The Billionaire’s Pawn

LONDON

“Why didn’t you want your white knight to join us?”

My eyes narrowed at Neke. “Can you stop calling him white knight?”

“What’s wrong witha white knight?” Reed asked.

“Not you too. Stop it.” I picked another slice of Avocado sushi, dipped it in sauce, and shoved it into my mouth. “I can’t believe I am saying this. I miss old times.”

“Well, the last time we had was over two years ago.”

I put my chopsticks down and sighed. “Yeah. I remember. And after school. I felt like my life stopped for two years.”

“What’s important is that you got up, stood on your feet, and started living again, London. Look, where are you now? The CEO of LH.”

I patted Reed’s hand. “Thank you. You’ve kept me safe for two years, and I didn’t thank you enough. So thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me. It’s part of my job.”

“You’re lenient. That’s what I love about you.”

“Well, I don’t want a pain in the ass client, so if my leniency can help my job easier, that’s what I should do.”

“We should do this more often,” Neke suggested.

“Am I really that terrible friend?”

“Not really, since you gave me a Dior bag on my birthday, and you treated me to a spa, and oh, let’s not forget my VIP ticket to the Taylor Swift concert. So, no. You are a great best friend.”

Reed chuckled.

“What?” She turned to Reed.

“Nothing. I’m full. Thank you.” He got up from the floor. I liked this restaurant-traditional, with floor seating and enough privacy. “I’ll be right back.”

“Are you gonna see your father?”

“I don’t know. Maybe not now.” I told her over the phone about how my father and I got into an argument.

Aside from my husband, I needed to open up to someone I could trust, like Neke. Sometimes, Striker was too considerate, while Neke was blunt and upfront.

“You should make an effort to talk to your father. If you don’t wanna see him, at least end it with you and him on good terms.”

“I love my father, Neke. It’s just been us for all my life. He’s been there for me since I could remember. I’m just maybe angry right now. I thought what he did was for my own good, but this arrangement went a little bit too far. Don’t get me wrong. Striker is a good man. He’s been kind to me, respects me, and listens to my opinion, but there’s always a repercussion. Dad will always have his agenda in everything he does. And I can’t and won’t risk my marriage for his own cause.”

“It’s a good thing you have white knight now. Work your marriage together. He seems like a man who never gives up on what’s important to him.”

“You too. You are important to me, Neke.”

“You sound like you’re in love with me, best friend.”

I chuckled. “I think you and Reed will be a good pair.”

She wrinkled her nose. “What? Me and this big guy? No. Uh-uh,” she said with a shake of her head.

“I did that when I first heard I was going to marry Cade. At that time, I thought I was torn between giggling because I liked him. At the same time, I didn’t even know if he liked me or wanted to marry me.”

“Lucky you, he’s hot.”

My eyes narrowed.

“What? Do you think I’m blind? You’re just jealous and too possessive.”

“I’m not.”

“Tell that to yourself because nobody believes you.”

***

“Dad, what are you doing here?” I was surprised to see him in my office, and what was more surprising was that he came to see me and not request my presence in his castle.

“I want to see you since you didn’t have the plan telling me that you’re back.” He sat on the couch.

“Well, I’m sure Reed already reported to you.”

“How are you doing?”

“I’m good, thanks. Well, our last call didn’t end well. I thought I would give you time to yourself. How are you, Dad?”

“I’m fine.” He eyed me for a moment. “You look happy.”

“Honestly, yes, I am. It’s been a while since I felt completely happy.”

“Does Striker take care of you?”

“You don’t have to worry about him. He takes care of me more than I take care of him, really. He’s been kind and considerate. Why’d you ask?”

“I just wanna make sure you’re in good hands.”

“You shouldn’t have done what you did. You didn’t know him well. You might have just handed me to a wolf.”

“A wolf can be tamed, London.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” My heart nearly stopped. My gut twisted.

“He loves you. You can control him-”

“I’m not controlling m husband. And besides, you don’t know him if you think he will just do what I say. What exactly do you want from him, Dad?” God. He really disappointed me. Here I thought he came to see me. He did all this for his benefit-such a selfish, narcissistic father.

“I want to know about the project.”

“What project?” I started to vibrate in anger.

“See?” He crossed his legs as he leaned against the couch. “He doesn’t tell you everything.”

“What made you think there’s worth telling?”

“You know how you can gather information from him.”

“I suppose you’re going to tell me.”

“Jesus, London. He is your husband. He trusts you.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. Breaking his trust is the last thing I will do, father. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. If you wanna know about that project, ask him yourself. I’m sure he will tell you if he knows something.”

“You will do what I said, London. I’m giving you a week.” He got up from the couch. Now he was giving me an ultimatum. Oh, my God. I couldn’t believe I’d been blind to see the real Linus Vanderford.

“What are you going to do then? Nothing you haven’t already done, Dad.”

He was already walking toward the door. “Don’t make me say it, London. I want that information next week.”

That was it. He was gone. I went back to my chair. My sight blurred with tears. Why did he have to do this to me? Why couldn’t he just leave me alone and be happy for me with the man I loved?

Finally, tears fell from my eyes.

I couldn’t do this.

After work, I asked Reed to send me to my house instead. I couldn’t spy on my own husband. If I did, I would break his trust. And if I wouldn’t do it, my father might be planning something that could hurt Striker.

I knew my father. He would go to great lengths to get what he wanted. He already succeeded in arranging my marriage to Striker. I was sure he would succeed the next time.

I went to the kitchen, and no one was around. I felt lonely all of a sudden. I opened the fridge. There was some food, but all I could do was made a sandwich.

I grabbed the lettuce, tomato, and sliced ham. I put two loaves of bread into the toaster.

Before I could begin slicing the tomato, I almost cut my finger.

“Look at you.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I dropped the knife and placed my hand against my chest as I glared at Striker walking in my direction. “What the hell?”

Well, he was also glaring. He looked so pissed. “Didn’t I tell you we’re having dinner tonight at home? The last time I checked, this is not our home, London. Have you forgotten our dinner, or did you intentionally want to have dinner alone?” He then looked at what I was doing.

“I’m not in a mood.” I picked up the knife.

“Easy.” His voice turned calm and low. That was what I loved about him.

“I’m not gonna stab you with this. Besides, I don’t know Karate. You’ll probably have this drop before I can raise and point at you.” I began slicing the tomato. “What are you doing here?”

“Give it to me.”

I frowned and dropped the knife a little bit harder. “I can do it. You can’t save me all the time, Striker.”

“I will if I have to. What happened, baby? You only call me Striker if you’re upset. So, we’re having a club sandwich for dinner.” He picked up the knife and sliced the tomato quickly.

I crossed my arms over my chest as I leaned against the island. “Reed called you, wasn’t he?”

“You shut your phone off, or the battery drained again. So I called him. He said you asked him to send you here.” When the bread was done, he placed a slice on the plate and topped it with lettuce, ham, tomato, and loaf before cutting it in half.

“What do you have in here?” He went to the fridge. “You don’t like OJ.”

“Just water.”

“What’s going on with you, Vanderford? You’re acting like I didn’t feed your fish for a week.”

“I just wanna be alone to think.”

“Why can’t you think with me or beside me? I promise I’ll behave.” There was a tease in his voice as he placed down a glass of water. “Do you need anything else? Do you want some fruits?”

“I’m not really hungry right now.” My voice raised as I grabbed half of the sandwich and the glass of water before I went to the dining table. I knew he was following me, but I chose not to give him too much attention.

One thing I knew for sure, this marriage was not right. I didn’t know how to correct it when it started by mistake in the first place. I married him for the wrong reason-for my father’s agenda.

Right now, I only wanted to get out of their hair, run away, and live somewhere where they couldn’t find me.

“Baby.” Striker kissed the top of my head. “I’ll be in the living with Reed.

“I want a divorce.”