Chapter 17

The city was as beautiful as always. Theodore appreciated the view from his office as he gazed upon the horizon. The coffee on his table was getting cold, but he could care less about the wretched beverage. Instead, he simply stared at the beauty of New York, hoping that it would grant him some sort of peace like it always did. Yet, even after five minutes, it did nothing.

Theodore’s mind was captivated by memories of the first night he saw Abigail. He remembered the fear in her eyes like it was yesterday. He remembered how she passed out against him in the car after being drugged by that awful man. And worst of all, he remembered the confusion and terror on her face when she stumbled downstairs that morning.

What Vino did to her was unforgivable. Even though he didn’t get a chance to commit the act he had intended, just the fact that he even thought about it made him an awful excuse of a human being.

Closing his eyes, Theodore tried to have positive thoughts—anything that would stop him from punching Vino in his face the minute he arrived in thirty minutes. But his mind was blank. He could only think about business, which was not in the best shape either. He had just learnt yesterday that he would need to plunge another half a million dollars into his vineyard in Italy since it was much worse than they all imagined. The thought of just selling it came to mind, but that was one of his largest, and Theodore decided that the long-term benefits of keeping it would outweigh the costs he had to endure now.

With nothing else to soothe his mind, Theodore decided that he’d call his sister Jessica. And alas, the simple thought put a smile on his face.

“Hello?” Jessica’s voice sang through the line only after the first ring. She sounded busy, and Theodore could hear a lot of ruffling in the background.

“Hey, Jess. How are you?” Theodore asked as he plopped down in his chair, hoisting his legs on the desk in the process.

“I’m… I’m fine,” she mumbled, sounding as if she was struggling with something.

Theodore chuckled a bit. “Is this a bad time?”

“No! Of course not,” she instantly replied. “I always have time for you.”

“What are you doing, Jess?” he asked since he knew damn well that she was busy.

Jessica took a while to answer as more ruffling sounds echoed through the line. “I’m just trying on dresses. No biggy.”

“No biggy?” Theodore laughed. “Jess, go! Focus. I’ll call you back later, okay? If you choose the wrong dress because you were distracted, I don’t want to be in the crossfire.”

Jessica’s familiar laugh boomed through the phone. “Alright. We’ll talk later.”

“Bye.”

The call was just what Theodore needed. He felt much better having heard his sister so happy. With her history of heartbreak, it was good to know that she finally got her chance to have the wedding experience, and not just the ceremony. The shopping, choosing invitations and venues, cake tasting and rehearsal dinners—it was everything she had ever wanted.

His office phone rang, pulling Theodore from his gentle thoughts.

“Yes?” he mumbled with the phone against his ear.

“Mr Adams, someone is here to see you,” his secretary informed him.

Theodore’s jaw ticked as he checked his watch. The bastard was twenty minutes early. Ambitious much?

“Send them up,” Theodore mumbled before hanging up the phone.

It seemed like hours until the elevator finally pinged, and he narrowed his eyes as the doors slid open. However, he was shocked and immediately stood when he saw that it was Abigail instead.

“Abigail,” he acknowledged as he straightened his jacket.

Abigail beamed at him as she crossed the room and pecked his lips. “Surprise!” She grinned. “I decided to drop these off before I left for class.”

Theodore followed her gaze to the small bag she held in her hands. He couldn’t contain the smile that slid on his face as he opened it and saw two croissants from Brown’s Café.

“Wow, thank you,” he mumbled, kissing her head, but Abigail noticed how his eyes lingered at the elevator.

“Oh no.” She frowned. “It’s a bad time, isn’t it? You’re busy. I don’t know what I was thinking just showing up like this.”

“No, no, no, Abigail, that’s not it,” Theodore quickly defended. “I love that you were even thinking about me. And I love that you brought these.” He leaned down to kiss her frown away. “I hope it’s something I can even get used to.”

Abigail’s nerves settled a bit as she snaked her arms around his shoulders. Theodore took a while to admire her. She wore clear, geeky glasses, a simple t-shirt and jeans with a bag of books hanging from her shoulders. He always loved to see the different parts of Abigail. When she dressed to go to work, she looked sexily professional. When she dressed for classes, she looked cute and studious. And when she dressed like Kitten… well, that was a completely different sort of erotic thoughts.

“But I still should go, right?” she asked, seeing right through him.

Theodore didn’t want her to go. In fact, seeing her in his office like this made him want to have her here every day. But he knew what it would do to her if she saw Vino waltz in here any minute.

“It’s just that… I um… I have a meeting in a few minutes and—”

“I get it,” she said with a short smile. “I have to get going anyway.” She paused a while as she glanced around the room. “Nice office, by the way.”

Thankfully, Theodore noticed that she didn’t seem upset or offended. She was completely understanding, and he appreciated that greatly. As she stepped away, he grabbed onto her hand and pulled her back to his chest, instantly crashing his lips to hers.

As always, Abigail responded to the kiss while pressing her body to his. He wished he didn’t have to let go. He hoped he could keep her here forever, but not today.

“Can you drive?” Theodore mumbled against her lips.

Abigail shook her head. “I can, but it has been ages. Why?”

Theodore fished for his keys from his pocket and handed them to her. “Why don’t you take my car and stop by here when your day is over?”

“No,” Abigail mumbled as she shook her head. “I couldn’t. What if I crash your car? That thing alone can buy everything I own like seven times!”

“Relax, Abigail,” Theodore chuckled. “You won’t crash. And even if you did, I could care less about the car. I’d be too busy caring for you.”

Reluctantly, Abigail took the keys. “Are you sure? I mean, you love that car.”

“I have more.” He smiled. “Okay, look, I’ll have my driver take you instead. If I’m free by the time your classes are through, I’ll come to pick you up, okay?”

“Okay,” Abigail replied swiftly, flinging back the keys in his hands. “I’ll see you here later then?”

“Or at home. Whichever you like.”

Abigail’s cheeks burnt. “Home,” she repeated. “Has a ring to it.”

Theodore watched her leave with a smile on his face and his hands tucked in his slacks. After Jessica and now Abigail, he was sure that he’d be able to actually enjoy watching the look on Vino’s face once he’s done with him. At first, Theodore was too angry to even think about anything else but punching Vino. But now, he would enjoy ruining him.

A few minutes passed since Abigail left, and Theodore relaxed considerably, knowing that she didn’t cross paths with Vino. When his secretary called again, he knew that Vino was there, right on time.

Theodore sat upright in his seat as he watched the numbers on the elevator rise. He drummed his fingers against his desk as he waited patiently until finally, the doors pinged open.

Vino entered wearing a broad smile and a three-piece purple suit. Theodore rose from his seat to greet the man, and Vino offered a sweaty handshake.

“Theodore! How are yah, old friend,” Vino cheered.

“I’m good. Thanks.” Theodore didn’t bother trying to return the question. He had no interest in knowing whether the man was okay or not. “Take a seat.”

Even after his encounter with Abigail minutes ago and hearing his sister so happy, just seeing Vino was ruining his mood all over again.

“So, I brought some of my latest reports,” Vino announced as he handed Theodore a folder. Theodore had no interest in his damn reports, but he looked anyway.

If Vino was anything, he was a good businessman. The numbers reflected it. But Theodore could care less.

“Impressive,” he mumbled, closing the folder and placing it in front of him.

Vino gazed at him in confusion. “You didn’t look at—”

“Do you know what is so good about money, Vino?” Theodore asked, cutting him off. Vino shook his head. “Almost anything can be at your disposal as long as we want it.”

Vino chuckled. “That is true, my friend. And with this partnership, we both could make so much more.”

Theodore hummed. “But sometimes it’s not always so good, you know? Sometimes we abuse this power, especially with those employed by us.”

“Well, they ought to know their place. Am I right?” Vino’s hearty laugh filled the room, but Theodore didn’t even break a smile.

“Yes, you ought to.”

This surely shut him up. “Excuse me? I mean, I knew we’re here to negotiate, but I never intended to work for you, Theodore. You understand that, right?”

“Oh, I understand completely,” he mumbled as he booted up his laptop.

Vino was completely confused now. He didn’t understand a thing Theodore was saying, and he started to notice that Theodore had little interest in partnering with him, much like his father.

The thought angered him a bit.

“Did I waste my time?” Vino snapped, and Theodore raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at him.

“Your time?” Theodore chuckled, but it was humourless. “Vino, you’re a waste of assets and labour to get this information. But you messed with something that’s mine, and quite frankly, it pissed me off.”

“Nonsense! I did nothing to your business. Your father and I go way back.” Though Vino was defensive, he seemed nervous as he tried to steal glances at Theodore’s laptop, wondering what ‘information’ Theodore had.

“My father has poor judgement of character, it seems. But I am not talking about my business.” Theodore paused after finding what he wanted. “You do things without thinking of the consequences to others or to yourself. Well, no more.”

With this, Theodore turned the screen to Vino. His eyes instantly grew impossibly wider as he recognised the room quite well, and he was in it.

Clip after clip was played with him having sex with his son’s wife in the storage room of La Reine. Neither of them was aware of the cameras, but all Theodore had to do was pull a few strings and voila.

“You little… Delete this right now!” Vino grabbed for Theodore’s laptop, but he was too slow. Theodore slid it in his drawer as a ghost smile crept on his lips.

“I already emailed a copy to your son.”

“You did what!” Vino bellowed, jumping from his seat. “Have you any idea what that son of a bitch will do to me?”

“Quite inappropriate to be calling your wife a bitch, now, isn’t it? Oh right, your wife. I assume a divorce will be in order too.” Theodore was enjoying himself a bit too much, seeing Vino go up in flames.

“I am a businessman, Theodore. I sell family-friendly products, and I am the face behind that brand. Have you any idea what this will do to me? To hundreds of people who work for me?”

“Oh, I have given it much thought,” Theodore said smugly. “The only person I intend to take down is you. Anthony is well equipped to take over your business. You have forced him out too long, which is why I believe you’re so upset about this. He has leverage over you, but you still have too much over him. This will give him just what he needs to destroy you, doesn’t it?”

Vino remained silent as he shook like a leaf, knowing Theodore was right.

“And I do regret the hurt I might’ve brought your son. But he deserves a better woman than someone who would sleep with her father-in-law.”

“This was none of your business,” Vino hissed. “Why did you do this? I have done nothing to you!”

Theodore rose from his chair again, evidently towering over Vino’s short frame. “You take advantage of innocent girls and leave them traumatised with not a single glance in their direction after. You make me sick, and you got whatever you deserve.”

Vino’s eyes were blazing as he spoke again. “Those women wanted what they got! What woman doesn’t want some good sex? I did them a favour!”

Theodore’s jaws clenched as his anger returned. He knew if he spent a second longer talking to Vino, he’d be in jail before the day ended.

“Get out of my building,” Theodore growled. “Get out now before I have to physically remove you myself.”

Though angered, Vino knew he couldn’t take on Theodore, and quite frankly, he had other things to worry about. So, reluctantly he dragged himself from the office.

“Hey!” Theodore called after him as he entered the elevator.

Vino spun around swiftly, thinking that this was a big joke or something. But instead, he watched in horror as Theodore approached him with the folder in hand and flung it in the elevator with him. Papers scattered all around as the elevator door closed, leaving Theodore yet again alone and feeling like he had won the battle.

He was grateful that Vino didn’t get to do anything to Abigail. But Theodore knew that she wasn’t his first or last victim. Anthony’s wife might’ve been a willing participant, but a man like Vino is better off with nothing. Because if he has nothing, he has no power. And with no control, he couldn’t have his way with innocent women and get away with it.

Theodore settled in the chair once again, cocking his feet on his desk as he grabbed his phone and called his secretary’s extension.

“Yes, send up my nine o’clock, please,” he instructed simply, moving on with his day as usual.