The expensive mistake.

A cup of deception

The earthy aroma of freshly ground coffee enveloped the small café, promising comfort amidst the bustle of the city. Eric sat in a booth, a double espresso in hand, discreetly observing the patrons who drifted in and out. However, his gaze was fixed on the woman pressing her chest towards him.

Anne was beautiful, but everything on her was fake: her eyelashes, nails, hair, and even her personality seemed fake to Eric.

“I must say this was not what I had in mind,” Anne commented. Giving a side eye to Anton who was sitting a few tables away.

"I was hoping for something more fun, private. somewhere we could get to know each other better."

Eric smiled at her, shifting in his seat. Feigning attraction would be his best guise. Eric took a deep breath, adjusting his shirt under his suit, running a hand through his tousled hair, preparing to make his move. Cursing his cynicism, he had to remind himself that this was just a performance, a means to an end.

"It must be quite a challenge, stepping into such a significant role, If you win the case against Miss Wincher," Eric said, carefully observing her reaction. He was trying his best to make it sound as casual as he could.

Her demeanor shifted, eyes narrowing slightly. "I suppose… when WE win the case. We will make a few changes.” Anne said talking with her cappuccino in her hand.

“But enough of me, you have witnessed my business today so you have the most important facts. You know I have an annoying little sister who takes everything she wants without thinking of others. Tell me a little about yourself.”

Eric was irritated, he knew that getting information out of this woman, would not be an easy task, but he didn’t want to sit there any minute longer than he was supposed to.

“Well, I run a large organization, with a few night clubs here and there; I am in charge of everything, almost like a CEO.”

Eric almost saw the dollar sign appear in Anne’s eyes.

“Wow, so we are the same?” She said with a sexy low voice.

“Almost, you haven’t won yet.” Eric had struck a chord when those words left his lips.

“ Let me tell you, Mr Black, We are going to be the same after the court hearing,” Anne said proudly.

It was the crack Eric had been looking for. With gentle persistence, he probed deeper, subtly shifting the conversation to her ambitions and anything that might link to Tricelle and her father. Anne continued speaking about small useless things, her hairdresser, her car, and the new house she wanted to buy after the case was finished.

And after a few minutes of listening to her talk about senseless things, her guard was down.

"What they found out was shocking," Anne said, her voice steady, the corner of her lips twitching into a smile.

Eric widened his eyes to show interest, “Tell me more my sweet.” It was the perfect word to make Anne speak.

“It’s no secret that I was not my father’s favorite, but who can blame him, his work was so boring.”

“And you are absolutely not,” Eric said forcing a smile. He could see her eyes light up again.

“Well, my father made huge donations to this mental health facility in the area, and when they did some digging they found proof that my father had dementia. Think the place was the white flower or something… They also found proof that my father had been doing strange things and it’s all documented. My mother confirmed his mental state because my father and her have been drifting apart for the last two years. Father spent working and my mother was at a ... friend”

‘They. We,’ Eric noticed. Anne was surely not the mastermind.

Anne leaned in closer with a proud smile,” If We win this case, I can receive more money by keeping the business than selling it,” Anne whispered.

“ They know how to manipulate shares, use loopholes and no one will ever know, It's innocent, take a little here and there, and then we just put the money back after a while. It's honestly like borrowing without asking”

Eric frowned, she was being used. If she had any knowledge she would understand that is not how it works, If money was being transferred illegally, it could close businesses, and break alliances. chaos.

Eric leaned in closer, his eyes wide in feigned admiration. “Wow, that sounds like a monumental task. But you seem to know exactly what you need to do.”

Anne smiled,” They do.”

Eric’s remained calm. Inside, he struggled with the nagging guilt. But the more Anne lifted the veil on her plans, the more Eric found himself holding back his anger. But beneath his facade, his conscience writhed like a caged animal. Anne was just a pawn. Someone with the resources and the knowledge was pulling her strings… She only had the right claim.

‘Maybe the Lizard’ Eric thought with a sour face.

As their conversation drifted further into the depths of her plans, something shifted in Eric. With every piece of information, Anne shared, he began to piece it together. Each time she spoke of her accomplices, Eric's muscles tensed. Whoever they were, they were connected to the underground organizations in New York.

Eric took out his phone and texted Anton. “Done, need excuse, now.”

“So you see, Mr Black, We are more alike than you think, we both want power and money.”

Anne said with a smile. As she playfully pushed her hair back.

"The only difference between us Miss Wincher, I have power," Eric said, not hiding his disgust.

It was only a few seconds before Anton stood next to their table.

“Mr Black, We need to go, your boat is sinking” His expression was straight.

Eric tried his best to keep a smile from forming on his face. “My boat… is sinking?”

“Yes, we need to leave immediately,” Anton said again.

Eric stood up taking Anne’s hand in his. “I am so sorry, but I need to leave, I trust a capable woman like you can get home safely from here?”

Anne’s face hardened, and her expectations shattered in an instant. She was not expected to be left at a coffee shop in the middle of the day.

“It's fine If you promise we can see each other again, and maybe next time we can go somewhere more exciting and private?”

She said trying to flirt one last time.

“Of course,” Eric said flat, leaving her alone in the booth. He could see from her face that she was more than disappointed, she was angry.

Eric and Anton walked out, when they arrived outside Eric blew out a sigh.

“My boat?” Eric said with an amused grin. “I don’t own a boat.”

“It was the best I could come up with,” Anton said with amusement as he opened the car door for Eric.