The expensive mistake.

The blond

Anton’s eyes only had amusement tinged with concern.

He was watching Eric hold Tricelle as he deepened his kiss.

“Umm,” Anton cleared his throat again and stepped forward. Tricelle, startled, pulled away from Eric, eyes wide with the realization that she had been caught kissing him. She quickly moved away from Eric, putting distance between them. She immediately missed his body against hers.

Eric shot him a sharp look towards Anton.

“Best bodyguard ever.” He said, straightening his tie.

“Boss,” Anton said with a chuckle, though he kept his voice low. “I’m glad you’re finally appreciating the finer things in life.”

Eric raised his brow, and then the corners of his lips curled into a reluctant grin. “Not the best time, Anton. We’ve got business to discuss.” Looking at the red-faced woman, he noticed her chest heaving. For a moment he imagined how she would look naked.

He smiled at the thought.

Anton's expression turned serious. “I know.” He closed the door behind him. He was making sure to check if there were any ears close by.

His gaze flickered back to Tricelle, whose cheeks were tinted with embarrassment, but a small smile was visible on her lips.

“There is a… strange big-breasted woman sitting in your car,” Anton said with a concerned face.

“Yeah,” Eric replied, running a hand through his dark hair.

"She is my sister," Tricelle said with no emotion.

Eric’s attention turned back to Tricelle, who was standing staring at her desk. He could see a glimpse of jealousy and concern.

“I am sorry … Miss Wincher, but I have some detective work to do.” He hoped that she would understand that he was only trying to uncover some information.

Tricelle straiten her back. She realized that she was being foolish. Her emotions were controlling her, she needed space from this man.

“ Yes, Mr. Black.” Tricelle walked over to the laptop, grabbing a memory stick that lay on the table.

“Here is all the information regarding your accounts and dealings. You are the only one with a copy…” Tricelle took a deep breath. “ I still have… concerns about some things that are bothering me, but my father trusted you, so I will. But you can email if you need anything else.”

Eric’s face turned serious, he realized that Tricelle was trying to push him away.

Trying to avoid seeing him again. Anger flickered in his eyes.

“Fine, thank you,” Eric said flatly. Realizing the attraction, he felt it could be only one-sided.

The way Eric's face fell haunted her. She had caught a glimpse of pain in his eyes before she turned away, unwilling to face the truth of what she had just done. At that moment, she had built a wall to protect herself.

He was helping her, but she knew the safest way to move forward was to put some distance between her and the Mafia boss.

Eric took the memory stick from her, his hand lingering on hers, when he felt her fingers brushing purposefully against his, his stern expression softened. The path ahead was uncertain, but at that moment, Eric wanted to court her.

“Good day, Miss Wincher.” Locking eyes with Tricelle. As they stood together, the space that had felt like an insurmountable gulf began to narrow. He didn't understand why this woman was so alluring.

“Good day, Mr Black,” Tricelle said with a smile. She slowly lowered her hand. Clasping her hands in front of her. Trying to hide her trembling hands.

Tricelle stared at the two men as they left her office. Jealousy crept into her heart, thinking about Anne seductively seducing Eric.

" Need to focus." Tricelle thought as she grabbed her cell phone. Scrolling and found the number she was searching for and dialed, North West Hospital.

"Good day, Can I please speak to Doctor Elene?"

***

While Anton and Eric made their way to the car, Eric noticed the smile on Anton’s face.

“Just some friendly advice,” Eric said, a teasing grin breaking through his stoic demeanor. “A good bodyguard knows when to step in and when to step back.”

“Good thing I am a bad bodyguard,” Anton said, laughing.

“Yes, you are the worst,” Eric agreed.

Eric and Anton stepped into the elevator, standing the elevator full with their broad shoulders.

“You can’t blame me, I was tired of talking to a blond bimbo…” Anton said with a straight face.

“You better change your attitude, I am taking her out for a drink now,” Eric said, irritated.

“No…” Anton turned to face Eric. Confusion painted over his face.

“Yes.”

"No..." Anton's sentence faded.

Anton was quiet, staring at Eric. He had known him for a very long time. So he knew that there was a motive behind his decision.

“Where are we going?” He asked, sighing deeply.

“Anywhere, It honestly doesn’t matter. I just want it done.”

Eric said as the elevator doors opened.

They made their way to the car. As Anton opened the car door for Eric, the sick sweet smell hit him, like a punch to the face. It was an expensive perfume, but it was overwhelming.

"Mr Black, it took you long enough," Anne said, leaning forward to reveal her cleavage to him.

Anton gave Eric a mocking smile as if he wanted to tell him 'good luck'. Eric snorted at him while climbing into the backseat.

"I am deeply sorry. Just needed to sort some things out," Eric said as he shifted uncomfortably on the seat next to Anne.

"It's fine, I know when Tricelle starts speaking about work it can go on forever... So boring!" Anne said, grabbing her cell phone and started to type.

Eric felt uncomfortable about the way Anne spoke about Tricelle.

"Yes, She does ramble on." Eric stared out of the window, staring at the position where Tricelle's office was.

He didn't want to leave her, he wanted to help her find out the truth about Evan.

He turned and watched Anne, her attention clearly on her phone.

" But I am intrigued how you, my dear, will manage such a big company alone?"

Eric said with a flirtatious tone, trying to disarm her.

Anne laughed before she spoke, not looking up from her phone.

"Who says I will be running it? I have a few nerds that will do it and I have some people who want to control their assets."

Eric frowned and made eye contact with Anton in the rear-view mirror.

Eric knew how stock companies worked, he knew how all companies worked, and giving clients who knew the market access to the whole company's database could be lethal.

"Yes, I have a few puppets that will handle all the business decisions, I just want the power that comes with it..." Anne placed her phone beside her, scooting closer to Eric." Do you like powerful women... Eric."

Eric clenched his fists, taking a deep breath before he answered.

" I do admire a lady who can take action."

Anne quickly turned back to her flirty self, she leaned back, a smirk creeping onto her lips. "Imagine if we can work together to throw Tricelle off her throne."

"What do you mean by ‘work together’” Eric asked, smiling at her.

Anne's smile stretched wider. Before she could answer, Anton spoke.

“Mr Black, we are here.”

Eric glanced outside, seeing that Anton had brought him to a very public and popular coffee shop. He smiled, his bodyguard was going out of his way to make sure that Anne could not make a move or seduce him.

"Thank you, Anton." Eric said with a low chuckle.

Anne leaned against Eric on purpose, trying to see where they would be having their drink. Her whole face slumped with disappointment when she saw the coffee shop.

“This is how you dine your women?” she asked sarcastically.