Behind The Masks

Chapter 6 - The Offer

"A problem is best controlled when you know how to control your reactions" -Inayah Mussa

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You know those moments, were you feel a heck of embarrassment and you just wish you could disappear into thin air?
Yeah, I'm living one of those right now. The last time I felt my cheeks heat up like someone had pressed a hot iron into it was when I was 16, it was at my cousin's birthday party Bryce, who is Keith's age. I was peacefully walking around busy texting on my phone when Keith came from nowhere and stuck his foot in front of me. I tripped.

Bryce's birthday cake fell with me.

It got completely ruined and everyone saw me falling, but they didn't see Keith purposefully sticking out his foot for me to trip. And Bryce, well... he no longer had a birthday cake. Later on, my parents bought a brand new white shirt that Keith badly wanted and I decided to draw little hearts all over it with my pink highliter. He got pretty red of anger when he saw it. Revenge is sweet.

"Mr. Evans, please take a sit," my dad said, pointing at the chair opposite him.

"I prefer not to, this will be quick and simple." The man who screamed money and arrogance said. I shifted uncomfortably as he looked at me, almost scrutinizing. He was wearing a black tuxedo, his eyes were narrowing almost infinitely, his black hair with few strands of white hair neatly combed and a face with a sharp jaw that was covered with almost unnoticeable wrinkles. The CEO of Evans-Tech. Chase Evans dad.

"Why is he looking at you like that?"Eve nudged me eyeing him like he just grew another head.

"He just heard me talking crap about him, what do you expect? for him to hug and laugh with me?" I said, sarcasm dripping form my voice. She rolled her eyes.  The last time someone narrowed their eyes at me like that was at Samantha's party and I was able to narrow my eyes just as much back, but this time I can't, maybe because of the fact that the man glaring at me is at least twenty years older or because he can glare fifty times harder than Chase Evans, that type of glare that makes you want to run away and hide under your bed.

Nathan Evans is that scary.

I wonder if his son looks like him. I wonder how the face behind the mask looks like. I'm sure that Chase Evans got his eyes from his father, maybe the personality too.

"Mr Lewis, I came here to know about the reason why you gave up selling Lewis Dinner," He said, his voice calm and almost intimidating.

"For various reasons Mr Evans, the main one is that this is a family business, it is already owed, you can't just see something, like it and buy it." My dad said looking at me. I smiled, that's my dad. Nathan stayed composed, he didn't look angered because of our rejection of selling Lewis Dinner. He stood relaxed and calm. It reminded me of a moment at Sam's ball:

"You stepped on my foot, you should apologize!" I accused.

"I will, if you apologize first" he said calmly.

When I got to meet Chase Evans, I was mad because he stepped on my foot and wouldn't apologize, I got even madder because he was acting calm when we were arguing. Believe me, it is infuriating when you are arguing with someone and the person stays calm while you feel like punching them in the face.

Like father, like son.

"Even when we are offering a good amount for it?" Mr Evans said. Eve and I shared a glance.

"Mr Evans, as my husband said, it is a family business, which means that Lewis Dinner is important to us, and money won't buy that," My mom said looking at him sternly.

"I can increase the amount," he offered, raising an eyebrow just a millimeter. Can't he get it? That no is no.

"No, thank you." My mom deadpanned.

"One million dollars." The man said.

Seems like he does not know the meaning of no.

"We repeat, No." my dad narrowed his eyes.

"One and a half million dollars." My eyes widened. What's wrong with rich people these days? Throwing money around like they are throwing confetti. I turned to my dad and saw that he began to rub the back of his neck. Come on dad, you know better than this.

"Mr Lewis, we are not selling Lewis Dinner, we know the land is of your interest but it is already owned, please understand. Now if you don't mind, may you kindly exit." My dad pointed at the door.

"Two million dollars."

"I was wondering," Keith nudged me. "I never heard that he has a wife, maybe he would like to have one."

"Stop wondering, that's none of your business," I muttered.

"Yeah I know, but what if I... I offered my dear little sister, imagine the benefits-" I hit him. And I made sure to leave a bruise on his arm.

"Ouch!" he yelped.

"Think about it." Mr Evans said trying to intimidate my parents.

"Leave." My dad ordered, this time less calm.

"Three million, that's my last offer." Mr Evans said, his face hard, his voice emotionless just like his ice cold blue eyes. My dad and him held gazes for what seemed like forever. You could easily feel the thick tension in the atmosphere.

"Little sister he is not that ugly, he even looks young for his age. Money will rain on us the only thing you have to do is approach him, seduce him and boom!" Keith winked at me.

"Do I need to hit you harder?" I glared at him. Evelyn chuckled beside me. I wonder, does there always has to be someone who's mental stability don't function properly in every family? I mean just look at Keith, imagining the worst possibilities ever.

"Mr Evans, we won't sell it, Lewis Dinner belongs to us, us. Please leave and go stuff you millions where the-"

"Okay!" I exclaimed, interrupting my mother as I saw that she was about to drag Mr Evans by the hair herself. I looked at Mr Evans, doing the hardest glare I could achieve. "It's a no. Leave" His gaze flickers to mine, hard and cold and I realize I shouldn't have opened my mouth. Mr Evans made a tongue clicking noise and approached my parents. He looked at my dad.
His steps menacing and intimidating.

"Acceptable." he extended his hand for my father to shake. My father shook his hand.

"Ms Lewis." he shook my mother's hand.

"If you reconsider your offer, please acknowledge that I will gladly want to buy this property." he said and turned to leave. I sighed.

He was about to get out when he turned to look at us again "Oh and to avoid any misunderstandings, I shall invite you to our welcome ball at our residance. Your appearances shall be significant." He placed a cream colored envelope I didn't notice he had all along on the table and gave me one last interesting glance then left.

I let out a second sigh.

"Your appearances shall be significant." Eve mocked him using her best deep voice and sternly looking at my parents. We chuckled. I couldn't help but wonder, why Mr Evans want to buy Lewis food of all places? Why did he insist so much and was willing to pay too much money for it? A man like him could surely buy other better places in a snap of his fingers. But why Lewis Dinner and for what?

I let out a third sigh.

Oh, and here comes another ball.

Fourth sigh.

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With love,

Inayah.