Chris pov

"Where is my money?"

"Good evening, Mr Caron." I smiled politely, not bothering to look up from the file I was engrossed in.

"I was promised money, don't you dare tell me you're going back on your word." Mr Caron snarled prowling aggressively in my office.

"I don't go back on my word. I'm not like you." I shrugged intentionally giving him time to let the insult sink in.

"I don't go back on my word." He bristled, clearly offended.

"After having such a long and stressful day I do feel good at your attempt of humour. Good joke." I chuckled dryly.

"Don't beat around the bush, I want my money." Mr Caron was not taking a hint, that I was not jumping up at the opportunity to listen to him justify his actions.

"Sir, the reports for the merger is here." My assistant Mike rambled barging in barley noticing a seething Mr Caron.

"Come in Mike." I gestured clearing my desk, making space for the new files.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise Mr Caron was here. I'll come back later." Mike mumbled hesitantly trying to ignore the cold glares thrown our way.

"Unlike me Mr Caron is quite free, don't worry about it. He can wait until we finish this, can't you?" I enquired lips twitching back a smile.

Mr Caron's eyes narrowed, resisting an urge to lunge across the desk and strangle me, he took a deep breadth and gave a forced smile "I just want the money you promised me, if you could just hand over the cheque I'll be on my way. That way you can discuss about three more mergers and I wouldn't care."

"I'm not very happy about seeing your face either. But I do have some questions for you, once you answer them my security will be more than happy to lead you out and even get you a cab." I expressed, noticing as he ground his teeth in frustration.

"I didn't agree to answer any questions." Mr Caron did not like the way this conversation was going.

"We don't get everything we want." I countered, stopping another word from his side.

For the next twenty minutes, Mr Caron's demeanour of trying to look like a sophisticated gentleman was slipping up. He glared at me occasionally, as though wishing me an early death and then went back to swearing under his breadth.

"Good job, Mike. Thank you. Why don't you file all this up and take the day off." I appreciated, it's nice to encourage your employees, there is really no need to be rude and arrogant to everyone just because you can.

"I'll file this." Mike voiced giving a small smile.

"Do you have any more deals to discuss?" Mr Caron growled clenching his fists.

"I didn't realise you love waiting so much, purely to indulge you I can get started on a meeting I'm lagging behind on, but it may or may not mean an extra two hours of waiting on your part. Decide quickly Mr Caron." I tried hard not to laugh at his afronted expression.

"Let's just finish this." Mr Caron pulled at his messy hair.

"What did you say to Liam?" I questioned eyes trained on my target.

"What nonsense are you on about?"

"Liam was so furious at Gwen, he vowed to destroy all the people who hurt his son. Why did he not target you or Emma? Technically speaking his fiance's betrayal should have meant more than others. So, what did you to do to get Liam off your back?" I rolled up my shirt,  indicating I didn't have a problem using my fists.

"You are overthinking this situation. I would never promise a thing to that twisted man." He shrugged wringing his hands together.

"I don't have time to overthink, when I want to do something I do it correctly." I voiced not dropping the subject.

"You either tell me, or I have other ways to make you talk." I challenged, don't be the person who backs down on anything life throws at you, because if you do it once, there is a chance life will make you do it again and again.

"I don't have to tell you anything. Give me my money and I'll leave." He was like a parrot now, repeating the same thing again and again.

"When we raided Liam's warehouse after Gwen's attack we found a folder with information that would gaurantee you atleast five to six years jail. So whatever deal your kidding yourself into beleiveing will be a waste. Now use that brain of yours and tell me the entire story." I liked the rising panic on his face, taking a sip of my coffee I glared at him.

"Liam promised to let me off the hook, that betraying two faced bast*rd." He screeched, face twisting into a disgusted expression.

"Now that you agreed to do it, be a good boy and tell me the whole story." I coaxed, carefully getting him to admit.

"Liam threatened to kill my entire family, he was convinced I plotted against Adam. I had to either be strong enough to face him, or had to shift his focus and anger from me." He half heartedly mumbled.

"So, you pitched Gwen against Liam, pitting both against each other, while you could escape." I would have appreciated his devious little plan, if I wasn't furious that he could have cost Gwen her life.

"Gwen and Dave were both going to be taken out of equation, Liam would have the satisfaction of taking revenge and leave me alone, if Gwen was smart she would put him in jail and no one would know about my involvement. It was a win win for me on both sides" Mr Caron wiped the thick layer of sweat on his forehead.

"But Liam double crossed you, he wanted to put you in jail, you panicked at that time and agreed to testify against him if I gave you money in return." I finished the sentence for him.

"Now everyone is fine, Liam's dead. Give me my money and I'll leave this wretched place and never come back." He bargained keeping his face straight as though he was striking a fair deal.

"It seems wrong that I pay you for almost getting Gwen killed." I explained letting him guess why  exactly I don't feel like giving him a penny.

"It worked out fine, don't be a smarta*s, there is nothing you can do to me now." He challenged, fisting his hands on the chair.

"I could hand over Liam's file to the police and watch with glee as you are arrested or you agree to my deal and walk out of all our lives." I don't want this manipulative, self centred person around us again, he is hazard, I don't know about others but I don't need any drama in my life.

"As long as I'm paid, I'll do whatever you want." He agreed bitterly, he knew there was no other choice for him, he was just pretending to be on the wining side.

"You will get money not only from me, but   from all the celebrities and bigshots as well. It will even salvage your poor reputation in the media, but there is only a minor setback. Do you agree to my proposition?" I arched my eyebrows, waiting for this stupid human to sign his own downfall.

"What is the setback?" He asked warily.

"You can't use that money on yourself." I laughed at the outrage in his face.

"What?"

"We are launching a charity programme for malnourished children, and we need someone to head the programme. You will get funds from all over the world, but if you use even a cent for your own luxury I will release this file to the FBI. You will answer not only to your own crimes, but Liam's as well." I burst out laughing at the dumbfounded expression on his face.

"This is illegal." He snapped.

"What you did in the name of business was illegal. All your life you've been taking from others, living on others hardwork. Maybe it's time you do give back, do some selfless work to redeem all of your sins." I pinned my unwavering gaze on him, letting him see the seriousness in my words.

"Why me, you surely have other trustworthy men to head your stupid programme?" He wined furiously tugging at his hair.

"Because this will make you suffer more." I informed him.

"You have been greedy all your life, seeing so much money at your disposal, and not being able to use it for your lavish lifestyle will drive you up the wall. I don't want people like you around my family. But I will not let you walk away without any consequence. My private jet will be ready tommorrow and you will leave the country."

"I'm not leaving and you can't make me." He growled throwing my file on the floor.

"Then go to jail, I'm sure you will like the hospitality there." He doesn't have a choice, anywhere he goes he suffers.

"There must be another way." Mr Caron never gave up, that was one thing I could admire in this twisted human.

"There is no other way, you will take my jet and leave the country, you will handle the charity programme and even deed a will transferring all of your property to Emma and your wife. They deserve to be happy, after putting up with you for so long, you owe them that happiness." I told him, he would be kidding himself to think about doing otherwise.

"You can't do this to me." He growled, slamming his hands on my desk.

"I can do much more, and don't continue to underestimate me, you didn't learn your lesson the first time and you still fail to accept it. I have another meeting in ten minutes, unless you want to stay and watch my security throw you out, I suggest you leave." I gathered my laptop and marched out, leaving a gaping Mr Caron.

"Mr Caron, don't think you can mess with Gwen and get away with it, she has me. And if you're smart that should scare the hell out of you." I saluted mockingly and walked out.

****

"Did you eat?" I questioned Gwen who was sprawled on the couch underneath a blanket randomly flicking through channels.

"I'm too lazy to walk upto the kitchen." She pouted longingly glancing at the kitchen where no doubt the scent of food was driving her crazy.

"I'll get you a plate, why don't you select a movie." I offered quickly pecking her cheek and stood up.

"Did you eat?" She asked eyes narrowed.

"Does coffee for lunch count." I enquired not liking the 'I want to smack your head' look on her face.

"Get a plate for yourself." She demanded with a disapproving look that would make my mother proud.

"Fine." I knew how stubborn she was, and arguing we could do all day long.

I heated up the fried rice in the oven and scooped it up into two plates, adding a few spring rolls as well, walked in the living room with two bottles of water in hand.

"Eat this and then we can go out for ice cream." Gwen smiled at my voice, being stuck at home for a person like her will not doubt be horrible.

Seeing her unconscious, had kicked up everyone's protective instincts, a demand of taking rest at home was met with a few choice words, yelling and no doubt a new pair of boxing gloves that forced us to
compromise on her staying at home for three days.

"I want to get a tatoo." Gwen announced disgustedly looking at the bandaid and scar on her wrist.

"Do you want me to come with you?" I asked registering her words.

"Thanks, Dave wanted to take me, since you want to come, we can make some other plan." She shrugged, wincing at the screaming in the horror movie playing in the background.

"You don't need to cancel your plans for my sake, if you want to go out with your best friend, you do that. The only reason I offered to come was I don't want you to go alone, if Dave's with you, then we can meet some other time." I laughed at her sheepish look on her face.

Gwen opened her mouth to say something when her phone started ringing, whoever it was she tiredly slumped against the couch and sighed loudly.

"Take that call, I'll leave this in the sink." I suggested gathering up the empty plates and made my way to the kitchen, giving her privacy to talk.

"Who was that?" I asked putting on my jacket.

"My dad, he was worried after hearing from Dave. He wanted to make sure I'm okay, and if I'm ready to go home and meet them." She mumbled not meeting my eyes.

"Are you?" I asked not liking her worried expression.

"I don't know, once I feel like going back into my mom's arms and crying my eyes out. Then again I feel like making them suffer for everything. I need more time to forget, if they can't respect that, it's not my problem. Maybe one day I will go home, or maybe I won't, but I'm not gonna let them affect my present anymore." She rambled, trying to make me understand her side.

"You can choose anything you want, no one has the right to judge you for anything." I gently kissed her forehead.

"I will talk to my dad tommorrow." She vowed to herself.

"Go put on your jacket, let's get you some ice cream." I smiled at her hopeful look, slowly kissing her soft lips.

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Not everyone gets the same version of me. One person may tell you I'm an amazing and beautiful soul. Another person will say. I'm a cold hearted as**ole. Belive them both. I act accordingly.–unknown.

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