I have been through a lot in my life.
A fire burning down the facility I was thrown in.
A painful transformation.
Solitude.
Idiots surrounding me, trying to win my favor.
The common nominator? Me.
I've caused them all.
But I doubt I caused this - peculiar situation.
Explain to me, please, why my mother started to unbutton the collar of her shirt seductively, thinking -in her utter madness- that I want her.
Sure, I want her misery.
Her tears.
Her total fall from the arms of the aristocracy and social norm.
But I don't want her as a woman.
And the worst part?
She took the shaky breath, the shiver down my spine, the avoidance of her gaze as shyness. It's disgust.
Utterly, undoubtedly disgust.
I need to grip the situation before my mother grasps me.
I hear her Chanel heels moving that silicone body closer and closer.
Should I laugh or should I cry?
Because this is ruining my revenge plans. I don't want to look back at this moment and instead of feeling satisfaction, to feel repulsion.
"Madam Akna, you've misunderstood. Please step back before the situation becomes even more embarrassing than it is."
"Oh, don't be shy now, love. After all the work you put in just to get my attention."
She smiled as she dragged her nails along my collar. I should have stayed at home with Luther.
She continued in a condescending voice she mastered-
But whispered like a flirt:
"But I must say, you should have planned your outfit better. That doctor's robe is ruining the mood. I am not into peasant roleplay."
"Lucrezia"
My voice came out sharp, unforgiving.
I threw her hands off of me as her name echoed in the empty building. A metal fell to the ground.
He's early.
I need to hurry.
"It's true. I want your acknowledgement. But not like this. You are overestimating yourself."
She grabbed her unbuttoned collar and stepped back. Her nails were so deep in the Valentino, the material was punctured.
Embarrassment. Shame. Inferiority.
Good.
We're back on track.
"What do you want then?"
"I want you to work for your legacy. Just like I worked to - How did you phrase it?"
I hummed in satisfaction.
"Oh, right- worked to crawl out of the sewage my mother dumped me in."
The sound of her teeth grinding in frustration. The sound of victory.
Sadly, I need to cut it short.
I can see his shadow closing in on us.
Such a shame, but what to do? The show must go on.
"What does that mean?"
"Oh, right. Old age can affect hearing. Let me say it louder for you."
I cleared my throat.
"Crawl"
"What?"
"Crawl"
"I will certainly not, arrogant brat!"
"Then lose your daughter. Or your company."
"F—k you."
"You tried unsuccessfully. Now you have to choose: lose or earn your might. Crawl."
She shifted unsure for a moment.
It's a tough choice, I'm aware. Either way, she loses everything.
This humiliation is more than enough to destroy Lucrezia- the symbol of narcissism and superiority.
She gracefully took her heels off. Kneeled, dirting her Valentino dress in the process. Placed her hands on the concrete.
Pieces of glass must have entered help palms, yet she preserved what was left of that hateful, arrogant gaze she owned.
My aristocratic mother knelt before me in class and dust like nothing but a stray dog.
And I was not the only one watching Lucrezia wiggling her tail.
Killian just brought Luther's father to me.
The circus is complete.
Lucrezia Akna on the floor, on all four, discovering that her humiliation was public.
Killian Akna watching the most powerful woman - no, the most powerful person in his universe crumbling down. All by the man whose shoes he kissed.
Cassian Wilkers, witnessing his first love and the shadow of his political adversary squirm helplessly in the front of the man who has his son.
The balance of power shifted again.
"You can get up now. I am not about to humiliate a woman for the male gaze."
She nodded and got up.
Dusted her dress off with bloody palms. Despite her attempts, her image was destroyed-
Her stockings completely ripped from the knees down.
Her dress full of dirt and fresh blood.
Her face twisted in shame and resignation.
Her reputation in shambles.
"You can go now. Pleasure doing business with you, Madam Akna."
She raised her head high. I already knew her thoughts- "I am gonna make you pay for this."
It was too late when I shifted my attention to the two men.
Killian already launched a powerful fist into my jaw. So hard and fast, it made my mouth taste metallic.
Blood.
It was a mere second until I regained control over my body. Too late.
All the parties were on their knees, scratching their throats in hope of fresh air.
My pheromones seem to have been destabilised since yesterday night. Luther.
An incomplete bond.
F—k.
"Excuse me. That took me by surprise."
"Motherf-"
"Now, now, Killian, careful with our words. Your dear aunt worked so hard to preserve what you will inherit one day. As well as your sister. Don't make her sacrifice for nothing."
"Killian, car, now."
Lucrezia's voice was still sharp, authoritative.
Yet I knew she was concealing the fear of her humiliation being pointless.
He bumped his shoulder into mine before following his aunt like a dog.
How immature.
"What was that about?"
The Prime Minister still sounded a little rough. I expected more from a dominant alpha. I must say I'm disappointed he crumbled that fast from a whiff of pheromones.
"Business."
I crossed my arms.
His footsteps crushed the place where Lucrezia earned back her empire.
"I saw pictures of you and my son in the press. Care to explain?"
"I should be the one waiting for an explanation. I thought I told you to convince Killian to be part of our experiment."
"I did."
I clicked my teeth disapprovingly.
From this man's posture and attitude, I could tell he was enraged.
But after that show, he was too smart to afford an argument with me.
"So why did Killian steal Luther from me then? I had to rescue your son from a window frame. He was about to jump."
"This complicates things. Maybe the jump would have been more beneficial."
He's mumbling.
So Luther's death would have brought you more than a political win?
You are no different from Lucrezia.
Well, it's not new to me either way. You're in my trap already. All I need is to tighten up your rope.
"You're disappointing me, Cass. We can just solve it like adults. What sells more than anything on Earth to all genders and age categories?"
"What?"
"A tragic love story with a happy ending."
"And how would that help my campaign? You are making no sense, Sanchez."
"The media has my picture with Luther. Luther was found in their eyes. Your little stunt is over, unless-"
He's fidgeting. Tying his tie then loosening it again. He's anxious and impatient.
"Unless?"
"Unless you give them a story. A grandiose one about your son being rescued and brought home. About the love between him and his savior. About your support and pride."
"Get to the point."
"You're gonna be the father of the year before being the father of the nation, Cass. Or should I call you father-in-law?"