A Billionaire’s Ruse

Edward had gotten the money and now it was time to end things cleanly.

“Emily, wait a little more for me. I will make things right again.” He said, staring at the ring hanging in front of him.

*****

Edwards Stirling is not whom the Thortons believed him to be. He was a street thug, who was on the run for years.

Edward was from a small town in Europe called Holbeach. He grew up in a poor family and he lost both parents at a tender age to community unrest.

He had to fight for everything he needed. He was always looking for a way to get ahead, and he wasn’t afraid to break the rules to do it.

When he was a teenager, he started dealing drugs, and he quickly became successful.

But he wanted more, and he started getting involved in human trafficking. He found that he was good at it, and it brought him a lot of money. But it also brought him a lot of enemies, and he had to be constantly on guard.

One day, he was approached by a man who offered him a deal. The man wanted Edward to kidnap someone for him, and he promised that it would be worth Edward’s while. Edward accepted the deal, and that’s how he got into the kidnapping business.

Edward had never regretted his choices nor his actions. Even though they’ve led him down a dark path.

He saw himself as a survivor. Someone who had to do whatever it takes to get ahead. But there were cracks in his armor. Cracks that he refused not acknowledge.

He sometimes finds himself wondering why he had become like this, so brutal, but the next minute, he puts the thought away and continued living his life in reckless abandon.

His character was ruthless and calculating, always looking for ways to make money, no matter the cost.

He did not care who he hurts in the process, and he was willing to do anything to get what he want. His eyes are cold and calculating, and his smile is always a bit too wide, a snare.

Edward was on the run from the feds and he flew to New York City to escape them. Things had gone wrong in a kidnapping mission and he had lost most of his men in that operation.

His contact had gone cold and his contractor had ratted him out. He had to stow away to New York on a freight train.

When Edward got into town, he laid low for a while and did his best to gain the heart of those around him.

That was when he heard of a wealthy family who needed a suitor for their daughter. This seemed to be just the right gig for him.

He showed up with the thought that he would use Emily, her money and connections to cover up his criminal activities.

He also intended to use her influence to build up his own power and status back in his hometown. But even as his power grew, he never felt satisfied. He grew selfish. There was always more that he wanted, more that he needed.

Recently, his past caught up with him and he needed funds to shut it. He had never asked Emily for this high amounts before now, but the urgency of the matter made him irrational and he began giving her attitude when she turned him down.

****

Emily heaved a sigh of relief and stood up and headed for the bathroom.

For the past two months that Edward had asked her for this money and she did not indulge him, he had refused to stay in the same room. Though this did not actually bother Emily. She is an only child and was used to sleeping alone.

But the fact that he suddenly shouts at her was a major cause of conern for Emily. Most times, he even threatened to leave her and for days, he also avoided her.

Emily knew something was wrong somewhere and all these while, she had been trying to lay her hand on that something but to no avail.

She believed Edward is keeping something huge from her, but she just can’t wrap her head around it.

Emily’s POV

I will be seeing Jim this morning, I needed to talk to him.

Yes, it’s been long, but I need clarity. I need closure.

“Hello Jim.” I greeted as I walked in to the cafe. I was surprised no one else was there. It is still rush hour.

“Hi Emily. How are you?” Jim responded, standing up to give me a side hug.

“I’m great. It’s so good to see you again so soon Jim.” I said excitedly and he rewarded me with his charming smiled.

“Why is it that no one else is here?” I asked him, looking around.

After hesitating a little bit, he told me shyly that he got the whole space for two hours to talk with me, without interruption.

I felt honored, Jim has a pure soul. I touched my heart, “I am touched Jim.”

“So, what will you like to have.” He asked me, standing up and heading to the counter.

“A cup of black coffee..”

“With two spoonful of sugar.” We both laughed. “You have not changed a bit Emily. It is refreshing.”

I smiled at him as he brought my cup of black sweetness. Jim seemed to be outspoken too. No more the shy boy I knew. It was refreshing.

“Thanks Jim.” I said, inhaling the sweet aroma before a taking a sip of it. I dropped it on the table as I faced Jim and got serious

“Jim”, I began “I want to first and foremost apologize to you and James in absence, for all that happened those years ago. I am so sorry for all that happened.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Jim was silent as be looked at me with emotions written all over his face.

“I disappointed James the most. He was always there for me, but I was just too busy then.

And the worst of all, my mom.” I sighed with a year streaking down my face as the memory of that moment came crashing on me