She looked up ahead but there was no one there. She held the sides of her trousers, the feeling not dissipating.. The harsh cold added to the ominous aura and she shivered despite her heavy covering, turning around she ran back.
**
She got home and headed straight to her room to falling with a soft thud on the bed... She still couldn't shake that scary feel off.
She was so sure he was there... Watching her.
Perhaps he had followed her... Jeez he followed her from the bar.. He was creepy.. Who would do that if not..
No.. No she couldn't refer to him as a criminal again.. He had every right to follow her.. Who would after suffering innocently...
She knew he never would remain the same again.. She just knew he wouldn't be.
✯5 YEARS LATER ✯
The gentle almost soundless footsteps sound of a pair of feet walking on the classically tiled ground filled atmosphere... Although a lot of frets noisily clapped against the ground but hers just sounded peculiar while the others sounded distant.
Her straight slightly hairy strong legs was coated with a pair of white suit trousers that outlined her sharp hip and curves. A sea green blouse with long sleeves was neatly tucked into the pants. Her feet covered in a pair of white flowery designed Dorsay heels.
Her ebony black wavy full hair was packed in a high ponytail and they wiggled in accordance to the wind.
Her bag was hunched up her shoulder as she took bold steps forward.
She looked chic. Classy yet normal.
She had head turning with her alluring beauty but not so extravagantly. Only a few heads turned.
She was all smiles, her dimples pumping in as she made her way to her car.
Another fashion class session just ended and her class was over for the day.
She attended Fashion Classes, to learn and get more ideas.. Also to pass time.. She keeps getting huge deals so she has to do her literal best.
Ahhh! ... How much she couldn't wait to head home, get changed and dip her self in a warm rosy with Jasmine perfume filled bath.
But then as always... Ever since that day.. The day the ominous feeling started.. For the past five years... It happened again... And she stopped on her tracks.
Her feet stilled, glueing to the ground.. Her smile slowly faded... She felt it.
The hairs at the back of her neck rising, her hormones kicking in... Her nerve cells extra active, her senses sharpening.
Her heart started it usual beats , racing faster than usual. Her sweat glands started it usual work, producing more heat than necessary and balls of sweat popped out of her forehead gathering there.
She didn't bother looking around, she didn't bother searching or wondering where he always was because she never saw him..Her nemesis... No matter how hard she tries.. She knew he was the one... She had received an anonymous text last two years with the words.. "CRIMINALS NEVER AGREE" as the text content... That only confirmed her suspicion.. He was the one... He was always watching her.. Like an hawk... Spying on her.. Making sure she was never comfortable.. Always giving her something to be afraid of before she sleeps.
Whenever she doesn't feel the preying eyes on her any day.. She gets the damned text from the unknown number.
"WATCHING" would be it's content.
What could be more scary ... Just what.. She had cursed, pleaded and cursed him again severally to show his face via text and whenever she gets the odd feeling but it was just a fruitless and futile attempt.
He never made his face seen .. He was like a shadow in the darkness.
Alora was only a walk distance away from her car but she still stood there waiting.. Waiting hopefully for something, someone to jolt her out, to distract her from this predators feastful eyes.
And her savior came running towards her.
"Aloraaaaa.... I told you to wait for me immediately class was over." Hope's tiny voice penetrated into her ears and she quickly collected herself gasping like she just remembered as she turned around to face her.
"Oh em Gee.. Hope.. I totally forgot.. I'm so sorry girl" She said and Hope rolled her eyes.. Hope was the sassy type.. One could easily read her character.
"Whatever... You tend to forget things alot... What are you thinking of.. Are you about to get married" Hope said as they finally headed for Alora's car and it was Alora's turn to roll her eyes.
"Jeez Hope keep dreaming... I and anything related to '' till death do as apart" is the distance between the earth and the clouds "Alora scoffed as she got into the driver's seat.
" Jeezzz girl... I'm pitying you.. You're twenty-five with an unpopped cherry and a boring love life.. How do you cope.. Yunno what
. I'm setting you up for one of those blind date schemes.. You need entanglement..." Hope said snatching her phone from her bag and Alora shook her head.
"No no.. No.. No.. Hope no... I'm not interested... I don't want that.. I just wanna be successful in my business.. Relationships and love.. They're all distractions.. Plsss.. I don't want anything that'll distract me from my goal in achieving success" Alora said as she glanced from her friend to the highway.
Hope and her became friends the day she started lessons at the fashion class.... That was a year ago. She had a bad mouth and always said whatever comes into her mind.. Sometimes without thinking causing various problems for herself. But Hope.. She cared less... She still kept talking.
"Oh pls... Don't give me that crap... You're successful as it is.. I mean your brand is known around Russia.. So what else may you want... Well nothing except a boyfriend... Jeezz.. See you don't necessarily have to fall inlove.. Just sex should be enough... I mean.. You're literally the first 25 year old lady in this century who's still a Virgin... Girl are you Mary.. Plss "Hope said tapping on her phone and Alora rolled her eyes.
" Yh whatever.. "She said as she drove off.
Back at the fashion class entrance.
A black 2024 model Bentley with dark tinted windows was parked smoothly.. The car looking like it was brought that day with its neatness and sparkling black polished glow.
Within this exquisite motor was him.
Sitted with his index finger poked to his tempting red lips, his dark icy blue eyes holding nothingness within them. His dark hair which fell unto the side of his face sculpting out his chiseled chin and jaw.
His Tom Ford suit clung unto his tight muscular frame bulging out his muscles and abs, the first three buttons of his suit shirt undone, giving a nice view of his tattooed chest, worth drools. His scent filled every nook and cranny of the car. Tom Ford cologne seizing up the air in the car.
His other hand held his phone with the screen so dimly lit, one would need a touch light to see what was inside.
His gaze was plugged into the spot Alora had stood a few minutes ago. His eyes calculating, his brows pulling together.
"Should I go after her ? " His CTO (Chief Technology Officer)at work , also his Right hand man in personal cases like this asked him. He was on the driver's seat, holding a strict and unreadable expression, but not enough to beat his boss. Jephtha was his name.
The question hung on the air for a long time till 5 minutes was gone when the validity of the question was expired and the reply bounced in.
"No"
His thick dulcet masculine voice cut through the air distorting the silence.
He finally adjusted his gaze, diverting it to the phone in his hand, he stared plainly into the screen rereading the last message which stared back at him.
" Fuck your short d*ck bastard.. Stop tormenting me in silence and show your f*cking face okkk" She texted him that... But out of the 15 words spelled out... The only word which caught his attention was the only two words which seemed abnormal to him.
Short D*ck.
Davian took his eyes to his monster and a dark lethal look overshadowed his gaze.
"Short D*ck" He repeated, amusement gleaming in his eyes.
"To the company" He ordered still not looking away from his phone and the engine revved quietly as the car ate into the tarred road.
༄ CREE'S EXQUISITE VILLA ༄
Alora slumped exhausted on the milky colored couch letting out a stressed breath from her mouth.
She shut her eyes close for a while and she opened them immediately like something struck her memory.
She quickly picked her bag and pulled her phone out of it.. She unlocked it clicking on the message box. Her hand vibrated as she gazed at the number saved as " Nemesis " there.
She bit her lip knowing he didn't reply else the new message would be bold and thick, but it was still plain and narrow starting with the words she texted him with.
She was desperate.. She clicked on the chat reading her text..
She was so desperate, she had badly wanted to get him out. She read his own text that wasnt different from each other.
"Watching"
"Watching"
Or when it becomes creepy...
"At your window"
She doesn't open the curtains in her room because she doesn't want to open her window one day and see him smirking at her devilishly.. Like he does in her nightmares.
Alora dropped her phone on the couch and she stood up heading to her room.
༄TITANCORE STUDIOS ༄
Just like the name Titans, the gaming industry was a sprawling complex merged out of glass and steel shimmering brightly almost blinding as rays of sunlight descended on it.
The exterior walls was adorned with a massive LED screen, vibrant colors emanating from it as it showcased the companies latest game release and exciting upcoming titles.
Different people of various caliber trouped in and out with mesmerized eyes. Unable to get enough of the mesmerizing standardized nature of the company.
Gallantly stepping in with Jephtha strolling firmly behind him like a guard was Davian Cedar. CEO of Titancore.
It took him five good years to achieve this height and he was never stepping down.
He walked gaitly earning stares and gasps as usual as he headed to the elevator.
Jephtha pressed the key for him and the elevator door dinged open, they both stepped in and was lifted upwards towards his office direction. The highest building in the company. With the most furnished surrounding and modern assets, some incurred as prices for low gaming activities he participated in.
Davian walked up to his office chair and he slumped on it shutting his eyes close without letting out a sound.
He just stilled like a dead man when the intercom rang.
Jephtha was standing guard in the office close to the door for easy attack to any threat.
Davian answered without raising his lids.
"Sir, Mr Cree Donald from IronSpire Entertainment is here" The female voice bounced off the intercoms speaker and Davian's dark eyes opened slowly, his face becoming even more expressionless and unreadable.
For a minute her words hung with him not dropping a reply before finally.
"Let him in" He answered and dropped the intercom cell.
He shut his eyes back with his fingers intertwined on his desk, after a minute, Jephtha pulled the door open as the figure behind the transparent glass became obvious.
Mr Donald Cree, Alora's father stepped in with a sheepish smile, holding a file.
" CEO Davian Cedar... It is with great pleasure I stand before you today" Donald said with a sheepish smile covering his withering features.
"Straight to the point" Davian's cold authoritative voice left Donald gulping.
Davian didn't even offer him a seat.
"Wow.. You're a straightforward man CEO.. My legs shiver from your authority" Donald smiled, his message so obvious, by mentioning his legs, he was indirectly asking Davian for a seat.
"Hmmm" Was Davians curt reply and Donald gave up trying to ask. It was so obvious he wouldn't offer him a seat.
Donald swallowed to calm himself.. This darn kid... He cursed within himself.
"Actually, I have come to request your humble approval as I intend to be a shareholder of this company, my company saw your latest release and we think there's an opportunity for us here " Donald said and Davian leaned back on the chair,his fingers still intertwined, his eyes lazily gazing at Donald.
It seemed Donald didn't recognize him.
It was natural as he had become unrecognizable over the years.
"Why" Davian asked curtly again.
"Well.. Imagine your story telling and out VR tech, we're talking about an immerse title that could redefine the gerne." Donald said straight, not mincing words.
Davian stared expressionlessly into the face of the man whose family ruined him, different ways of torture floating atop his mind.
He adjusted forward on the chair and stood up, gently making his way towards Mr Donald with Silent steps.
He stopped a foot distance away from the man who equaled with his shoulder, Gazing down at him.
" Your VR isn't impressive, as an AAA gaming studio we have an exclusive VR that draws attention from other industries..." Davian started and leaned a bit closer, his hand clasped behind him.
"Your finances are weak.. That's why you need my industry.. You've got guts intending to be a shareholder when you need me to be the shareholder..." Davian said and leaned back leaving Donald tongue tied as he gazed into a particular place on the floor.
" A 5 percent investment of my company into yours would boost your sales and attract foreign investors as well, also give you insight for recreational gaming.." Davian said and Donald snapped his head towards him watching him walk back to his chair.
"Pls.. Help me" Donald pleaded and Davian just stared at him standing in front of his chair.
"Normally in cases like this.. I have to involve my board because the decision I make would affect my reputation.. Either positively or negatively but... I'm willing to not do so" Davian said and Donald gasped.
"Sir..."
"I'll invest in your business, won't involve the board only on one condition" Davian said cunningly sitting down on the chair.
Donald fell on his knees rubbing his palms, his heart filled with gratitude, as he was willing to do anything to get Davian invest in his industry.
"Whatever you need Sir" Donald said happily and Davian leaned back intertwining his fingers on his thigh.
"Whatever I need" He repeated Donald's words and Donald nodded desperately.
"Whate...
" Your daughter "Davian caught him off and Donald blinked once.
" Wha... "
" Your last daughter Alora.. Make her marry me in two days time.. Get her to sign that contract.. "Davian dropped and Donald's jaw dropped along.