Tom Smith’s POV: This or That?
The door to my office swings open with full force, startling me as the cigarette I was about to light drops.
“S-sir, I-I tried to stop her,” my secretary, Rosie, explained as Daisy barged into my office. Not a care in the world that she had just barged into my workplace.
“It’s fine, you can go.” Rosie hurries out, closing the door behind her.
“What is this behavior?” I asked harshly, but she seemed unfazed by my harsh tone.
“Tom, it’s been over a month since Sophia disappeared. She’s your only child, your own daughter!” She said tautly, her voice filled with resentment and irritation. She was a persistent one, I’d give her that. She had been constantly ranting about Sophia like I hadn’t been trying to get her back.
“Control that temper and tone when talking to me,” I growled. “You’re saying these things like I’m not aware of the situation Sophia got herself into in the first place.”
And that’s the truth, Sophia got herself into this mess. A son would never have acted foolishly, I’d always regretted having a daughter, one who was weak and unwise, only good for her looks. One day she would be owned by her husband but a son would have continued my legacy, he would have been my pride, and he would have been perfect.
Her face scrunched up in disbelief, “You can blame Sophia all you want, I don’t care. If you were as competent as you so like to point out, she would have been back by now!”
I let out an angry laugh at her audacity. “And what exactly do you expect me to do, hmm? Get a magic wand and wave it to make her appear before us?” I was fuming, this little brat had a lot of nerves talking to me in such a manner. A mere woman?
She turned red with rage at my sarcasm, her fists clenching at her sides. And I almost laugh, if she thinks she scares me, she’s definitely delusional.
“You’re really asking me that, Tom? You can use your resources, and your connections to save her. You’re one of the most powerful men in Europe, for fuck’s sake! I already told you about the fact that she met with Ivan Kozlov, he may have a strong alibi according to the police but I know better, you-”
“Enough! Daisy, not another word about that man,” I snapped, cutting her off. The mention of that name stirs up fear in me. Ivan wants revenge by all means and I was prepared to make sure I didn’t let him have his way with me. I will
The shrill ringing of my burner phone cut through my thoughts bringing me back to the present. I frowned, I wasn’t expecting a call so soon. I glanced at the screen and stiffened as soon as I’d recognized the number.
Ivan Kozlov.
Warily, I answered, the voice on the other end sending a chill down my spine, “You must be proud of yourself, Mr. Smith. I received your gift or should I say… gifts?” Ivan’s voice dripped with so much venom, enough to kill.
I cursed under my breath. Those useless bastards, they couldn’t carry out a job properly? “What do you want?” I demanded as my heart raced rapidly in my chest. I knew what this bastard was capable of, but I’ll be damned if I ever show him weakness.
Ivan chuckles darkly. “Last time you called, you promised to be good. I gave you a little condition, to sign those documents and I’ll let your daughter go. A win-win situation for everyone, but you decided to play smart,” he paused, “No, no, you weren’t smart, you acted foolishly.”
Fucking arsehole had asked for 25% shares of my International shipping company, 40% shares from my oil company, and asked to buy my bank for peanuts! As if that wasn’t enough, he had asked me to use my connections to make sure his illegal businesses get more protection from the law. I’d rather die than do that, it could jeopardize everything I’ve struggled to build.
“You asked for the impossible!” I barked, causing Daisy to flinch. I had realized too late that she was still in my office.
“How dare you? After what you did to me?” He snarled. “You think the only thing I can do to you is keep her hostage? Be prepared for battle for that little stunt you pulled yesterday.”
My blood ran cold as his words sank in. In a place of desperation, I had underestimated Ivan. I’d have to make a decision, I’d either let Sophia go or give in to his demands. Both options are still big blows to my ego.
“It’s good you can’t speak anymore,” Ivan said after a beat. “But this is far from over.”
The call disconnects.
I could feel Daisy’s suspicious gaze on me.
“Leave, why are you still here?”
“What was that about, Tom?” She asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
I knew she wouldn’t let this go. I plastered on my most convincing mask of indifference, “Nothing that concerns you, Daisy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have important matters to attend to, or need I remind you that this is work hours?”
“You have a burner phone, Tom. Don’t act like that isn’t suspicious enough.”
What is it with women and not obeying instructions?
I let out an exasperated sigh, “Do I need to report to you on everything I do? Or own? Leave! I’m not above calling security to drag you out of my office.”
“I feel like you’re hiding something, you acted really weird during that conversation and why do I feel like that was Ivan Kozlov.”
My jaws clenched, anger and frustration bubbling to the surface, threatening to spill over. “I do not have to explain myself to you, I have had enough of your meddling. I’ve tolerated your nonsense long enough.”
I pressed a button on the intercom, “Send security to my office right this instant, Rosie.”
“You’re really going to throw me out because I care and worry about your daughter? I’m not leaving, not until you tell me what’s going on. You have to tell me the-”
The door to my office opened, and the burly guards approached Daisy.
“Escort Miss Daisy out and ensure she never comes back here, ever again.”
As they ushered her out, “If every father were like you no child would want one!” She shouts.
Emotional blackmail? I scoffed at that. I’m a man, I don’t work with emotions. I had better things to think about like deciding on what to do with the situation at hand.
Sophia or everything I’ve ever worked for?