“That’s what she wants you all to think, but I bet she boasted of Nick to almost anyone,” I said.
“Well, she talked about you a lot, mostly about how you were more like your father than Nick,” she informed.
There was this warm feeling that engulfed my body at those words…I was happy.
“I’d believe it if she said it to my face,” I said. I tried to shake off the warmth I felt from hearing those words, but my body didn’t listen. It took all my facial muscles to stop me from grinning happily.
“Oh well, suit yourself,” she sighed. “I’ll handle Nick’s meeting with Aisha.”
“What do you plan to do?”
“Simple, I’ll just engage Aisha withimportantmeetings,” she said.
“Aisha isn’t that dumb to fall for that,” I sighed.
“No, we actually have important stuff to discuss,” she said. “It’s about the company and how you haven’t delivered on your promises.”
“I see. Oh well, thanks to your help, I’ll be able to claim this company’s future with your daughter by my side,” I said.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, the company’s future isn’t at stake if you don’t get engaged with Aria,” she said.
“Huh? What do you mean?” I was confused. “Then why are you helping me?”
“Helping you?” the smile intensified. “Like I told Aria, I’m just leveling the playing field. Nick already has a head start, and you’re barely at the starting line. All I’m doing is giving you an excessive nudge; no matter the outcome, the company is in safe hands.”
“But if I don’t get married to Aria…”
“Then Nick will,” she smiled.
At that moment, I realized something. “You were never interested in the company’s affairs.”
“Yes, my dear Blake,” she replied. “All a mother wants is to have her daughter give birth to her grandchildren and stop sleeping around.”
“So I’m nothing but a pawn in your hands?” I couldn’t help but chuckle. “How low I’ve fallen.”
“Oh sweetie, you haven’t fallen that low, at least not yet,” she said. “Now chin up. You have a woman to woo. And that woman is my daughter no less.”
“I may not have another chance to say this but be aware that I hate you very much,” I said.
“Oh, my dear Blake, you need to get in line,” she said. “I should have let you know that you can’t touch me. Not at this level and not even when you become my son-in-law.”
I don’t care what it takes, but I was killing this woman when this was all over.
She emailed me a file containing the photos, names, and roles of the staff at Wolfe Pack. I memorized each of them while she gave me further instructions about the words to say and how to act.
I listened carefully to her instructions while clearly noting who I was to approach and who I was to avoid. I was surprised at how foolproof her plan seemed. All that was left was for me to pull it off.
On the evening Nick arrived in Georgetown, I was about to leave.
“Blake over here,” Mrs. Wolfe called.
I turned to her and had my hand bashed with a bat.
“Owww…. WHAT THE FUCK, YOU OLD HAG?!!!” I held onto my head in pain.
“I doubt it looks believable enough,” she said. “Oh well, a second one would do the trick.”
“No…no, don’t you dare!” I raised my hands in defense as she swung the bat, hitting my left arm. “JESUS CHRIST, WOMAN!”