'Before I speak any further, why don't you go change while I order something for you?' He pointed towards his wardrobe that has his second set of clothes.
'Are you going to charge this one too?' I joked, reminiscing his demand to pay for the clothes he bought.
'Consider this my investment', he countered.
Once I changed into his shirt and ate a sandwich that no doubt one of his possums provided, I asked relaxing on the couch, 'so, what do you want to talk about?'
'Do you love me?'
'Just go to the jugular, why don't you? You don't have the right to ask that question. I'm not here to listen to this', I tried to get up.
'Sit down Erica. Trust me, I will explain later. Just answer my question'
I snorted at him demanding my trust. 'Why?'
'Because I want to know how you feel about me before I say anything'
Finally, I replied evasively, 'love is not an on/off button, that can be easily switched on/off. It takes time for the emotions to change'.
'Very well. It's good to hear you didn't write me completely off'
'Oh...I was tempted. With your recent stunt, who knows, maybe I would do that', I said tempting the lion.
'You wouldn't'.
'Why am I here Raphael?'
'Why are you angry at me? What made you feel I betrayed you?'
'You have to ask?'
'Humour me.'
'Fine, for starters, how about the file? You knew all about me yet you behaved otherwise', I pointed out feeling smug with myself.
'Correct me if I'm wrong, weren't you the one who investigated me? My family?' He asked calmly.
My mouth went dry from his question. 'How did you know about that?'
'I'm a billionaire. Give me some credit when I say that. You won't investigate a billionaire without him knowing. Whatever you found out about me, is the information I allowed to get leaked.'
'Why didn't you say something about it before?' I colored knowing he had always known about my investigation.
'I could say the same to you. The thing here is Erica, we both had our pasts investigated. We both hold files about other's lives in our hands. The difference is you found mine. So, why are you behaving like I did a great injustice to you?'
'it's just not only about the file. You deliberately put me in the dark about Sophie.'
'Ah, yes, the innocent sister', I flinched when he said that.
'You knew... about her?'
'About her trying to trap my brother? Yes, I have known that. But not till your kidnap. You see, it all started when I found out Diana's affair. I saw the guy she was involved with. Normally, I wouldn't care if she has an affair with a 20 something nobody, but when I saw his features, I got him investigated. And surprise surprise, another sibling trying to upend me. I watched them as they lured Charlotte.'
'You knew about her addiction and didn't do anything?' I asked comparing him to the angry man who backlashes when I spoke to Charlotte.
'Who do you think, send her to rehab?'
'Elizabeth?'
'Does she look smart or caring enough to do that?'
'Oh. But why keep quiet when you know who they are and what they are doing?'
'I wanted to see what they would do. What their end plan was. But my patience cost Sophie her life. If only I had known her involvement from the beginning', regret ringing from his words.
'So, when she got killed, you started an investigation. But didn't connect the dots. Was this what you are saying?'
'Yes. When they sent those bikers, I thought it was because of our relationship. I thought they were targeting you because of me. But then I realized no one knows about our relationship. So, who could target you? And why? Who would have known your relationship with your sister? Your last names were different. You haven't met her in six years. Who would know about you unless someone told them? That's when a doubt formed. So, I had Sophie investigated. And I found the connection. The missing dot. But we lacked the evidence to pin them. So, we have to wait for their next move. Sooner or later, they would have slipped. Greed makes people do stupid things'
'I don't understand. Why do all this for a random girl? Yes, she was involved in the plan. Yes, she got killed. But what was it to you? Even her boyfriend forgot about her once she was dead. Why go to such lengths to find the culprit? To put a special team, covering the media...everything. And don't just give me some excuse like scandal and all. We both know you won't give a fuck what others thought about you.'
He sighed as if I'm burdening him with my questions. Initially, it was guilt. Guilt that it could have avoided if I stopped them before. And then, I met you. You intrigue me. Your loyalty, your passion. And I saw the destructive path you were taking to avenge your sister. I thought if I caught them before you, you could be finally free from your sense of duty'.
'You had no right to keep this from me. We could have avoided many things if everything was out in the open. Instead, you thought to play god'.
'I did so that I can protect you from yourself. You used to fight for a living. Those people were dangerous. And you have no sense of preservation. You would have jumped face first if you were in my place'.
'That's beside the point. You choose to stay silent. Which resulted in my kidnapping. Don't you see it? I would have prepared myself. Be more careful, if I have known the culprit.'
'Yes... I see that now. I don't like to talk about my past. About my incredible family', he laughed sarcastically and said soberly, 'Keeping you in dark, resulted in my worst nightmare. For that, I'm sorry. You don't know the scare I got when l learned I may probably never see you again'.
'Yet you let me rot there for five days', I scorned, hurt from the fact.
'I was drunk the next day... useless. I was hurt by the accusations you threw at me. Hurt that you could so easily walk away from me. Turn your back on me. And the day after that I flew to another continent. To give you the space you craved. But when I learned what happened to you, my blood ran cold. I couldn't get there fast enough. It took us two days to finally pinpoint their lair. Two days of hell, imagining you bleeding to death. Not able to find you drove me crazy. I thought I was losing my sanity. Once we found out... I couldn't get there fast enough'.
'It's all water under the bridge now', I said hearing his confession.
'Just tell me one thing. Was our relationship another of your master plans?'
He felt uncomfortable now. Well, tough luck buddy. 'Initially, I want to learn more about you. It's as you said, I need to trust you to say anything.'
'You mean to say you planned it?'
'You say as if I pressured you. There was no pressure or cajoling involved. It was mutual Erica. I agree my intention was different, but when I entered your home that first time, I wanted it. I wanted you. There was nothing fake or planned about it.'
'Good to hear about your changed intentions', I said sarcastically.
'Erica, I explained everything. What else do you want me to say?'