SHADOW
SEDUCTION
WRITTEN BY : NOEL INNOCENT
CHAPTER ONE : SILENT DESIRE ( HIS RETURN
TO LONDON)
2012
His firm grip tightened as I
struggled relentlessly. He hissed cruel words
into my ear, “You should be grateful that I even
want you, you cheap wh-_-re.” Desperation welled
up inside me, and I cried out, fully aware of
what awaited me as his hands tore away my
shorts and any remnants of hope.
Fear seized my face, my body trembling as the
terrible truth of my situation slowly sunk in.
—
“Miss Lacey.”
A voice pulled me from the tormenting
nightmare. My entire body was soaked in
perspiration as I locked eyes with the person
before me. She gazed at me with a knowing and
sympathetic look.
“More nightmares?” she inquired.
I could only nod, unable to form words. “What’s
the time?” I gasped, accepting the glass of
water she offered.
“It’s past six,” she replied gently. “You’re running
late for work.”
“I’m aware of that,” I muttered, pushing aside the
horrifying memories from my dreams. “You can
go; I’ll get ready and join my father shortly.”
“Very well. I’ll inform him right away,” she said,
leaving with a nod.
As I watched her departure, I took in the tasteful
surroundings of my room, a haven of all things
elegant, a stark contrast to the turmoil of my
nightmares. Quickly, I readied myself for the day
ahead. I donned black trousers, a white long-
sleeved shirt, and a gray jacket. My files, ID card
draped around my neck, and my phone came
along with me.
Without any delay, I secured my hair in a high
ponytail and exited the room.
“Late for breakfast?” my father inquired as I
approached him in the dining room.
“I’ve informed you already,” I growled, “I intend
to find my own apartment soon. You ought to
get accustomed to dining alone.”
“I’ve already shared my thoughts on the
marriage,” he responded.
“I will not wed someone I don’t know!” I
exclaimed. “Cease arranging blind dates for me.
”
He sighed, furrowing his brows. “Lacey, I’m not
growing any younger, and I wish to see you in a
wedding dress by the end of this year.”
“Seems like you’re still holding onto those
dreams,” I muttered.
“Lacey.” He growl ” you have a blind date to
attend today, by eight”
“I won’t be able to eat today. Excuse me.”
“You should contemplate taking over the
company,” he growled. “If only I had a son.”
His final words made me frown, but they did not
deter me. I climbed into my car and left the
mansion. Was there a morning when I could
wake up, enjoy a decent breakfast, and proceed
to work without unnecessary complications? I
longed for the simplicity of such a life.
Parking my car in the company’s parking lot, I
hurried to a nearby coffee shop. I procured an
Americano and two sandwiches, then rushed
back to the office. I checked my wristwatch; I
had ten minutes before Sir Ethan’s arrival.
Approaching my desk, I arranged my files,
placed his coffee and sandwiches on the desk,
and waited for Sir Ethan. Moments later, he
arrived at the company, appearing as imposing
and unapproachable as ever. He walked by,
ignoring the greetings of others.
“Good morning, sir,” I greeted, attempting to
break through his stern exterior. He entered his
office without uttering a word. A couple of
minutes later, I followed him into his office,
leaving his coffee and sandwiches on his desk.
His dark eyes met mine.
“Seventy-five degrees, hot,” he asked “No
onions”
” Yes sir”
He glanced at his laptop, then back at me. “You
can leave.”
As I turned to exit, I couldn’t help but feel
nervous. “Can I assist you with anything, Miss
Lacey?”
“Sir…” My voice trembled as I met his intense
gaze.
“This won’t be a waste of my time if you speak!”
he groaned.
“Sorry,” I muttered, retreating from his office and
shutting the door. My palms were damp with
sweat as I wondered how I could start a
conversation with someone like him.
I could still feel the weight of his unwavering
gaze and hear his commanding voice in my
mind. As I walked back to my desk, I noticed
everyone in the food department staring at me
with a mixture of curiosity and fear. Even Sir
Ethan’s secretary, who had worked closely with
him for years, hesitated to ask him about a
favor. They knew better than to engage him in
casual conversation.
Sitting back down at my desk, I rested my head
on the table, exhausted and overwhelmed. For
years, I had concealed the truth about my
family’s business dealings. If my colleagues
were to find out, they would undoubtedly treat
me differently. It was a secret I couldn’t afford
to share.
Suddenly, my phone rang. I hastily picked it up.
“Monica?”
“Lacey, you won’t believe who I found!”
Monica’s voice screamed so loudly that I had to
pull the phone away from my ear for a moment.
“Are you planning to burst my eardrums?”
“Where are you?” Monica asked.
“I’m at work, unlike some people,” I replied.
“You’re touchy,” Monica observed, her voice now
calm. “I don’t plan to work either.”
“Why did you call me, Monica? I don’t want Mr.
Grumpy to catch me taking a personal call.”
“Right, as I was saying… I think I’ve found your
dream man.”
“My dream man!” I exclaimed, my curiosity
piqued. “You mean…”
“Yes!” Monica screamed with excitement. I
quickly glanced at Sir Ethan, engrossed in his
work. I was certain he wouldn’t even notice if I
took some time off.
“You better not be lying,” I warned Monica.
“Trust me, he’s in a coffee shop, drinking like a
commoner,” she assured me. I couldn’t help but
doubt that the mayor’s son would be found in
such an ordinary place.
The information concerning
the weapons hadn’t reached our location yet,
and I couldn’t help but feel restless. I picked up
my fourth cigarette, lit it, and placed it between
my lips.
“What about Harry’s division?” I inquired.
“I was told he tried other means to secure the
supplies, but he couldn’t get very far,” my
subordinate reported.
I turned my attention to George. “And you?”
“I’ve spoken to the owner of the company. I’m
sure he won’t be able to refuse such an offer.
That company will soon be under our control,”
George assured me.
“That’s more than I expected,” I replied with a
satisfied smile. “Tell me how the campaign for
mayor is coming along.”
I got up from my chair and headed out of my
office, with George following closely behind.
“I’ve set everything up, the people, the posters,”
George informed me.
“What about Edwin?” I inquired.
“He still has mixed feelings about running for
mayor, especially given the fact that you two
haven’t seen each other for five years,” George
revealed.
“Is he aware of my return to London?” I
questioned.
“No, sir. But his exact words were, ‘Tell that half-
arse of a brother to keep his hands off my life,
just like he did five years ago,'” George relayed.
I couldn’t help but smile at his response. “Quite
harsh,” I mused.
Chuckling, I stood and stared down at the
company I had built from nothing, with my own
two hands, along with a little help from the
blood of individuals. “Is that all for today?” I
asked.
“Yes, sir,” George replied.
“What does my schedule look like?” I queried.
“You just arrived in London. Your meetings
begin tomorrow,” George answered.
I turned my gaze to meet George’s eyes, and he
offered an awkward smile. “What am I
supposed to do in the meantime?”
George hesitated for a moment and then spoke
up. “You could go to a coffee shop, get
reacquainted with the place, or revisit your
favorite rooftop—the place you used to
frequent.”
I furrowed my brows. I had no intention of going
to a rooftop while it was still broad daylight. I
had only been returning to that place in hopes
of seeing that girl again, and the thought of her
pink underwear continued to invade my dreams.
“Re-arrange my schedule,” I said firmly.
“Your uncle has set you up for a blind date,”
George informed me, his voice filled with
concern.
I stopped in my tracks, my legs coming to a
halt. “What did you say?”
“I think he found out that you’re back in London.
The date is for this evening at eight,” George
relayed.
“Cancel it,” I ordered.
“But, sir…” George started.
Looking at him, I held out my hand, furrowing
my brows. He gasped and handed me his house
keys.
“You do know you have a house of your own,”
he pointed out.
“Yours is filled with food,” I explained.
“You’re wealthier than I am,” George growled.
I nodded, a smirk playing on my lips. “It feels
good to live off someone.”
TBC