A Twisted Tale

The Final Warning

Valerio's POV

It's been four days since I started the whole pretense of being a doting partner. Things have been going smoothly so far.
Luigi too has made progress with Aurora. He kept me updated on a day-to-day basis and told me of all the things that they did together. He introduced himself to Aurora at the gym that she regularly visits. His good looks and charming personality did win a few points but it was his attention to details that made Aurora see him as a good companion. Last night I told him to take things further by kissing her. I've been expecting his call since morning and have been met with disappointment. While I was deep in thoughts, my phone rang. I excitedly looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Aurora. I answered the phone and said "Hello darling. How are you today?"
Aurora didn't sound too excited when she told me that we had to meet for dinner. I agreed and asked her to come home whenever she pleases. After the call, I couldn't help but wonder as to what happened last night. I was partly happy hoping that the plan has worked out but partly worried about it backfiring. Luckily, Luigi chose that moment to call me up and ease my mind.
"Luigi, tell me you have good news." I said.
"I'm afraid I've failed you sir. Last night we were having a cup of coffee around the corner and I started giving her hints about my interest in her. She didn't seem to notice so I pulled her towards me and kissed her. I didn't expect her to slap me across my face and snap at me. Sir, she clearly said that she only loved you and no other. She screamed at me saying she was very faithful to you and that I've broken her trust in me. She stomped away in anger. I'm sorry I couldn't help you with this." He said quietly.

I asked him a very simple question. "Do you have the pictures of the two of you kissing?" When he said yes, I laughed. I laughed knowing that now I would get rid of her very easily. But I just had to finish the dinner and send her back home. "Luigi, you know the plan B. It's happening tonight. When I give you a call, I want you to be ready. Keep your phone close." I said and disconnected the call.

Now I just had to make sure that she doesn't tell me anything about the kiss. I called up my assistant and found out Aurora's whereabouts.
When I heard that she was almost wrapping up with work, I gave my assistant an important task. To spike her water. I've arranged this plan in such a fashion that Aurora would never suspect my involvement in it. We have a final meeting with the Italian export company and Aurora has to present her ideas to them. So I knew she wouldn't spend the night at my place. And this was the perfect opportunity to execute plan B. Spiking her water will only make her incapable of remembering anything that happens tonight. That's exactly what I need.

I replaced Aurora's regular driver with someone who would respond to my every beck and call. I told him to stall her claiming something was wrong with the car and then drive her  to her apartment. The stalling was just to ensure that she was disoriented.

As per my instructions, the driver stalled her until he was certain that she was confused and buzzed all the same. Before driving her back home, he called me up to inform the same. I informed Luigi to wait outside her apartment. I also told him to send her a message that he was sorry for his behavior and that he  would like to continue being friends with her.

I stayed in my car right around the corner of the apartment and waited for Aurora's arrival. When the car arrived, the driver stepped out and handed me her phone. I did the needful and gave him back the phone.
I called up Luigi and told him to get Aurora out of the car and do the rest without arousing suspicion. I reminded him of the proofs that we're expected of him and went back home to finally sleep in peace.

The next morning, I woke up to the persistent ringing of my phone. I knew it was Aurora. After last night's events, she would have been in a full fledged panic mode. When I didn't answer my phone, she called up the landline and asked Greta if I was home. Greta told Aurora that I was occupied with work in the study. I knew that Aurora was a very professional person. She was responsible for my company's image and that meant that she would do everything in her power to not let me down. Which meant that she would compartmentalize her issues and work on getting her PR strategy across to the investors.
I arrived at the office and successfully avoided Aurora until the meeting. During the meeting, I looked straight into her eyes and smiled at her for reassurance. She didn't meet my eyes even once and I knew that I succeeded. Aurora tried to talk to me after the meeting but I told her that I was having lunch with a client and that I would catch up with her in the evening. She looked like she was about to throw a temper tantrum but thought better of it.

Aurora wasn't the only one I kept tabs on. Meera hasn't called me even once after leaving Milan. That irritated me beyond reason. I knew she was a tough cookie but she was very much responsive while she was here with me. Inexplicably, my thoughts went back to the relationship she shared with Mark. My PI sent me photos of the two of them dining together for almost every night now. They were caught walking holding hands on King's road. In every picture I could see nothing but happiness. That made me feel somewhat insecure. I was brought out of my thoughts when I saw dad calling me. "Hey papa. How are you?" I asked him.
"Keep the pleasantries aside. I've just seen the photos of what Meera has been doing back at home and I'm not impressed. You clearly told me that you had her wrapped around your finger but I see nothing of that! She is hanging out with Mark as usual. Now tell me something, has she called you up at all?" He said angrily.
I sighed loudly and told him that she hasn't called me ever since I dropped her off in London. And I irritatedly asked him as to how he knew that I kept tabs on Meera. "Don't forget the fact that I'm still in charge here. I keep tabs on everyone I consider a priority. You included. I know you're pulling off a little stunt on your crazy ex- girlfriend and I hope to God that it's a success. Coming to Meera, she is your top priority. Don't you know that securing her hand in marriage will only make it easier to gain access to one third of the Webb's family property? I don't just need the partnership, I want you both to get married if we are to come anywhere closer to being richer." Said papa sternly.
I finally asked him the question that kept nagging at me for a while now.
"Why Meera? Why not Claire? Claire is his daughter. Don't you think she has a better hold of his property than someone he picked off the street? Are you sure you've made the right choice papa?"
My father made a grunt of disapproval when he said "I thought you were smart but I was mistaken. Firstly, Charles never treated Meera as anything less than a daughter. Even though he didn't adopt her, he made sure that she was a part of his family and his will. She may not own a significant percentage of the company, but she still owns a sizeable chunk of his property. Secondly, Claire doesn't owe her father a thing. She would flat out reject your proposal and walk away without giving a second thought to her father's wishes. But Meera wasn't born a Webb. She was taken in and treated as an equal to both his children. She has openly spoken of it on many occasions that she owes everything that she is today, to Charles. And that's exactly the kind of selflessness that would push her towards you. Here I thought your charming personality would woo her. But she is not stupid and you're doing a very poor job. Listen to me very carefully son. If you want to take my position as the CEO, you have to get me both the partnership and the wedding. Come with only one of those to me and I'll make sure you never step foot in the office again. Take this as my one final warning."

I held the phone in my hands even after the line went dead and made up my mind. I would win Meera over by hook or crook. I looked at the picture sent over by my PI once again and made a firm decision to permanently separate her from Mark for starters.