30. Omniscient
Chapter thirty
Omniscient
L uca sat drinking his coffee as he waited for his guest of honor that was already fifteen minutes late. Better late than early, he thought to himself because had this particular guest come a little earlier, there would have been a shitstorm.
Looking out of the window, he could see Archer’s back as Delilah held his face in her hands. Eventually, they’d kissed, and Luca watched them as he tilted his head in deep thought.
He could only imagine how sweet her lips would have been, how loving her hands would be .
God, I’m a sociopath, he thought once again, and he heard something being placed on the table in front of him. He looked over to see Stephan taking a seat as he slid over what looked to be a folder. He had bags under his eyes, and his hair was disheveled. Luca could smell the despair that was radiating off of his clothes as well as the whiskey on his breath.
“You look like shit,” Luca commented, and Stephan smiled.
“Well, I feel the way I look,” he responded and sighed as he lost the small grin and continued. “My father admitted that he was just using me… I’ve worked so hard for the last ten years for him only to find out it meant nothing and was going to lead to nothing.”
Luca sighed as he took another sip of his coffee. “Are you done?” he asked, and Stephan glared at him. Luca shrugged as he placed the drink back down. “I mean, you must’ve said this to Archer, to my father, to your mother, and yourself about a million times. Not in the mood to hear sob stories today.”
“Then what do you want to hear?” Stephan asked, and Luca sighed, feeling annoyed.
“Archer and Delilah cannot be together. If that happens, you lose the business, and I lose to your brother. Something about the idea of an imperfect golden boy and a spoiled princess living happily ever after doesn’t leave a good taste in my mouth. I need you to find everything you can about your father’s plans for Delilah and Archer. Do you have anything else that could serve as useful?”
“Brielle’s brother works for my father and almost killed Delilah’s biological mother. Her biological father wants to find her.”
Luca nearly choked on his spit. “Brother? Biological parents? How haven’t you all actually killed each other yet?” he asked, and Stephan sighed.
“We all have our secrets, some darker and more significant than others,” he mumbled as Luca opened the folder on the table, already having most of the information needed.
“Where do we go from here?” Stephan muttered, folding his hands, and Luca smiled.
“Well, Stephan, we just need to figure out a way to tear these families apart.”
Stephan bit his lip as he tilted his head. “And how are we going to do that?”
Luca responded, taking the last sip of his coffee, “When we have enough evidence, we’re just going to show Killian what he’s been missing out on. And once he’s in the loop of things, father dearest will ultimately do the destroying himself.”
Blaine walked up to Shin’s house and scoffed as he read the pure gold plaque that read “MASAHIKO FAMILY” in Japanese.
“Self-centered much?” he whispered to himself before he knocked on the door.
A few seconds went by, and Jin opened the door. “Can I help you, Uncle Blaine?” he asked, and Blaine entered, pushing the young boy aside.
“Where’s Mommy Mulan and Daddy Shang? I need to speak to them.”
Jin paused for a moment before shaking his head. “You know, we’re learning about diversity and inclusion in school right now, and I think my professor would be absolutely horrified by what comes out of your mouth. That said, they’re in my father’s office.”
Blaine nodded, walked over to the office, and opened the door. There, he saw Hana on her way out of the room as he entered.
“Hello, sister-in-law. I haven’t eaten all day. Can you please help me while I talk to Shin?”
She smiled as she patted his shoulder. “Don’t lie to me, Blaine. Maia wouldn’t have let you leave the house if you didn’t. But I’ll make you something.” She stepped out of the room.
Shin sighed as he fixed his suit. “My wife is no longer allowed to cook for you when you come over. She always does so without hesitation.”
Blaine pouted. “Is someone a little jealous?” he asked, and Shin rolled his eyes.
“Of course I am. Now what do you want?” Shin asked.
Blaine clasped his hands before his mouth and breathed his following words:
“Help me spy on Eugene.”
Shin tilted his head. “Newman?” he asked.
Blaine rolled his eyes as he dropped his hands. “No, Eugene fucking Smith. Of course Eugene Newman! He’s hiding something,” he urged, and Shin shrugged.
“Well, Newman is always hiding something.”
Blaine nodded as he crossed his arms. “I know, but something is different lately. He’s not at home as much. Juliet seems to be hiding the fact that she’s worried about him, and he’s been off the grid a good few hours out of the day.”
“Trace his cell,” Shin uttered, and Blaine shook his head.
“Already did that. He’s keeping it at home and using a burner... I think he’s working for Calvin again.”
“Why would he do that?” Shin asked, and Blaine shook his head.
“I don’t know. All I know is that the motherfucker is shady, and we need to figure out what he’s up to before we’re too late and he tries to kill someone again. Quite frankly, you are also the only one I’ve talked to so far who seems willing to listen to me rant without making me feel like I’m going insane. I won’t bring it to Killian yet until I know for sure... But I can’t catch him alone. You’ll help me… right, Daddy Shang?” he asked.
Shin rolled his eyes at his antics as he responded, “Don’t ever call me that again—and yes, I’ll help you.”