Living In Luxury

1.|Take Control

♤
LUXURY.

My dad gazed out his office window, his mind was obviously racing with concerns. I was sat across from him, noticing the tension. "What is it now?" I asked as I sighed, my brow furrowed. Something tells me it has something to do with business.

He took a deep breath, turning to face me. "It's the business, sweetheart," oh look, I was right. "We've got a problem." I leaned forward, intrigued. "The Russians," he began, his voice low. "They're making moves to take over our company."

My eyes widened. "What kind of moves?" I asked him.

"They want control of our distribution network," he explained. "We're one of the largest importers in the country. They'll stop at nothing."

My expression hardened. "I like their determination, but it will never happen." I assure him. It would take a lot for us to back down.

My dad smiled. "I know it won't. But we need to be careful. They'll try to intimidate us, maybe even sabotage our operations." I nodded, my mind racing with strategies.

"What's the plan?" I ask him.

"I did some research," he pulled out some papers from his drawer. "Apparently he does this behind the curtains. No one knows who he is and he's been doing this for 3 years with different businesses." He explains.

I grab the papers. No name, nothing but all the businesses he has sabotaged before.

"We have to be careful." He warns me once again.

"Let's see what we can do." I say grabbing some of the papers trying to find a solution and he does the same.

•••

We've been working for the past 4 hours trying to come up with a plan but how do you even deal with people who hide behind the curtains and you've never even seen or heard of them before? "I really don't know what to do." I sigh sitting back on my chair.

So far, we know nothing about them, the only thing we've found out is that they are also involved with drugs and guns and that they've been doing this with many companies in the state.

"They are everywhere," My dad added throwing the papers on the table. "But there has to be something, it can't end here."

"We'll figure something out."

"I need a coffee." He says rubbing his eyes.

"Is Charlotte here?" I ask him about his assistance so he could send him.

"No, I gave her a weekend off. She was starting to look like a zombie with her eyebags, that's not a sight I'd like to look at every morning I come into my office."

I chuckle at his response. "I'll get us coffees down the street." I get up from the chair and I walk out the office carrying my bag and wearing my typical black dress with short heels. My black hair not in a bun and no make up on. I still look good though, I always look good.

I walk down the street to Melvilles Café, the best Café in town. Taking a car would just be a waste of time and parking, so walking is better, plus I need the air from all the work I've been doing.

As I continue walking, I notice there's a car that has been following behind me, a black sedan. The thought of quickening my pace flashed my mind, but the sedan kept pace, its tinted windows reflecting the city lights.

I slow my pace down knowing that if I try running, it would cause unnecessary drama and attention. The car swerved, blocking my path. I stood before it my face not intimidated or showing any fear, but my heart was beating at a faster pace from the sudden movement.

A suited man emerged from the car, his eyes cold. "Tell your father," he growled, "we're willing to make a deal. Sell to us, or face the consequences."

I stood tall, defiance burning within and my eyes full of confidence. "Tell your bosses," I spat, "we're not interested." I smiled devilishly.

The man smirked, handing me a card. "I was told you would be difficult."

"And I haven't even heard of you." I respond to him.

"This isn't over," he warned, before walking back into the car.

I watched as the car drove away in full speed. Rolling my eyes I decide to continue walking into the café.

I thought they'd be more intimidating, giving me threats isn't intimidating at all, but its too early to judge them. They could have much worse on their sleeves.

I walk into the Café and I order one strong coffee with 1 sugar for my dad and a hot cappuccino with two sugars for me. I then walk out and I walk back to my dad's office.

"They made contact," I told my dad handing him the card and his coffee as I walked in his office.

His expression darkened. "We're not backing down," he vowed grabbing both the cup and card.

"Boris Novikov," he read the card his eyes widened as if he's seen or heard of that name.

He placed his coffee on top of the table and he grabbed his phone quickly from the table and dialed a number before placing the phone into his ear. "I need your help." He spoke into the phone skipping formalities. I could only hear noises from the other side of the phone but not exactly what was being said.

"Novikov." He said, his voice filled with anger.

The other line continued speaking, not a single word heard. The line beeped and as he placed the phone on the table, my father's face stood expressionless. "We have to leave." He grabs his coat and his car keys.

"Who was that on the line?" I ask him trying to feed my curiosity as I followed behind him.

"You'll find out tomorrow, when we meet him." He said walking out of the office and I follow him. "Don't ask anymore questions." He added as if he knew that was my next move.

He walks inside the drivers side of the car, he never really liked to have a driver. I get in on the passenger seat side and he sighs as he starts the car.

"Who were you on the phone with?" I ask him once again.

"An old friend." He speaks and turns the radio on trying to stop me from asking questions.

I turn it off. "I thought we were in this together,"

"Luxury, this is...much deeper than I  thought," he finally speaks, "I'll fill you in with the rest tomorrow." He turns the radio back on and continues to drive us home.

•••

I hope you guys really liked this chapter.

I'm working on the second chapter already and I will drop it as soon as I'm done with it.