delicateweapon; I don't like all aspects of the gameplay to Wesker, like some of his mannerisms I always feel like contradict his very nature. So I like to bring him more towards the root of his character. He's dangerous, practical, intelligent, sarcastic (you'll see more of that side as it progresses) and very reserved. He views people far differently than others and does things in a way others might view as wrong but that doesn't deter him. He's very much in the mindset that he will do what he feels he must regardless of laws or anything really. I think of him as kind of like the stubborn bull when it comes to his decisions. Not quite tunnel-vision as some portray him as but more so hard to stop once he has his mind set to something. In that same regard of being 'stubborn' he's intelligent to view all aspects of whatever he's striving for.
AllLiesEnd; No worries! Glad to be able to provide you more to humor yourself with! As the perfect present (or I hope it'll at least put a smile on your face) I'll be posting this chapter; happy birthday! I hope it's a wonderful one! And yeah, I almost think of Sherry as a mix between Wesker's mannerisms and William's work ethic. Like I wrote in ch4 I view her as work driven much like her parents but also very shifting, I feel like her being moved around and having gone through the Raccoon City ordeal kind of almost left her with a sort of bipolar flair, where she's able to switch between emotions rapidly and sometimes that'll cause others to have whiplash or be confused. Much like Wesker pointed out, she's definitely a handful and I like to explore that, but I also find her as a very curious cat, poking her nose into others business because she's been given a longer leash than others under Wesker's domain.
I find it hard to write from certain views, such as Linul's for example. His view comes up in one of the current chapters I'm writing (somewhere between Ch 13-14 range) and his view is rather tricky. Not because of said view but how he acts, speaks, thinks. He's not a typical character and I have to try to capture that essence. When I was writing Linul I wanted him to come off as very unique, someone that doesn't quite fit where he is but it makes you appreciate him more because of his traits once things come to light later. At least that's my goal presently. The story could change and I could brutally kill him off, who knows just yet. AHAHAHA.
I'll try to post the next chapter around my birthday (Oct 11th) so there will be a gap between this and the next. If you have questions or want to see something specific let me know! I'm down to throw in more characters (even an OC like a soldier or something if you're interested). If you want to see more of something specific let me know (unless it's NSFW then keep in mind I try to write those scenes in a way where it doesn't get graphic and kind of is like a trail off).
Also I'm working on a separate story called Umbrella Clips (first random little one shot is up) and it's going to be various one shots of different characters, different events, whatnot [you're also welcome to have a one shot you've written be added, I don't mind], I'll work on it between this story and the future sequel (or separate story depending on how this one ends). If you guys have any birthdays coming up let me know! Either way; enjoy!
The starting song lyrics are from The Vengeful One by Disturbed. Disturbed is an amazing band, hands down. I was totally jamming to it while adding this chapter to the doc manager.
He is observing the chaos, taking in the lack of raw humanity
It's as if the entire world's fallen in love with their insanity
Hear the innocent voices scream
As their tormentors laugh through all of it
No forgiveness from all I've seen
The degradation I cannot forget
So sleep soundly in your beds tonight
For judgement falls upon you at first light
Fuck. Shit. Hell. GOD DAMMIT. Everything had gone to shit. We thought judging by the first warehouse the other two would be similar. Fucking no they weren't. The second was full of infected zombies and the third had Lickers and a few Hunters. Of course the first we checked had a Tyrant and several that were being infected.
Just fucking brilliant.
I ran my hand over my shaking left arm, a bullet lodged beside the bone so that each time my arm shifted it grazed against it and sent pain spiking through it.
I grit my teeth as I growled under my breath. We had managed to clean them all out and that had taken several hours. I can't even recall everything that had happened, it was so fast and so much going on it was hard to keep track.
All I knew was Velt's corpse laid on the floor a few feet from me. I stared at the gaping hole in his forehead from when I had to put him down as he had been infected. His mask lay discarded beside his body, bloody.
Linul.. I shifted my gaze to my comrade and could see his tense muscles flexing beneath his more casual attire. He had handled himself very well but when Velt had been killed he seemed to snap. I wasn't sure why and he wasn't answering.
Fuck him if he didn't want to talk. I didn't want to hear his shit. If he had just listened when I said not to charge the Tyrant.. if he had just saved it for last. We could have picked all the zombies off, put down the Lickers, silenced the Hunters and terminated the Tyrant in a methodical way. The blasted Tyrant had been immobile when we burst into it's room but one of the damn still living scientists activated it.
All because Linul chose to try for swift efficiency. Normally in any other circumstance this might have worked. But something felt off. It's like they knew we were coming.
Worst of all? Isaac fucking Sin wasn't even in the bloody warehouses! We combed through each of them once everything was dead. We then pulled out Velt's body, took any research notes we found before burning the buildings.
I still had to burn Velt's body. I glanced at my deceased colleague and an odd sense of sorrow washed over me.
Velt was by no means a stranger to me. We had worked together for 15 years and had formed something akin to camaraderie due to our personalities. We were similar in some ways and we were both very relaxed guys.
I had always liked him, enough that when Albert Wesker took over Umbrella I brought him into the picture, recommending him for jobs.
He was almost like a younger brother to me to a degree.
I clenched my fists, my left arm spazzing from the pain it caused.
"Linul." I needed to address his odd behavior. Something he had seen in the warehouse caused him to act a bit rash. I'd never seen that from him before.
He turned his head just enough to see me from his peripheral but didn't look, his gaze locked on the floor.
"We need to talk about-" I grunted from the pain, adjusting my arm as I began to strip off the combat gear I was wearing. I then began to tear my shirt, using it as a makeshift bandage for my arm for the time being. "-your reaction. Something triggered you down there."
He didn't make any move to acknowledge he heard me or that he was going to respond.
"Normally I wouldn't pry into shit that doesn't concern me but when it results in a messy job and a dead ally I have to." I said as firmly as I could, not lifting my gaze from my work on my arm. There was a lot of blood to clean off. "Tell me what the fuck happened."
The corner of his lips twitched before his gaze flicked up and over to me, his visible right eye studying me. His eyes were a deep gold-flecked brown. He seemed to be considering his words carefully.
"This." He reached into his shirt and pulled something out before tossing it to me. I caught it with my good hand and it was bloody so it got onto the object.
It was a photo.
A photo of two children. A young boy and a young girl. Both had dark brown hair. Hers was braided and the boy's was short.
"The girly." He shifted his head away.
I studied the little girl, not sure what this photo meant.
"Twas in the ware'ouse. They had 'em spread out 'n the first rame we gone ta'. I caught sight o' it, went ta' inves'tagate.. 'er name.." He paused and for the first time since I'd met him something else crept up in his voice.
Deep sorrow.
"..'er name isn't important. They 're perfarmin' 'perimints on kids. I saw tha' notes." A deep growl was starting to grate across his voice, gaining strength and volume before he was clenching his teeth when he turned back to face me fully this time. "Ma' sista'."
"Great, fucking great. We have to report this to Wesker."
I saw Linul's stare intensify as he grit his teeth, baring them for a moment as he clenched and unclenched his hands. As if he was about to tell me not to. But he didn't. He just stood there.
I pulled out my phone, glancing at the time it displayed, 8am, six hours of literal hell. It was time to make that blasted call. As the phone rang I flicked my gaze to Velt and knew this was personal now.
Sin was going to fucking die for all the trouble he'd put us through.
My phone rang and at first I ignored it. I was studying something of interest through a microscope but soon enough I found myself unable to focus as that blasted default ringtone echoed in the small lab. I pushed away the microscope before snatching the phone from where I had laid it, snapping it open to see what idiot was disturbing me.
HUNK's smooth voice was unexpected but I had known his mission to find our elusive troublemaker had led him to some warehouses owned by Viztec. He had apprised me of what they had first discovered but from the silence and lack of communication for the morning I assumed there weren't many complications.
I was wrong. So very wrong.
"It was a god damn trap. That fucker is smart and he left us his playthings to keep us busy. Who knows what the fuck he's doing or even where." HUNK seemed to be venting his frustration and from his tone I knew something was bothering the man. He didn't normally lose his cool. Sure, he cursed a lot and that was fine and normal but his tone depicted emotions I didn't see from the man. "There were Hunters and Lickers, Wesker, fucking people in the process of becoming zombies were waiting for us, not to forget about that fucking Tyrant that got woke up. They had known. Knew we were coming and left us a gift. FUCK, SHIT." I heard something from his end break.
Just as I was about to inquire for more details his voice rose two levels.
"AND THAT AIN'T EVEN THE FUCKING WORST OF IT." He must have been seething on his end. My face, I'm sure, was blank despite the turmoil I felt at this noise. This was a problem. "LINUL GOT COMPROMISED, they've been testing their shit on god damn children, one of which we found out was Linul's only sibling, his younger sister." The man paused on his end of the phone.
"Go on." I demanded more details.
"Velt got infected, I had to put him down. We're down a man-"
"HUNK, show me."
HUNK pressed a few buttons, getting us shifted over to a video call. He held his phone up and angled down to where I could see one of his arms was injured and wrapped to stop the blood flow. The man looked exhausted as well as livid.
He pressed a button on his phone, shifting the camera to the back. He angled his camera towards his comrade's body laying on the floor several feet away, bloody and still.
Linul came into focus as he crouched beside the body and closed the man's eyes. His mask was discarded close to the body.
From what I could see of Linul the man was acting differently from his usual demeanor and so I knew what HUNK had said was true. Linul was a man who cared for very few people but his family. His unknown little half sibling was his treasure and he purposefully kept at a distance to protect her.
They had known. They found out about her and used her against Linul, they knew he had been sent on the mission.
Just who the hell was Isaac Sin to have that kind of knowledge in advance?
This situation drew up so many questions I wanted answers to.
"After the party I will deal with Viztec personally. Burn the body and return to the island. Get treatment and take some time." I ordered the pair before hanging up the phone.
They would be catching a ride back as soon as they dealt with Velt's body.
I stood there clenching my phone before putting it into my pocket lest I try to break it. Just then Birkin decided it was the appropriate time to enter the lab. He paused in the doorway with a cup of steaming coffee, looking over my frozen form. I turned my head toward him and he could see the burning red of my eyes that lacked glasses to guard them.
"You look pissed. I take it that something's happened." He surmised by my obvious anger.
"It seems Viztec is a greater threat than I could have imagined. The man that's been causing us quite the deal of issues is a hired mercenary by the name of Isaac Sin. Obviously not his true name but what he goes by. He laid a trap and we lost Velt."
"I always liked him. He was different from either Arthur or Linul, I quite liked his more gentle nature." He mumbled before coming over to sit in the chair across from where I stood.
"I will not let this postpone the party. It's happening and afterwards I will tend to Viztec and remove this annoyance for the trouble he's caused as well as his employer, Mr. Glastin."
"Well if you're still going to the party it's in..." Birkin paused, glancing at his wristwatch. "Aren't you guys supposed to be leaving for it at like 10am or something?"
I growled. I hadn't forgotten. I needed to get myself ready and make sure that Claire was ready. I turned to stare at Birkin and arched a brow. "Are you staying behind as usual? You know what we are celebrating."
"Yes, yes, I know, I was there when everything was finalized. No, I'm not going. This is your stage. Mine is in the lab only, I don't like the whole corporate party gala these days." He waved a hand dismissively at me before drinking from his coffee. "Sherry's with Claire, they're both getting breakfast and then getting ready."
"Perfect. I don't want any delays, my mood is already sour as is with this unexpected incident."
"Please don't do anything stupid to run Claire away, I really like her, Sherry adores her and even I can tell you have this soft spot when it comes to her."
I rounded on him in a matter of seconds, splaying my hands on the armrest on either side of him and leaning into his personal space. "The next person who questions if I intend to bite her head off or dispose of her will be gutted and laid out across the helicopter blades." I growled out, my tone sharp enough to cut through his otherwise annoying blunt challenge.
"Y'know when Sherry mentioned you had given Claire your coat I had been in disbelief. You didn't lend that out to me even when it was pouring down." Birkin eyed me like rotten food. "I'm just making sure. You aren't exactly open with yourself and sometimes even I have to double check if it's a ploy or genuine."
I pushed away and spun, intent on going to get ready but something he said stopped me.
"Al if you like her don't hold back."
I turned my head to peer at him with a blank expression.
"I never let something I find value in slip away, Will."
"The dress looks so beautiful on you, Claire." Sherry was saying it repeatedly like a broken record and to be honest it was starting to grate on my nerves but I didn't mention it.
"Thanks." I adjusted the sleeve before turning towards the mirror. I picked up some of Sherry's unused makeup and began to apply a little bit. I wasn't one for overdoing my face and wanted it rather simple.
Sherry was curling her hair and was sighing as she flicked her eyes to me. "What do you think of Uncle Albert?"
Her question drew me back to when she wanted to know why I had his coat yesterday. I merely frowned. I had admitted to being uncomfortable around him and it hadn't changed in the little time since the prior question.
But I was beginning to slowly see him as a more pleasant company I suppose than when I had last met him years prior on Rockfort. Back then I was seeing through eyes shrouded by the words of my brother. Perhaps my own tongue had been the reason he had used me against my brother and hurt me in the process. I had been pretty blunt with him and even rude on many levels.
But now it feels different. Sure he was still a very dangerous man but was he purely evil as I'd been led to believe? What if he was more in the shade of grey and could I fault him for his reasons for what he did?
I couldn't forgive him but I had agreed to give him a chance. He was going to prove me wrong about him.
I turned my thoughts to him personally. I could see Sherry gauging my deep concentration on the question.
"I'm sure any girl would point out he's attractive." I quipped softly, applying some mascara.
"I asked your thoughts, not anyone else's." She was quick to bring me back to actually answering.
"Sherry even I think he's attractive. He's aware of himself, sure he's got an ego and pragmatic but he's never deluding himself. He knows what he wants and he strives for it. His ambition, even if scary, is impressive. It always feels like he's four steps ahead. He's intelligent, psychological and blunt. He might go around the proverbial bush but he's doing it to avoid answering if he doesn't want to be direct. He favors subtle notions and allows you to draw your own conclusion."
I paused, studying the mascara brush for a second before determining I was done with it and put it back into the bag.
"He doesn't make me feel worthless or treat me like I'm someone to manipulate. Hell lately it feels like he's more genuine. Blunt, but honest. While at times he may not answer the way you want, he doesn't lie. At least he hasn't to me before."
Sherry had a gentle smile on her face. "That's how you know he cares. If he didn't he'd treat you like a sheep to be led or tossed away. Uncle is cold to everyone he doesn't care about."
I gave her a look.
"Can I ask you a question?"
She arched her brow but nodded. "Sure, anything."
"Is it wrong for me to find him interesting?" I didn't know how to properly phrase my question. "I mean Chris hates him with a passion. He can be an ass but Wesker has seemed more human than he did before and I can't help but consider it. Is that betraying my brother?"
Sherry furrowed her brows, tapping her curling iron against the sink for a second. "No. Your brother's feelings belong to him alone. If you choose to see Wesker differently it's because you have reasons to." She then pointed the iron at me with a stern face. "Whatever decisions you make even if he doesn't like he has no right to control. Claire, you're a woman, not a child. Don't live with regrets, take some risks, live your life."
I smiled at her. "I'll tell him after the party." I finally sighed. I'd tell him I was attracted to him and let the pieces fall where they may.
Sherry set down the iron after unplugging it and held both my hands in hers. "Remember to just be yourself."
"Thanks Sherry. I think I'm about ready."
I walked into the living room of Claire's suite. They must have been in the bathroom because I heard movement coming from said bathroom. I hadn't meant to eavesdrop but I was secretly glad I had. I paused when I caught the tail end of their conversation.
"Is it wrong for me to find him interesting? I mean Chris hates him with a passion. He can be an ass but Wesker has seemed more human than he did before and I can't help but consider it. Is that betraying my brother?"
Sherry's voice answered back. "No. Your brother's feelings belong to him alone. If you choose to see Wesker differently it's because you have reasons to. Whatever decisions you make even if he doesn't like he has no right to control. Claire, you're a woman, not a child. Don't live with regrets, take some risks, live your life."
"I'll tell him after the party." Claire said.
This was when I decided to slip back out and make it seem as if I had just arrived.
Contrary to how I usually was of merely proceeding into her living space (not her bedroom or bathroom however) I decided this time to knock on her outside door from the hallway. I could hear a squeak from what I presumed was Sherry along with lots of movement. Claire's curious face greeted me as the door opened and she gestured to come inside.
"Hi, sorry, we just finished up." She said, taking a seat on the couch as she was putting on ballet shoes. I took note that she preferred grace over a potential loss of her balance.
Sherry came out of the bathroom and gave a twirl. "Well, what do you think uncle?"
Both women had on rather fitting dresses to their styles.
Sherry's was a deep green shimmering almost glittery black dress. The green glow made it seem as if the dress itself was the color but when she turned at just the right angle you saw beneath the glow to the black material of the dress. Strapless, of course, given her selective choices in the more proper attire with outside slits that ran down from around knee level to the bottom and the dress didn't quite touch the floor. A dark grey sash hugged her waist and her blonde hair was curled and half pulled up, some spilling around her shoulders and across her back. Her makeup was a little thicker than her companion's and the entire wear gave her the illusion of being older than she actually was. She also had on two inch black heels that poked out from the ends of her dress.
Claire's, however, was the one that caught my attention more.
The knee length crimson dress had small white rose petal décor stitched at the ends of her dress with a bit of white and silver shaped around her breasts beneath. The straps allowed the shoulders to be visible and when she twirled as well the back was tastefully visible from the low-cut criss-crossing material design. She had on more mascara than actual makeup, just a light dusting perhaps.
"Stunning as always, Sherry." I remarked, giving a nod towards my adopted godchild. Her face lit up as she squealed before running back into the bathroom.
My attention was focused on Claire who was seated at the couch, lost in thought.
"Miss Redfield?" I asked, gaining her attention as her eyes focused and she peered up at me questioningly. "Leave all thoughts of worry when you leave this room. They will only hold you back from having a good time. This is a party after all. Do try to enjoy yourself. Sherry would like that." I found myself uttering these words though I suppose they were what was necessary for upon hearing them Claire gave a warm smile.
"Thanks, I needed that reminder." A light blush creeped into her cheeks and I studied her face. She peered away. "You look nice in a suit."
I had decided to go with a more casual suit attire. Thus I had selected a Saint Laurent Black Classic Suit. It had a long sleeve wool gabardine blazer with a notched lapel collar. The lapel of course being the Umbrella logo. It was a two-button closure at the front with a welt pocket at the chest, darts and flap pockets at the waist. The sleeves had four-button surgeon's cuffs. It also had pockets inside for things such as your phone, car keys, money, etc. It was full silk. I had worn slim-fit trousers, mid-rise, pockets with belt loops and a concealed hook-eye fastening at the waistband. Both top and bottom were in black and from what little could be seen of my inner shirt one could determine it was a grey form fitting plain dress shirt.
I wore simple black dress shoes, no tie or bow, blonde hair gelled back, black glasses covering my eyes. This time I forsook wearing a wristwatch and instead settled on not focusing on the time until it became too late, which I could then glance at my phone when necessary.
Of course neither woman knew I kept a gun tucked in a cross body torso holster, the gun secured by on my left side for easy reach with my right hand. It was, oddly enough, the only pistol I preferred to carry; the one from my days at S.T.A.R.S. that I couldn't get rid of. It was my treasured Beretta 92F custom Samurai Edge with the S.T.A.R.S. logo on the grip.
"Dresses don't really suit me. I think I'd much rather prefer some sweats and a shirt over this kind of formality." I heard Claire grumble and I tilted my head a little.
"Miss Redfield, you have a natural beauty most women would kill for. I'm sure as soon as we arrive you'll be the one they talk about, the unknown beauty." I said honestly.
Her cheeks got more heated and she turned away. Her hair was also tastefully done, not quite up but not down. From my limited experience with female hairstyles it reminded me of braids but hers had a waterfall effect in which it went from the top of the front of her head down the side and to the back. Parts were held in place with red matching clips. Her hair had waves to it to give it a more flowing look.
I now knew the affection wasn't one sided. She had admitted to Sherry, to an unknown audience of myself, that she was interested in me. Would that interest become something more? I found myself rethinking my earlier conclusion of merely allowing her into my life and being fine with just that. The potentials of the redhead were limitless.. I was starting to factor her into my own goals and plans.
Now it was time to start laying the breadcrumbs for her to notice and follow.
"I'm ready!" Sherry came out of the bathroom then and glanced between us. Claire spun around and her blush was gone as she got to her feet and smiled.
"I guess we'll head out?" Claire hesitantly asked.
I nodded and then we were off. We made our way to the courtyard in which a helicopter was waiting. The pilot was finishing prepping and would only need another two minutes before we were airborne.
We still had a few hours before we had to be there. It was going to be a long party considering the meeting was happening at the beginning. It would be a two hour meeting while our guests partied. Then we would join them. A public celebration and announcement would be made to those present. There were to be games of various kinds though I used these types of events to tend to business and check on different assets.
We boarded the helicopter and we were on our way. The party was being held in a castle owned by an ally who was merging his company into mine.
I turned my head to see Claire and Sherry passing the time discussing the party so I chose to stare out the window and ponder.
Viztec was following in Spencer's footsteps and that irritated me on many levels. They were a threat that needed to be eliminated but with the efforts of Mr. Sin it had been difficult to remove them from the equation. After the party I would go tend to this issue before returning to allow Claire her opportunity to discuss whatever she wished to. Perhaps I might reveal something as well.. I was still considering it all.
A little while later we had landed and were heading toward the elaborate five story stone castle. Jasper's ancestors had built this home and it had been passed down through the generations. He was a young man but brilliant, someone that should have gone into science or medicine but instead had chosen the path of engineering.
His engineering company, Pes'Con Industry, was often commissioned by Umbrella of late with facility building. Once merged we would assign their team to various facilities as well as build a few more in key locations.
The man in question was standing by the castle's open double doors with his arms spreading out and up at the sight of us walking toward him.
He was dressed to the t with his pristine silver coat and slacks. His coat was unbuttoned and left one to see the various medals and pins he wore on the black dress shirt beneath. He had dirty blonde spiked hair with warm green eyes and a splash of freckles.
"Albert Wesker!" The man was positively beaming as he clasped his hands onto my shoulders as we were roughly the same height. He gave them a squeeze as he winked at my female companions. "I'm honored as always to see you. Thank you for using my castle for this celebration! I felt it appropriate since our agreement to co-exist together under one banner."
"Callus Jasper." I greeted him, shaking his hand when he offered me it. I had decided tonight to go gloveless. "The pleasure is mine. A wonderful castle that I do enjoy visiting. Perhaps you'd be willing to sell it."
He gave a snort. "You know I wouldn't. The HISTORY!" He bellowed a laugh. "Imagine me selling this. My ancestors would curse me as they rolled in their graves."
"Have the others arrived?" I asked in reference to those attending the meeting.
He nodded but then froze. "Urm, wait, no, we're still waiting on Phane and Rosila. They should be here in 15 minutes, they texted me just before you walked up."
"Perfect."
"I recognize you." He turned to Sherry and reached for her hand, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. "My little Sherry, you keep getting more and more beautiful every time you grace my company."
"Thank you! You look dapper as ever, Mr. Jasper." Sherry giggled.
He turned his eyes towards Claire and froze, blinking. "You I've never met before." I rested my hand on his shoulder then because I knew where this was heading. "I'm pretty sure I could never forget a face like yours. Wow, you.." He paused at the pressure I was putting on his shoulder, glancing back at me. "Right, sorry!"
He cleared his throat and straightened.
"I'm Callus Jasper, I'm the present CEO of Pes'Con Industry. My team and I have built facilities for various companies."
"Claire Redfield." Claire pulled her hand away when he went to kiss it. "Sorry I just don't like being kissed by strangers anywhere." She sheepishly explained as he chuckled.
"I understand. I'll hold my more personal manners aside for you, Miss Redfield." He gave a winning smile that seemed to melt most women around him before he turned, gesturing to the castle. "I'll be in as soon as the other two arrive."
I nodded to him before guiding my companions inside.
Since Sherry had been here before she didn't have the same immediate reaction of gasping like Claire did.
I could admit the castle was decorated in a splendid way. Jasper always outdid himself with the whole parties he sometimes threw.
The browns, reds and golds of various furniture were adorned with splashes of green such as vases of flowers, tassels hanging from the edge of paintings, streamers dangling from the lit chandeliers. The antique furniture complimented the castle as they were in pristine condition. A few tables had been pulled into the foyer from the adjoining dining hall where pamphlets and treats had been laid out.
The pamphlets discussed the events of the night as well as various trivial information such as the celebration, history, whatnot. The bar in the corner had been renovated since I was last here because it had a new red marble counter with matching colored high stools to sit on.
The high arching walls led to an ornately crafted ceiling where balloons had been set to float in various earthen shades.
The decorations weren't what drew my attention but the crowd that stood within the castle's foyer. I'm sure the other rooms had more I'd be subject to see but for now I focused on the foyer we stood in.
Since it was warm weather the women didn't wear jackets, even the night was warm. I, however, would keep mine on.
Jasper had gone all out as I'm sure this union between our companies was something he actually looked forward to. The man's almost bubbly nature was at times exhausting but he did invaluable work and was an asset I kept close.
I turned my attention to Claire as she was studying a table of food. She was pointedly ignoring all the stares she was receiving or perhaps she was just unaware of them. The entire foyer of people wasn't being subtle about peering at us. Certain ones knew exactly who I was and who Sherry was by default since she worked for me and was Birkin's daughter. But Claire was a new fish in the water and one that evoked whispers, jealous looks and a few men getting ideas about flirting with the beauty.
I would dissuade any from approaching her with ill intentions to merely 'score', as they say.
Shortly the two we were missing had arrived and I bid the ladies to enjoy themselves for the two hours I was gone for the meeting.
A live band had been set up and was about to start when I left so I'm sure they'd be dancing and socializing in my absence.
The meeting was in the third floor's library where the noise was relatively drowned out, a table situated in the middle big enough to accommodate our members.
This wasn't a meeting to merge just Jasper's company but several others.
Val Hoover owned Record's Stationary, a newspaper company situated on the east coast of the US. They were relatively smaller but we planned to expand them rapidly within the first five years.
Peter Maril owned Maril Medication, a pharmaceutical network of plants where they dealt with packaging for medications. They were highly sought after.
Joseph Deckard owned Salt & Fiber, a company who dove lengths, despite an ill fitted name, to provide hospitals with resources they'd need.
And that was just three to name. The others weren't merging presently but in the months to come.
I took the head of the table since I owned the biggest of the companies and was the reason they were all gathered.
A handful of other officials were here and Jack Krauser stood at attention several feet behind me, having already been here to double check the castle grounds and security.
"Now. Shall we discuss the merging of your companies first or shall we discuss any immediate topics of interest?"
The perspective for this chapter starts with HUNK, then Wesker, then Claire, ending with Wesker.