5. Exposed
1485 Words
Joseph came in with the same icy intensity for which James was renowned, his tall form enveloped in a black suit. Now it was obvious where James's powerful presence and sharp eyes had come from.
Joseph gestured Oscar away with a silent wave. Oscar slipped away after giving James a knowing look, recognizing that this unexpected visit was more complicated than it first appeared.
Father and son stood silently for a minute, their eyes locked in a strained stare. Unspoken disagreements and unresolved tension burning in the air between them, each guy putting on a front of composure that hardly concealed the simmering hatred beneath.
James tried to maintain a calm tone as he said, "You just showed up out of nowhere."
Joseph calmly responded, settling into the chair across from James, "I don't need permission to come to my own company. Take a seat."
James sat down, gritting his teeth. Joseph glanced over to the ashtray. "You're smoking more and more. You know, it may negatively impact your health, right? Even your reproductive health. It might affect your chances of having children."
James grinned. "I'm all right. I'm routinely examined. You don't have to be concerned about my s*x life."
"That so? Then why don't you have a grandson for me yet?" Joseph fired back.
James rolled his eyes, displaying his annoyance. "Do we really need to go over this again and again?"
"I'm sure you heard what I said during last week's news conference. Joseph said in a firm voice, "I'm done waiting."
“I know. You’re gearing up to push me out of the Miller Group,” James shot out, attempting to stay calm.
Joseph didn't flinch. "Where is Maya?"
James wasn't prepared for the direct question. "What makes you—"
"I asked first," Joseph cut him short, his words full of authority.
James rose from the chair and turned back to conceal his uncertainty. "She's fine."
"I didn't ask if she was okay. I asked where she is. You two used to visit the Miller House every weekend. You did not appear this weekend. And she hasn't shown up for work in a week."
"She needs to rest. She is working from home."
Joseph's eyes narrowed. "You're not even staying at your place, are you?"
James understood how powerful his father was. It was difficult to conceal anything from him.
"We are staying at the farmhouse for a few days. She likes it there."
Joseph nodded, "Good. Give her your time so that she can give me a grandson."
Having stated that he left, leaving James worried.
James glanced down from his tall skyscraper at the city below. His face was expressionless, his hands were in his pockets, and his frigid eyes were as black as the night. He called Maya but she did not answer. She stood resolute in her choice, putting him in a typical situation involving Ruby.
Ruby had taken such good care of him in the past, but he had no romantic feelings for her.
Just then, Oscar walked into the office and looked behind James. He was the only one who knew how tough things had become for James.
"You should get ready for the party," Oscar said quietly.
James stroked the space between his eyes, obviously fatigued. "Have you tried reaching Maya?"
"She's not picking up," Oscar said, well aware that James never attended gatherings without his wife by his side.
James groaned and nodded slightly as he stared at Oscar. "Alright… let's go.”
In the party…
James sat at the bar, a drink of whiskey in hand. His long legs, dressed in fitting black trousers, stretched with effortless ease. His white shirt's top buttons were undone, revealing his chest's sculpted curves and a golden chain shimmered slightly against his skin. His shirt sleeves were rolled halfway up, displaying his thick green forearm veins. He had a gleaming wristwatch that shone in the dim bar lights. His eyes were heavy and bloodshot, and his face was filled with sadness. With the whiskey burning a trail down his throat, he took a slow, deliberate sip. The faint murmur of discussion and clinking glasses at the party faded around him as he became lost in thought.
James looked down at his cell phone, which was lying calmly on the countertop. His wife didn't even return his calls today, and she hadn't called him since she left. Anger welled up inside him. He slammed the glass on the counter after drinking the last of the whiskey.
"One more," he ordered. His husky, gruff voice revealed his excessive alcoholism.
He saw brown sneakers in front of him and lowered his gaze to light a cigarette. He inhaled the cigarette heavily, causing the flame to burn brightly. He raised his head slowly, meeting the man's gaze with a severe and steady expression.
Benjamin Harries came up to take a seat across from James, his excellent blue suit giving off an air of arrogance. He signaled for the barman to refill his glass with whiskey.
Benjamin continued, "If a married man is drinking in a party sitting alone, it means either his wife is with someone else or the man is in love with someone else."
James scowled, "What do you want?"
Grinning, Benjamin grasped his glass. Glasses clinked between them. "Don't you think you should show some sympathy towards me?" Benjamin asked.
"And why's that?"
"My fiancée disappeared in your hotel and hasn't been found yet."
"Your fiancée eloped from the wedding, hinting she did not want to marry you. What will you do even if you find her?"
"I want you to allow the hotel security to give the CCTV footage of that day to my team."
"Do you think I carry CCTV footage in my pockets?" James replied.
Benjamin scowled in disgust, "My crew tried to get the footage but were denied access. They will not release it without your permission, and you are aware of this."
James grinned, "I'm not interested in your problems. Learn to solve problems for yourself." James finished his whisky in a single breath and stood up to depart. "James..." Benjamin called out to stop him.
James looked at him with arrogance, "Do you think you could get a simple CCTV footage of my hotel by raising your voice? You expect to be on my level, and you're begging for a mere footage? In this city, even the sun rises when I ask. So, Mr Harries, use your assertions properly."
James walked away, leaving Benjamin boiling with rage. In a fit of wrath, Benjamin threw his glass to the ground, shattering it.
…
Head spinning from too much alcohol, James staggered down to the basement parking lot. His steps were shaky, and everything seemed to be a blur.
A familiar car attracted his attention: crimson, sleek, and unmistakable.
Maya's car.
He squinted, his red and blurry eyes fixed on the number plate. It's her birthday. The car he gifted her. It rocked slightly, and he could hear faint sounds from inside—low voices, giggles, and the distinct sound of two people having s*x. His throat became dry.
Without thinking, James tossed his cigarette and took a step forward. Just then, the door opened and Maya climbed out, buttoning her shirt. He was hidden behind a concrete post, and she didn't notice him. She promptly fixed her attire.
Straightening her hair, she leaned back towards the guy in the car.
"Hurry up before someone sees us," she said quietly. "I have to go. James is at the party, so I can't stay too long."
James froze, closed his eyes, and leaned heavily against the pole. He listened as Maya's car roared to life and drove away into the night, leaving him with the cruel truth reverberating in the empty parking lot.
After seeing the reality with his own eyes, he felt fire in his heart, which quickly extended throughout his entire body. He had built his world around Maya. He loved her so deeply that, despite her numerous demands, he was unwilling to sleep with Ruby. He was ready to leave the Miller Group, but he refused to let any lady other than Maya come near him. However, Maya readily shared her body with another man.
At the farmhouse...
Ruby was waiting for James at two in the morning, trying to divert her focus with a book on the living room bookcase.
The front door creaked open at that moment, and James entered. His face was pale, his shirt stuck to his sweating flesh, his eyes heavy and bloodshot from drunkenness. Ruby's heart skipped a beat; there was something wrong.
James hadn't expected to see her awake, and his unsettling, intense eyes met hers. Without saying anything, he tossed his blazer aside and staggered in her direction, his eyes staring at her with an odd intensity despite his wobbly feet.
"James!"
- Writer
