One Night With Mr Braxton

” Find her and keep her till I tell you otherwise. I don’t want mistakes.”

Mrs Steele said to the other end of the line, only hanging up after receiving an affirmation of her instruction. Without further Ado, she headed out of her connecting restroom and into her office. Talia was seated, tapping her feet on the floorboards, awaiting her arrival.

” Took you long enough. I’ve been thinking about the best way to get back at Emma but I can’t seem to think about anything else, other than those darned designs of her harlot mother. What do you think? Do I have room for one more design for my latest collection?”

Talia’s smile could only be described as evil. Her mother’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing her idea. She couldn’t help but acknowledge her daughter as one of the greatest masterminds she was fortunate to come across in her lifetime other than herself.

” Brilliant! You never cease to amaze me, darling.” She cooed with a crooked smile and dark glint. ” I think that would be the perfect icing on the cake from what I have planned. And no, I won’t be telling you just yet.” Her mother said, knowing Talia was seconds away from asking what she had in store.

Most of the time, Mrs Steele preferred to do the dirty job alone. She loved her daughter and was staunch in her decision to keep her far from any of the dirty jobs she’s had to do in order to maintain the Steele Shoes.

As a woman who was the CEO of such a great company, it was only natural that she got a lot of barely hidden contempt and scorn before she was able to build and rack up a solid portfolio.

Ever since her husband died, there were numerous attacks on her person and doubts of her capabilities which threatened to take away her position; after seeking out strong backings and favours from various underworld bosses, she was able to build herself into a formidable opponent, capable of doing just about anything.

There was a lot of her lifestyle that wasn’t in any way privy to her daughter but it wasn’t a secret to her either. She made sure that Talia was somewhat aware of the lengths she went for her even if it was at a later time.

It was only natural for her daughter to catch onto her and sometimes even assist her in brainstorming ideas on how to approach things. Ideas that have in time proven her to be the daughter of her mother.

This time was no different. The only additional spice was the fact it directly concerned her and somehow, the little witch Emma was also connected and roped in the drama.

The idea to have one of Emma’s late mother’s designs incorporated into her collection was something they both knew would kill Emma. Something that would hit her in a place it’s hurt the most and thinking of her daughter’s crafty mind space, she wouldn’t be surprised if that was the actual intent.

” Why won’t you tell me mum? I deserve to know, it concerns me this time around. She messed with me and I want to be a part of whatever punishment you have in place for her.” She complained, unpleased with her mother’s decision to keep her out of the loop.

” Talia. I need you to trust me and leave this be okay? There’s a whole lot we are yet to cover concerning your project and it’s coming out in a few days. I promise after that, we’ll have enough time to deal with her.” Mrs Steele interjected, aiming to convince.

Talia was at a loss for words. She knew her mother was right and there were more important things pending which needed their attention. No matter how much she wanted to, she wasn’t unreasonable enough to continue dragging the topic and decided to leave it at that.

” Okay, fine! I’ll let it be, but like you said, until we are done with the other things.” Talia raised her hands in mock surrender, dropping all charges and diving into more pressing matters. ” So far I think I’m fine with the collection, we just need another design to seal off this collection. Something vintage maybe?” Talia imputed to the joy of her mother.

” Of course it has to be something vintage. I thought you dropped the conversation about the little wench? ” She asked, very close to laughter.

” I did! It isn’t because of her, it’s for the overall good of my project. No matter how upset I get, you know I’ll always covet good things for me, those pieces are just spectacular and although I’m tempted to use everything for one collection, I’ve been nursing thoughts on having them in different future collection’s, each one shining in their unique way. What do you think? ” She explained, waiting for her mother’s input.

” I’ve always known you to be brilliant, my child. Consider it done. The world wouldn’t know what’s coming. ”

” Neither would that wench. ”

The mother-daughter pair sported matching grins. Things were looking up and they couldn’t be more ready than they were. At that moment, Talia’s phone beeped, it was Colton.

” Babes, don’t worry okay, I have it handled.” She said confidently, earning a smile from her mother. ” Okay, I’ll be with you in ten minutes. Love you!”

Talia was all smiles by the time she replaced her phone in its former position.

” I have to go. I’ll leave you to your devices then. Goodnight and don’t wait up! ”

Mrs Steele watched her daughter hop out of her office before she could muster up a reply. She shook her head with a smile, pleased with her daughter’s obvious happiness and excitement from going to see her fiance.

She could never get over the feeling of giving her child every and anything she could. The days when Talia would pine over Colton whenever he visited the family house and how she’d advised and pushed her into getting him for herself were now over.

Everything finally paid off and she couldn’t be more proud. She was getting another big shot as an in-law who would back her up and grow her influence. On the side of her daughter, it was all about getting the love of her life but to her, it was a wise business choice.

Colton was good for business and his construction company had great prospects as the best construction company in the nation even at a young age of 26. No doubt, it was only up from here on and she was happy to align herself with such a great figure.

It was all about having a hold so strong that the Steele Shoes couldn’t slip away from her. She had enough enemies as it was and looked forward to creating more formidable allies around her. Mrs Steele remembered the Braxton’s and wondered what was going on with them.

Ever since Emma’s appearance this morning, she has been expecting a call of some sort informing her of something or even anything regarding the little present she sent over but there’s been no words.

She had even taken it upon herself to dial the line of the Braxton’s Matriarch but to no avail. As much as she managed to hide her worry from everyone, deep inside, she was anxious.

Anxious to know what transpired and the intentions of the family towards them. Emma was a pawn she was determined to use in infiltrating the prestigious Braxton family but with the turn of events, she felt lost on what to do.

Did they realize that Emma wasn’t worth their while and sent her back the following day or was there actually something brewing?

One thing about Mrs Steele was she loved being in control of everything. She hated being in the dark and tried her best to always be a step ahead. That was how she managed to get to this point from a very dark and hopeless past.

She knew that knowledge was power and she did everything to ensure she wielded the power enclosed there. During her little thought process, an idea struck the mind frame of Mrs Steele.

At that moment, she realized she wasn’t so out of the loop anyway. Or at least she wouldn’t be out of the loop for much longer. She had the key to everything within her reach and hopefully within a short time, she would have total asses to everything that transpired within the Braxton’s fold.

Meanwhile, in the Braxton’s mansion, a stiff argument from the mother and son pair ensued.

” What do you mean she left?! ”

” It is as you heard. She left and that’s it. Why are you here again?” Asher sounded bored. His unbothered countenance almost drove his mother to a state of madness.

” Are you stupid? Can you listen to yourself? What on earth is wrong with you?! I broke every protocol and had her delivered to you on a platter of gold and what did you do? You drove her away with your crazy persona like there wasn’t anything at stake! Tell me, are you that desperate to lose the Empire?”