Chapter 4: The Invitation

"You can't measure what's inside a man's heart."

-Joe Rogan-

***

Ian was amused by this woman. Her expression seemed so serious as she gazed right through him. This woman did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point. He thought he should do the same if he did not want to get on her bad side.

“I have told you before. I am a friend of Wilfred and he asked me to take care of you. So, here I am. You should also know that I am a business partner of his and I got an invitation to be here.” She was speechless. He did not lie about it, after all.

“Don’t worry, let’s consider us good. Now, should we talk about business. I will explain everything that you need to know about my role here and your assistant right there could confirm it if he wants to.” He turned his gaze to Ezra, who stared back at him with a displeased gaze.

“Okay, let’s talk business.” Victoria agreed. The two of them ended up having a conversation for nearly half an hour. It turned out he owned a considerable amount of stock in the business. Nearly thirty percent to be exact.

While Wilfred left her with fifty percent of it and the remaining was spread among the five men from earlier and some random people around the world.

After her, he had the largest share. Victoria knew right then she would get involved a lot with this man in the future.

“Now, I think that’s enough talking about business, Mrs. Darlington. Anyway, since we are going to see each other a lot in the future, can I call you Victoria instead?” He asked.

“Sure. You can call me Victoria. Should I also call you by your first name, Octavian?” She asked back. He smiled as the sound of his name escaped her lips for the first time.

“No. Call me Ian. Octavian sounds too formal. The people closest to me call me Ian. We will be pretty close so you can also call me that.” He explained.

“Okay, Ian. Now, the meeting is done, I have some other things to do. It was nice meeting you.” She was about to leave but was quickly stopped by him.

“Wait a minute. There is one more thing I need to talk about. Will you hear me out?” He asked as he gestured for her to sit back down. She wondered what else he wanted.

“I am all ears.” She replied. Both of them were seated and he pulled out an envelope from his pocket and gave it to her.

“There will be a birthday party for my godson. They want me to bring company and I can think of any better choice than you. Are you willing to come with me? Consider this the start of our good relationship.” He offered.

“I have nothing to do with this. Our relationship is strictly professional and I am sure you have other women you can invite along with you, Ian.” She replied firmly.

She could tell he was trying to get closer to her on a personal level and she was not feeling comfortable with it. Especially since she was still mourning for her husband.

“Would you change your mind if I say please? I have never brought anyone to these parties and those who don’t know me have spread rumors that I might be gay. I just want to prove them wrong and shut them up. Would you help me, just this one time.” He pleaded.

She thought his reasoning was ridiculous. However, when he asked her so nicely like that after the business talk they just did, somehow she found it difficult to say no.

“Okay, I will attend the party. But I want you to reassure my safety. Can you do that?” She asked. The only reason why she was saying this was because a lot of people knew her and what happened.

Those who disliked the family and business, their rivals, would likely make a move against her and she couldn’t have that.

“Don’t worry, Victoria. When you are with me, no one will be able to touch you. I will guarantee your safety.” After a few seconds of silence, Victoria finally nodded.

“Okay, good. I have your number, I will give mine to you and we can discuss this further later. Now, please excuse me.” She left the meeting room before he did and once again, Ian was left watching her from the back.

 Several thoughts ran into his mind at the moment and he decided it would be back if he went back home first.

As soon as he got in the car, he picked up the gun from the storage and placed it in his belt again. His right hand man, Lucas who was driving the car saw him looking both pleased and slightly disturbed at the same time.

“How was the meeting with that woman go?” He asked.

“She’s a lot more different than what they say. The woman I just met, she’s not a dumb rich heiress. I think I need to be a bit more careful around her. At the same time, she intrigues me as well.” She admitted. Lucas sighed when he heard it.

“Don’t get distracted, boss. You have been wanting to take over Darlington’s business for so long. Now that Wilfred is dead and his replacement is a woman with no experience of the business, it’s the perfect time to make a move" He sat down before he continued.

"You already own thirty percent of the company’s stock. If you can get that woman to sell at least twenty percent of her part, you can seize control of her business.”

“Yes. Don’t worry. I know what I have to do. Anyway, has the shipment to Manchester arrived yet?” He asked.

“It did two hours ago. Our men in there will handle the rest. The production of our cannabis has doubled this year. We are making a great progress, but now that we have expanded all over the UK, we’re going to gain some attention.”

“Exactly. We’re going to increase the security. I will also need some of our men to guard me and Victoria during our trip to my godson’s birthday party. I have reassured her safety.” Lucas nodded and started driving away.

A few hours later, work was done and Victoria returned home. Once she arrived, she was welcomed by Darius who had been waiting for her at the front door.

“Good evening, madame. I have prepared your bath for you and dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes. Would you like to have anything else?” He asked.

“Thank you, Darius. No, I don’t have any other request. I will just take a bath, have dinner and head back to bed. Tomorrow is Sunday, you can take a day off if you want to.” She told him before heading upstairs.

“Okay, madame. Then, I will be waiting for you in the dining room.” He excused himself and Victoria headed upstairs.

As she was taking shower, Darius headed to the dining room to prepare dinner for her. One thing bothered him when he saw her coming back. It was a new watch on her wrist. The thing was not there before, yet it was there now.

Judging from Victoria’s personality, she was not the kind of person who would go out and make such massive purchase herself. Someone else must have gifted it to her, but who?

Darius had been watching her the entire time, because Wilfred had asked him to keep an eye on her, even when he was alive. Both for protection and for surveillance. As far as he knew, she did not know other people outside of her female friends.

Her relationship with the men around her had always been platonic as well. She never had an affair or a secret lover.

Darius knew how much she loved Wilfred and there was no way she would betray him. So for her to seek other men so soon after his death was unlikely.

“It looks like I need to look further into this matter.” He whispered.

“Darius, is dinner ready?” She asked.

“Yes madame, would you like me to accompany you for dinner as well tonight?”

“Yes, from now on, you will always have a meal with me.”

When Darius heard it, he felt warm inside. Before him was a woman he respected so much. He would do anything for her.

Even if that meant getting rid of any pest bothering her.