SEVENTEEN

Derek

Exactly one week after David had handed me the ultimatum, it was Friday. I was reluctant to meet at that filthy, outdated diner. It was beneath me and gave me the impression that I was actually doing improperly. Instead, I emailed David that morning and asked him to join me for brunch at the Love house. I was familiar with this place, but David hadn't felt at home there since I had fired him from the firm. He was going to feel as uncomfortable as I could possible make him if he was going to blackmail me in this way. To help me relax as I waited, I ordered a Bloody Mary and a cup of coffee. I had no doubts about what I needed to accomplish. Even under the most dire circumstances, like this one, I was going to do everything in my power to make sure Skye was happy and cared for.

When David entered through the door, I looked up and gestured him toward the table. He warily peered about, not knowing who may be at the other tables. Fortunately for him, significant people were at work on a Friday morning rather than hanging out at the Love house and interacting with slime like him. He sat down at the table, asked the waitress for a coffee, and then turned to face me while attempting to maintain his composure. Since my demeanor was different from what he had anticipated, I could tell he was anxious. I wasn't certain of his true expectations, but I wouldn't be darned if I entered this room with my tail between my legs.

"Have you already made up your mind?" He questioned.

"David, you are an intriguing person", I said as I pushed my fork around its setting. " You had no ambition when you were working with me at the firm. Rather than doing anything to earn it, you stole money from the business. You were let go for those reasons."

"Did you bring me here to teach me about history?" He questioned.

I was stern and said, "Shut up. You managed to travel using my company's money. You used the services that our business offers. You started endangering the security of our customers. I can deal with being lazy, but being unsafe is not something I can tolerate. Why am I mentioning this right now? ”

He sat back in his chair and muttered, "I have no clue."

I leaned forward and added, "Because I would rather dissolve the firm than give you any place at the table. I'm not going to accept your offer. I'm beneath it. But I'll see to it that your extortion doesn't even get you two seconds of fame. The media has already spoken with me, and they have decided to postpone the story until tomorrow at lunchtime. Don't call them since everyone is aware of what you did. I have a meeting with Spencer straight after this brief pleasant one when I will be able to tell him everything. In terms of getting in touch with him, I advise against it unless you want an earful — ”

He placed his hands on the table and said, "Now hold on just a second. You believe you have finally won, but — “

I shook my head and replied, "Give it a break. I did succeed in that I now have the freedom to handle my personal affairs as I see proper. I lost because you compelled me to divulge a secret before we were ready. You see, I wasn't harmed by you here. My reputation will improve. What you did caused harm to an innocent woman who will now have to deal with her father's mockery and the media at the same time. David, you are simply too little and insignificant to be dealing with this girl; she is way too important. You see, you were expelled from the club as well as the firm when you were fired from the former."

He roared indignantly, "You are a bastard.

I stood up and said, "Right then, this talk is over. Enjoy your breakfast. Oh, and if you ever approach my girlfriend so closely again, I guarantee you will experience much more than mild humiliation."

I gave him a shoulder slap and then strode briskly out of the diner to the car that was waiting for me outside. I wanted to reach Spencer as soon as possible. I hadn't lied when I said I had called the media; otherwise, I could lose my cool. I arrived to the Avalon without detour and loudly banged on Spencer's door. He approached the door with a confused expression on his face after noticing my.

He said, "Derek, come in. Is there anything I can get you? ”

"I only sought your attention. I want to tell you something before I lose the nerve,"

He laughed and replied, "All right. Come at me with that."

I stood back and waited for a response before saying, "I've been dating Skye for a few weeks."

I saw as Spencer's sense of humor gradually faded and his face turned hostile. He clenched his knuckles and placed his drink on the table inside the door. I could see my words repeating themselves over and over in his mind. I moved backwards as he approached, keeping a safe gap between us.

"Are you serious?" He tightened his jaw. " You chose my little girl out of all the women in the world? What the fuck are you thinking? And all the while, there in front of my face! ”

I raised my hands and pleaded with Spencer to stop being so agitated. " You must hear the entire story."

He charged towards me, screaming, "I guess I'd rather not."

He threw back his hand and struck me in the head. I dove and shifted to get out of the path. He hit his head on a wooden table and dropped a vase to the ground. Red-faced, he turned around and came marching back at me. He attempted to rush at me, but he was too slow.

I yelled, "Spencer, I love her!"

He clenched his hands and shouted, "You have got to be kidding me. You wouldn't understand love until it bite you in the ass."

"That's what I used to believe, but I fell in love with Skye, so I changed my mind. No, Spencer, it wasn't intended. Hurting you was the very last thing I wanted to do."

He shouted, "Then you should've kept your dick in your fucking pants.""

"Spencer, it's not like that," I begged. "We tried to stop so that we wouldn't hurt you, but we simply couldn't. We had several discussions about it, and even though I didn't want to, I took the initiative and attempted to end it, but Skye was right. We care about each other too much to give up on. She and I should be together."

“You are full of shit,” he said .

With a sigh, I remarked, "It's anything but. "Spencer, I really mean this. I can't stay away from Skye for more than a day since I love her so much. Everything in me yearns to take care of her and treat her with the decency that comes with being my partner and a woman. I want to be there to support her in achieving all of her dreams since she is so intelligent and motivated. I want to support her in realizing her ambitions because I believe she deserves to. We have discussed our goals for the future and our future plans, and we basically totally match. She is the most stunning woman I have ever seen, and the fact that we are now closest friends just serves to confirm this. I was aware that I had to see you in person to inform you. You deserve at least that much."

He yelled, "You keep away from my daughter, you nasty piece of trash."

He rushed out of the room after grabbing his shoes and jacket, and I could only watch helplessly. Before I could reach to him, he entered the elevator's service compartment and closed the door. As I waited impatiently for the other elevator to arrive, I quickly turned and punched the button. I had to go downstairs. I couldn't let Skye go through that ordeal by herself since I knew he was chasing her. Before her father tore it all away from us, she needed to understand that she was the love of my life. Skye was at work, and there were undoubtedly many individuals in the foyer who had just arrived home from the office. Being emotionally unstable, Spencer would not hold back. He would make public everything that happened to Skye and me.

Skye would finally know if all of this had been worthwhile or not at this crucial juncture. Skye would determine if she genuinely loved me at this very time.