Burn

Chapter Eight

Blake:

"I know, baby. I know, but these things take time." My arms tightened around Maria as she laid on my chest.

"I don't have much time, Blake! I need that money now." She muttered.

"Yes, but you know that your husband left every precaution that you could think of to make sure you don't get any of that money. I tried talking to the lawyer, but he's not budging." I ran a hand through her hair, noting how brittle it felt.

"I hate that little b***h. She took every f*****g thing from me." She muttered.

"I understand that, but if you want me to take the company from right under her, then you need a little more patience. You know how easily she spooks." I looked down at my lover for the past three years, seeing how much she has aged in that time.

"Yes, damn girl got her father's intuition. By the way, does she know that I'm sleeping with her little boyfriend?" The smirk on her face highlighted the little lines around her mouth and I looked away.

Maria used to be a pretty woman back in her prime, but time has clearly not been kind to her. Before she could've kept up her looks with the money her husband supplied her, but because the money has run out, she couldn't keep up with all the Botox and expensive fillers and treatments she used to get when he was alive.

"No, she doesn't and we need to keep it this way if we want to her to fold." I said and she rolled her eyes.

"Of course I know that. As much as I want to rub it in her face and see her suffer, the pay out in the end will be worth it."

"I have to get going. She's probably wondering where I am." I muttered, lifting her head gently off my chest and gathering my clothes.

She sat up with her hand tucked under her head, pulling the sheet up closer to her.

"When am I going to see you again?" She asked.

"Not sure. Although she doesn't know that I'm sleeping with you, she is very suspicious and she knows I'm possibly sleeping with someone else." I responded.

"Well that just won't do. You have to find some way to throw her off." She said.

"I'm working on it."

I finished the last button on my shirt, before tucking it into my pants and putting my socks and shoes on.

"I'll see you Sunday night." I said, pecking her on her lips, before shrugging on my jacket and leaving.

The reason for me doing this to Brianna was nothing personal. I do love her and I care for her a great deal but business is business. The payout I get from this trumps any type of feelings I may have for her and that's the truth.

Once upon a time a while ago, I may have been in love with her, but that quickly fizzled out.

I left the hotel room, which I was paying for for the while, checking my phone on the way down in the elevator.

"Fuck." I muttered when I saw how much missed calls I had from Brianna.

I saw the messages that she left and I cringed. f**k, I already forgot that tonight was supposed to be date night and I could tell that she was going to be royally pissed that I forgot.

Lately it has been getting harder and harder to keep up the pretenses, but the only thing that kept me going was the money I knew I was going to get in the end.

I wanted no parts of the fight between Maria and Brianna, like I said this isn't personal. I just want to get my money then dip.

On my way to the car, I tried calling her, but her phone went straight to voicemail and I cursed lowly.

Fuck this was gonna set back plans.

I made my way home as fast as I could've, making my way up to the penthouse. When the elevator doors opened, I saw that the lights were low and I could see the table was set and the food was out with a bottle of wine that was opened and two champagne glasses.

I felt a little bit of guilt and remorse because she did put in an effort. I mean, I'm an asshole but not a complete d**k. I could appreciate when someone puts effort into trying to make a relationship work, even though they have no control of the outcome.

"Bri baby?" I called out and I got no response.

She wasn't in the living room when I first walked in, nor was she in the kitchen. I frowned, making my way to the bedroom, which was empty. I checked the bathroom, closet and even the guest rooms and she was nowhere to be found. I checked her office last, but no such luck.

I checked the time on my watch and saw that it was one in the morning. Where the hell could she have gone at this hour.

I decided to have a quick shower, before going to sit in the living room to wait for her. I turned on the news, settling back into the couch as I listened to the recap of the day.

Just as the clock hit two and I was dialing her number again, I heard the elevator doors open, and I saw her walk through them with a smile on her face that was quickly wiped off when she saw me.

"Where were you?"

~.~

Brianna:

I didn't answer Blake as I walked past him into my bedroom, groaning in my head when I heard him following behind me.

"Brianna, I asked you a question. Where were you?" He asked.

I still didn't answer as I dropped my purse and my throw on the chaise lounge in my room, making my way into the closet.

"I know you f*****g hear me talking to you. Where were you that you had to return home at two in the morning?" He barked, and I spun around, pinning him with a glare that held on the venom and hostility that I felt towards him at the moment.

"You don't get to f*****g ask me that, Blake. Had you been home ON TIME for dinner yesterday, I wouldn't have left the house and returned home at this time. It doesn't matter where I was. What matters is that YOU didn't show up when you were supposed to. Matter of fact, where the f**k were you, and don't give me that I was working bullshit. I'm not f*****g stupid!"

"Brianna, let's not do this right now. It doesn't-"

I cut him off right there.

"Don't say it doesn't f*****g matter, Blake. It did to me. You know what? I'm done. The b***h that you've been sleeping with behind my back can have you. You're definitely not worth all this f*****g stress."

"You don't mean that, Bri. Listen, I'll give you some time to cool off. Tomorrow I'll make it up to you. I'll come home and make dinner this time and we can talk about this like adults." He said softly, making me snort.

"There's nothing for us to talk about anymore." I muttered quietly, gathering up my stuff that I would need for tonight and tomorrow before leaving the room.

I took off my makeup and got ready for bed, throwing on a pair of silk pajamas, before laying on the bed in the guest room.

Just as I plugged in my phone, I heard it chime with a message from Viktor, and I eagerly opened it.

Viktor 2:30 AM ~ I'm home and I just got in bed princess. I wish you were here next to me so I could hold you in my arms while you slept.

I couldn't help the blush that spread over my face as I giggled like a little school girl with her first crush.

God, what was wrong with me?

Me 2:32 AM ~ My, oh my. You sure have a way with words, Mr. Markov. Do you tell this to all the females you want to sleep with?

Viktor 2:33 AM ~ Only the most beautiful one that I want more than a friendship with.

Me 2:34 AM ~ Viktor.....

Viktor 2:36 AM ~ I know I agreed to give you space, Brianna, and I will.

Me 2:38 AM ~ Thank you... Goodnight, Viktor

Viktor 2:39 AM - Goodnight little kitten. Sleep well.

I placed my phone on the bedside panel next to me, before settling under the comforters.

I laid there, staring at the ceiling, losing myself in my thoughts.

Something was up with Blake, I could feel it deep in my bones and I'm not going to stop till I find out what it it is.

With that thought in my head, I fell into a dreamless sleep.

~.~

My alarm went off at 6:30 and I groaned softly, not wanting to get up. I turned it off, placing my head back on my pillow for a few more minutes of silence, before I got up and started getting ready for my day.

I took a hot shower, letting the water wake me up, before putting on one of my usual pant suits that I wear to the office.

This one was a pastel blue color, and I paired it with a white blouse and a pair of white pointed toe pumps.

I did my makeup, before slicking my hair back into a bun.

I was betting on Blake already being gone when I made my way outside, but I was sorely disappointed when I went into the bedroom and he was still there.

"We need to talk." I didn't even stop and look at him as he spoke, just headed straight into the closet to grab my white Hermès Birkin bag, where I transferred all my necessities for the day into the bag and I left the room.

"Brianna." He tried to grab my arm but I jerked it out of his reach before he could touch me.

"We have nothing to speak about Blake. I already told you that. The time for speaking is over. I'm done and I have a job to get to. Goodbye." I didn't even bother sparing him a glance as I made my way to the elevator, stepping in.

My phone buzzed with a good morning text from Viktor, and a little smile made its way onto my face.

Viktor 7:30 AM ~ Good morning, beautiful. I hope that you slept well. I'm already in the office and I've been thinking of you all night. Are you on your way?

Aw, cute.

Me 7:31 AM ~ Good morning. Yes, I'm on my way. I'll be there with you shortly.

Viktor 7:32 AM ~ Great. I have a cup of coffee with your name on it.

Me 7:33 AM ~ Thank god. I'm absolutely exhausted because someone insisted on keeping me out past my bedtime.

Viktor 7:34 AM ~ I would say I'm sorry but I'm not. Any time I get to spend with you is precious.

Me 7:37 AM ~ You're just full of compliments this morning aren't you?

Viktor 7:38 AM ~ I guess I am. It may have something to do with the beautiful angel texting me right now.

I blushed, before putting my phone back in my bag as we pulled up in front of the office.