The Contract

Chapter 165-The Executioner

I stared longingly at the painting, my hands crossed over my chest. It was a painting of a lady, staring at her reflection in the mirror but the catch was, her reflection was something different from what she actually looked like.

It was Wednesday and I was in an art gallery for some reason, today I wore a simple white dress with white outlines at the top and pearl necklace around my neck, my hair in a ponytail.

"It's a gallery, Pearl. You move around and view other paintings too" My Mother called out dryly, walking past me.

Oh right, she was the reason I was here.

I tore my eyes from the painting and turned to her, "you dragged me here"

"You don't appreciate art" she countered, walking to the other side, putting on her little glass. I couldn't lie, I still couldn't understand art.

I walked to where she stood and stopped once again, "Why exactly did you want me here, Mother?" I asked, already tired.

She called me first thing this morning to come with her to a gallery, I knew it wasn't for the mother daughter bonding time, it was for something else.

"Bella is busy now" she began and it brought a little smile to my lips, she was indeed busy now with her restaurant and I read it on the papers, they've been notable customers ever since Friday.

Though I haven't been there but I promised to drop by soon.

"... she's make her mark in Society and I'm guessing... you've played your part well" she said, glancing at me. "Enough with the riddles, why am I here, Mother?"

She shot me a pointed look before turning back to the painting, "We are here to meet someone. I'm certain you know them..."

"Who?"

"Valerie Vega" someone called out and we both turned around to see Mrs Fortune and right beside her was-you won't fucking believe it, or perhaps you would. It was John.

He was beside his mother as they walked to us, what were they doing here? Were they the visitors?

"Selene" my mother called and they both embraced while I stood frozen at that spot, that asshole at that spot, his hands in his pocket, a small smile on his lips.

They finally pulled out of the embrace, turning back to us. "This is my daughter" my mother began. "Of course, I know Pearl" Mrs Fortune waved it off and I walked to her and we both embraced also.

"Nice to meet you once again, Mrs Fortune" I said, once we pulled out. "Of course"

"This must be John" my mother gestured at him and he stepped forward, "Nice to meet you, Mrs Vega" he straight out his hand to her and she took it.

"Such a gentleman" she praised and I held myself back from rolling my eyes and then his gaze moved to mine. "Great to see you out here, Mrs Ferrari" he said and I pushed out a smile.

"Same Fortune" Silence stretched between us as we held on a look. "Alright, since everyone is getting along. Why don't we get started?" My mother suggested and Mrs Fortune agreed and they began walking forward and we followed.

It took a whole of 15 minutes for me to realize what this whole meeting was all about. My Mom's insistence on getting in politics, she wanted to get into the Senate and of course, she'd need high ranking people as support.

So, that was the whole point of the trip and she was using me as a decoy, since I had a stable relationship with the Fortunes'. But honestly...I didn't want to be here, I was about ready to head back to the office.

I had excused myself and stopped at the window to check if I've missed anything on my phone but there was nothing, instead all the texts I sent was unanswered and unseen.

He was ghosting me. He hasn't been back since Monday and he hasn't answered any of my text. Desperation wasn't my favourite front but he was pushing me, I needed to know where he was.

Since the argument that evening, I have been so unsettled, and him not being around wasn't gonna fix anything. Things ended badly and confusing as well, I didn't know where we stood right now.

And needed him back, I needed us to talk.

"You've been absent" someone said from behind and I turned around, my eyes settling on John. I hissed under my breath before turning back to the window, he chuckled and stood beside me, staring out too.

"Are things okay at home?"

"What do you want?" I hissed, turning back to him. "Easy, we are all here for a friendly meeting. Nothing else" he replied, raising his hand in surrender.

But I knew there was more behind that fake smile on his lips. "Yeah and I'll love if you go back ignoring me"

"I can't do that now, can I?" He teased, leaning back on the window and facing me. I let out a breath and shoved my phone back into my bag before looking up at him.

"What do you want, Fortune?"

"You aren't mad at me, are you?"

"I feel nothing towards you, don't worry" I assured.

"Well, if you let me explain myself. I was only carrying out orders from the top" he said and I paused, shooting him a narrowed look. What was he talking about?

"Travis is in Italy" he informed and I froze this time, immovable. How does he know that? I don't even know that. "Though I'm curious, is he hiding out?"

"What are you getting at?" I asked, tired of the riddles. A smirk made way to his lips, "Of course, he wouldn't tell you. This is not a woman's business"

"Is this some kinda threat?"

"Oh, we are past that. The threat stage is over, it's time for the action "

Was he also part of it all? Does this involve what happened on Monday? Could this be why he was so frantic that day?

"Don't worry, I'll never come for you, you aren't mine to handle" he assured, my chest tightening at his words.

He was part of them, they all were. I turned away immediately, heading towards the exit. I couldn't breathe, I felt the place suffocating.

This was insane, all of it was.

Moments later.

The ride with my Mother had me quiet and I was just staring out the window, my head replaying the conversation I had with John, who wasn't part of this shit?

"You've been quiet" my mother said and I slowly looked back at her, does she know about all this? She was about to get into all this, what if they approach her?

"What do you want with the Fortunes'?"

"And what kinda question is this?" She fired, her tone defensive. "The kind that deserves an answer"

She held on a look, noticing I was relenting or cowering from her gaze. "In that case, it's business reasons" she answered.

"Well, you can't trust the Fortune with business"

"And you know that how?" She asked and I paused, sucking a breath, trying to figure out how to go about this with her without sounding fret.

"There's more to this whole thing, Mother. And I'm only saying this for your safety, I know you're driven about going into politics and I understand-"

"No you don't. I think you understand how important this is"

"To you, Mother. But I think you forget everyday that everyone is involved in whatever you venture into. You have to be careful "

She shot me a narrowed look, prolly trying to understand where I was going with all this.

"What is the problem?" She asked and I sighed and glanced out the window. "There's no problem"

"Then why are you interfering?" She questioned and I paused, slowly turning to her. Is she fucking for real? "Interfering?" I hissed, looking away.

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Don't curse at me" she gritted and I shook my head, trying to calm myself down. I had to get it together, I was getting frantic.

I just couldn't understand all this and I needed answers like now and...only him could give it but... she'll never understand.