Deceit, lies, they were the two things I hated the most.
Many believed that lies created control. But one thing I was sure of was that it only created fractures-small gaps that eventually broke everything apart.
The sun was yet to fully rise when I arrived at the office. Daniel raised an eye brow.
I had never arrived that early before not like I used to arrive late either.
"Early today, huh?"
I didn't answer, he sat at the edge of my desk fiddling with his favourite pen.
"So what did you find?" I asked.
Daniel teased.
"You seem rather too enthusiastic about this Belmont heiress."
"Just answer my question."
He smiled.
"Well....from my research it's proven that she's hot as fuck, she's to die for."
I raised my brows.
"The relevant part Dan."
He sighed and gave me the such a spoil sport look.
"She's 24, a model, the only daughter of Gigi Belmont, studied law in Europe, no known scandal, very private."
So she's a law student, that was unexpected.
"Her acquaintances?"
Daniel continued.
"From my research, she only has one close friend-Scout Elliot."
I repeated.
"Scout."
"She's the one who attended the date last night."
His words fully solidified my doubts.
"Did you do any findings on her?"
"Yes. She's an orphan and has been Miss Belmont's best friend since elementary school and she works at Alan's print magazine."
"Contact our lawyer, draft out a contract for the acquisition of the company."
Daniel smirked.
"Don't tell me you've been smitten by the best friend of you wife-to-be."
I clarified.
"She's the girl from the accident."
Daniel's expression turned serious.
"I'll go contact the lawyer."
The moment he left my phone rang.
The caller Id held the name of my future mother-in-law.
I reluctantantly picked up the call.
"Hello Vincent."
"What is the matter Mrs Belmont?"
"I think I owe you an apology for my daughter's rude behavior."
"I was wondering how long it would take." I said.
"My daughter can be very... resistant at times, especially when she's being forced to do something." She continued."But what happened yesterday was not something I approved of."
"So now you admit that were being forced into this."
"It was your mother's wish and it's for the best."
"But as we can see, your daughter wants to ruin this engagement."
"The woman from yesterday is Scout Elliot, my daughter's best friend."
"I know."
The silence stretched out for some time.
"I will make sure this doesn't repeat itself." She breaks the silence. "I apologize on my daughter's behest."
"There's no need for an apology." I said.
"Still, I apologize."
"Apology accepted." I softened.
Gigi Belmont wasn't a bad person. There was no need to make things tough for her.
"You know this marriage isn't a game."
"I understand perfectly."
Another pause.
"I want to fix this properly." She said.
I didn't respond.
"Belmont will be hosting a private product launch next week." She added. "Exclusive vvip guests only."
Intimate. Privately public. Strategic.
"Forward me the details so I'll check my schedule." My hands tightened around the phone.
"I will."
A pause.
"And Vincent?"
"Yes."
"I hope last night's issue will not change your decision."
I didn't hesitate.
"My decisions aren't that fragile."
Once I made up my mind it became difficult to bend my decisions.
"Good." I could legit hear her sigh through the phone. "I'll see you next week."
Once the call ended, my head fell back as random thoughts flooded my head.
My future wife was trying to ruin the alliance.
I couldn't blame her, I would have done the same had it not been my mother's wish.
But since it was my mother's wish I was going to fulfill it whether said bride was interested or not.
Soon I was going to meet her.
The real one.
The woman I was supposed to marry.
The woman my mother chosen.
But instead of anticipation.
My mind drifted to my savior.
Scout Elliot.
I finally picked up the document Daniel had left on my table.
When I opened it a picture of Scout fell out.
She and Mayelle looked strangely alike for people who weren't family.
"You shouldn't have reappeared." I said to myself.
Not my mother's last wish.
Not my father's expectation.
Not Mayelle.
Yet somehow...
An important variable in the whole equation.
I set the documents down slowly.
I picked up my jacket, slipping it on with practiced ease.
The answer to why my mom had chosen Mayelle was yet to be known.
But one thing I was sure of was that I never let unanswered questions stay that way for long.
Just as I was about to leave, my door flung open.
Adrian stepped in with Daniel behind him.
"I tried to stop him." Daniel explained the moment my eyes landed on him.
Adrian Kyle Russo
My stepbrother.
"Vincé it's been one week since I last saw you." Adrian complained.
Remember when I said only my mom called me Vincé.
I forgot to add Adrian.
Let's just say he was the only family I didn't detest at the moment.
"I've been busy." I respond.
"Heard from dad that you're getting engaged to the Belmont heiress."
"Yh. I'm fulfilling my mom's wish." I didn't deny it.
"Dad's above the moon with this alliance, not sure what's wrong with his old brain."
Adrian hated our dad half as much as I did.
"If your mom hears you saying this she'll skin you alive." I said.
"Who cares what she'll do."
I scoffed.
"You should leave now."
"When will you learn to stop chasing me away brother." He smiled slightly.
"I've warned you never to call me that." My expression turning dark.
"Fine, I won't call you that. Don't get mad."
"Leave."
"I'll see you next week at the Belmont product launch then." He left after saying this.
"You don't have to be that harsh to him." Daniel butted in.
"He's a product of my dad's deceit."
"But most importantly he's one of your most loyal supporters."
I glared at him.
"That doesn't matter."
"He didn't birth himself Vincent, don't keep chasing him away like that, he's a good kid." Daniel lingered.
"I know he is." I said before Daniel left.
Alone again, I stared at the ring that served as a pendant on the necklace around my neck.
I was definitely going to find the ones who killed my mom and when I did....
I didn't even know what I would do.
My mind thought back to my supposed future wife.
Would we be able to co-exist?
That, I would find out soon.