The expensive mistake.

Trust

Eric’s expression stayed the same, he locked eyes with the woman with the worried eyes.

“There are bad people in this world, and we made sure that they didn’t have the funds to continue.”

Tricelle’s heart raced as she listened to him.

“But at what cost? The company… if this gets out…”

“Your father made a real change in the world with our help,” he insisted, his dark eyes searching hers.

“How can I trust you? I haven’t even scratched the surface of all the files in your account.”

Eric closed the distance between them, standing so close that she could smell his earth's scent. Tricelle could only stare at his lips, moving closer.

“Trust me, like you did last night…” Before Eric could finish, a feline voice interrupted him.

“You wanted to see me, sister," Anne said in an annoyed voice.

“Anne… That was fast,” Tricelle said, moving away from Eric and towards her sister.

Anne had tight black pants on with a white blouse and a visibly red bra. She moved from side to side as she scanned Eric.

Tricelle immediately recognized her sister's hungry eyes, she wanted him.

“I was in the neighborhood, who’s this tall glass of sexy?”

Tricelle had always been the responsible one, the planner, while Anne was the dreamer, wandering through life like a butterfly untethered. If she saw a man she wanted, she would do everything and anything to get him. It never bothered Tricelle, but for some reason, it angered her at that moment.

Eric smiled at Anne, but Tricelle noticed that his smile was different. When he smiled at her, his smile would reach his dark brown eyes.

“Eric Black.” He said, standing still and close to Tricelle.

Tricelle noticed, Anne tightened up for a moment.

“Black you say… Pleasure.”

Anne quickly walked to the seat in front of the desk, making sure to sway her hips a little too much.

“Mr Black, will you please excuse us, we have some things to discuss,” Tricelle said as she moved closer to the desk.

“NO, let him stay. This is going to be quick, and I would love something…” Anne slowly pulled her blouse down, revealing her cleavage, “to distract me.”

Eric smiled at her in a suggestive manner, that made Tricelle feel a sharp pain in her heart.

“I don’t think we should discuss family business in front of a stranger,” Tricelle said, trying to avoid Eric's gaze.

Ladies,” Eric acknowledged, a rasp in his voice that cut through the tension like a knife. He leaned in, his presence calming yet authoritative. “I will not intervene, I will simply observe. No need to claw at each other.”

Tricelle sighed, seeing that arguing about Eric’s presence would be a waste of time,

“I just don’t understand how it got this far. Did you really think that taking this to court would be the right way?”

She began watching her sister's reaction.

Anne leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, business-like and pragmatic. “I’m doing what’s right,”

Tricelle took her seat, staring straight at Anne’s grinning face, while Eric moved to the corner of the office staring at the park below, listening to the conversation intensely.

“This is not right, I wanted to know if you wanted to make a deal before we take this public.”

Anne was silent for a moment before she took out her cell phone. Unlocking her phone and scrolling until she stopped.

“It’s easy, I want full power and authority. You, my little sister, can keep your position as CEO, but I need access to all our clients’ confidential information. I also want complete control over specific accounts.”

Tricelle noticed that she was reading the demands, as if she didn’t have a clue what she really wanted.

Tricelle’s tough facade wavered, cracks appearing in her armor. “And if I let it go, it’ll all fall apart! I’m trying to protect this company. I cannot give you access. Every person in this company has been working with their own clients for years; we have our clients' trust, opening their personal information to you and others can risk leaking.”

Anne seemed to be caught off guard.

“You don’t work with the accounts?” She asked, curious.

“That’s not how a large scale business works.” Tricelle said flatly.

Anne started typing on her phone, her eyes darting up and down, she was talking to someone.

Eric moved from the corner. Tall and imposing, the air shifted as he took a stand right next to Tricelle behind the table.

“I think the best question now would be, why do you think you can win this case, Miss Wincher?”

Eric’s voice was smooth, Tricelle wasn’t sure if he was helping her or trying to flirt with Anne.

Anne leaned forward, her voice softening, looking at Eric as if he was a prize to be won… “Well mister Eric, I have proof that my father had a mental illness.”

When the words left Anne's mouth, Eric placed a hand on Tricelle’s shoulder, grounding her. As if he knew that the news would upset her. She opened her mouth to respond, but Anne continued.

“And yes mother knows.” Anne said looking directly at Tricelle, she stood up, pushing a few strands of hair out of her face.

“I can’t believe you’re actually doing this, Anne. You’re willing to drag our family through the mud over money?” Tricelle’s voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed her hurt. Her mouth went dry as she sat silently watching her sister.

Anne inhaled deeply, pulling her shoulders straight.

“We have nothing to discuss. Father was crazy when he made you CEO and that's that. But I think Mr Eric and I can have a few other things to discuss?” Anne said with a sheepish smile.

'b***h', Tricelle thought bitterly.

Eric smiled back at Anne, “Why don’t we go somewhere for a drink?”

Eric could feel Tricelle’s slim shoulders tense under his palm, he lightly gave her shoulder a squeeze. He didn’t want to upset her and the woman in front of him was the main cause. This made his blood stir with anger.

“Yes, of course!” Anne said with a wicked smile.

“Well, Miss Wincher, would you care to wait for me in my car downstairs? I just need to update a few things with my transfers. It’s the black Mercedes.” Eric said, watching Anne closely.

“ Nice talking to you sis, and Mr Black, don’t be too long.” Anne winked at Eric before she left the room, closing the door behind her with a loud thud.

Tricelle’s hands trembled slightly. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, trying—and failing—to appear unfazed.

She didn't know if she was upset that Anne had proof her father was losing his mind or that Eric wanted to spend time with her.

“Are you okay?” Eric asked as he turned to face her. Tricelle nodded, momentarily speechless.

With an unexpected boldness, Eric reached out, gently pulling her out of her chair and into his arms.

Tricelle took a deep breath at the unexpected embrace.

“What are you doing?” Her voice confused and trembling.

“ I want to make another deal,” he said, leaning closer. His eyes were sparkling with mischief.

Tricelle wanted to push him away but the pleasure she felt so close to him was too good.

“A deal?”

“Yes.” He said, pushing his hand slowly down her back. Tricelle started to gently push him away. He was mad. He had just flirted with Anne, and now he was holding her. She could feel his grip tighten around her.

“ I will find out what is going on with your sister, and what information she has.” Eric moved his lips to her neck as he softly placed a kiss on her bare skin.

“Then I will warn you. Deal?” He said as another kiss touched her neck.

Was he playing her or Anne, Tricelle thought, if he told her where Anne had gotten the evidence that her father was mentally ill, maybe she could find out the truth, even stop it.

Tricelle’s back arched with a sensation she could not describe. She hesitated, knowing she must put distance between her and this man, but a strange voice inside said she must try and trust him.

“Deal.” She whispered.

She could see Eric’s eyes lit up when she spoke the words.

“And how do we close a deal?” He asked as a low chuckle escaped his throat. His eyes finally met hers, and at that moment, a flicker of hope ignited between them.

Tricelle knew the answer and slightly pushed her lips against his without hesitation.

As she kissed him she felt his arms pulling her tighter against his body. She could feel him harden beneath his pants...

"Not again." said the familiar voice at the door.

Tricelle and Eric did not notice the door opening or Anton stepping inside.