Chapitre 12: CHAPTER 12: ULTIMATUM
LINCOLN
As we stepped into the private elevator, the tension between us was obvious. I couldn't help but notice the way Eliza's eyes sparkled in the dim light, and the way her hair fell in soft waves down her back.
"Eliza, I wanted to—" and I was cut short by the sudden ring of my phone.
I mouthed to her " Hold on"
It was a call from my father, someone I last expected would ever call me.
"Hi Dad" I said once putting the phone over my ears.
"Lincoln" I heard his voice boom over the phone.
"I need you at the house now" and he hung up.
I wasn't surprised, our conversations were usually straight forward and official. I also knew that once he gave an order, it should be done immediately. I turned to look at Eliza who was standing beside me, patiently.
"I need to leave now, it's really really urgent." I told her.
"Right, I thought as much" I heard her mutter.
Now I felt guilty. She heard me pick up my dad's call now, I really didn't mean to blow this up. But I was her boss, and she didn't necessarily deserve any explanation.
" I can leave now right?" She asked.
" Yeah sure"
I watched her tap the open button on the elevator and stepped out. I stood there for some seconds before deciding to go to the car park.
As I walked to the car park, my mind was racing with thoughts of what my father could want. We hadn't spoken in months, and our relationship was strained, to say the least. I got into my car and started the engine, my eyes scanning the rear view mirror for any sign of Eliza. She was nowhere to be seen, and I felt a pang of guilt for leaving her like that.
Why was I stupidly looking for her? She was obviously at the office.
As I drove to my father's house, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. My father's tone had been urgent, and I knew he wouldn't summon me unless it was absolutely necessary.
When I arrived at the house, I was greeted by the familiar sight of the grand entrance and the stern-looking butler, Jenkins.
"Mr. Lincoln, your father is waiting for you in the study," Jenkins said, his voice as formal as ever.
I nodded and made my way to the study, my heart racing with anticipation. What could my father possibly want?
As I entered the study, I saw my father sitting behind his massive desk, his eyes fixed on me.
"Lincoln, glad you could make it on time," he said, his voice firm but with a hint of warmth.
I took a seat in front of the desk, my eyes locked on his. "What is it, Father?"
My father leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. He was fond of this, holding in his words till he felt like talking.
"It's about the branch company and how you run it"
He never saw good in anything I ever did.
I felt a surge of anger, but I kept my cool. "What about it?"
My father's eyes narrowed. "Why are you not making progress with the other investors?."
"Father I already made Mr. Clyde invest in us"
"Clyde? That cunny jerk? Oh well, why is he the only investor though? I'm not comfortable with him being the only investor. He can pull out at the last minute" He told me.
"I'm making progress father, you're just not seeing it. I'm still trying to get more investors"
"Your cousin Imani is doing a really great job with the branch company at Miami. If this doesn't get done soon, she might as well take over"
I lifted my head to look at him sharply.
"What? You can't make Imani over take me Father!"
"I can. I own the company" He said calmly.
"This isn't fair! You're being unnecessarily mean. I already told you I'll get it done, just chill the fuck out"
My father's face turned red with anger, but he composed himself quickly. "I'm your father, Lincoln. And I know what's best for you and my company."
No you don't, you're just being selfish. I wanted to say.
I sighed, knowing that this conversation was going nowhere. "What do you want me to do, Father?"
My father's expression turned cold. "I give you before the end of the month. Get it done with."
ELIZA
My mood just turned sour.
Let's go to the elevator is too sexy a command for what I got in the elevator. His dad just had to choose this moment to call. First, it was Imani, now his father. I sucked my teeth.
'Why am I even so worked up?' I asked myself
'I have every rightt!' my mind screamed back.
I shouldn't be left hanging like that after all the sensations we had passing.
But I'm just a secretary.. and just a mistress, I don't deserve an explanation; he's not my boyfriend.
I grumpily went about my activities for the day, the fact that time was even going by so slowly pissed me off even more.
Everything seemed to be working against me to today…
It was 5pm and no sign of him back to the office. I packed up for the day, said goodbye to my colleagues, turned down their offer for a Friday night hangout, and flagged down a cab to get me home. Even the driver gave me a look when I gave him the address I was going to.
Already annoyed and having had enough for the day I just leaned against the window – snapped when I heard the driver call me.
"We are already at your destination ma" he glanced at me from the rear view mirror.
"Already??" I muttered
I groggily looked around, confirmed my location and staggered out of the car and towards the house.
I walked past Maggie without even saying hi – I heard her greet but my reasoning was clouded by sleep. I'm pretty sure I was looking like a zombie from that movie walking dead.
I just collapsed on my bed the moment I got into the room.
bzzzzz!
Zzzzzzzz!
That stupid intermittent vibration from my phone woke me
I was pissed. Who the fuck did not have respect for someone's rest time.
I found my phone without opening my eyes, pulled it up to my ear
"Who are you?" I groaned
"You should be his secretary if I'm correct. Please come pick him up at De Angels club. I think he was drugged" that was the message and the line went dead.
It took me a few seconds for my brain to register the information, did he just say DRUGGED??.
I jumped out of bed and dashed into the bathroom.. I got rid of my work clothes, no time to take a shower. I glanced at my zombie looking self in the mirror – almost screamed at how horrible - I looked with my hair all over the place. I splashed water on my face, ran my fingers through my hair and pulled it in a ponytail, grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, pulled my running shoes on my feet.
I was trying my freaking best to be fast and accurate with whatever I was doing while trying not to focus on all the worst case scenarios my head was forming.
I grabbed my wallet from my bag, scampered for my phone and literally flew out of the house….
I hailed the first cab I saw and jumped into it before the driver could properly pack.
"De Angels" I ranted, gasping so badly for air
I couldn't even be calm even in the cab.. it felt so slow, I thought I would have been faster if I ran to the place .
The moment the neon sign of De Angels came into view I dropped the pay for the driver and dashed off again.
I showed my ID to the security – even though they were staring at my choice of outfit to a club but that was not what brought me here – I don't have that time!!
I rushed into the club, scanning the crowded room for any sign of Lincoln. The music was loud, and the lights were flashing, making it hard to see.
I pushed through the crowd, my heart pounding in my chest.
Where is he?!!
Black hair. Well built.
I chanted in my mind looking around for Lincoln Grey.
And then, I saw him in a corner with a bitch looking like she wanted to rape him. He was pushing her away but his movements weren't so strong.
'Of course they wouldn't, he was drugged' my mind said.
I calmly walked over to them and tapped the crazy bitch on the shoulder.
She hissed angrily at me, sizing me with her eyes with a 'who the fuck are you' look.
Lincoln reached out to me the moment he saw me – it was so obvious he was in so much pain. He was sweating all over, his tie hung loosely around his neck and a few buttons of his shirt were undone.
I fell into his arms, sitting right on his laps – straddling him.
"Lincoln, can you see me? Oh my god, what happened to you?"
He groggily opened his eyes, looking up at me with a mixture of confusion and relief.
"Eliza...what are you doing here?"
"I got a call that you were drugged. What happened?"
Lincoln rubbed his temples, trying to remember. "I was having a drink at the bar...and then...I don't know. Everything went blurry."
I looked around, trying to see if anyone suspicious was lurking around. But the crowd was too dense, and I couldn't make out anything unusual.
He sighed and then held tightly to me, pushing me the closest he could to himself. The bitch clearly got annoyed and left.
" How are you feeling Lincoln?"
" Just stay right there" he voiced. His desire was so strong in his voice. I was praying so hard he held on to his control.
I scanned the environment, thinking about how I would get us both home.
"We need to get you out of here," I said, helping him stand up. I felt bad that I had to cut this scene short, but I had to get him home fast.
"Can you walk?" I asked.
Lincoln nodded, still looking a bit dazed. I supported him as we made our way out of the club, trying to get some fresh air.1I didn't even remember to call his driver when I was running out. I sighed.
I called the driver and sent him the address – I really can't handle Lincoln with his weight, in this state.
His driver finally arrived and assisted me in putting Lincoln in the car, I got in after him and just immediately he clutched unto me, placing his head on my chest.
I know it's selfish of me, but now I loved him in this state.
As we drove away from the club, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone