Chapter 7

• Sanaya’s P.O.V
• It was two days after Lancelin had left with Antony that Trevina called to get an update on him. To say that she was furious to find him gone would be an understatement.
• “He went without me? How could he? Tell him to call me as soon as he gets back!” Were her exact words and her tone had made me want to dig up the floor and burrow my head in it. How did Lancelin tolerate her for six years?
• I was kinda worried that she might just quit even before the contract has been made, but also, I felt weirdly relieved that she might not be working for us anymore. But honestly, the only reason I could feel relieved for her leaving would be because she was Lance’s ex and that she was drop dead gorgeous and Lance just might get back together with her if given the chance...which all led back to me being jealous of her relationship with my Boss…which I had no reason to be, jealous I mean.
• Other women weren’t the cause of my concern because Lance hardly spent more than one night with them, but Trisha. Her he had history with; a six-year long history. Honestly, I didn’t know why I would even feel jealous when Lance has done nothing but treat me like shit since the moment I’ve set foot in his office. He’s judged me on the basis of my appearance; hasn’t trusted me with any confidential matters even when I am his Secretary; barked order after useless order when he knew I was capable of doing a lot more than collecting age old files and arranging them alphabetically and last but not the least, made sure that I couldn’t leave HQ until the clock struck midnight. But despite all that, I felt this odd possessiveness towards him that I couldn’t explain. A possessiveness that had made me eavesdrop on Lancelin and Trisha’s conversation when I’d never made such a huge blunder in my life.
• And it was because of that same possessiveness that I now wished with all my heart that Trevina McKinley would fall of a very stiff cliff and die!
• I nearly dropped all the files in my hand as the thought crossed my mind. Damn it! What was Lancelin Eustis turning me into? I’ve never had such thoughts about anyone in my life…okay maybe that one time when Lola Hudson tried to get Keith drunk and sleep with him during a party in our second year of college. Fortunately for me, Keith had figured out the same thing I had and stayed as far away from Lola as humanly possible. Keith was committed to me; however, Lancelin has no ties to anyone whatsoever.
• I arranged all the files I’d shortlisted as the most important and placed them in his desk. I’ve also made a list of all the important calls that I’d received while Lancelin was away and also made a separate list for the calls that needed to be returned ASAP. I did not however, like the fact that Trevina’s name was on top of that urgent list. At exactly 7.45 AM, I’d rushed down to the canteen to get Lancelin his favorite cup of coffee, black with no milk or sugar, and placed it on his desk as the clock struck 7.57 AM and the private elevator door dinged open and Lancelin Eustis came through in all his glory.
• What surprised me; however was the fact that Lancelin was actually dressed up. A charcoal black Armani suit with black on black designs paired with black dress pants and a wine red shirt to go with the attire, he looked like a Greek God who’d donned modern clothing. Not a single hair was out of place but I could see the tiredness in his eyes.
• “Welcome back, Mr. Eustis. Did you get enough rest on your way back?” I asked out of concern.
• Lancelin looked at me surprised, as if he hadn’t expected to see me, but then he nodded his head. “I’m fine. Any calls that need immediate answering?” He asked as he came around his desk and sat on his chair.
• I grit my teeth before answering him. “I have a list made, Mr. Eustis, its right in front of you.” I pointed to the notepad I’d placed alongside his coffee.
• “I see.” He picked up the notepad and went through the messages that were on the first three pages, that I’d written down from business associates and Hotel managers who needed something urgently. And then he turned to the page that had the ‘call back urgently’ caption on top.
• I watched as he frowned, picked up his coffee with his free hand and took a sip and then placed it down again. He looked up at me. “What did Ms. McKinley have to say?” he asked the dreaded question.
• “She…um…” Should I give it to him straight that his ex was throwing a tantrum or be more polite about it? “Ms. McKinley wanted to know how you could leave without her and has demanded that you call her as soon as you get back.” I decided to be polite with a twist.
• “Did she now?” Lancelin looked back at the notepad while taking another sip of coffee. “Ms. Johnson, connect me to…Mr. Riley from the West Wing Hostel divisions.”
• I was taken aback that Lancelin so promptly ignored Trevina’s ‘request’, but a part of me was secretly happy dancing at the back of my mind. “Sure Sir.” I made the call.
• Lancelin’s P.O.V
• I made sure to call every single person Sanaya had on that list before deciding to call Trevina. But it turns out; I didn’t have to call her after all.
• “Mr. Eustis, Ms. McKinley is here to see you.” Sanaya announced at 7.49 in the evening. “Reception tried to stop her since she doesn’t have an appointment, but she didn’t stop. She’s coming here now and will arrive within 5 minutes.”
• “Thank you Ms. Johnson.” By the surprise on her face I knew she wasn’t used to compliments from me. I signed the files that required immediate attention and handed them to her. “Run these files through legal and tell them to get it done my tomorrow or the day after at the most. And you can go home for today Ms. Johnson; I won’t be needing you further.”
• “Sir?” She asked, startled.
• “Yes, Ms. Johnson?” I asked, raising my brows.
• “No Sir…it’s nothing…” She lowered her gaze and began picking up the files.
• “Good.” I said just as the elevator doors dinged open. “I’ll see you tomorrow Ms. Johnson.”
• Trevina came inside my cabin just as Sanaya gathered all the files and left for the door. I didn’t catch what expression Sanaya had on her face but I did see the rim of red surrounding Trevina’s blue eyes as she walked into my room. The elevator doors closed a few seconds later, telling me that we were well and truly alone on this floor. Good. This is one conversation I don’t want anyone eavesdropping on.
• “Trevina.” I greeted, motioning towards the chairs on the other side of the desk, but she remained standing. Today she wore a baby pink dress that hung off her shoulders and reached just above her knees. Trying to portray the innocent little girl was she? Too bad not everyone missed the viper in a pretty dress.
• “How could you!” She hissed out. “You went to Prince Erick’s wedding without me! How could you?”
• “Did you get an invite?” I asked her calmly, leaning back on my chair and crossing my fingers in front of me. I hadn’t had time to change this morning when I returned back from the Vampiara Castle, as a result, I was still in the outfit I wore to Erick’s wedding.
• Trevina looked taken aback by the question. “No…I mean, I thought-“
• “That I’d take you with me as my date?” I laughed humorlessly. “The invitations were sent out only to the Prince or Princesses of all the Dimensions, any extras that came with them were either their most trusted servants or their wives/husbands, fiancé’s or consorts, none of the categories you fit in. So tell me, Trevina, why should I have taken you with me?”
• The red receded from her eyes, as she stood stunned and desperately trying to control her reaction. For someone who doesn’t know her, it’s very difficult to rattle Trevina McKinley, or should I say…Melinda Valentino. It’s too bad I’d already dipped into that Viper’s pit and come out alive. “You are working for me, Melinda. Make sure you don’t forget that.” I told her before handing her a file. “That’s your official contract. I’d like you to sign on the dotted lines before you leave my cabin.”
• “Is that an order, Your Highness?” Her voice was pure menace and it made me smile.
• “Only if you prove to be too difficult.”
• She glared daggers at me before snatching the contract and a pen and signing on the dotted lines that binds her to Reefwood for the duration my hotel isn’t in top shape. Signature done, she slammed the papers and pen on the desk and headed out with a dramatic flip of her hair.
• However, she stopped just before the elevator doors opened and turned to face me. “This isn’t over yet, Lancelin Eustis. You’ll pay for the insult.”
• The elevator doors shut just after her famous last words. She’s right though, this isn’t over. Two hundred years ago, she played a game that nearly ruined mine and Antony’s life and now she’s back again. But this time, I’ll be the one planning the endgame.