
always seem deeper and full with command
when talking to others but not me.
I wonder why?
“Stop coming to my apartment.”The man on the
other side growl”Have you seen the news?”
“Don’t have time.”Arthur explained
.
“It’s done.”
“Excellent,” Arthur responded, leaving me
curious about their conversation.
“Edwin is asking to see you,” the voice
continued. Hearing Edwin name, my heart
suddenly beat faster ” he is in the hospital ”
“I’m too bu—” I wave him, making him stop
what he is about to say”Fine, we’ll be there,” he
said, ending the call.
“You should see him; he’s obviously hurt,” I
suggested.
“Hmm,” Arthur replied, the car ride steeped in
silence. once again silence engulf us, I had no
idea what he is thinking but the thought of
seeing Edwin again is making me excited, I have
missed him. ” Get out ” he mumble, rather in a
harsh way, is he angry?
Stepping out, I followed him into the hospital.
He briefly spoke to the receptionist before
guiding me towards Edwin’s ward. As we
entered, I saw Edwin lying there, severely
injured.
“Arthur, you b—” Edwin began but stopped upon
seeing me. “Lacey?”
“You know her?” Arthur asked, holding my hand
and pulling me close. “She’s my fiancée.”I
quickly look at Arthur who is grinning but in his
eyes, he is super upset ” isn’t this world just
small ”
Pulling my hands out of his, I frown ” am not
your fiancee”
” Wait outside” I look at him then flinch, his glare
intimidating ” I said you should wait outside,
now.”
TBC
