sta

ow of the chandeliers flickered above , casting shadows on the marble floor . The irritation bubbled up. Ever since I s

ld stare, my face like a stone-sent them scurrying

ld . I knew how to command respect. I had no room for softness. Emotion?

ded when no longer needed . I've never bothered with emotional connections , as they

fear and pleading for their lives. Their desperate pleas? The power

Tools that could be discarded at wi

jah, my trusted right hand guy. I answere

Petrov's gone . He run off w

w dare him just vanish! "Wh

ion," Elijah said, his vo

up abruptly, storming out of the restaurant, the phone still pressed to my

red at her, my face hard as stone and cold. But, some

ng my path. Instead, I just stood there, dumbfounded. She m

way. As soon as she was gone, clarity returned. I shook off

The air crackled with tension. Fear gripped everyone. It's a rush to see that; it keeps the

nger. "How could you let him slip away with the dr

he said. "W

disappoint

sorry, Tristan. I promi

is slide because it's you. Don't mes

grew up together and now he works for me , understood my ze

es, boss," an

eeping into my mind. It boiled my blood. I shot up from my seat, Restlessness consumed me as I scanned the

te time thinkin

~~~~~~~~~

e it. My parents and siblings were away, and the maids had retreated to their quarters.

relax. No one was around to nag me about finding a wife, at least for a bit. . My mother

hot shower was next. The steam wrapped around me like a comforting hug. After dryi

Isaac, my brother. I answered it.

, but then I heard my mother's voic

stan? Hand m

on't want to come home to see that you still haven

sly? This again? I sent my r

hoed in the background, "Tristan, don't

shing the marriage thing? Every time brings home a potential wife, it drives me nuts

expectations or the unsettling memory of the girl who had dared to cross his path . My ta