56. Steal Your Dad

“It’s alright. Everyone makes mistakes.” Dakota’s voice cuts through the air, leaving me surprised by his unexpectedly gracious words.
“You are absolutely right, Mr. Black. Thank you for being so considerate.” Carina replies with an extra spoon of sweetness, something I never knew she was capable of.
Dakota takes his time to read the file page-by-page while I sit quietly, but just as alert, observing him, and the sudden change in his mood.
*Is he still plotting his revenge, or did he astral travel in his sleep and someone else woke up in his god body?*
“Caa-fee?” Martina kindly extends a cup to me, and I smile, thanking her.
The warmth from the ceramic soothes my cold hands as I slowly lift the cup to take a sip of the dark chocolatey liquid. The cream leaves a faint trace of mustache on my lips and I lick it away in slow motion when I suddenly sense something..
I furrow my brow and shift my attention to Dakota, who is staring back at me with a strange amusement in his eyes. Though he is holding a stack of papers in his hand, it seems like he is reading me.
I blink at him as a mysterious smile plays on his lips. Shaking his head, Dakota turns his gaze away and fires an unexpected question. “When are you planning to make it live?”
“Monday.” Carina promptly responds. “Once it clears from your side, I will update the interview tomorrow itself.”
“Alright, then.” Dakota exhales. He sets the file aside and hits a few emails on his phone saying, “I’ll ask my lawyer to withdraw the lawsuit against your company once the interview and your apology are published.”
*Wait.. Is he serious?*
Carina’s eyes light up and she takes a gasp, “Thank you, Mr. Black! Thank you so much for reconsidering over the legal matter and giving my company another opportunity to collaborate with you.”
Dakota gives her a respectable nod and hands her a brown file stating, “But you have to sign an agreement of consolidation, where you are not authorized to publish anything against me or my company, without my permission. That’s my condition.”
With an air of confidence, Dakota casually sits back with his magical ability to manipulate any situation to his advantage, and stares at Carina’s fused face.
She thought she could charm her way through this negotiation, but she forgot that she was dealing with an evil genius.
A mastermind in her own game.
“I understand.” She gulps under pressure as she picks up the pen and sign the documents. It is clear that she would agree to just anything to shield her company from looming legal battles.
“And as for you, Ms. Stone. I would like you to serve as a witness for the reconciliation of this agreement.”
I look up at him, watching how smoothly he pulls out a pen from his t-shirt’s pocket, all while keeping his unflinching, authoritative gaze at me.
*How can someone look so charming and dangerous at the same time?*
“Emara..” He whispers my name in his deep voice, “You okay?”
Once again his ocean deep eyes dive into mine, speaking to me in a language different from his lips. I see no trace of anger, vengeance or even toxicity in them, as if they are left untouched by the storm I have witnessed in him.
*Maybe he is a really good actor along with being a master in manipulation.*
I give him a subtle nod and his lips curve into a professional smile as he instructs me, “Sign here.”
I force my gaze towards the papers before me, the ones I earned by being his personal whore for all these nights.
The sacrifices I have made- my dignity, my grace, my body and the nights I have spent entangled in his dark world.. It all coming to an end.
Taking the pen from his outstretched hand, I sign the papers to my freedom.
“Also, what is your email id?” Dakota asks me while drafting a mail on his phone, “I will send you the digital copy once it is turned into a legal document.”
“I rock.. and you suck.” I tell him and slowly he lifts his piercing gaze at me, almost burning a hole through me.
“At g-mail dot com.” I whisper, feeling the heat of embarrassment radiating from my flushed face.
Dakota narrows his eyes at me and I can practically hear his voice in my head, telling me how childish I am and how he thinks of himself as a pedophile because of me.
Maybe I should change my email ID into something that sounds mature, something like GrownUpGoddess or how about YesYesOhGodYes? *That’s pretty mature!*
“How is the progress on wolf book going on?” Dakota casually asks my editor and my heart almost jumps out of my mouth. *Why does he wants to know?*
“The editing of the first book should be wrapped up by the end of this month. And once we decide on the cover, it will be off to our printing press.” Carina responds, her voice laced with a strange kind of enthusiasm.
“And when’s the launch?” Dakota asks, with a hint of curiosity.
*WHY IS HE EVEN INTERESTED?*
I fidget anxiously on my spot as Carina replies, “Should be at the end of the year.” Her gaze meets mine and once again, a sly smirk flashes across her lips.
My heart is practically pounding in my ears like drums. Carina’s suspicion and Dakota’s sudden interest in my romantic-smut book is sending my anxiety through the roof.
*This can’t be happening!*
“Good. Continue the momentum.” Dakota tells her, before stacking the files as a clue to conclude the meeting.
Carina, ever the opportunist picks herself with a practiced grace. “Thank you, Mr. Black. It’s been a privilege to meet you. I will never forget your mercy.”
She then turns her attention to me, that smirk never leaves her lips as she says, “Emara, now that you are in the city, maybe we should discuss your book’s cover later in my offic-”
“I need to speak with Ms. Stone on another matter. You may leave first.” Dakota interrupts her, leaving no room for debate.
“Of course!” The grin on Carina’s face widens as she looks straight into my eyes and says, “I understand.”
*Oh god! What did she understand?*