So I am Katherine Marshal Black. Supposed co-heir of the most powerful BlackJack co.
The company that killed my parents and Ryder’s.
The will says that to get the company the current CEO used to blackmail my dad as a reason of which we moved from Amsterdam to New York. From village to busy city. According to him, the most safest place is the most dangerous one. I don’t know the logic behind that but yeah. Little did he know it was still dangerous. To get us he, the current CEO, got Ryder’s parents, since somehow he knew our family relation.
The surprise didn’t even end there. The reason why I said I was co-heir was because Amanda is the other heir. Amanda Adler Jack, daughter of Nicholas Xander Jack and Olivia Adler Jack.
By hiding the last names from both mine and Mandy’s we both were unknown to the world of BlackJack. From the name it’s clear the founders were my dad and uncle Nic.
What they started as a mere company that helps people through illegal means as they were rejected by the law because of the opposition powerful people, became a company running illegal businesses to hurt the people under the current CEO. With drugs, trafficking. To name a few.
No wonder Mandy and uncle Nic always warned me for doing as my dad said. As I knew about this, even being in Ryder’s home is unsafe for me. I kept the laptop aside and walked through the house fearing of the danger lurking somewhere, though I know Ryder has the place under tight security, as he too is running a very powerful company only second to BlackJack. But that is not surprising as the latter has got the fear of the people to put them first.
I feel too suffocated to be in Ryder’s home, when I know they are the reason behind his drastic change from a sweet innocent boy to a cold-hearted in the boardroom yet loving-to-his-family man. But I wont be on the receiving end of his love when he knows the truth.
I know he loves me so much. But I don’t think it is enough to forget the part I am the heir of the company which has been the reason for his misery. I don’t think he will ever look at me lovingly without remembering that I am part of that wretched company.
What I should really worry about is not the fact if he will forget about it but if he will forgive me, even if I had no knowledge nor nothing to do with it.
—
I didn’t realise it was already past 7pm with all the horrible thoughts going through my mind. About the worst possible scenarios, when Ryder knows the truth.
And it all ends in him breaking up with me. To be honest, what I am worried is not the breaking up part but the part of who is going to be there for him to get through this horrible time. I know his friends, Neocount and Gabriel will help him, but I wish I was there with him at that time, as well.
All the thoughts went out the window when I heard the bell ring. My heart went into a frenzy state out of fear, panic and worry. Fear for whether it is Ryder or the CEO of BlackJack, Panic for how I will face Ryder, and worried for us. For how this is going to turn out to be.
As Aunt J went to answer the door, I picked up the remote and switched the T. V. on. It gives me enough time to calm down and think of how I am going to proceed forward. I can’t reveal the contents in the laptop to him now. When the time comes, I will. Until then I just have to prepare myself and fake in front of him so that he wouldn’t find the truth is haunting me.
But even with that answer to the current situation I cant help but think, when is the right time ever going to be? Will the amount of preparation be enough for when it comes?
“Honey, I am home.” Ryder wrapped his arms around my neck, and kissed my forehead.
“When have you ever been into news? Atleast when you are pretending to watch something make sure it is not something you never watch.” he asked snatching the remote from me and settling himself beside me to turn the volume up.
Its true I always used to fight with him on which channel to watch. While he wanted to watch the news, I wanted to watch the entertainment channel.
“Oh my god! Has the sun set in the east? You didn’t refute when I didnt change the channel.” He said to which I said nothing and just shrugged. He turned his face towards me to which I gave him as much smile as I can muster, but from his frown it was clear he understood something was wrong. He switched the T. V off and completely turned towards me giving me his full attention. For the first time I wish he wasn’t that attentive to my moods.
“Baby, what is the matter? You are unusually quiet.” He asked while he picked my hands from my lap and stroked his thumbs over my hand. What used to be an intimate gesture which used to bring me an immediate relief is now giving me a troubled feeling of relief and agony. The thought that I would never be able to feel relief and content from his touch torments me.
I removed my hands from his and it broke me when I saw a slight hurt in his eyes but it was covered by confusion. When he knows the truth there would no longer be any confusions.
I stood up unable to even put a façade in front of him. What was I thinking when I said I will wait till the right time comes to tell him the truth, and that until then I would be faking in front of him. He knew me too much to realize when I was lying and when I was telling the truth. No amount of acting class would suffice to lie to him.
Instead I just showed him my true emotions and stretched my hands towards him.
“Can I have a dance. Please?” I asked. Eventhough I tried to say it with a stiff voice it was fruitless as the please came out with a tremble.
Realizing that something huge was wrong, without another word he nodded and went to the stereo to put on a music for slow dance and switched the light to minimal to bring the effect of being in a club. It reminded me of the day we were alone and was dancing to my favourite song with nothing to worry about. I wish I knew then that would be the last time I danced with him happily. If I did know it back then what was going to happen I would have atleast tried to enjoy it more and would have had no drinks to remember it with no blurry images.
I was grateful for him being the most understanding boyfriend one could ask for. He asked no questions but brought me tighter to him as we danced all night, as I let my tears fell down silently.
For the first time I knew the future to come.
It was the last time he would hold me when I cry.