𝟹𝟶. "... 𝚅𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚑𝚞𝚛𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎"

PEARL'S P.O.V

The low hum of the car rumbled as we drove through the busy streets of Los Angeles. I just leaned back on my seat staring out into the street.

I couldn't help but let my mind wonder, wonder and ponder over so many things.

Josephine was hoping on me to get back to her with an update about my recent moves. But keeping her in the loop wasn't at all intended, I knew we were both playing the different games and we both wanted to use each other to an advantage.

Things didn't go as planned with him. Then again, when has anything gone as planned with him?

But him knowing and telling me what I was looking for was…unexpected. That one definitely threw me aback, he got me there.

But why would he do that? That question had been gnawing at the back of my mind for days now and I still haven't come up with a reasonable answer.

And I still haven't figured out if I wanted to feed my curiosity a little.

The car was coming to a slow stop and I sat up, staring up at the building that was flooded with guests walking in and reporters trying to get something out of anything.

It was the night of the Converge.

The car finally came to a halt in front of the building, I let out a breath as Tobi got out and walked rounds the car to pull the door open for me. I was late, the event started like and hour ago but I wouldn't make an entrance if I was early, now would I?

The door was pulled open and the cold air immediately washed over me, he straight out a hand to me and I took it and climbed out of the car.

For tonight, I wore something a little somber to get less attention. I whispered something in Tobi's ear before joining the other guest who were walking into the building.

Walking in groups was the only way not to stand out with these reporters. It wasn't yet time.

The venue was exactly what I expected—grand but predictable. A display of wealth disguised as sophistication. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched along one side, offering a sweeping view of the city, but it wasn’t the kind that invited admiration. It was meant to remind people where they stood.

The air was thick with polished conversations and quiet negotiations, the kind that could change entire industries with a single handshake.

A waiter passed by, offering a tray of champagne but I ignored it. The crystal chandeliers overhead cast a warm glow, bouncing off marble floors that had been waxed to perfection.

Everything gleamed—tables dressed in white linen, untouched wine glasses, carefully arranged floral centerpieces that probably cost more than the average salary.

I adjusted the strap of my dress and exhaled slowly.

The corporate world was something I wasn't used to any more. It used to be my everything but now...there was other things that mattered now.

So, for tonight... I'll try to play along.

My gaze swept across the room. And then she saw him. Aziel. He was in the midst of other business men, conversing and sharing hand shake.

He too was also a blue tonight, a very somber blue. Before my eyes could linger for too long, someone fake into my view.

“Miss Pearl Vega” my eyes shot up to Aarav immediately. How could I forget, they were here also.

“You look stunning” he praised but I was still quiet wondering how he always has the balls to approach me. “You clean up nicely too”

A smile tore from his lips. “I do my best. Come on, we should get drinks” he suggested, straightening his hand to me and I glanced back at Aziel first before linking my hand with his.

I spent the next few minutes at the bar having drinks with Aarav. He was the only reasonable person I could exchanged words with and I realized that he could be more of help than a liability.

“It was said, he was found in his hotel room with 2 holes in his head” he said and I nodded and took another sip from my glass.

He let's out a breath, shaking his head. “Mr Cassian was one of our best client and... I heard you made it possible for him to join us” he mentioned and my gaze moved back to his.

I had zoned out of the conversation along time ago, my eyes fixed in the Party, Aziel to be precise.

“Yes, back in Italy "

He let out another resigned breath. “I could only wonder how you must feel right now. I heard he was involved in some...“ He cut himself short and glanced down at his glass.

My gaze shot up to his. “Involved in what?“

“Nothing, I didn't even know what I was talking about. You know, I've been warned so many time by cò workers to be careful of what I say—”

“Voicing an opinion hasn't hurt anyone " I cut him off and get paused, a small smile enveloping his lips. “I knew you were different " he commented and I smirked before taking another sip from my drink.

“He was involved in lots of gangs, he must have been killed by them”

“How unfortunate "

“That's why this Converge is important, we are meeting potential business partners and our association with Kings Group is all the leverage we need”

“Oh, he's here” he mentioned, pointing at the other side and I turned to see a group of men approaching Aziel. At the center of it all was the one and only—Aiden.

I took a slow deliberate sip from the glass, my eyes still on him. It's been so long. He was now on a buzz cut, yeah, you heard me. The reason for all this shit I was doing was in a buzz cut.

I watched closely to see the body language between the two, they embraced and began conversing. “what exactly happened with him?“

I seem to love hearing this story. I mean, it's about his demise. It was like music to my ears.

“Mr Aiden was involved in a lot of negative things that dragged the company down to the brink of bankruptcy. It's even a surprise Mr Aziel invited him”

“So, what does he do now?“

“Last I heard, he's still tryna get back into the company but I don't think there is any space for that right now. We don't want a repeat of anything "

A repeat of anything, you say.

“Here,” I handed him my drink, smoothing down my hair before turning to him with a smirk. “What do you think?”

“You have no flaws,” he answered, as if entranced.

I chuckled. “Stick around, will you?”

With that, I walked away, anticipation thrumming in my veins. Time to give Aiden a little heart attack.

Aziel was the first to spot me as I approached, his sharp gaze flickering with surprise.

“Good evening, gentlemen,” I greeted, my smile exaggerated, dripping with confidence.

Aziel turned fully to me. “Miss Vega,” he breathed, as if my presence alone was unexpected.

“What a wonderful event,” I praised smoothly, my tone laced with amusement.

“I should introduce you to my brother,” Aziel said, glancing toward Aiden.

And there he was—frozen in place. His entire body went rigid, his eyes squinting in disbelief, mouth slightly open as if his brain was scrambling to catch up with reality. He wasn’t just surprised. He was horrified.

Oh, this was delicious.

“Brother,” Aziel continued, unaware of the storm raging in Aiden’s mind. “This is the newest member of the corporation—Pearl Vega. And Miss Vega, this is my brother, Aiden.”

I turned to Aiden, letting my smile stretch just a little wider, just enough to unnerve him further.

Aiden’s world had just shattered. The party, the people, the noise—it was all background static now. He was utterly speechless, drowning in the realization of what this meant.

I extended my hand. “Nice to meet you once again, Mr. Aiden.”

He stared at it as if it might burn him. His lips parted, but no words came.

Oh, I hadn’t even begun plotting his downfall, and yet, here he was—unraveling.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he took my hand. His grip was hesitant, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Pearl.”

Satisfaction curled in my chest. I withdrew my hand, turning back to Aziel as if nothing had happened.

“This is a wonderful event, Mr. Miller. I’m having a great time,” I said, my tone light, almost dismissive.

Aziel studied me for a moment. “I didn’t see you arrive.”

I chuckled. “I’m here now.”

He nodded, pleased. “Come, I should introduce you to some others.”

“Of course.”

And with that, we moved further into the party, but I could still feel Aiden’s stare burning into my back.

Oh, this was going to be fun.

➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣

I stared up at the painting while taking another light sip from my glass. “How much is it?“ I asked the attendant standing beside me.

“30 thousand dollars” he answered and u took another sip from of the drink before turning to him. “Wrap it up”

He nodded hand left to get it done. I met out another sigh and glanced back at the party.

It was all coming to an end. Aziel introduced me to some of his other associates and our potential partners from Kings group.

Aiden on the other hand has been having a wild night. He didn't approach me for the rest of the night but he kept throwing glances my way, he was always by the corner staring, that at some point it got creepy.

I felt his eyes on me all night, I wonder what he thought about the new development—now I worked at RedCo.

I wonder if he was already foreseeing his undeniable future.

“Pearl” someone said from behind and I paused, the voice awfully familiar. I paused for a second, still trying to register and attach the voice to the owner but nothing came to mind.

I finally spun around and came face to face with none other than... “I thought it was you” the woman said, ripping off her glasses and I froze for just a second.

Erica Belfort.

Shit! How could I forget that little detail. I couldn't even ask myself what she was doing here because it has been obvious all night.

She's the CEO of Kings Group. How could I forget that?!

A smile envelopes her lips immediately and she took a step closer. “I can't believe it's you. What has it been? 4 years?!“

She caught me off guard for a second there, I let out an inward breath and answered, “5 years”

Her smile widened. “I spotted you from from across the room and doubted you were the one. Wow Pearl!“ She circled me. Like a vulture, circling it's prey.

“Where have you been?“

I turned to face her once again, pushing every form of surprise at the back of my mind. “Traveling and you? “ I asked back and she stopped, facing me fully.

“Working, I'm surprised. What are you doing here? “

“Aren't we all here for the Converge? “ I asked back and she shook her head. “I'm still shook by it all, I heard you left LA never to return, after everything that...happened"

Erica was still the same, I guess bitches never change. She was still the same but somehow still different. I pushed out a smile despite the urge I had in the pit of my stomach to bury my fist in her face.

“Everything that happened? It's all in the past now, life moves on. I see you now run Kings group” I mentioned.

“I've always ran it” she answered and I pushed out a smile. “Well, I hope our partnership favours us both” I said and her gaze lingered on mine.

She was never part of idea this evening but it's quite unfortunate we meet this way but now it got me wondering. Was she gonna be a problem?

“so, I guess we'll be seeing each other a lot more often " she said and I shot her a bright smile before turning on my heels and walking out.

Tonight has been eventful in the littlest way possible. My gaze shot to the other side to Aiden who was still staring at me but I refused to look back at Erica.

This is going to be a lot.