Julian #2
“But…” Sanguine & Silk is a fancy, but small company. We were starting to get traction, true, but I couldn’t yet afford to scale up like this, not without my father’s help and influence, neither of which I wanted to rely on.
“I had a look at your books, your plans.” He pauses in front of a dark wooden door with the sign ‘Conference Room Four’. “Why didn’t you ask Andras for money?”
“I didn’t want his help.” I glance back to where we came from, to the busy space and the chatter I can catch even here. “And I don’t want yours either. Sanguine & Silk is the work of my life. It’s my passion. I want it to be built and viewed as such.”
“Commendable, but rather arrogant. It’s a cutthroat world out there, Julian, especially when it concerns business. If I didn’t inject the cash I did, your company would’ve gone under.”
I pin my gaze on the floor. Was it that bad? I mean, we were struggling, and I was gone for a couple of months, but it’s not like I didn’t have savings to keep us afloat for a while. And after that…
His hand finds my cheek, stroking it gently. “I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t believe in it. Don’t waste this opportunity.”
“So what, now you own part of it, and you want a say in things?” I blurt out sharply.
He purses his lips. “I know nothing about luxurious lingerie. You are at the helm, Julian. I’m here simply to deliver you so you can make us some money.”
Ah, there he is, the businessman. I do force myself not to dwell on the fact that he used ‘us’ instead of ‘me’ or else I might just combust.
With a spark of amusement in his gaze, he pushes the door open. S&S’ Board and my PA rise from their chairs, smiles beaming on their faces.
“Mr. Corvath! Finally! Where have you been?”
I’m showered with questions, words of relief and a few scoldings too. Oh my god, I really have it back, my baby, my one and only Sanguine & Silk! Excitement and joy flood my chest. I can’t believe this—he really kept his word.
Isidoro stands by the door the entire time, watching over us like a hawk with nothing better to do. When my colleagues settle back into their seats, he slips out, just like that and without a word, the door shutting softly behind him.
“Excuse me.” I dart out of the room. “I just need a moment. Please get your reports ready.”
He isn’t in the hallway. I twist my head left and right frantically. The door to the balcony space is open, so I run outside. Benches surround a small garden with blooming hydrangea, Japanese maple and a tiny pond with lilies, and Isidoro stands in the middle of it like some lone fairy prince.
“Why did you leave?” I ask as I approach him.
He doesn’t turn. “I told you I’m not here to get in your way. I trust you will do what is best for your company. I will only step in if needed.”
“Why? You didn’t even really want to give it back to me.”
“Circumstances have changed,” he says cryptically, still not looking at me.
“Temporarily,” I remind him, stopping a few feet short of him. Any closer and I don’t know what I might do. I’m so happy I feel like my chest will burst open.
“That may be so.”
“You are being weirdly nice,” I counter.
He chuckles, giving me an over the shoulder glance that launches my pulse to the skies yet again. Seriously, what’s wrong with me? “Contrary to what your father made everyone believe, I’m not a monster. Besides, we had a deal. I’m simply fulfilling my end of it.”
I’m not so sure about the not being a monster part. I mean, who tortures a person with isolation? But I can get behind keeping one’s word. There’s honor and pride in it that we, vampires, find hard to pass over.
“Go. Don’t make them wait. I’ll be here when your meeting’s over.”
“Making sure I don’t attempt another escape?” I tease, folding my hands behind my back.
His lips curve as he looks up to the sky, the moon illuminating his face and fiery hair. “Don’t even entertain such thoughts. You are mine now, Julian Corvath, and your place is right next to me, whether willingly or in chains.”
I shiver. Not from fear or anger, not because of the threat in his voice. It’s yearning, one I’ve never experienced before, because no one has spoken to me with such conviction, like everything is already decided and not even fate can get in the way.
I press a hand to my chest, my heartbeat pounding in my wrist. I’m burning up. I need to get away from him, or I won’t be able to resist the budding need to kiss him again. Not after his fucked-up declaration.
Shit. Why does it make my knees weak? Why is heat already traveling down my spine, churning my stomach? This motherfucker has gone crazy and his insanity is infecting me too, there’s no other explanation.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” I say and run back to the conference room, not daring to turn back.
I’ll deal with Isidoro and whatever this thumping sensation is later. Now, I have a company to reclaim.
The meeting goes well. The show I must prepare a centerpiece for is at the end of the year, and while it might seem far away, there are a lot of things that go into it other than having the line ready.
And despite my and the Board’s mutual efforts, we can’t settle on a model for the showstopper.
None of the gorgeous men and women grab me, something missing from each of them, though I don’t manage to identify what.
“Don’t worry about it, Mr. Corvath. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect model soon,” Andrea, my PA, assures me as I walk her over to her desk. “Just focus on the design for now. Once you have something down, it will be easier to figure out what’s missing.”
I nod and pat her on the arm. She couldn’t be more wrong. “You’re right.” I exhale deeply. “I’m so excited about this. It’s such a big opportunity for S&S. We can leave our mark, finally break through. We aren’t wasting this.”
“It’s so good to have you back, Mr. Corvath. Everyone missed you. Please, next time if you are going on a long vacation, let us know beforehand. We were so worried!”
That’s the cover story, huh? Classic. “I will, I promise.”
She smiles, joy radiating from her. “Well, then I’ll get back to work. I need to reach out to the makeup and hair people and book them. I’ll see you later, Mr. Corvath. Let me know if you need anything.”
I swing by my office, which occupies a corner with two sides glassed off.
It’s minimalistic like the rest of the space, but all my belongings from the old HQ are there, neatly organized across the shelves and desk.
After a wave of nostalgia flushes my nerves, I grab my drawing tablet where all my sketches and unfinished designs are, and head to the balcony.
Isidoro is still there, just as he said he would be, but he’s moved over to the edge, leaning his arms on the railing.
“How did the meeting go?” he asks despite me doing my best not to alert him to my presence just yet.
My shoulders relax. “It went well. I’m excited about the upcoming show. How did you even get S&S on it?”
He smiles ever so slightly. “Ah, I see Andrea told you…”
“Of course she did. She’s my PA.”
“I have my ways.” He turns around fully, giving me a once-over. “Don’t blow this, and perhaps I can teach you a trick or two.”
Shaking my head, I let him lead the way to the elevator. “You’re so full of it, you know that?”
“I wouldn’t be where I am if I wasn’t,” he counters in a casual tone, raising an eyebrow as he throws me yet another glance.
What’s with all the looking? I resist the urge to hug myself. It’s making me self-conscious. But I guess he’s right. My father was equally arrogant, though for some reason, it looks so much better on Isidoro.
Jesus, Julian! Get a grip! Don’t be going all soft now just because he kissed you!
The narrow elevator space feels confining with just the two of us inside.
Now that the euphoria of having my company back has settled, I’m way overly aware of what happened earlier, what we did in the car.
Goosebumps cover me from head to toe, the air suddenly heavy like a storm is preparing to hit.
“Have you decided on your piece?” he asks.
“You know about that, too?” He gives me a ‘duh, what do you think’ look. I shrug. “I have some ideas, but no model yet.”
“You can use my connections if you wish.”
The elevator dings as we reach the first floor, the doors swooshing open. “Why, of course Isidoro Altamirano has connections in the fashion and modeling industry.”
“When you’ve lived as long as I have, you quickly come to understand that no connection is ever wasted.”
I snort. “Hold on. Let me take out my phone and make a note of this glaringly obvious fact. Duh, no shit.” As we board the car and head back to his mansion, I gasp in mock-shock. “Oh, shit, don’t tell me it took you hundreds of years to figure that out? It’s like vampire wealth building 101.”
He’s about to say something when his phone rings. As he looks at the caller ID, ripples appear across his forehead. “I have to take this.”
I nod and busy myself with some doodling. It’s a work call, something to do with the Las Vegas construction project again. He doesn’t sound pleased, which is understandable, but he works out a solution to mitigate the increased costs by the time we arrive at his mansion.
“I’ll be in my study. I have some more work, so I’ll appreciate it if you didn’t bother me.”
Cold, ouch. His words irk me a little, but I nod. “Sure, whatever. It’s not like I was planning to bother you anyway.”
A phantom of a smile touches his lips. “Good night, Julian.”
“Good night,” I say and watch him go up the stairs as the gloom of the house slowly swallows his willowy form.