The expensive mistake.

First glance

She could feel heat emanating from his body as he was mere inches from her. Pleasing thoughts seemed to accompany the sensation he stirred deep inside of her.

‘What is wrong with me…?’ Tricelle thought to herself, trying to hide her blushed face.

“Please take a seat.” Eric said as he pointed to the seat across from him.

He studied her carefully, searching for any signs of guilt or deception, but he only saw the softness of her lips.

Frowning at his own thoughts, Eric sat across from her, struggling to keep his eyes of her body.

“Thank you for meeting me. I was quite taken aback by your sudden request,” Tricelle said as she straightened her back and placed her bag on the table.

“Yes, I had this meeting with Evan, but… unfortunately… you know.” Eric's voice trailed off, regretting his choice of words in an instant.

“He died.”

Tricelle said bluntly.

Eric narrowed his eyes as he watched her eyes starting to shimmer with unshed tears, but she quickly pushed them back, and he watched them disappear.

“She can’t be a killer,” Eric thought to himself. He had amazing sense of reading people, and the vulnerable woman sitting across from him was no killer. ’Why did his men give him her picture then? Why was she a suspect?’ Eric thought to himself.

“I am sorry, he was a good man.”

Eric said, turning his head away from her, he didn’t want to upset her anymore.

Eric glanced at Anton, who was standing a few feet behind Tricelle. In a few seconds, three servers appeared, each with an expensive bottle of wine in each hand.

Tricelle was amazed by the power Eric had. With only his eyes, he chose the Château Lafite Rothschild.

‘It is absurd to pay that much for some grapes.’ Tricelle thought to herself.

“Excellent choice, sir.” The young waiter said with a smile that reached his eyes.

Eric gave a little smile back. He could see that the waiter knew he could get a good tip if he kept it up.

To Tricelle’s surprise, Anton served the wine. She wondered what his actual role was in Eric’s company.

After a few sips Tricelle met Eric’s steel gaze again.

“Can you please explain why you needed to see me?”

While she wondered why his stare intensified, she noticed a faint stubble on his strong jawline, it made him look dangerous. Tricelle swallowed hard, trying to focus on the reason why she was there.

“Wincher’s Stocks has been in charge of our assets for a very long time. The last I spoke to your father, I was busy setting up a new account for my international affairs.”

“But this is something any one at the firm can do. Why ask for me?” Tricelle frowned.

“I know, but the accounts are… sensitive.”

Eric said as he swirled the wine in his glass, before emptying it.

Tricelle was silent for a moment. Any accounts that would be managed by her father in secret would be on his personal computer, and only the CEO would have access.

“Your father knew the risks regarding our arrangements”, Eric continued, when he saw the concern on her face.

“Well then sir, I must inform you, at this point, it would be senseless to speak to me about that.” Tricelle said as she slowly started to stand up, but before she could, his rough hand grabbed hers.

She stared at him and saw a mixture of confusion and something else… Tricelle’s mouth started to open to speak when she was suddenly interrupted.

“Well, this is a surprise!” a familiar voice spoke loudly.

Tricelle’s head immediately titled up.

Shawn.

Eric noticed her slender figure stiffen at the mere sight of the man that stood like an ignorant brat a few tables away. He was dressed in a dark blue suit that fitted his body like a swimsuit.

‘Definitely too tight.’ Eric thought, as he pressed his lips together. His tanned skin shimmered in the dim light, with his short blond hair combed back neatly. He instantly disliked the man.

A menacing smile appeared on his face that made Eric’s skin crawl.

“I see you’re still splurging on expensive dinners,” Shawn said as he made his way closer to the table.

In an instant, four men stood up from other tables and stood in front of Tricelle and Eric, Anton included. Their arms crossed and their expressions guarded.

"Woh" Shawn gasped before he almost bumped into them.

Tricelle was astonished by the human wall that was formed. She didn’t even realize that Eric had more men than Anton. Without realizing it, she was still holding onto the rugged hand.

“Do you know this man?” Eric asked in a stern voice.

Realizing she was still holding his hand, she pulled away as her face heated up.

“I do, he was… a friend. He is a lawyer.”

Tricelle said in a shaky voice, taking her seat again. ‘RUN’ the voice in her head said loudly.

This man was a weasel; he had broken her in more ways than she would admit. But despite the uneasy feeling in her stomach, the stranger close to her made it bearable.

As Eric cleared his throat, the men stood to the side, clearing the way for a visible shocked Shawn.

“Well, look at you, all dolled up with bodyguards and a new man, impressive.”

Shawn said sheepishly, looking the brute men up and down as he made his way closer to the table.

Ignoring Tricelle, Shawn looked at Eric. His eyes full of mischief, he was watching as if he wanted to say something childish, but held his tongue.

Like a tall building rising out of the dust, Eric stood up. He was at least two feet taller than Shawn. Eric could smell his expensive cologne mixed with gin, he sensed that he wasn't the only one indulging himself, but he knew how to handle himself.

“Good evening, Eric …. Black.”

His voice was low, practically a growl.

Tricelle noticed the visible twitch on Shawn’s face, when Eric mentioned his surname.

“That is interesting.”

Shawn said in a more serious tone as he ran his hand through his hair.

Eric sat down again, folding his hands; he stared with an unflinching gaze at the lizard of a man processing information.

Tricelle felt the tension between the two men. She knew Shawn, he always prided himself on being the top dog, but Eric’s presence threatened him.

“How is life treating you?”

Tricelle asked, trying to break the tension while she wiped one of her hairs behind her ear. She could feel Eric’s gaze on her.

“You see dear, working hard and hardly working,” he said with his pearly white teeth.

Tricelle raised her eyebrows; she could see that he was taunting her.

“Thank you for saying, hi. But I am here with Mr Eric. If you have nothing to discuss, can you please excuse us?”

She took a breath as she spoke, trying to avoid any more discomfort.

Shawn’s smile reappeared as he rubbed his chin, looking at her up and down. He seemed as if he wanted to poke a hornets nest, but chose not to,instead he directed his attention to Eric.

Shawn stepped closer.

Tricelle could clearly see Anton tense up behind him as Shawn moved closer.

Leaning forward to Eric with a smirk, he whispered,

“The woman you are entertaining, might be homeless or in jail by next month, so if I were you I would be careful.”

The words felt like a threat to Eric. He didn’t understand why the words made him angry, he barely knew this woman, and yet he wanted to defend her. Before he could control himself, he was standing with a firm grip around Shawn’s tie, with his bodyguards next to him.