The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

A few hours of sleep couldn’t compensate for my exhaustion. I needed the whole day or even a week. Then I woke up with a horrible hangover headache in the hotel room and still wearing the same clothes from yesterday.

I went to the men’s boutique on the corner to buy a new set of clothes before I took the quickest shower because I had an appointment with my father.

And then, there was still a heavy yet hollow feeling in my chest whenever I thought of London. I didn’t even know how we ended up here-in this situation, but I was giving her what she desired.

I stopped by the coffee shop to grab the caffeine I badly needed-I needed a clear head before facing my father.

I was about to sip my coffee when my phone rang. It was Linden.

I answered it before he called everyone asking about me. “Yeah?”

“Glad you’re still alive.” His voice had humor, but I knew what this call was about.

“Thanks for the concern. I’m headed to my father.”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“Want me to come with you?”

“You know, your assistance, driving me, calling me, showing in time, it begins to annoy me. Sometimes, I think you shoved a tracking chip in my ass.”

He laughed out loud. “In your ass? That’s a terrific idea. I’m just checking to see if you’re okay. Can we meet later?”

“I’d be busy the whole day. I have a lot of things to settle. Can’t make it.”

“You’re ignoring me and not dealing with your pain nicely.”

“Nicely? Fuck you, Gabe. But I’m fine. In fact, I’m searching for a good divorce lawyer.”

“Jesus, man. Don’t do this. Or wait until she sends you the divorce notice.”

“She asked for it. Then she gets it. That’s how considerate I am with her.”

“She’s probably confused or dealing with something. Let me find it out before you make a bold decision. This is not something you decide overnight, Cade. You both need a couple’s therapy, not immediately jumping into divorce.”

“I got to go. I’m in front of Braddson.”

“Think about what I said.”

“Sure.”

I went to the reception. “Hi. I’m here to see Moses Braddson.”

She smiled politely and gestured. “Sure, sir. Go ahead.” Well, that was fast that had me questioning in my mind.

I arched a brow. She didn’t even ask for my appointment or give me a visitor card. “Thanks.”

While in the elevator, I checked my phone, expecting a long apology text or a miscall, but nada. My wife was earnest about the divorce. I shook my head in disappointment.

“Mr. Cade. Good to see you.” A woman in her forties welcomed me with a bright smile.

“Thanks. I’m here to see Moses.”

“I’m Fiona. Like Shrek’s Fiona.”

“Nice to meet you, Fiona.” I smiled even if my heart was not bleeding because why not? I left my issue outside this building.

“Go ahead. Mr. Bradsson is in his office.”

“Thank you.” I blew a breath before I entered.

His office was spacious with gray walls, a long solid wood desk, a dark cabinet with a few aeronautic books, and miniature fighter jet models.

“Son?” He quickly stood up from his chair and met me halfway to hug me. Then he stared at me in confusion. “When was the last you slept?”

“Last night.”

“You look like shit.”

I chuckled. “Thanks, Moses. That’s kind of you.”

“Sit down. Would you like some coffee?”

I sat down. The view from my angle was magnificent. “No. If you have-”

“No alcohol in the morning, Striker.”

“Just water, then.”

“A good cure for a hangover.”

“It’s Linden.” I shook my head in amusement. “He called you, didn’t he?”

“No. Why would he? What’s wrong?”

I ignored his question. “Nice office. Why was everyone looking at me like I had just saved the world from the Chitauri?”

“From what?”

“Alien. They know?”

“Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”

“No.” I shrugged.

“Don’t ignore my question, son. You look like you’re carrying this entire building over your shoulder. What’s going on?” He came with bottled water and a glass.

“I want a good divorce lawyer.”

He stopped pouring into the glass with a look as if I had just told him I had stolen his billions. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

“You’re divorcing your wife? You haven’t even been married for two weeks, and here you are talking about divorce. What the hell, Striker?”

“We’re married for ten days.”

His eyes still narrowed. “Oh. That’s good. Your brain is still working. Why in the hell would you want to get divorced?”

“She asked for it?”

“Did you ask why?”

“She said she doesn’t care about me. She’s just using me to get what she wished for from her father.”

“That’s not true.” He poured water into the glass and offered it to me. “Drink.”

I took it and drank. “You don’t know anything, Moses.”

“I beg to disagree. Let me guess. Your dad has no idea what’s going on. That’s why you’re here.”

“I’m here to talk to you about something.”

“Okay.” He went to his desk and opened a drawer. He came back and gave me a white envelope.

“What’s this?” I took it.

“A cheque to pay Linus.”

I dropped it on the coffee table as if it burned my hand. “No. Not until I signed some agreements.”

“You’ll pay for it when you get ten percent from your shares.”

“Shares?” I began laughing like a lunatic. Tears formed in my eyes. “Share in what? What the hell are you talking about?”

My father just chuckled and smiled at me. “Do you think I owned this company alone? You secretly owned thirty-five percent of my net worth.”

My laugh faded instantly. My heart was in my throat. “What the fuck are you talking about, Moses?” I looked at him like I’d seen a ghost-like someone had just thrown a cold bucket of water into my face.

“Language.”

“No. Tell me, how did I own a share?” I pointed at him. “Share in Hover?”

“Yes, and shares in all its subsidiaries. I don’t need your consent to invest for you. If you want me to transfer them to your account, I will do it.”

“No. I don’t want it. And this one.” I pointed at the envelope on the table. “How much is in there? Never mind. How did you know?”

“Your dad called me not to give you if you ask something from me.”

“Then why did you do it?”

“Because you’re my son. I will help you when you’re in need. But a divorce lawyer? No. I’m not doing shit for you. Let the dust settle. Get a vacation, then think before you do because this is a marriage you’re talking about, Striker, not buying a carton of milk in the grocery store.”

“Fine. I’ll do it on my own.” I stood up and fixed my suit.

“Sit down, son.”

“No, Moses. If you can’t help me, then I will find a lawyer on my own.”

“Stubborn. Aren’t you a little bit curious about why Linus wanted you for his daughter? Why he handpicked you?”