Chapter 4 – Truth Be Told

“Who is she? Where did she come from?” Thomas snapped at his personal assistant and lawyer. “You said everything will be done in seconds and the deal presents itself with no complications! Since when he had a daughter that I didn’t know of? She wasn’t mentioned in the documents! His wife was to take over and give me the company! She was willing!” Thomas raged, throwing the papers in his men’s faces with discontent.

“We don’t know, it wasn’t supposed to be like this. No one knew his daughter would take over. We didn’t mention her as she was said to live abroad with studies. She’s only eighteen. We didn’t consider she would be made head of the company. His will didn’t state that.” His lawyer, who did all the digging and the documents, defended himself. “She wasn’t even in the country. From what we know, she had to still be in Switzerland.” His personal lawyer was Kyle Lockwood. A lawyer with outstanding academics and successful cases, at the age of 32. He was known for his talent of getting things done fast and feared in the industry. This was his first fail. Kyle was tall and athletic, with brown eyes, chestnut short hair, and chiseled face. His good looks were as known as his professional talent. Among the ladies, he was a player. Never had a serious relationship, but you couldn’t blame him for it, as he spent most of his time doing business for the heavy guys.

“I don’t pay you to not know! I pay you to know!” Thomas barked with fury in his eyes. He stopped speaking, turned to the room’s wide window with his hands in his pockets, staring outside. “OK. Find ways to get back at her. Give me leverages that I can use and subject her to me. At a second thought, this is going to be interesting. I wonder how long she will last in that attitude and confidence. Bring me something to make her kneel in front of me and beg for mercy! Now!” He thundered once more, almost breaking the window’s glass with his voice.

“Yes, sir!” Kyle took his things and went to obey the orders.

Thomas remained with his assistant in the room. Odin Hapkan was a 24-year-old, new to his staff. He resembled Kyle in features but had black hair and eyes. He had been DiAngelo’s personal assistant for the last four years and served him with utmost efficiency. At origins, he had been a thug and involved with a gang as he had no parents since the age of eight. In a fight between gangs he had been injured after going against twenty gang members alone. He had been covered in blood and still fighting to his last breath. Thomas had happened to be around the place with business and stepped in his aid as he had seen his “Alpha” abilities and stubbornness. He had offered him a new life and gave him the position as he was a man with potential, worthy to be beside him.

“Go and do your own research. Give me what I want. Watch her 24/7.” Thomas was game on.

“Consider it as done.” Odin left the room after bowing his head in respect to Thomas.

She sure is something. Who thought you would cross my path twice? You little brat. You want war? I will give you the ‘sweetest’ war ever. You will cry with those fiery eyes and will kneel to let you live in peace. Look whom I fucking saved! I had to have a soft spot for this wicked brat last night! Thomas was having mixed feelings for Mika. He did like her attitude and confidence. He even loved her stance and way of approach as he saw himself in her. The brat had potential. Those eyes…. They tickled my guts and shut me down. You speared me with those eyes. Such a fiery woman! I like that. I will bring it on, lovely, don’t you worry. I will have you and your body in no time. Just you wait. Ha-ha! He thought with excitement, changing his line of thoughts, becoming interested in the person and having perverted thoughts.

After hearing Thomas’s reaction, Drake knew hard times are on the horizon. Mika needed protection. His Master was a vicious, sly person when he wanted and regarding business. He went down to his car and waited for Mika to come.

Mika went into her main office to clear some duty she had for her first day in the company and told Vincent she would be back in a few hours to inspect departments.

“Sorry for the delay, my friend! We can go and have lunch! I’m hungry!” She was getting into Drake’s car with such a life appetite.

“Is everything alright? It seems your mood changed fast after the meeting. You didn’t want to eat at breakfast and now you look like you are starving!” Drake was enjoying her fresh mood and persona. He was amazed how she dealt with each situation. She appeared stronger and different with every minute he stayed with her. A business meeting with Thomas would have left men in tears, trembling. Some even committed suicide because of how he would attack them and their companies. But Mika was getting positive force and strength to go on. She sure was no weak soul or woman.

“I am starving! I battled a shark! This white shark needs to eat now! I never eat dirty sharks. I just dump them! Ha-ha! Let’s go to Divar restaurant! It’s classy, and the menu is delish!” She was happy to go and eat, having a growling stomach and a dried mouth.

“I know the place. We will be there in five.” Drake fancied the restaurant she picked.

The restaurant had French, Italian and Asian cuisine. They were known to have only VIP clients. Chefs would rival to get into the place and represent the restaurant. It was one of Thomas DiAngelo’s restaurants. His business covered all fields and had only the cream of each industry. Anyhow, Mika was not updated on this, reason she still favored the restaurant.

A waiter took them to a private table and had their orders. Mika ordered the best dishes and drinks to celebrate making a new friend and putting down a shark.

“I feel happy now.” Mika was sincere, after drinking half of fresh squeezed orange juice glass with ice.

“Happy for?” Drake was feeling happy she was happy.

“For making a new friend! Cheers to you! It feels great to have someone to talk to and wait for you to spill the news! My best friend was dad. I could speak with him about anything. Since he died, I can’t do that anymore. Now, I have you!” She owned a bitter-sweet mood.

“I am sorry you have lost your dad. It must be tough on you. I will always be there for you, don’t worry. I am happy we are friends.” Drake was thinking with a clenched heart of the moment she would find out about his connection with Thomas. “So, what’s on your agenda for today?” He had real interest.

“Well, I need to buy a new phone. Then, I will have to go to my new place, as I moved from home to be near the company. Luggage and stuff must have arrived yesterday. After that, I still have some short meetings and inspections for taking over the company. This week will be hell week for me. I know the company by heart, but I still need to adjust to the inside environment. Eh, I will get used to it in no time.” She freely spoke with Drake like she would with an old friend. Mika sensed him as a reliable person and a true friend. Hence, she would act like they knew each other in forever.

“I took a day off today, so I can stay with you and help if you want me to.” Drake wanted to keep a close eye on her; he knew Thomas would not leave things off the hook.

“Oh, that would be too much to ask and accept. Don’t worry, I can take care of things. You did plenty already. I am sure your boss will not be very content with you taking a whole day off to assist me. You should go back. We can meet again another time. I will text you my new phone number later.” Mika declined his offer, thinking it could harm him in front of his boss. After all, she bugged them too much already. Kindness shouldn’t be profited on unlimited lengths, she thought.

“I need to confess something, Mika.” Drake was changing his tone into a serious, guilty one.

“OK, but don’t have that straight face on me!” She giggled, binging from her plate and savoring the food. “It can’t be that bad!” She continued with her mouth full.

“It is. But please listen to me until the end and don’t overthink it. OK?” Drake pleaded with puppy eyes.

“You know you are scary right now, don’t you?” Mika gasped his grimace after swallowing the food she had in her mouth.

“When I saw your company, and you told me you’re the new CEO, I knew who the businessman, you mentioned in the morning, was.” Drake started confessing with sadness in his eyes and clenching his jawline.

“That was what you wanted to confess? Ha-ha! That’s alright. You feel guilty for not telling me about him? No worries, I was informed beforehand about him. You couldn’t tell me more than I already knew. Stop feeling guilty.” She was binge eating again.

“I haven’t finished.” His chest was heavy, and his heart was beating it. “Thomas DiAngelo is…,” he paused a little, “my boss.” He kept her stare, hoping it won’t be the end of them.

“You say what?!” She yelled, chocking with her food.

“Here! Drink some water!” He gave her his glass of water.

She took the glass, drank, and gasped for air. “Are you kidding me? He is your boss?” Mika was not believing that.

“Yes, he is. But I didn’t know, and I am sure he didn’t either, that the girl from last night, would be his now nemesis. You need to be careful with him. He’s a big shot, and never leaves unfinished business. What he wants, he takes. No matter what. I am not trying to portray him in a bad light. He’s not in fact a bad guy. He’s honest and cool. But in business, he’s fierce. He never cares for the other party. I don’t want you to get hurt. So, be alert and make sure your moves aren’t watched. His eyes and ears are everywhere. I can’t say more, as I am his people, but I am also your friend, and I have to let you know for your own protection. Don’t cross or provoke him in any way. He’s dangerous.” He was true to his words, hoping she would be safe and wouldn’t reject him from her life after telling her the truth.

“I have a headache.” She put aside her dish and held her head with her hands, elbows on the table.

“I’m sorry. I had to tell you. I didn’t want you to find out later and be angry with me for not being honest. These two are separate things. He doesn’t have a say in who my friends are. I feel a strong connection with you and the need to be at your side. I can’t explain in words why, but it is the truth. And I don’t want this to get between us, especially at the beginning of our friendship.” His eyes were on her, praying she would not get mad and walk away. That would hurt him to his core.

“You guys didn’t know me last night?” She was scanning him and his reaction with meticulous eyes.

“No.” He promptly answered.

“Not even him?” She was rubbing her temples.

“He had no idea. Thomas was the one who took you back from the forest and protected you. He ordered us to bring the doctor and investigate the other car that chased you.” He confessed half the truth, avoiding the worst part, which thankfully, she would never remember.