CHAPTER FIFTEEN: A FATHERS LOVE.

The desk was the perfect definition of the man who sat behind it. Old. Clean. Yet somehow it gave off a solemn vibe that made the boy standing before them shudder as his eyes looked up from the photos on the desk.

"And these were taken last night?" He asks, pointing at the collection before him.

"Yes, sir. Before she got on the train." The old man's eyes moves from the boy to the photos again, frowning at the girl and the man she stood with.

"I see. And where is she now?"

"At the meeting with Mr. Price. It started a few minutes ago. Our man inside will be getting back to us about what was discussed once it's ended, sir."

"Good. Good."

"But... Sir." The old man's eyes met his again and he swallows hard.

"What is it?"

"That man. The teacher. He seems... uh... I don't think he's simply a temp teacher sir." The old man's eyes narrow as he stares at him. The man who approached him last night had similar eyes. No. They seemed to be darker than his Masters. He'd scared him unlike anyone had ever done before. And he's met his fair share of devils. He was stood before one.

"Explain."

"The way he spoke. I believe he knows I've been following them. Although he only brought up my broken light, his eyes were... different." That was the only word he could think of. But different in what? He didn't know. The only set of eyes he'd seen similar darkness in was his Masters. These men weren't simple creatures.

"Are you scared of some Asian mongrel just because he looked at you funny?"

"Of course not sir. I just..."

"You just assumed I'd pardon your incompetence because you got spooked. Is that it?" Getting up, he made his way around the table to stand before him. His palm resting on the boys cheek.

"N-No, sir!" He stutters bowing deeply, his voice shaking, "I-I'm sorry sir!"

"When does she get back?"

"Tomorrow sir. I've tracked her accounts but there were no payments for tickets, so I don't know the exact time sir." The frown that forms across his face sent chills through the boy's body. You can always tell a devil by his mouth. There was no denying it.

"Should I dig deeper sir? I don't think it'll be too hard to find her other account."

"Hmph. Don't underestimate that girl Ren. She's not as naive as she lets on. Follow the man, he'll pick her up for sure." He smirks at that. He almost looks like a proud father the way his eyes gleamed but there was no mistaking it. Hate was all that look was.

"Y-Yes, sir." The old man looked at the young boy before him. The runt he picked up had proven itself not completely useless. He knew the boy either suspected or knew his intentions, but he never asked or question. Wise. He was the ideal pet. The only person who knew his reasons was already dead. Atlas. Although being his daughter on paper is as far as their relationship went. The resemblance to her mother disgusted him. Everything they'd built together, he'd have her own daughter destroy. His, son, would be the one and only blood he had. But the damned boy had to have fallen for a man. His lengthy vacation would sort him out. He'd already broken their relationship. Martin being by her side was simply another nail in that already buried coffin. Refusing to give him The Academy, another. He hadn't expected her to last as long as she had. Her mothers' daughter, she was indeed. If she had people on her side in this fight, she'd kept them well hidden and the ones he'd found, well, they were, gone.

William hadn't spoken to her in over two years and so another nail. The easiest way to cripple one's enemy is taking away all trump cards. She's at her breaking point. He felt a grin spread across his face again. Jason Fairchild. Let's see how long it takes to drive you out too. It doesn't matter that you carry the Fairchild name. You are only another pawn in this game and one she will definitely lose. Returning to his chair, he sits turning the chair to look out the window overlooking his estate. It'll be raining harder from now on Atlas. Let's see how you sink.

The silence that befell the room was broken forty minutes later by the ringing of Rens' phone. Answering, he puts the call on speaker before placing it on the old man's desk, stepping back.

"Speak." There was a slight pause on the other end and the Ren could tell the man was just given the fright of his life.

"Y-Yes, sir. The meeting went as expected. She's putting it all in for the development of a new block and facilities. Price didn't seem pleased but he didn't look like he hated the idea either."

"What are the details of her plans?"

"An extension of the south block and a new set of classrooms in the empty lot behind the library sir. It also seems that she's in the process of buying the lot behind the sports facilities in order to extend the grounds."

"I see. Funding?"

"So far she only has a handful of investors, the ones you haven't gotten to yet sir from the names I saw on the partner sheets."

"Anything else?"

"It seems she's been in contact with some of the Board members of The Academy to discuss allowing local children to also attend sir."

"She wants to allow locals to attend The Academy?"

"Not just locals sir. She also seems to have put in place scholarships that can be awarded to students regional, national and international. She's also already bought an old apartment building to turn into another set of dorms off-site, Sir."

"Well, well. It seems the little one has been busy. What's the cost of this dream then?"

"Well, about that sir. Mr. Price sent everyone out of the room when the talk of finance came up."

"He what?!" At his sudden exclamation Ren cautiously steps backwards barely containing his startled whimper; he could only imagine the fear on the other man's face. I guess he can count himself lucky for being across the phone.

"He... he sent everyone out, sir. Even his own people. They didn't come out for at least fifteen to twenty minutes, Sir."

"Get me the footage of that conference room." Although his voice wasn't as loud, the anger and annoyance were not lost.

"Ummm, about that. I already tried but the hotel manager insisted that there weren't any cameras in any of the conference rooms, Sir."

"What hotel was the meeting held at?"

"The Jade, sir."

"The Jade? Isn't that a subsidiary of the Sakamoto conglomerate?"

"Yes, sir."

"Hmmm. It's useless then. Even if there was footage they'd never give it willingly so I'll take care of it."

"Yes, sir."

"From what you saw in the meeting can you give me an estimate on how you believe this so-called project of hers will cost?

"From my estimations, definitely over nine million, sir. Including scholarships and everything else, no less than nine million"

"Very well. Keep an eye on her till she leaves, keep me updated on Prices movements also." Without waiting for a response he cuts the call a smile creeping across his face.

"This girl never disappoints does she." The laugh that leaves his mouth sent chills through Rens body and he tried his best not to move, not wanting to have the old man look at him.

"Do you think she'll meet her target funding amount?" His eyes set, staring at Ren coolly and he swallows hard again.

"You've already got half of the board members and a large amount of the shareholders in your pockets sir. Unless miracles are real, I see no way of her raising such a large sum by herself. Steven Price is a smart man and he no doubt knows this but is simply indulging her."

"Hmm, it seems like you've grown my dear boy." A sly smile forms along his lips and Rens breath catches in his lungs.

"Y-Yes, sir." Turning his chair away from Ren the old man looks out the window again.

"However, as I mentioned before. Do not underestimate that girl. Now, go keep an eye on that man and inform me when she's back in town."

"Yes, sir." His feet couldn't move fast enough. Quickly taking his phone he exits the room, closing the door behind him a large sigh escaping his lips the moment the door clicks behind him.

Now, from the demon onto the devil.