Love, Lies and Billionaires

The private lounge of the second to the last floor was as quiet as it should be. The only sound that could be heard was the low music coming in through the speakers.

Alexander was seated on one sofa, a document spread open in front of him. He seemed not to mind it as he scrolled through his phone in one hand and a glass of white wine rested in the other.

Soon enough, the elevator door opened to two hefty men who seemed to half dragged a man out of the elevator with them.

“Let go of me, will you? Do you know who the fuck I am? I could have you gone at the snap of my fingers”

“Oh, really?” Alexander’s voice came suddenly, making him shut his mouth quickly. The men roughly hurled him on his knees in front of Alexander.

“Sir?” His whole body trembled as he knelt before Alexander.

“Not such a talkative anymore, are you?” His eyes were still focused on what he was doing on his phone. The man was quiet. Sweat was beginning to form on his forehead despite the cold temperature the AC gave the room.

“Do you know who I am?” Alexander asked. He took a sip of the wine.

“Sir, I’m so sorry. Whatever I did…”

“Answer the fucking question, fool” Alexander snapped

“Y…yes, you’re Alexander Blackwood, sir,” he answered, whimpering. He was in a three-piece suit. Evidence that he was taken while at work or in a meeting. The clothes were wrinkled and almost torn due to struggling and pulling.

“Hmm” Alexander grunted. He then put down his phone and the glass of wine on the table. He picked up a pack of cigarettes from the table and put one between his lips.

“My guess is if you’re asked, your answer would be you have no idea why you’re here,” he said, searching his pockets for a lighter.

“I really don’t know, sir, please.”

The lighter flared, and Alexander took a puff. “Mr Hermes is it?” The man nodded quickly, like his head was missing a screw. “Well then, Mr Hermes, do you know the companies I own?”

“Yes, very much sir, and I avoid crossing paths with them in any way I can, sir,” the middle-aged man answered. The hair which extended to his forehead now glued to his skin because of the sweat.

“Except you’ve not, Mr Hermes.” Alexander’s voice was terribly calm. He picked up the file which was laid on the table and threw it at him. He was lucky to catch it despite his trembling hands.

“That is the report from one of my companies for last month” smoke spilled from his lips as he spoke.

The man opened the file and flipped through the pages “You mean Versa…”

“Yes, you bastard,” he interrupted him sharply. “It shows your company somehow managed to steal an idea before it was released”

“But…but I don’t understand. Your companies have never been on our target list. I swear I didn’t know this was yours”

“If you were so smart, you’d have done your research and know that it belongs to Mrs. Blackwood, my wife”

“Oh my god, I’m sorry, sir. I’m sorry for my ignorance.”

“I know, I know you’re sorry and I forgive you”

“Oh thank you, thank you sir,” the man said, almost kissing Alexander’s feet.

“But you’re going to have to pay though”

“Anything, any amount sir,” the man begged. His palms clasped together and his head was bent beneath Alexander’s feet.

Alexander gave a guttural chuckle and dropped the cigarette in an ashtray which laid in the middle of the table. “I don’t want your money, dude.”

The man slowly raised his head from the ground. His heart seemed to run a million miles per second. He gulped, the lump stuck in his throat before he asked the most scary question ever. “What will you do with me, sir?”

“You see, I’ve heard a lot about your company and numerous companies which have fallen victim to your sneaky fingers. I’ve laid waiting for you to take the bait and Voila! There you are”

“I’m so sorry, sir. I promise it won’t repeat itself.” Alexander took a seat from his wine and set it down.

“Oh, I’m sure it won’t.” He snapped his fingers to the hefty men who had brought him, drawing their attention to him. “Take him away till I figure out what to do with him,” he ordered.

“No, sir, you have to believe me. I can fix this, I swear I can,” the man shouted as he was dragged away. “Just give me one chance please, Mr. Blackwood…” his voice finally faded in the distance.

The lighter flared, and another cigarette was lit, but this time with more interest. The elevator beeped open at his fourth puff.

“Why the fuck do you want me here?” The feminine voice questioned as she stood before Alexander. “I thought you’re happily married to your bloody wife and don’t want whores like me around.” Her arms were akimbo as she spat what she spat.

“You know you really need to fix yourself…”

“Shhh” Alexander shushed, slowly. I clouded if smoke followed, falling directly on her face, making her crinkle her nose in disgust. “Watch your words, Kim. Don’t piss me off”

“Why have you sent your men to bring me here?” she folded her arms, anger visible on her face.

Alexander poured himself a glass of wine. “You have the liberty to walk out of here if you want” he took a sip from the glass. Not minding her.

She eyed him and sighed. She took her seat beside him on the sofa. “What do you want from me, Alexander?” Her voice was now calmer.

“What do you think?”

“Can you just say it already? You don’t have to be this way all the time.”

“Kneel,” his voice came with depth and order.

Kim scoffed and blinked multiple times in disbelief. “I don’t get it. I thought you were yapping about having a wife the other day. ”

“I don’t let my wife do the duties of a dog.” A cloud of smoke blurred her vision.