Revenge marriage to my ex-husband’s Rival

8.

“Where do you wish to go to boss?” The man behind the wheel inquired softly. He could tell what kind of mood the boss was in today, so he was extra careful to attune to his needs. And what the billionaire playboy needed right now, was some quiet time.

Yesterday had been pretty wild, he smiled wryly.

Sebastian barely looked up from his dimmed phone. Since the man came to pick him up in that third rate hotel, his mood had only gone from bad to worse, and he hardly bothered to inform him as to where they were to go.

It turned out today wasn’t just important for that special reason alone, he had forgotten something else extremely crucial. And it might seriously interfere with his plans tonight. He had to be at an important meeting out of the country. The meeting was supposed to be yesterday, but he had rescheduled because he hadn’t been in the mood for it, and most importantly he wanted to celebrate his wins. And to reschedule the meeting again, just a day after, wouldn’t reflect well on him or his credibility.

He finally looked up, making his decision. "Take me to the airport," Sebastian ordered curtly.

The man with the role of chauffeur today, was actually his assistant, Mathew, and he hesitated before speaking. "Sir, if I may remind you, the meeting with the important client is scheduled for 10:00 AM their time. If we leave now, you'll arrive in the middle of the night, and the meeting wouldn’t be for a while. Are you sure you want to leave so soon?"

Sebastian's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Yes, I'm aware. I’ve already contacted them, and we've rescheduled the meeting to an earlier time. I also have plans for the evening, so I must return before then."

The boss called them in the middle of the night? Mathew thought shocked, and they actually agreed to his terms.. but well, it was actually not that shocking. Seeing the efforts they went through to secure the meeting with Sebastian, they would be sure to accept whatever demands as long as they got what they wanted.

Mathew nodded, however he was still not very comfortable about the idea of just the two of them flying out, his boss was a very dangerous man alright, but he also had equally as dangerous enemies. “But boss, shall I contact Zeke and have him meet us with the team at the airport too? The director also needs to be informed of your absence in the company today.”

Sebastian shrugged, uncaringly. “Whatever, just make sure they get there on time, I can’t be late. Oh and call my tailor, have him prepare a new suit for me by the time we get back. I can't show up in her presence looking like I just rolled out of a third-rate hotel.”

Mathew cracked a grin, looking at his boss’s impeccable image through the rare view mirror, only the boss would think he looked anything less than perfect, even if he did roll out of a third-rate hotel. But still, ordinarily he wouldn’t be so bothered about the little details. Here he was about to meet with clients that made up a considerable percentage of their country’s GDP, and not once did he bother about his appearance. So what kind of important plans did he have tonight? And who could this “she” be to get him fussing? Even going to the extent of getting a new suit to add to the hundreds of new ones he still hadn’t worn.

“Understood, sir. I'll handle everything," he replied, making a note to contact the tailor immediately. His memory had to be extremely good to work for someone like Sebastian, as he completely detested having to repeat an order he gave, or heavens forbid, incompetence.

“Oh, and Mathew?” Sebastian spoke up after a thought occurred to him. “Who is holding an event today? Charity gala? Ball or whatever the likes?”

They had agreed to meet up on this day on whatever worthy societal occasion was holding place. It wasn’t a coincidence that they chose this month. There was always something, especially this month, being one of the busiest periods of higher society because of the numerous charity events, galas, and fundraisers that took place. And so they agreed on tonight, to meet up in whatever event that was happening.

But.. he admitted, he saw the flaw in not meeting up even once to discuss the terms. And tried as he might, even with his wide inexhaustible networks, he wasn’t able to get in touch with her, so tonight it would have to be. And he didn’t doubt for a second that she would be there, she needed this, wanted this even more than he did. And while it was more of a pleasing game for him, for her it was so much more.

Mathew’s eyes widened further. What the hell is going on with the boss this morning? But still, he was used to his unpredictability like that, and as his job entailed, he was aware of almost every aspect of Sebastian’s life, and prided himself on being able to anticipate his needs. He quickly pulled out his phone to check the calendar of high-profile events happening tonight, keeping one eye on the road.

"Sir, there are several events tonight. But the only one worth mentioning is the Chalini family’s charity event.”

Sebastian's eyes flickered with interest at the mention, “The Chalini’s, really?” He hadn’t heard much from them these days. Their patriarch dragged the family into solitude after one too many involvement their youngsters had with terrible scandals. “How do I get an invite to that?”

“You already received one in the mail two weeks ago, Sir. I was unaware of your interest, and had failed to inform you of it. My apologies.” Mathew replied, cursing his own lack of insight.

Sebastian waved off Mathew's apology with a dismissive gesture. "No matter, Mathew. Forget about tonight for now, and just make sure everything is arranged for this meeting. I want to finish with the dealings once and for all.”

"Consider it done, sir. I’ll ensure everything meets up to your requirements.” He nodded, his hands flying over his phone as he made notes and confirmed details with the necessary contacts.

Sebastian leaned back in his seat, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly as the car idled at the traffic light. His thoughts turned momentarily to what was to come tonight. And his reunion with that woman. He couldn’t help the thrum of excited that even the prospect of earning billions from the business meeting couldn’t invoke at the thought of it.

He had everything..money, power, women—all the indulgences he had amassed effortlessly from a young age even as an orphan with no backing. Yet, after achieving it all, life had become a mundane succession of conquests, each victory more hollow than the last. Money bored him, women bored him, and the allure of power had long since faded into the background of his existence.

But she was different.

He didn’t love her—such foolishness was beneath him—but the mere thought of her stirred a dark, seductive excitement within him. He had seen her broken once before, a delicate masterpiece of destruction that had both repulsed and fascinated him. It wasn’t his doing, but he had reveled in the aftermath nonetheless. The sight of her shattered facade had however left a disgusting taste in his mouth, but only because it wasn’t his artwork. He was a jealous man, and he couldn’t appreciate the art, unless he was its artist.

Sebastian Beau Leclair thrived on control, on bending situations and people to his will. Cold, seductively dangerous, slick, and magnetizing..these were the qualities that made him rise in the cutthroat world of business and pleasure. He had never met any who remained wholly unbothered by him. His lovers, his allies, his friends, his enemies..they all wanted something from him which they lacked. But it always came down to three things, Wealth, Power, and influence.

And she had all three. He didn’t have anything to offer her that she didn’t already have since the moment she first drew breath. Eyes so cold and unfeeling, she reminded him of the days he was nobody. Stripped him of his carefully cultivated layers until all he was, was that shivering little boy scrubbing shoes to feed himself. He loathed it, how much of him she could break with one indifferent gaze. But she intrigued him, the fact that she could do so much with just that. The fact that he even cared to notice her presence made her worthy.

He didn’t love her —the thought again, even laughable—frankly his desire for her was only as man normally desires a woman. She was only something he found of interest as of late. A little excitement in the unceasingly boring monotone of his life. So what if he indulged in it a little? Especially when it could also prove to be useful in pegging down a major competitor, one she admittedly grew, but that only showed her ability.

So the game begins tonight…

I wonder if she wore red again, he thought with a sinful smirk as the picture of her from that night resurfaced..