Evelyn: His Desire

2. Adrian

I have an important meeting today with a potential investor so I got ready and left my mansion. Not before greeting my father and kissing my mother's forehead. 

Nathaniel came to pick me up. He touches my parents' feet showing respect to them. My siblings chirp upon spotting him. 

We both wish them well and take our leave.

I see Edward , my secretary waiting with his notepad as I step out with Nathaniel . He greets me and opens the door of the car. 

I nod my head in return and move to sit inside. Nathaniel follows my lead sitting beside me. Meanwhile, Edward takes the front seat beside the driver and fills me up with the schedule of the day. 

Nathaniel gives me the file regarding the investor’s information with whom we are about to meet. 

I make sure that I have all the information regarding every person that enters in my life, whether it is professional or personal. 

As soon as I finished the file, I realize that we are already at the venue. The meeting was set up in an art gallery. 

I step out and receive a call from one of my men. 

“Sir, we have found the one who stole from you.” The voice from the other side of the phone filters my eyes.

“Show him what happens with the ones who try to steal from me. Torture him but make sure that he doesn't die” I order him in my cold voice.

I enter the gallery and feel the surroundings getting quiet.

I cut the phone call when Nathaniel caught my attention willing to say something.

“We should take a tour of the gallery when we are already here.” Nathaniel says bugging me.

Edward comes rushing from behind and starts apologizing. Sweat trickles on his forehead. Sometimes I think if he has really been with me for six years and is still scared of me even after seeing every torture method I have tried upon my traitors.

I nod and look at the stares feeling them lingering for a little too long. The crowd gets back to their work upon feeling my gaze.

We move forward and one of the paintings catches my attention. Nathaniel moves forward still busy on his phone. However, Edward maintains a distance, not trying to invade my space when I am looking at a masterpiece.

Nathaniel comes from behind and makes me come out of thoughts. We move ahead when I bump into a small creature.

I look down at a girl who is glaring at me with those brown orbs. How can an eye color which is so common can be so beautiful at the same time? My heart stops beating. I almost forget how to breathe. Something happens in my heart. For the first time in the 28 years of my life, I feel something there which is not anger. I know she is going to be my calmness as well as my chaos. She is going to rule my heart. 

“I'm so sorry. Are you alright?” She looks worried about me and my lips curve slightly.

"Are you okay, E?" The girl next to her inquires about her.

"Mr. Donovan is here, Adrian ," Nathaniel reminds me.

I look back to find that my angel is not there. I try to find her, but it is of no use. With the determination to find her, I move towards the purpose of my visit to this gallery. 

Nathaniel introduces me to the investor. But my mind is somewhere else. The whole time my thoughts get stuck on my little angel rather than my meeting and I realize that this has never happened before. 

Good thing that Edward always carries a notepad with him to take notes regarding every meeting neglecting a few things, of course.

I wind up the meeting as soon as I can and ask Nathaniel about her.

“I don't know but I'll find out about her, if you say so.” Nathaniel assures me.

Now, I am more than adamant to know about her.

I make my way out of the gallery with Nathaniel and Edward behind me and settle in my car. I order my bodyguard, Alexander, to take me to the warehouse. He's the only one I trust beside Nathaniel and Edward . 

We reach the warehouse where I punish those who dare to go against me. 

As we pull up to the warehouse, a sense of anticipation courses through me. The building, nestled in an industrial district, is a fortress of secrets and retribution. I step out of the car, Nathaniel and Edward trailing behind, their expressions composed yet alert. Alexander leads the way, opening the heavy door to reveal a dimly lit interior.

Inside, the air is thick with tension. My men, well-trained and loyal, stand at attention as I pass. The warehouse, usually echoing with the sounds of machinery, is eerily silent, save for the faint rustling of movements from the far corner. That’s where they’re holding the thief.

"Bring him out,” I command, my voice cold and steady.

Two of my men drag a trembling figure into the center of the room. The thief’s face is bloodied, his eyes wide with fear. I walk up to him slowly, letting the weight of my presence settle over him.

“You dared to steal from me,” I say quietly, my tone even but menacing. “Now, you will understand the consequences.”

The man whimpers, but I show no mercy. I nod to Alexander, who begins the methodical process of punishment. As he does, I turn to Nathaniel and Edward.

“I need information on the girl I met at the gallery,” I say. “Leave no stone unturned. I want to know everything about her.”

Nathaniel nods, “Consider it done, Adrian.”

Satisfied, I shift my attention back to the thief. His screams fill the warehouse, but I remain impassive. This is the price of betrayal, and I must ensure that everyone knows it.