Chapter 65

***Levi.***

"Please SirI"

I signaled and someone brought me a tablet. Highlighting the screen, I turned a video to Katie and watched her. Horror etched her face, as the screen highlighted her mum, gagged and bound by masked men. A gun was pointed to her head. Katie whimpered.

"Please Sir, what do you want? I'd" Her voice broke into harsh sobs. I relaxed and expressionlessly watched her crack under the pressure. When I was certain she was calm, I leaned in.

"You currently work for my wife." I held her red rimmed gaze, as she nodded. "From now on, you work for me."

Her eyes grew wide, with understanding and alarm.

"But that would be breach of our attorney- client relationship." She declared.

"Unless you want your mum" I left the statement hanging. The implication of my words, clear as she shook her head.

"What do you want me to do?" She asked, wearily.

"I want to know every plan she has, concerning her businesses. You are going to always update me on her every step. Most importantly, you will persuade her into accepting the investment of a certain stakeholder. You would be the middle man, ensuring that all is done." I instructed. She stared at me, agitatedly.

"But she might refuse. She already made it clear her stand to handle the entire projects with her funds." Katie Williams argued. My smile was dark.

"You're a clever woman. After pulling up documents that gave no escape clauses, which meticulous attorneys that have worked for me for years couldn't even decipher; this should be icing on your cake." I teased, tightly. She startled at my tone.

"And if she refuses?" She asked, after a long silence.

"Then I'd have to get rid of you and your mother."

She started in shock. Her expression morphed to fear.

"And just so you know, I have your entire move, watched."

***Kenya***.

It was 11 pm and I just finished dinner. Alone again. The air outside was cold. I actually had to put on a sweater to fight off the chill, despite the heater.

Perhaps I was cold because of the hollowness I felt inside. Perhaps it was guilt.

Since that night we returned from the hospital, things just remained awkward between Levi and I. His indifference towards me was unnerving. Crippling me from inside out.

It was like the tables had turned and I was now suffering an eternal damnation, for succumbing into manipulation like him. For betraying him. I just couldn't even understand the reason for his indifference and detachment. It was his game and I was only following his perfect steps.

The monitor announced his presence and I jerked up from the dinning, rushing to intercept him, before he went into the room he had been sleeping in, since two days.

"Hello." I greeted, when our eyes met.

He watched me, guardedly, his expression blank. I faltered. I wasn't good at this. Pretending he didn't exist, now that I had hit him hard. I was dying inside.

*Talk to me, please.*

My heart cried. But my head said differently.

"Hello." He drawled, stepping forward.

He stood right in front of me. I wanted to touch him, to fall into his embrace. His eyes raked my body and the familiar ache I felt in my core, whenever he had that heated gaze on me, flooded me.

"What, no Trojan Horses, tonight?" He taunted. I stilled. My initial demeanor, slipping.

Choosing to ignore the jibe, I said. "Where have you been? I was waiting for you, so we could have dinner." I had tears stinging my eyes.

But I held them back. I didn't know why I ached inside. It was like I was seeking his validation or something. I didn't know what I sought.

His gaze softened. "I had something earlier." Then like an afterthought, he asked. "Are you alright? Why are you wearing this?" He flicked a glance at the thermostat's screen.

"I was just cold. But I'm fine." I muttered.

I inched closer. My hands itching to hold him. This man, who had saved me from that nightmare. *What if he hadn't come to J'aime that night? I could have died*. But he saved me. I couldn't help stem the flow of those nightmarish thoughts, since that evening I woke up with my memories restored.

The doctors attributed the restoration to the fall. Like a jolt or something. *Doctors*.

"Were you out on work? Was it campaign or STA Constructions?" I asked.

I was so close now that I smelled his scent. He equally had scents of coffee, cigarettes and brandy. I had never seen him smoke in my presence. But I suspected he did. He was alluring. And I couldn't resist. I think that fall affected me more than I could imagine.

I noticed Levi inhale a steady breath, his eyes shut tight. *Was I affecting him the same way?*

"I've had a long night and several meetings tomorrow. Am off to bed. Good night." He walked around me, careful not to touch me. Like my very presence revolted him.

"Why are you ignoring me? Is it so difficult to respondto tell me where you were?" I called, shakily. My body quivered from something I couldn't understand. *Desire? Need for his warmth, his attention*.

My eyes were blurry now. I heard him stop in his tracks.

"You never cared to ask. Why now?" His words dripped with sarcasm. I inhaled, fighting the temptation to turn around and face him. I didn't want him to see how much he affected me.

"If you must know, I was tightening up loose ends." He came closer, his breath on my neck, caressing me. I yearned to lean into him, but stood my ground. This was the worst form of extreme torture.

Since I came into this marriage, all I had wanted was to drive a wedge in Levi's heart. I had kept scores at some point. But now my victory was futile.