Page 36 of Taint My Soul

Father’s gaze flickers up to mine, lethal and cutting, but he doesn’t speak.

I’m late.

I turn to the other man sitting directly opposite my father with his daughter at his right-hand side. “Good morning, sir.” I offer the greeting. He nods sternly before my eyes drop to the gorgeous lady wrapped in a velvet purple dress.

“Hello.” I smile at her.

“Hi.” She says.

“Saint, you’re here.” He finally acknowledges my presence. His hand wraps around a glass of wine, and he lifts it to his lips.

Tobias King. He’s a tower of authority. Tall and broad-shouldered. Skin, a dark brown shade. Eyes sharp and calculating. He’s bald, but gray stubble marks his jaw. His hands are large, strong, and capable. Black tailored suit matches his spry frame with gold cufflinks engraved with the family crest.

“Hello, Father.” I smile at him.

“I was just telling Mr. Okoro how you’ve taken charge of the company and brought it to its greatest heights.” Father declares across the room.

“Yes, it has been a wonderful experience to continue to build what you immensely contributed to,” I look at the radiant young lady opposite me.

“That is exceptional.” Mr. Okoro says. “This is my daughter, Adanna.” He points to her, and she raises her glass and smiles.

“Hello again, Adanna.” I lift my glass.

“It’s nice to see you in person, Saint. I have heard great things about you.”

“Likewise.”

She smirks.

“The marriage between you two will form strong bonds between us.” Tobias nods.

“No rush here.” Mr. Okoro counters, and my father’s demeanor slightly changes, but he smiles through it. “But yes, indeed, I believe they will take a liking to each other.” The other man finishes.

Breakfast slowly passes by, and my father and Mr. Okoro go back and forth as they discuss business. I look at Adanna and gesture toward the exit. We both rise, chairs scuffing against the marble floor. “We will take a walk.”

“Of course.” Father smiles, face masked with an impression.

Adanna and I leave the dining room, walking side by side in silence until we exit the building. The air sweeps through the premises, settling on my skin like velvet as we both head down the gravel path together. Above us, the sky-blue cloud is bright with the spill of the rising morning sun. “I’m sorry you went through the trouble of being here,” I mutter.

“Oh, no trouble. I’ve been in the city for weeks now, and I thought, let’s get this over with already.” She declares.

“You are stunning.” I pause, sliding my hands into my pocket with a smile.

“Thank you.” She says as we continue to walk down the path.

“What are your favorite flowers?” I ask as we both walk by the family garden. Cross used to tend to it before I moved out of the family house to his own place, but that was years ago. Now Father hires gardeners to look after it.

“Lilies.” She says simply. “They are elegant. I’m making a dress inspired by lilies.”

“That’s wonderful.”

I look at her one more time and see the light in her eyes. I don’t want this. But I’m not new to a world where rich and influential families set up their children together to build even greater wealth. An arranged marriage with a powerful and influential billionaire family that has made a name in the fashion industry will establish a new alliance for my family.

“You still here?” She snaps her fingers in my face.

“Yes, I am. I just get lost in my thoughts sometimes.”

“I can imagine.” She says with a wide smile.