Chapter 3

Lucas

''Sir, have you seen the news?'' my butler asked.

I didn't really care about any of that but the excitement in his voice prompted me to look at him. He really did look excited and I realised that whatever it was he saw on the news had to be something interesting.

''What?'' I asked.

I sipped the scotch in my glass, not really interested in anything he had to say. After all, what could be in the news besides the news stations branding me as America's most eligible bachelor. It wasn't always good and I had learned to stay clear a long time ago.

I was rich, a billionaire actually and as expected, women fell to my feet. I had dated actresses, super models and ambassadors but still, none of them came close to the woman I was after- Kiara Barclay.

For many years, I had secretly been chasing her, lusting after her but she pretended like I didn't exist. It was embarrassing to me, to my ego and my personality but I would rather die than beg her to be mine. Women begged me to fuck them and not the other way around.

''Stewart Barclay, billionaire and chairman of the Barclay empire has died.''

My thoughts were halted by what he said. I swallowed, staring at him like he had completely lost it. What did he mean by Stewart being dead? Stewart and I played golf the previous week and he seemed to be in good spirits so what was this nonsense he was spitting out?

''Are you drunk or something?'' I asked.

I rose up from the chair I was reclining on, grabbing my glass with me. I had a feeling that I would need it for whatever he was about to tell me. How could Stewart have died? It just wasn't possible. I gripped my light blonde hair, pacing the room as my thoughts took on different directions.

My beach house in Malibu, where I had come to relax, didn't look beautiful to me anymore. It was ugly especially with the news I just heard.

''No sir, I'm not. He died yesterday morning,'' he said.

I switched on the tv to confirm what he had said and true enough, Stewart pictures were plastered on the headlines with ''breaking news'' screaming in red bold letters. I sat down not from tiredness but from the shock of seeing my friend dead. How was this possible? I had talked to Stewart just a few days ago and now, his pictures were all over the goddamn media.

''Call our contact at the Barclay empire. I don't believe this.''

Even though I was seeing it live on t.v, I was still finding it difficult to believe that it was happening.

''Right away sir.'' he bowed a bit before leaving me.

I rose up from the chair I was sitting, unable to keep calm because with Stewart's death, things were bound to happen. What he had confided in me a few days ago rang in my head like an alarm bell. His company was in deep trouble and it needed someone that could save it. I was very sure that Kiara didn't know this. If she knew, she would have been more careful in the lavish lifestyle she lived. A week hardly passed without me seeing her photos in gossip magazines about her partying and visiting luxurious places.

''This is terrible.'' I murmured.

''Sir, there's the secretary on the line for you.'' my butler said.

''Thank you Harry,'' I said , taking the phone from him.

''Greetings sir.'' the secretary said.

''Talk to me.''

I cut to the chase, I wasn't a man who wasted time on words. I needed to know the details of the terrible news I was currently watching.

''It's true sir. Mr Stewart Barclay passed on a few days ago, leaving behind his only child, Kaira Barclay. I really don't know where all of this would lead to sir but one thing i know is that Kiara is devastated.'' he sighed.

As expected, I knew that would happen because Kiara and her father were very close. When he was alive, there was hardly any place that she didn't accompany him to. It was very sad to see him die just like this.

''Has the date for burial been announced by the family?'' I asked.

I wanted to be on top of things so I would know how to table what I had in mind before the board of directors of the company. I need to save that company before it is too late. Stewart entrusted me with that information and I couldn't afford to fail him.

''No sir, i believe that's too soon but as soon as i have information on that i will get it across to you.'' he said.

''Thank you, i will be waiting for that.'' I said before cutting the call.

Harry walked back in and I handed the phone to him. I felt bad for Kiara because she didn't deserve all of this. Now, she was left without a father nor a mother. She was the only one in this cold, cruel world.

''I need to see Kiara.''

''Shall i set up a meeting?'' Harry asked.

I looked at him like he had suddenly grown two heads. I didn't know if that was possible but I had come to learn that anything could be possible with this man.

''You can make that happen?'' I asked.

He smiled, not quite what I was expecting but if he could make it possible, who was to stop him? He had my permission.

''Okay, do what you have to do.'' I said.

He bowed a bit, something I had already told him times without a number not to do. He left soon, leaving me with my thoughts. Those thoughts were of a certain sunny brown haired girl who I needed to save.