Balotelli-Bale Series Book #4: THE OTHER MAN PART 1

Chapter 12: Cut Off

A/n: Nick's POV is a new addition.

"...change is hard at first, messy in the middle
but beautiful in the end..."

Nick's POV
I learned to play chess from Helena. She would never let me win unless I earned it. I learned three lessons from my chess games with her. Easy wins are not part life. Always think ten steps ahead. Strategy is everything.

She whooped my ass in our recent fame of 'chess'. Helena now owns 55% of the architectural subsidiary of Bale Industries. She can sway decisions to anything she wants them to be. I have been informed she is on the verge of owning another 8%.

She has successfully pushed me up against the wall and I have no choice but to end the business relationship between the Bales and the Ballards.

Keira isn't answering her phone when I call her. I think she's ignoring me. I have no choice but to show up at her doorstep. I waited until her husband left before I rang the bell.

"Kei I know your home. Open the door or I'll cause a scene!"

She opened it quickly. She craned her neck to look at both sides of the street. "Mrs Robinson is a nosy one. Get in here." She pulled me inside and closed the door. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you wearing make up?" I asked her. I have never seen her in make up. She is a plain Jane. She looks even more beautiful.

"Yes. What can I do for you?"

"May I sit down?" I asked her.

"I'm sorry. I'm being rude." She helped me out of my coat. She hanged it on a hook near the door. "Can I get you anything? I have tea. I baked some cookies an hour ago."

"I'm afraid it's not a social visit."

"What's wrong?"

I want to blur the lines so badly! I want to mess this up so that Helena blows her top off. But I am terminating a business relationship and kissing her won't help.

"Sit down please."

She took a seat right on the edge, knees tightly pressed together and hands neatly folded on her lap. "My employer reviewed the contract made with your father and she has terminated it." I am so blaming Helena for this! "We are no longer in business together. I'm sorry."

She became pale. For a moment she didn't seem that move or blink. How can such a beautiful girl be so sad? I have just added to her sadness by bringing this up.

"It's all right. Sometimes things don't work out as we hope." I raised an eyebrow at her. Is she seriously not going to put up a fight. She got on her feet and walked to the door. She picked my coat from the hook. "Thank you for coming."

"Kei, I understand you're upset-"

"I did everything you wanted. I risked my life to come to Miami like you wanted."

"Risked your life? What are you talking about?"

She put my coat in my hands and opened the door. "Good day Mr Bale."

I closed the door. "Is your life in danger?"

"It's none of your business." She told me softly. "Please go."