Chapter 19

Julian went to the exit door and met Abhay at the back of the auditorium. He had already warned all his men inside the auditorium to keep their eyes glued to Sia since he was only going to step out for a moment to check on the men he had situated at any possible point of entry and exit within the area. As soon as he reached Abhay after doing a perimeter sweep, he earned a whistle from the other devil.
“Not bad, Lucifer. The designer seems to be doing a good job on your fashion sense,” Abhay mocked while giving Julian a once-over.
“You’re not bad yourself, Beelzi.” Julian smirked as Abhay made a face at the nickname.
Since the two of them were known as troublemakers, their team liked to call them with special nicknames. If Julian was Lucifer, then Abhay was Beelzebub. The bad boys from hell. Although Abhay didn’t have quite a reputation as Julian, he had earned the nickname because of his close friendship with Julian. But nicknames aside, Abhay looked nice in a deep green full sleeve sweater and faded blue jeans. Julian was positive a lot of the women in the room were eyeing them up like they were fresh slabs of meat.
“You think that might help me get lucky tonight?” Abhay smirked back.
“You wish,” Julian said, earning a laugh from his friend, then turned back to serious matters. “Now, why did you want to meet me this urgently?”
“I found some more emails in Arthur’s accounts.” Abhay’s voice turned serious as well.
“But you said they had all been scrubbed clean,” Julian said.
“I did, and they were.” Abhay paused. “But did you know that Arthur’s middle name is Theodor? It’s hardly mentioned anywhere, but I sniffed out one article where his full name was used. And from there, I searched for his email IDs with that name”.
“You found something.” It was more of statement than a question.
“I don’t know exactly what I found Julian, but the bankruptcy of Milton Incorporated . . . wasn’t normal. He was giving instructions to someone to rob the Miltons which I could pretty much figure out because he sent short—but clear—instructions. And then there was a sudden booking of a flight to Australia and renting of an apartment under the name of Brandon Tucker. I checked out all of Milton Incorporated’s previous employees and found no one by that name, so I had to find Tucker’s ID from Australia’s database. Tucker matched a guy named Brad Millar who used to work for the Miltons. Millar was sent to Australia a few days before Arthur himself came in the picture with the marriage proposal.”
Dread settled over both of them, but it was Julian who spoke next, his words fuelled by anger. “Bastard planned it! He wanted to get his filthy hands on her!” he gritted out.
Right then the whole auditorium thundered with applause, and both men turned to watch Sia bow to the crowd while all ten of her models stood around her clapping. Julian had never seen Sia smile so happily, and it made his chest tighten with feelings he didn’t knew he was capable of feeling toward another person. Fierce pride and adoration were the first emotions that filled his mind . . . along with love. At that moment, Julian experienced, for the first time, what being in love actually felt like. And it was also the first time that Julian didn’t shy away from what he felt toward a woman.

* * *

Sia could not have been happier at that instant. She had finally given people a face to go with her name, and everyone had appreciated that. She knew she was making herself vulnerable, but after everything she had faced, she knew how her vulnerabilities can be turned into strengths.
She looked at the five hundred guests who were applauding her work, and she felt immense joy at everything she had accomplished. Her father had thought she was a burden to the family, and Arthur had diminished her to a mere sex slave.
But this?
This was what she was. This was who she was meant to be. And no man had ever truly understood her passion . . . except Julian. She had even heard some of her male employees talking behind her back, telling people what need a woman had of running a company when she could just find herself a rich husband and enjoy her life. But Julian wasn’t like any of them. He had never once told her that she could only amount to anything if she secured herself a wealthy husband. Rather, he had taken care of her while she worked long hours for tonight’s show. She realized she owed a large part of tonight’s success to Julian as well. He’d taken care of Sia when she didn’t have the time to take care of herself.
She tried to look behind her to see Julian but found him missing. Shrugging it off as a bathroom emergency, she walked out of the backstage area and moved toward the paparazzi panel, giving several autographs, handshakes and accepting flower bouquets as she made her way. Leo was standing in the first row with two guards beside him. Sia managed to sneak him a hug and a kiss before she was stirred to a different direction.
Backstage, she had managed to ask one of the guards on duty about Julian, but even he wasn’t sure. She tried not to let her worry and exhaustion show on her face. All her nerves were now turning against her, but she kept her head high in front of the media as she took her seat along with five other designers. The worst part was just beginning.

* * *

Leo slowly made his way towards the back of the auditorium where he had spotted his mother’s bodyguard in a heated conversation with another man who almost had the same features as Julian. The only difference between the two was their height. Julian towered over the other guy for about a good foot or so.
Leo quickened his steps, but he could only hear the last bit of their conversation, as he neared the duo. He decided to wait and listen, blending into the crowd easily as he stood with his back facing the two men. Julian was obviously onto something which he thought Leo was too young to know. But this was his mother they were talking about! He would do anything for the woman who had singlehandedly raised him, who never left any room for complaints for him. She could have deserted him just like his father or set him up for adoption since he looked just like him.
“. . . security clearance?”
“. . . break into his house!”
“. . . crazy! Boss will kill us!”
“. . . have to know!”
“What are you guys planning?”
Finally, not entirely sure where this conversation was headed, he announced his presence. Not that he was hiding anyway. He was just being exceptionally discreet. He was sure that Julian and the other guy had already figured out they were being overheard, which was why their conversation had suddenly become hushed to a few decibels; they were whispering in each other’s ears now.
When they were done discussing whatever they didn’t want Leo to hear, Julian turned to him and answered, “About some things we need to get done.” He then made room for Leo while he turned to check where Sia had gone. “What are you doing here?”
“I was looking for you. I thought you would be backstage, but you weren’t and the guard said you came this way,” Leo answered truthfully.
“You Milton’s son?” Julian’s partner asked Leo.
“Yeah. And you are?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Who? Me?” The man asked in mock surprise. “Why, I’m Julian’s best bud, of course! I’m hurt he never mentioned me. Maybe it’s time for those cool matching friendship bracelets!”
“Go burn in hell!” Julian’s horrified shudder made both Leo and Abhay laugh out loud.
“But he said I was his best bud! Go get another!” Leo said in a whiny voice which made both Julian and Abhay grin.
“I like you, kid,” the stranger answered, laughing. “Name’s Abhay Campbell, the master hacker!”
“Riiiight. . . . just ignore him Leo. He has a habit of exaggeration. Is your mom done? How long will the press conference last?” Julian asked.
“No. The conference should be about half an hour and then she’ll be back at the van to change so we can all go home,” Leo said.
“Okay then. Let’s go outside and wait beside the van,” Julian suggested. “Twenty minutes are up and she should be out in ten.”
With Abhay and Leo’s agreement, they all headed outside to wait for Sianot knowing what was about to happen.