The Contract

Chapter 82-The Rivalry

TRAVIS'S P.O.V

"Pearl is your lucky charm. Ever since you both got married, you've been bagging big deals. Benedicte is just another milestone."

I dropped the pen, leaning back into my chair as Adrian spoke. The weight of his words pressed on my chest, heavier than I wanted to admit.

"What's the problem?" Adrian looked up from his seat, his brow furrowing. "We should be celebrating. We beat RedCo once again."

Before I could respond, the door burst open, slamming against the wall. Erica strode in, her energy as electric as ever. "Hey, boys!" she chimed, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

I sighed, standing as she approached my desk. "I saw the news," she said, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "Benedicte is now a major stakeholder of Empire." Her voice was smooth, celebratory, yet grating.

Filling my glass again, I turned my back to her, facing the towering glass walls. The city stretched below, glittering with promise I couldn’t feel.

"Well done, Travis," she continued, sauntering closer. "You kept your word—you brought Benedicte in." Her praise hung in the air, but it rang hollow.

I gulped down the amber liquid in my glass, its sharp burn doing little to quiet the storm in my chest.

"What's wrong with him?" she asked, turning to Adrian.

Adrian shrugged, shaking his head. "He's been like this all day."

I could feel their eyes on me, but I refused to turn around. "You both head to the meeting," I said, my voice steady but distant. "I'll be joining soon."

Adrian didn’t hesitate, nodding as he left. Erica, on the other hand, lingered, her perfume creeping into the room like an unwelcome guest.

I poured another glass, stepping closer to the window, the cold press of the glass against my hand grounding me.

I felt her touch before I saw her—a light graze down my shoulder. She stepped in front of me, tilting my face toward her with careful insistence.

Her eyes searched mine, desperate for something I wasn’t ready to share.

"What's going through your mind?" she asked softly.

I pulled her hand away and stepped to the side, distancing myself from her probing concern.

"What's wrong, Travis?" she pressed, following me. "You've been this way ever since—"

"Go join the meeting, Erica," I interrupted, my tone firm.

Her expression darkened with frustration. "I’m not leaving until we talk. What’s wrong?" she demanded, stepping closer. Her hand reached for my face again, her fingers brushing my jawline in a way that once might have swayed me.

"Come on," she whispered, her voice coaxing.

But my mind betrayed me. Her face blurred, and another’s image took its place—a face I couldn’t stop seeing no matter how hard I tried.

"Mr. Ferrari."

Jeffrey’s voice cut through my thoughts like a blade, pulling me back to reality. My gaze snapped to him as he stepped into the room.

"Right on time. Step forward," I commanded, turning away from Erica.

She stood there for a moment, watching me with a mix of irritation and hurt, before grabbing her bag and storming out. The click of her heels echoed down the hall as I returned to my desk, glass in hand.