Ascent - Passion's Paradox - VOL.1

.04. Neferu NepTet

          I unlock my phone once I step outside. The cool evening wind whips my hair. I put it to my ear once I press my father's number and watch in the distance as passersby hail cabs and tonight's guests get into their limousines or cars. I walk along the sidewalk as the beeps of the call continue and with a sigh I reach my limousine where Brentley is waiting for me. He's leaning against the hood of the car and as discreetly as possible, he's having a smoke as if I wasn't going to see him. I wouldn't make any remark about it and he knows it. But Brentley is still Brentley. Even after all these years he still fears being fired when he is literally: special.

"Neferu? You're calling me so late?" My father is grumbling. "I still have work to do."

I smile. I know he's talking to Darius Marshall even now inside the building I just came out of. I stop and ogle the huge mansion lit by the city lights in the dark night. It wasn't such a bad night if I take away my frustration and rotten ego. There were even some juicy stories. However, the bitter taste of the news of the field has acquired that I learned in the evening remains with me as a horrible defeat. I hate losing.

And I hate him even more. I can't believe that tonight I managed to smile at him and act like I was interested in him. But then again, I have some comedy skills. However, I know that this charade will not last long. Anger bubbles up in the bottom of my stomach, it's fiery.

"You'll never guess what happened tonight, father" I start off with gusto.

"I'm busy, call me later," he orders before hanging up.

Lawson Marshall is afraid I'm going to tell him what's going on, but as I expect, Father doesn't want to hear what I have to say. Too bad for him, he will have missed out on something to piss off his opponent for years to come. Father loses too much by ignoring me.

I sigh and stop for a moment. My hands fumble for a pack of cigarettes inside the little bag I've been carrying around all evening, but I can't find anything. I have a horrible urge to smoke. However, I have to stick to my goals. Quitting smoking is for the best. If I can afford as many packs as I want in a month, I want to live a long time and piss the world off as much as possible. So smoking is out.

"Hi Brentley," I greet him as we approach the car "did you have a good night?"

"As much as you did, I guess".

He opens the door for me and smiles as he throws out his cigarette, which he crushes with his heel. If he hides all the time to smoke, it's because he knows I want to quit. This old man is too good for our family, poor guy. I smile back at him and put my bag down and tuck my hair behind my shoulders. I hope to get home quickly and take a shower before I leave, I thought before being interrupted. I barely have time to sit down and Brentley can't close the door because Lawson appears out of nowhere and leans into the car.

"Something to confess to me?"

He frowns. I know he didn't appreciate my little appearance in his father's office, but I saw an opportunity and I took it. Anyone in my position would seize the opportunity to have his former boss in a position that is rather weakening for him. I sink into the seat of the bench but don't take my right foot off the floor. My feet hurt like hell but nothing will get me off the Louboutins.

"No" he murmurs and then points to me in his sentence, "but rather you Neferu."

Oh.

"I want to know what you're getting at?" I ask him as I hear Brentley enter the front of the car.

Lawson gives my driver a quick look but I reassure him with my eyes. I'm not leaving until I tell him to, so he can keep on getting mad.

"What you just told me in the office is your job," he continues. "You can't just come in and drop off these documents. Figure it out for yourself and get back to me later."