Karlos hated the smell of cigarettes.
He hated the thick and bitter scent, likened to burnt wood that would permeate the air. And linger on his clothes like scented deodorant. It was nothing but poisoning. Karlos didn't like to smoke but tonight was an exception.
Sitting across him, Bernard.
In the corporate world, Bernard was known as the viper- a man with a deadly smile. His smile only brought trouble to people. Rumors have it that the bigger the smile was, the more trouble he was brewing in his brilliant mind.
As the only heir, Bernard was known to be an iron man. One who surprised the business world when he started his reign seven years ago with his best pal. Because of their friendship, the Bilateral Group of companies saw their profits increase by leaps and bounds. In less than a year, the Group was able to enter the one hundred most profitable companies in the world.
After four years, the Group's profits tripled. In that same year, The Bilateral Group of companies entered the top twenty most profitable companies in the world. To say that Karlos Wayne and Bernard Harris were prodigies in the business world was an understatement. Some people call them the Legend Brothers, while others consider them business gods. A pair that is capable of causing tornadoes and storms in the business world.
"I had a hunch that Mr. Clinton would have contacted the shareholders prior to this meeting to convince them to nominate him to be the managing director and oversee the newly elected board of internal directors," said Karlos Wayne addressing Bernard who stood right beside the window. "And I am glad that they made the right decision by voting against him. "
"Well,the scandal that you showed them paved the way for your success. Your intelligence is indeed unparalleled, " Bernard didn't leave the widow side and continued to stand there. When they saw Clinton's incriminating scandal, that was it. They started to have doubts and voted for him, Mr. Hendrick had won by receiving the most number of votes. Mr. Hendrick was officially appointed as Managing Director of G.S Mall and Boutique at the end of the meeting.
"Hmmmm…" Karlos nodded and smiled at his friend. "I hope that he does better. " If he didn't, he wouldn't have lasted all these years in the bussinessworld if he couldn't even tell what was right for him.
"By the way, the contract signing, three days is too much, " Bernard interjected.
"I agree. Let's make it two, " he answered nonchalantly. Instantly cancelling whatever plans they had on the third day. "Two days should be enough for both parties.
Bernard didn't know if he wanted to laugh or cry at his partner's words. "They originally wanted to request for an extension, but who would have thought you would prepone the deadline without waiting for their opinion.
"I am sure no one dares to voice out their thoughts." After all , they were already used to Karlos Wayne's almost impossible deadlines.
"If I am satisfied, I will double the benefits for this quarter," he added when he noticed his friend's expression.
Karlos's words immediately caused Bernard's mood to lighten up. A smile instantly made its way to his face, imagining the excitement that would make the subordinates work even harder.
"Looks like someone is tense, tonight….You're smoking, " said Bernard before coming to the subject of why he had been called here "I thought you killed someone and wanted my help to cover it up or something." Said Bernard, his head turned to the side to see Karlos make his way to the couch.
Karlos's lips twisted into a smile and he said,
"A certain someone spiked my drink."A chuckle escaped Karlo's lips. He pulled out a box of cigars, offering it to Bernard, who took it. " Needed to cool my head off"
Bernard, who turned to his friend, looked surprised as he hadn't noticed it at all.
"For real?...! " Although Bernard said that, he still could not believe it.
"So, it seems" He was taking another drag from the cigarette. His eyes closed while blowing the smoke into the air when he heard laughter that turned louder. "Why are you laughing? What's so funny?" Karlos asked his friend as he took his seat.
" Do you have any idea who it is?"
Karlos stared back at Bernad, "No freaking clue but… " At fisrt he had thought it was his wife. Then he realized, It was definetly not her. Because as fainthearted as she was, she would not have the guts to do that. "Come to think of it, the culprit would be the one to benefit from my predicament "
"What's stopping you from relieving youself?" "Seriously, did your wife reject you because why else am I here with you"
Karlos threw a cold glance at Bernard.
"No worries. I will call them in. "
And on the press of the bell, three beautiful women clad in silk flowed into the room and began to move in rhythm with the music in the background. Karlos watched as the curvy women in front of him swayed with their hips seductively to get his attention. Bernard who was now sitting next to him seemed to enjoy the view while sipping his wine.
"I like that blonde- haired one. Which one catches your attention?" Bernard asked
Karlos's eyes swept over the women twirling around each other wearing almost nothing. Yes, they were beautiful, exotic, but none of them enticed him.
"Hard to decide? You can take all three if you want. " Bernard said in amusement when Karlos didn't reply.
Maybe he should. It has been a long time since he took a woman to bed and would get him off the drugs. Taking a woman might calm his nerves down so that he could return back to the resort.
"I will take the red- haired " Karlos finally decided. Bernard gave him a knowing smile as he led the red-haired out of the room into an inner room.
Karlos watched as the red-haired undressed seductively, waiting to get a reaction from him, but she got nothing.
"Maybe… you would you like it from behind? " She said as she stalked toward him while eyeing him up and down. "Or maybe you would like to spank me first? " She continued as she tugged at his shirt.
He grabbed her arm harshly, shaking his head. Why didn't he like the fact that this woman was trying to undress him when he came here willingly?
"I see… you want to do it with clothes on. That's not a problem. I'm at your service. "She smiled trying to lighten the mood.
He let go of her arm and as soon as he did, she slid her arm around his neck and pulled him down trailing kisses on his neck,she kissed him hungrily, Pressing her lips to his cheek, slowly moving to his lips.
"That's Enough!" He was getting frustrated. He was here to quench his needs , but it seemed he wasn't in the mood anymore. Probably, the swiming, smoking, and thinking, ripped the drug off. Getting up, he grabbed his phone. She stared at him, confused. Then turning around, he stalked toward the door as it was useless to go on.
"Where are you going?" She called behind him.Ignoring her, he opened the door and walked out.
He walked back to his friend confused. What was going on that made it impossible for him to desire other women? He used to enjoy his women before his marraige. Now he couldn't even go back to his bedroom because Berlin would be there and having her in the same room without touching her would be difficult.
"Back so soon? "
Having been his friend for many years, Bernard wondered what was up. "Or the bane girl hasn't left your system?"
"She is the least of my problems right now."
"I thought it would be different after all these years. You still haven't forgiven Tash. " Picking one, Bernard flapped the box back to place it at the edge of the stand. Lighting it, he took a puff from the cigar, before blowing the thick smoke in the wind, "I don't think you will ever forgive her." Karlos had been fucking his secretary during the time before his marriage and had even extended his stay abroad to spend more time away from home and his supposed fianceé. Now, he was at loggerheads with her.
Bernard continued to stay quiet . Not because he had nothing to say, but it wasn't his place to say anything. Karlos Wayne was married now to a woman, a woman whose best friend was his secretary.
Karlos pulled the cigar away from his lips to say, "Understandable, isn't it. It is when you aren't careful with your actions and words. You break a heart. " Bernard continued to remain passive while his friend enjoyed rubbing salt on the wound, he was sure that girl was healing from.
"So, does your wife…know what happened between you two?"
Karlos pondered and said, "Who knows?" replied Karlos before disclosing to him,
"She has turned me down a couple of times, I tried to bed her"
"How is that possible! "Bernard almost choked on the wine he had just drunk. Hitting the sofa, he laughed non-stop and said, "Ha-ha, I can't even…She is just not into you. Otherwise, all women would like to be impressed by a sex god."
"I might have said awful things to her before and after the wedding" Just the thought of Berlin listening to all the words that came out of his mouth, he felt so dumb for being angry with her. That girl tried to save him today, had he been really drowning.
He turned around to see his friend in deep thought. He offered a quick smile and suddenly it dawned on him. "Wait a second. You're falling for your wife?"
"No!"
"Then why would you want to touch her?"
"Shut up!!" Karlos cursed under his breath.
""Don't be such a sore loser, Karl, " Bernard grinned and then said, "There cannot be smoke without fire."
"So, What?"
"Karl, I think you need help in courting Berlin Wayne. "
"Ah?"
"All the women I know love to be courted with flowers, chocolates, jewelries and…Money. " Bernard suggested "But giving alone only this would be too ordinary for someone of your status." Bernard stroke his chin before his eyes glinted with mischief.
"I know! " he exclaimed. "You should actively profess how you feel everyday! Let her know how much you really like her!"
"You should really consider shutting that mouth of yours…"