Chapter 18

Nicholas POV

Ever since I realized that the people, especially the ones dear to you, can be so evil and vile for the right price and a good amount of power, I always expected the unexpected, which is why I wasn't too surprised with the way this discussion suddenly turned into a blackmail operation.

"So since you figured the missing piece out, what do you want from me?" I asked with a stoic expression.

He grinned, "Nicholas you have got it all wrong, I am not here to become your enemy or anything like that. "

"Then if you are not here for that, tell me then what exactly you are here for?"

"I need your help more like I need your assistance."

I was taken back by that statement. I mean a man like Secretary Victor Duncan is not known to just willingly ask for help. Something must definitely be up.

"There is nothing strange for a man to ask for help, you know. "

How the hell does he know what I am thinking, that just creepy and weird as fuck because for over 8 years i have been know to be an expressionless bastard and I don't give a single fuck about it.

"Ok so what type of assistance do you need from me Mr Victor? "

"Enough with that Mr Victor shit, you can call me Victor. " He says, "Before I tell you anything I need you to answer some very important questions..... Which is somehow linked to the assistance I need from you. "

"Ok, shoot away." As I said that he smiled, why does it feel as if I just sold my soul to the grim reaper.

"You know Sonia, don't you?"

My jaw dropped at this, "I-I don't -"

"Don't even try to use that denial act in this issue .... My sources don't lie."

"Then.. Then if you knew about it why ask?"

"I don't know... Maybe I am hoping for you to give me another answer from the one I know of or maybe I do it to amuse myself. "

"Or maybe you are secretly a sadist who likes pain.... You can't really tell with those things." I said discreetly trying to change this very awkward conversation especially for my sake.

"Or that too but stop trying to dodge the question and answer it."

"Fine, you really want to know?"

"Yes, I really do. "

I don't really want to talk about this but I guess I have no other choice, "Sonia was my mother's little sister, My mother's name was Victoria Ivanov and your wife Sonia let her die. " I said with a clenched jaw.

"What do you mean Nicholas?"

"What I mean is your wife Sonia was there when your friend MARCUS shot my mother in the head! " I yelled.

"Clam down Nicholas... So how did you know?" He says after waiting for me to calm down a bit.

"How did I know what huh?... How did I know that she was there or how did I know that Marcus was your best friend?"

"Both I guess." He said calmly.

"How the hell are you so calm about this Victor?."

"I don't know why... I mean I just found Out that my wife had lived a whole life before me that I am just knowing of from others. " He replied, "I don't know how I am supposed to feel."

I nodded in agreement, "Huh, I see you... I didn't know what to feel when she turned a blind eye and let my mother get killed. "

"I'm sorry son. " He admitted taking a sip from his drink, "and I won't dare justify her actions but I do applaud your tenacity and beg for you not to cause a scene and to ignore her presence... For now that is. "

I sighed looking down at my watch, "I won't cause a scene Victor because I promised to leave that life and everything about it 8 years ago and I am not planning to go back on my words. " I said, "I don't care about that anymore if it pains me deeply that I can't avenge my mother's death. "

"Tch your mother...A fine woman if i must add and it looks like she taught you well. "

"That she did... Never let me forget where I came from. '' I said with a faraway look, "Anyways enough that... Your favor or should I say demands. "

"Ah! Yes. My favor... I am going after your father Nicholas and I need you on my side. " He says plainly.

I raised my brows at this, " First of all before anything else, he is not my father; I refuse to recognize him as anything of importance to me Victor besides I am sure that you know by now that I wouldn't be on his side for anything. " I frowned at the thought of that. I would never be on that bastard's side.

"You don't get it Nicholas... I don't just need you on my side... I NEED you to be_" He cut himself off, "I NEED for you to be willing to do anything to get your revenge on Marcus. " He said, looking at me intensely.

"No, you don't understand Victor, I don't want and will not get involved in that life anymore than I already have. " I am tired of going through this over and over again, I never want to be that person anymore.

"Huh Nicholas, are you sure about that... Not even for your mother. " He said, "Just a little justice I am sure she wants...you wouldn't deny her that, would you?"

I can't believe that I am even considering this; Even after all the promises and vows I made to myself never to get involved with anything that ever concerns that fucker.

Even 8 years of not seeing or even being close to him, he still finds a way to fuck up my life... Shit I thought trying to rub the building headache away.

"Victor, you and I know that your offer is very, very tempting." I admitted, "You would have to give me a few hours to think about this."

"Surprising but I guess I can do that. "

"Why is it surprising?" I was confused.

"Well because I assumed that you are desperate enough to do anything for your company and your mother... So I assumed that you would jump on the deal. "

"You are right but seeing as my personal life is going to be involved. I would like to trade cautiously." I answered.

"True, that is indeed true... Alright, a few hours." He said, drowning his drink and leaving.

Ah! I hate this.

I hate being so helpless, I hate having no choice at all, It makes me feel trapped... Trapped like how Marcus made me feel all those years ago, helpless like after Anika left me .

I need to trade cautiously, I need advice and I know just the person to call.

"Benny, we need to talk."

"A hello would be nice, you know. "

"Hello Benny, we need to talk... Happy?" I said, rolling my eyes at his goofiness.

"That's more like it Nicholas. Now go on."

I told him exactly everything that we just discussed, exactly the way it happened including the Sonia issue.

"So what am I to do Bennett?" I asked.

"Well isn't it obvious Nicholas?"

I scoffed. "I don't think it is Bennett because if it were I wouldn't be calling you and asking for advice."

"You have to agree with Niko and deep down you know why. "

I sighed, pinching my lips together. "Bennett I would appreciate it very much if you can clarify yourself. This isn't the time for ribbles."

"Ok Ok chill. What I meant was that this is a one time opportunity to save your company and to also get revenge for all the wrongs done to you by those people as well as unjustified killing of your mother. "

"I don't want revenge Benny, I am over that."

"No you are not Nicholas... Can you stop with this whole 'I don't need revenge ' charade?."

"Really?" I asked.

"Listen Niko, accept and get the burden that you don't seem to know that you carry off you." He hung up.

Fuck!... Do I really want to do this? Am I ready for it?

"Hello Nicholas... Can I join you." Sonia said, already sitting down and ordering a drink.

"Well it looks like you don't need my permission for that anymore." I looked at her. "Can I help you?" I said after a few moments of silence.

She answers after a moment, "Yes, you very much can."

I chuckled, "Really?... Huh I see you have gotten over your shock of seeing me or should I say fear." She whined looking away from me.

"I'm not afraid of you." She says bravely with her nose out.

"Ah! False bravery I see... Nice."

"We have to talk Nich_"

"Don't... Don't even dare say my name." I said, "we have nothing to discuss besides I don't think your husband would like to see you talking this up close and personal with me...A stranger." I said smiling at that.

"Victor wouldn't do anything, he is that clueless and oblivious." She said with a smug grin.

"Huh." I smiled knowingly, "Don't be too sure Sonia. Victor has eyes and is not clueless as you think he is and besides even if he is, I wouldn't hesitate to fill him in. " I smirked.

She paled, "you wouldn't dare. "

I huffed, "clearly you don't know me very well AUNTY. '' I said walking away. I am now sure of my decision... They need a little payback time besides karma's a bitch right I thought smiling and walking towards Victor.