When Edward was twelve, he wanted to be free. Free from his family and his school friends. Mr. Blake's and his constant need for dragging Edward to accompany him in the business so could develop an interest in the business. He hated that most of the time and wanted to run away. The last time he did that, he was thirteen and his bodyguards found him in Queens, dragged by some muggers, probably to smuggle him. Since then, he had been under watchful eyes.

"Are you even listening to me?" Elvis sat across the table with folders in his hand as he discussed inventory with him.

Edward silently nodded as he absentmindedly toyed with the crystal paper holder on his desk, his brows furrowed and mind scathing.

When he had returned from Montclair, he was interrogated by his father for not showing up last night and missing the meeting in the conference room of their building. He was left pissed when the conversation was over and then Elvis showed up, maddening him further. 

Edward's mansion was one of the best, facing Jamaican bay, and across it, the Atlantic ocean—their waves gently crawling the shore, and it's blue surface always reminded him of Estella's eyes. His room faced a good portion of water spread on the bay and he could hear the waves colliding with each other in the silence of the night. 

When dinner rolled around, he took his usual chair, digging into the food without waiting for any greetings. His stepmother, Vanessa was next to her handing the pudding over to her daughter, Nora. 

Edward never loved neither his stepmom, not Elvis, although Nora was somewhat he could really talk to. She reminded her of him, the carefree attitude he only had for a few years until it was taken away as well.

Vanessa was tall, beautiful with olive skin and glossy back hair, all of her features ultimately inherited by Elvis and Nora. Her love for each of her children, including him, was the same.

She used to make him pancakes, pat his back until Edward ate, and always expected him to say something. It took him years to understand that thank you and I love you too were the words she wanted to hear.

And it took him a long time to understand why he was having a hard time connecting with her. This is what led him into taking psychological therapies from Mrs. Jones in secrets.

Since the age of twelve, Edward was raised by his dad in the pretense of handling his business as early as possible. He hated the idea of being controlled at such a young age when his neighbors' kid played while he was chauffeured almost everywhere his father went. By the age of eighteen, he was amazed by the fact how he grown up to like the business his grandfather created and his father later on handled. Now it was him going to be running the reign.

Well, almost.

It was a week before high school graduation when Edward had a severe accident. He had to miss his graduation ceremony and shortly after, Mr. Blake's attention was shifted from Edward to Elvis and he was left to wonder what caused it.

His father had his hopes up for years and he simply snatched every last ounce of it without giving him an explanation. He waited for him to tell him, but he never did.

And since then Edward completely lost his shit with everything. Dangerous ideas infiltrated his mind and he needed help to stop himself from doing something that would harm his dreams. Even his own imagination sometimes scared him.

It was Mrs. Jones and she told him what his problem was and since then, every second Saturday of the month, Edward had been receiving therapies in the dark. He could say whatever things came in his mind.

He, also, had forbidden her to take notes on him but after a year she convinced him it was for her to compare and construct his improvements.

Over a few years, Mrs. Jones taught him how a normal person reacts to a particular situation. She taught him how to control his mood swings, the tendency of harming others, and rage.

Mrs. Jones would even tell him he was improving, getting better and he believed her. There were times he was happy, genuinely happy. 

But most of all, he hated people around him, the crowd, their fake smiles, and their concern and he even hated the fact more that he had to be one of them as well. For so long, the person somewhat he thought he was obliged toward was his father who had control— over his company, over his family and over him. He didn't realize when he became obsessed with control.

After his accident, Edward did every possible thing to impress his father, to make up for the mistake he had no idea about. He homeschooled after high school, tutoring, following his fathers across States, even foreign lands to improve and master his business skills.

And in return, it was Elvis who was presented as CEO after Mr. Blake a health deterioration, and board of directors voted to choose a young name.

Mr. Blake chose Elvis who was three years younger than him.

It was the last straw of his sanity.

"Edward, " Elvis knocked on his door. "It's time." 

Edward finished wearing his tie, tucking it under his Armani coat. He took his phone and wallet and headed downstairs where his father and brother were waiting in the living room. Asher stood a little far, his hands crossed on his front, saying nothing and waiting for his orders. 

"Coax and convince," Mr. Blake, as always, ignoring his bad health condition said calmly, and he tugged the sleeves. He made sure to be present at every decision making. A great advantage for untrained Elvis."I need those people on board with us. This could open up a potential business in the middle east. Their terms and conditions could be rough we can't let them play by their rules either."  

Their sons nodded before following him to the car which Asher drove. They all reached the airport and got inside their companies' private jet.

The last time Edward had been inside it, he had choked Thea, threatened her to create a wreck in her life. Since then she was obliging like a little puppy and giving him news about his rival. Seeing her weak, terrified, he got the taste of how good it felt to have that kind of power.

The three Blakes discuss the deal they were going to make—chanting strategies over and over again. On paper, the deal with three different influential millionaires must take three days but Edward knew better; handling complicated deals like that require a lot of time and consistent effort.

As the day came to an end, the jet landed on the land of Cape town. Asher assisted him throughout the motel check-in, making sure he was comfortable around. A beautiful Blonde in her mid twenties showed him his room while openly flirting with him. He didn't mind it but didn't indulge with her either. He had chased his father for years that woman in her life barely made an entrance. He had suspected he was immune to physical pleasure until her.

He really thanked destiny because if his company wasn't related to Distill corp, he would never have spotted her. Estella used to work there and they did cross paths, twice. Till then, it was fate, the rest was his chase.

.....

The next day Edward was exhausted when he returned from Mr. Lee's office with his father and Elvis. They had been finalizing the agreements to set up a joint venture. Time had stretched to the point that it was unbearable to stay in the same room with anyone now.

The same woman from yesterday, now with a male coworker showed up for the room service, eye flirting him. While his partner did most of the work, she was giving him looks.

Quietly walking over to the small kitchen, he spotted a knife and waited for his coworker to finish the job. He had the idea that she was going to stay a little longer to do what she was thinking in her mind.

Edward smirked at the imagination of how she was only a few seconds away from running.

You busy?

Estella's message popped up on his screen.

His lips curl in a smile, then rudely waving his hand at the chick to get out of his room and dropping the idea of scaring her.

Hey. Just getting to bed. He sent back.

How's everything going on? Where are you exactly now? 

He chuckled and typed. Just around.

I'm with dad. Helping him with work. He typed.

As he was removing his tie, another message came in.

Well, My dad wanted me to forward you a message.

Yeah?

He and mom both are hoping to invite you and your dad for dinner.

That had Edward worrying. First, he was opening a textile business with her behind Mr. Blake's back. Second, he would never involve Estella with his family, especially his father from whom he learned how to hold leverage on other people. Before her, he had none and he was planning to keep it that way.

Sounds good. He texted back while searching for any excuse to dodge it. For now, he had none.

Great

What about you? How did your day go? Edward asked.

As usual.

Did you go to the penthouse?

No. Anyway, tell me when you and your dad are up for dinner. Dad will be staying in Brooklyn for a few days.

I'll tell you tomorrow morning. 

You sure tomorrow morning? Because you tend to delay every time you say that. I don't have that kind of patience. Be sure about what you say.

Yeah, tomorrow morning.

With a yawn, he flipped the phone on the table without waiting for her response.

Ok, gn.

Thinking about the last three months, he couldn't help but smile. Their first encounter stormed inside his mind and as the coming days happened, he could help but be amused by the turn of event. If only she knew. What would she say? How would she react?

He had every intention of being nice with her but handling a position as COO as well as maintaining his appearances to her at the same time was time-consuming, exhausting and most of the time frustrating.

At least after all this time, his double-timing worked both ways. Very soon, there wouldn't be a need to pretend around her anymore. He was so close to taking over his position as the CEO as his plan in motion was running smoothly with Thea working as per his instructions.

Thea Collins was the only girl other than Estella he had brought in his life. Thea was cunning, in desperate need of money and she was ready to play dirty. Even if it meant to spy and stealing secrets. That was what she was doing at Morrison's company.

Estella on the other hand now deelinh indebted after he help her escape a terrible incident back at Montclair, was wrapped around his fingers. She was smart yet fragile and taming her would be easy once he breaks away every wall he needed to cross and win and her trust.

And he liked her life.

She had parents that would rip their hearts out for her, a life she adored, a job she loved until Edward fucked that up for her, too. It was unintentional but he couldn't deny it was him that got her fired from Distill Corp,  a collatoral damage for screwing Elvis' first project.

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