The Ghost!
1303 Words
(ATLAS’S POV)
“Atlas! Atlas honey!”
Mum’s voice called me from behind and I could hear the sound of her approaching footsteps.
I turned to see her making her way down the pavilion stairs and towards me. I handed my briefcase over to Tony, my bodyguard and then walked back so I could meet halfway with my mother. Her elegant blue silk dress was sweeping after her as she met me halfway.
She smiled at me and gave me a kiss on my cheek while we hugged.
“Good morning mother.” I greeted her returning her warm smile for a flash of a moment.
“Good morning my handsome son.” Mum said brushing my cheek.
Then she hooked her arm in to mine beginning to walk me towards my awaiting car.
“You are in a hurry.” She said.
“Yes. I have a very busy day today .” I told her and she hissed.
“Come on, Son. Don’t tell me you plan on canceling today again.” She said in a tone that showed she disagreed with me.
“Canceling what?” I asked even though I knew what she was talking about.
Mother narrowed her eyes at me in displeasure and she stopped walking causing me to stop as well .
“Why are you doing this?” She began and I stiffened a tired sigh because I knew what was coming.
“This is the fourth time you are canceling or missing the appointment. You need to get your engagement photographs taken this morning with no excuses. Your wedding is in less than a month, Atlas. Act like it.” She scolded.
“I’m busy ma.” I said sternly and she pulled her arm out of mine.
“Busy doing what?” She spat at me.
“Today is a big day, it’s the introductory meeting with the Arisons Representatives and Attorneys. You know it’s a big case .” I explained but she rolled her eyes at me.
“The Arisons can never measure up to us, that case won’t be a problem. Also, I phoned your assistant and I’m aware it’s taking place in the evening.” She said looking me directly in the eyes.
I gritted my teeth. “I still have a couple of things to take care of in…”
“Stop making excuses, Atlas. You are disrespecting the Lockhart family with your unseriousness.” She said firmly.
“That’s what happens when a union is rushed.” I said.
Mother glared at me and if I was not her son, I would have been shivering. No one dared speak back to Victoria Windsor.
“Are you forgetting that you have a heavy duty as the Windsor Heir. What would your father think, Atlas?” She asked.
That was the way to get me and then she sighed tiredly with her tone softening.
“Blaire is the perfect match for you, Son. She’s the best and you should not be acting silly before someone else snatched her.”
I wanted to say that I could care less if she got snatched but I knew it would be the wrong thing to say. Mother would get very furious.
“I need you to head over there now. I’ve given the chauffeur the address. I want those pictures ready before midday so we can send them out to the media.” She said.
I knew there was no way I could avoid this any longer so it was better to just go with it.
“Fine.” I murmed.
That earned a bright smile from mum and she brushed my cheek lovingly.
“Don’t you worry, soon you both will get married and you shall see how much you have in common. You will fall in love then, it happened with your father and I ” She said with a smile.
“I have to go now.” I said and gave her a rushed kiss on her cheek.
As I got in to the car, there was still that surge of irritation from the word mother had just mentioned.
Love.
It does not exist. It is an illusion. It is all a lie.
I was always been a stone cold hearted person and a non believer, until she came and changed that. She made me believe it existed. She created an illusion and a false dream for me. Then she shattered that all, she turned out to be a liar, a thief and a cheat!
I could feel my hands ball in to a fist and if I was not in my car, I would have smashed a few things.
Six whole f*****g years and I still felt the same anger, pain and hurt!
I would never love again because it was simply a trap of deceit. But now, I had to get married because it was a responsibility and I had to keep my family lineage alive.
Love is nonexistent and I learnt it the very hard way.
(CAMILLE’S POV)
My finger lingered on the screen unconsciously.
Jet black hair, sharp blue eyes, a ripped towering physique and a gorgeous blonde holding him closely to her.
I ignored the unstettling feeling the picture gave me.
Six years gone and he looked as beautiful as the first day I had met him, the beginning of falling in to his trap.
It was a wonder, how I have managed to look at my son with love each day despite the striking resemblance he shared with the man who had almost destroyed me.
Now seeing it reminded me of the difficult position I was in.
No one knew the father of my children except for Emily my best friend. Now having the three of them in the same location scared me.
I realized that I might have to tell my parents the untold story soon.
When they had saved me from the cold hands of death during their winter hike, I had claimed to have lost my memory. It was because I was terrified and I did not trust anyone. They took me in and adopted me, showering me with genuine love and trust. Due to my depressed state and trauma, I was flown to New York where I began to build a new life for myself and my children.
“Miss Arison. “ One of the assistants, Joe’s soft tone interrupted my thoughts and I snapped up so quickly that I dropped my phone.
“I’m sorry ma.” He said to me. “You said I should let you know when thirty minutes have gone by.”
We were seated in the largely spaced
Rolls-Royce Cullinan which was parked right in front of the large building, the venue of our meeting.
I was thirty minutes late on purpose because I wanted to work up their nerves. It was also a little time for me to gather as much courage as I could knowing fully well that Atlas was in there.
“Let’s go.”
I ordered and my entourage lined up escorting me, my assistants and my attorneys in to the building.
My heart was pounding in my chest but I was ready to face this. I stepped in to the boardroom with the door held open for me by one of my bodyguards .
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” I announced as I made my way to my seat.
I didn’t focus my gaze on anyone until I was seated directly opposite him.
Our eyes locked and It felt like my soul had been sucked in to his widened eyes. I derived a little bit of satisfaction from his stunned expression.
He looked like he had just seen a ghost.
Good, let’s start that way.
- Writer
