Post by AU Julian Mercury on Apr 27, 2021 19:23:04 GMT -6
Julian had been waiting outside the office of Zayne Kingston for almost fifteen minutes now. He was a patient man. Something like this would usually not manage to get underneath his skin. But by now he had grown accustomed to Zayne’s schedule. Working under him for months now meant analyzing his patterns, figuring out his behaviors, and more importantly – knowing when something wasn’t right.
By the time Zayne’s secretary had called for him to enter, his teeth were locked together tight, causing his cheeks to sink and his jaw to protrude. Upon entering the doorway, he attempted to hide this, but the moment for that had passed; he could already see the smile upon his boss’ lips, one of amusement.
“You look upset, Jule,” he said, his lips separating into a grin. “Everything okay?” he continued, his tone mocking in nature.
“Everything’s fine. What kept you? Usually you’re all caught up on being punctual.”
“Oh, right! Of course. I’m sorry, Jule. Just business stuff. It’s hard running a company away from home. I think people are starting to miss me.”
“Mhm.”
“You’re not upset with me, are you?”
“I’ve got better things to worry about then what you do with your free time, Zayne. You should know that by now.” He said, a sternness now present in his voice. Typically, the change in tone would work on those with a weaker will. On those who were more submissive to authority. But the man before him simply smiled, as if Julian had fallen into his trap.
“Ah, really now? So what are you concerned with, my friend? Because as things are travelling right now…”
The smile disappeared, making way for cold eyes. The good-natured man had become a demon in a heartbeat.
“I’m starting to get the feeling the only person you are concerned with is me, Julian,” he said, frowning.
“Now, don’t get the wrong impression. I love being the centre of attention. But I’d rather you keep yourself focused on the job you’ve been given, rather than the man who gave you the job in the first place.”
“I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”
Zayne stood up, slamming a fist down on the table in front of him, rattling it. The mug of coffee beside him shook, the liquid nearly spilling over the edge of the porcelain. He composed himself with a deep breath, before addressing the seated Julian once more.
“I thought this could’ve worked out, Jule. I really did. Especially after all we’d done together. What I was true – without you, Kingston Enterprises wouldn’t be mine. I’d still be in his shadow, a nobody. And I thought that maybe… you’d want to do it all over again. Just like old times, huh? Me calling the shots, and you getting it done.” He said, his words coming faster and more erratically the further he continued. Julian said nothing, but kept his hands ready, one kept close to his hip where his gun was holstered underneath his overcoat.
“But instead you’ve done nothing. Weeks upon weeks, I’ve asked. I started patient, wondering when you’d get some information. When you’d dig something up on those imbeciles running that company. Because of them, my plans haven’t progressed at all. And what’d you give me, Jule? Hm? Nothing. And it’s all because of her, isn’t it?”
“Be careful with what you say, Zayne.”
“Without me, you never would’ve gotten revenge on my dad for offing her. You’d think that would’ve made you grateful. Like you’d feel as though you owed me a debt, or at least had something that resembled respect for me, right? But no. That’s not how it turned out, is it? So you’ve left me no choice.”
The grin returned now, one that told Julian that he was about to become cornered. In that brief moment, he wished he had told Eve all that time ago that they should never have come here. That whatever Zayne Kingston could offer them, whether it be a life-altering amount of money or a future filled with power and glory… that it would not be worth it, because he knew what type of men came from the Kingston family.
But he didn’t, and now he would reap what he sowed.
“There was a specific reason I got Eve involved in all of this. I’m surprised you didn’t figure it out sooner. I thought by now you would’ve tried to get her out of here. Make it a solo mission like you should’ve done with Tahlia. Guess some people never learn.” He said, chuckling. Julian kept still, eyes locked on Zayne.
“I trust you know what I’m capable of. I also trust that that means you’re not going to do anything to piss me off.” He said. Both men knew that not a lie was uttered in that sentence, but it didn’t stop Zayne from bursting into an uncontrollable laughter. He nearly doubled over, resting a hand on the desk to support him, keeping him from tumbling into a heap. Julian’s suspicions were confirmed; Zayne had been drinking, or something worse. His hand inched ever-so-slightly closer to his hip.
“Ah, Jule. You crack me up. You’re somethin’ else, you know that? Anyway. Here’s the deal. I checked up on what you’ve been doing at BPW lately. Turns out you’re becoming a bit of a star. They even got you lined up for a pretty little cash prize and a shot at the belt if you win. Not bad, hey?”
“What’s that got do with anything?” Julian said, although he could already feel his heart starting to sink.
“From what I know, being the champion in a company comes with a lot of… benefits. Extra money. Prestige and fame. But above all of that, it forces them to take notice of you if they haven’t already. It means they’ll have no choice but to acknowledge you. And to me? That sounds like a prime opportunity for you to do what I’ve been asking of you all along.”
He leaned forward toward Julian, his hungry eyes boring through his.
“Win the belt, or Eve might become another reminder of what happens when you try to dislodge a Kingston.”
He felt something on his forehead, something he normally only felt under the heat of competition. He was sweating. A hard swallow indicated to him that his throat was dry, his words came out in almost a croak.
“I do this for you, I win this damn belt… and you let her leave. No caveats. She gets to leave this city, and you promise you won’t do anything to hurt her?”
Zayne grinned, placing a hand on Julian’s shoulder.
“Of course, buddy! A promise between friends, right? You know I’m a man of my word.”
Julian swallowed once more.
“As am I.”
“It’s settled then. Best of luck to you in your match this week then. You’ll be needing it,” Zayne said, the arrogant smile still plastered over his face. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to attend to. You know the way out?”
He turned his back to Julian, and in that instant… he could have done it. Snapped his neck. Put a blade to his throat. But he knew it was futile. In the short term, they would be free. But eventually, they would be found, and they would be the next to go.
That was the vicious circle Julian Mercury had ensnared himself and Eve in.
So he left without another word.
Eve returned to find Julian in the living room of their secluded apartment doing something she hadn’t seen him do for years: train. His sweat had secreted into the carpet, drops of it dampening the soft floor beneath him. He punched and kicked, weaved and avoided against an imaginary opponent, with an intensity that burned deep within his eyes. Taken aback by his behavior, she could only help but watch for a couple minutes until she finally spoke.
“What’s gotten into you?”
He stopped, turning to her. He hadn’t even known she had arrived. Potential answers swam through his head, but none seemed suitable. A rueful grin appeared on his face.
“Remember when we first got here, and I just couldn’t stop losing?”
“Yeah,” she laughed, “You were getting your ass kicked.”
“Well, that was because I didn’t have a reason to fight. Now I do.”
“Since when?”
“Since 250,000 was on the line.” He said, false bravado filling his voice. He hoped it was enough to convince her.
“But you could’ve had a million if you started winning earlier.”
“True,” he said, shrugging, “But now that it’s right in front of me… it changes everything. It’s different when you know you’re only one win away from something.” A pang of guilt entered through the void that was his body, but he kept the smile on his face.
“I guess so.” She said, although her words indicated that she felt something was off.
If only she knew.
By the time Zayne’s secretary had called for him to enter, his teeth were locked together tight, causing his cheeks to sink and his jaw to protrude. Upon entering the doorway, he attempted to hide this, but the moment for that had passed; he could already see the smile upon his boss’ lips, one of amusement.
“You look upset, Jule,” he said, his lips separating into a grin. “Everything okay?” he continued, his tone mocking in nature.
“Everything’s fine. What kept you? Usually you’re all caught up on being punctual.”
“Oh, right! Of course. I’m sorry, Jule. Just business stuff. It’s hard running a company away from home. I think people are starting to miss me.”
“Mhm.”
“You’re not upset with me, are you?”
“I’ve got better things to worry about then what you do with your free time, Zayne. You should know that by now.” He said, a sternness now present in his voice. Typically, the change in tone would work on those with a weaker will. On those who were more submissive to authority. But the man before him simply smiled, as if Julian had fallen into his trap.
“Ah, really now? So what are you concerned with, my friend? Because as things are travelling right now…”
The smile disappeared, making way for cold eyes. The good-natured man had become a demon in a heartbeat.
“I’m starting to get the feeling the only person you are concerned with is me, Julian,” he said, frowning.
“Now, don’t get the wrong impression. I love being the centre of attention. But I’d rather you keep yourself focused on the job you’ve been given, rather than the man who gave you the job in the first place.”
“I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”
Zayne stood up, slamming a fist down on the table in front of him, rattling it. The mug of coffee beside him shook, the liquid nearly spilling over the edge of the porcelain. He composed himself with a deep breath, before addressing the seated Julian once more.
“I thought this could’ve worked out, Jule. I really did. Especially after all we’d done together. What I was true – without you, Kingston Enterprises wouldn’t be mine. I’d still be in his shadow, a nobody. And I thought that maybe… you’d want to do it all over again. Just like old times, huh? Me calling the shots, and you getting it done.” He said, his words coming faster and more erratically the further he continued. Julian said nothing, but kept his hands ready, one kept close to his hip where his gun was holstered underneath his overcoat.
“But instead you’ve done nothing. Weeks upon weeks, I’ve asked. I started patient, wondering when you’d get some information. When you’d dig something up on those imbeciles running that company. Because of them, my plans haven’t progressed at all. And what’d you give me, Jule? Hm? Nothing. And it’s all because of her, isn’t it?”
“Be careful with what you say, Zayne.”
“Without me, you never would’ve gotten revenge on my dad for offing her. You’d think that would’ve made you grateful. Like you’d feel as though you owed me a debt, or at least had something that resembled respect for me, right? But no. That’s not how it turned out, is it? So you’ve left me no choice.”
The grin returned now, one that told Julian that he was about to become cornered. In that brief moment, he wished he had told Eve all that time ago that they should never have come here. That whatever Zayne Kingston could offer them, whether it be a life-altering amount of money or a future filled with power and glory… that it would not be worth it, because he knew what type of men came from the Kingston family.
But he didn’t, and now he would reap what he sowed.
“There was a specific reason I got Eve involved in all of this. I’m surprised you didn’t figure it out sooner. I thought by now you would’ve tried to get her out of here. Make it a solo mission like you should’ve done with Tahlia. Guess some people never learn.” He said, chuckling. Julian kept still, eyes locked on Zayne.
“I trust you know what I’m capable of. I also trust that that means you’re not going to do anything to piss me off.” He said. Both men knew that not a lie was uttered in that sentence, but it didn’t stop Zayne from bursting into an uncontrollable laughter. He nearly doubled over, resting a hand on the desk to support him, keeping him from tumbling into a heap. Julian’s suspicions were confirmed; Zayne had been drinking, or something worse. His hand inched ever-so-slightly closer to his hip.
“Ah, Jule. You crack me up. You’re somethin’ else, you know that? Anyway. Here’s the deal. I checked up on what you’ve been doing at BPW lately. Turns out you’re becoming a bit of a star. They even got you lined up for a pretty little cash prize and a shot at the belt if you win. Not bad, hey?”
“What’s that got do with anything?” Julian said, although he could already feel his heart starting to sink.
“From what I know, being the champion in a company comes with a lot of… benefits. Extra money. Prestige and fame. But above all of that, it forces them to take notice of you if they haven’t already. It means they’ll have no choice but to acknowledge you. And to me? That sounds like a prime opportunity for you to do what I’ve been asking of you all along.”
He leaned forward toward Julian, his hungry eyes boring through his.
“Win the belt, or Eve might become another reminder of what happens when you try to dislodge a Kingston.”
He felt something on his forehead, something he normally only felt under the heat of competition. He was sweating. A hard swallow indicated to him that his throat was dry, his words came out in almost a croak.
“I do this for you, I win this damn belt… and you let her leave. No caveats. She gets to leave this city, and you promise you won’t do anything to hurt her?”
Zayne grinned, placing a hand on Julian’s shoulder.
“Of course, buddy! A promise between friends, right? You know I’m a man of my word.”
Julian swallowed once more.
“As am I.”
“It’s settled then. Best of luck to you in your match this week then. You’ll be needing it,” Zayne said, the arrogant smile still plastered over his face. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to attend to. You know the way out?”
He turned his back to Julian, and in that instant… he could have done it. Snapped his neck. Put a blade to his throat. But he knew it was futile. In the short term, they would be free. But eventually, they would be found, and they would be the next to go.
That was the vicious circle Julian Mercury had ensnared himself and Eve in.
So he left without another word.
Eve returned to find Julian in the living room of their secluded apartment doing something she hadn’t seen him do for years: train. His sweat had secreted into the carpet, drops of it dampening the soft floor beneath him. He punched and kicked, weaved and avoided against an imaginary opponent, with an intensity that burned deep within his eyes. Taken aback by his behavior, she could only help but watch for a couple minutes until she finally spoke.
“What’s gotten into you?”
He stopped, turning to her. He hadn’t even known she had arrived. Potential answers swam through his head, but none seemed suitable. A rueful grin appeared on his face.
“Remember when we first got here, and I just couldn’t stop losing?”
“Yeah,” she laughed, “You were getting your ass kicked.”
“Well, that was because I didn’t have a reason to fight. Now I do.”
“Since when?”
“Since 250,000 was on the line.” He said, false bravado filling his voice. He hoped it was enough to convince her.
“But you could’ve had a million if you started winning earlier.”
“True,” he said, shrugging, “But now that it’s right in front of me… it changes everything. It’s different when you know you’re only one win away from something.” A pang of guilt entered through the void that was his body, but he kept the smile on his face.
“I guess so.” She said, although her words indicated that she felt something was off.
If only she knew.