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TOO LATE...
- Four.
Bonnie, Lucy, and their grandmother Sheila had gone ahead to go to the Members Club, one of the places with the highest standards in the city. Emily was late. She had been with Burak a few hours earlier, and he had dropped her off at the Club premises.
Emily immediately rushed with a satisfied smile on her face, but her joy was overshadowed by someone else's intrusion.
Emily never imagined that she would meet him right here.
Walking quickly to the gym, distracted by her thoughts, Emily managed to cross a corner and unexpectedly collided with a man's chest. She closed her eyes waiting for the fall, but the man in the suit held her around the waist with the help of his hands. For a few seconds Emily was stunned, until she heard a voice she recognized immediately.
"Emily, it's been a long time,"
Emily quickly opened her eyes. She turned away from him, stumbling completely puzzled. She did not respond, until she had more courage to form the words.
"What are you doing here?" Emily asked in a tone of anguish.
She knew that at some point she would see him again, but not before... not now, not here. She told herself.
He smiled without taking offense at the question. This encounter did not surprise him as much as it did her.
"Is that the way to greet an old friend? Lover..."
The last word to refer to Emily made her shudder.
He took advantage of the panic in Emily's eyes to get closer to her. With his hands clasped behind his back, he dared to affirm.
"You thought you'd never see me again... didn't you?" He whispered with a mocking smile.
This man knew very well that he still had some influence on her.
It had been a long time, but she was still the same woman as always, beautiful and adorable. He thought.
He was happy to find her while they were alone. He would take his time with her... He thought with amusement.
Emily swallowed and straightened her posture, masking the amazement at seeing him here.
She would not give him that satisfaction. She thought angrily this time.
Emily was sure that everything between the two was over and that her feelings were more than dead and forgotten. But seeing him here with that stupid smile adorning his face, Emily knew she was in trouble.
She would not admit it so easily. It was clear to her that at some point she would be face to face with him, but not so soon.
Better now than ever, she thought confidently.
Controlling the overwhelming emotion that Emily was feeling. She cleared her throat to sound more convincing.
"Get away from me..."
she uttered each word with warning, and with that, Emily circled him to get away from this man once and for all. She wanted to put as much distance as possible between the two of them, but he stopped her by grabbing her arm to keep her close to him.
He whispered into her ear.
"We'll be family soon, Emily, we should be more cordial,"
He slowly lowered his head to get closer to her face, giving Emily a small chance to stop him, but she didn't. He took advantage of that fragility, and without further ado, he kissed her gently.
Emily closed her eyes when she felt his kiss at the corner of her lips. She didn't even stop him. It had been so long since he felt so close to her that his body reacted to the contact, leaving her totally in evidence.
He just smiled as he continued to pull away from her.
Damn…
It was all Emily thought when she opened her eyes and touched the corner of her lips.
Emily knew she was in trouble.
A thud was heard along with Lucy's screams throughout the gym.
Once again, the circular kick Bonnie gave her threw her against the mat.
"ENOUGH...!"
Lucy screamed with all her might raising her arm as a symbol of surrender. She lay there with her eyes closed trying to bring oxygen to her lungs.
Bonnie removed the mouth guard from her mouth.
"Oh come on! get up Lu, I didn't hit you that hard!"
Bonnie had a lot of energy and Lucy was totally exhausted.
Bonnie's adrenaline added to the stress that had accumulated throughout the week had transformed into enough force to hit anyone. For that reason, Lucy and Emily suggested that she train for the preliminaries, using that as an excuse, so that Bonnie could drain all the stress and be distracted from everything that was happening.
The competition would begin within a few weeks within the Club, and only members participated. As every year, the Bennett Women always took first place in the annual fencing championship.
Now the idea of Bonnie training in the ring hadn't exactly been a good one, thought Lucy, who was being hit countless times.
"Why do I have to do this? I don't want to fight you anymore!"
Lucy barely managed to say as she tried to sit up, the sweat ran all over her body and her hair was completely disheveled. Lucy regretted the idea of training with Bonnie, she had forgotten how competitive and energetic her cousin could be.
Emily, who was trying to forget the meeting she had a few minutes ago, was focused on her own training until she heard Lucy's complaints.
"You're such a crybaby, get up Lucinda!"
Emily ordered, Bonnie smiled at the comment, but Lucy was angry.
"Don't call me that, why don't you come here?, I'm sure Bonnie would kick your butt!"
Lucy yelled at her without caring about the people inside the club gym.
Emily narrowed her eyes and teased Lucy.
"But Bonnie isn't fighting me, so worry about your ass, little one-" Emily stopped at the last second.
Emily focused on the audience beyond the gym entrance, her attention turning entirely to her grandmother and the man next to her, the same man Emily had found a few minutes ago in the hallways.
The man smiled directly at Emily and nodded in greeting, the expression on Emily's face was puzzling. Bonnie and Lucy turned at the same time seeking Emily's focus.
Sheila was conversing with a man that Bonnie and Lucy did not know. But unlike the two of them, Emily knew very well who he was.
However, Lucy didn't care who her grandmother was talking to, she simply realized Bonnie's lack of focus and without hesitation, Lucy took advantage of that opportunity and gave Bonnie a soft tap on her right side, followed by a left hook. Before Bonnie reacted, Lucy pounced on her and that was the end of training.
"Sorry... B!"
Lucy apologized to her cousin for hitting her while she was distracted, and she dropped on top of Bonnie, who started to laugh.
Emily looked back at her laughing sister and when she turned toward the gym entrance, he and Sheila were gone.
Now Emily was intrigued and distraught.
Hell...! Emily cursed softly.
She needed to know what her grandmother's true motives were for bonding Bonnie with the Mikaelson family.
Father and daughter were deep in thought. Each of them looking at their paintings.
Both observing every detail...
An easel larger than the other, in one of the canvases, delicately accurate oil painting strokes, in the other; gestural and light watercolor touches.
One of them pleased, the other not so much, because he could not find perfection in his brush strokes.
Unlike Klaus, Hope was satisfied with her choice of shades.
Apparently pink had been a great choice.
Who said that the sun did not look beautiful in pink? The little girl thought with a cute smile on her lips.
Klaus, however, was unable to get the right tone. But when his daughter shared her result with him, it left him in a big dilemma.
Klaus smiled, "It's impressive..." he said proudly.
"just like her father..."
Admitted a third person just outside the study door.
Father and daughter turned in direction of the voice. Both smiled while Hope ran to be next to her grandfather showing the new piece of art. The small canvas was evaluated by Grandfather Mikael.
"Your father is right, little lady... it is impressive!"
Hope smiled proudly. Mikael bent down to be at the level of his granddaughter.
"Can you do me a favor, little lady? Can you leave me alone with your father for a moment...?"
Hope smiled and nodded affectionately.
Mikael stood up and kissed the crown of her head, informing her in a low voice.
"Ayanna made a delicious snack..."
Hope opened her eyes and ran out of the studio.
Niklaus watched the entire interaction with a slight smile as he wiped his hands on a cloth.
Inside the studio that Klaus shared with her daughter, Mikael managed to admire some new paintings that her son had painted.
"Very pretty, not as impressive as your daughter's, but they are acceptable." Mikael joked to lighten the conversation.
They both felt.
"I think I'll have to try harder."
Klaus replied, following the current of his father's comment.
For a while neither of them said anything, until Mikael spoke.
"Rebecca commented that you will not continue with Hope's tutoring."
Klaus stopped at the confession. He had argued with his sister weeks before about Hope's upbringing, and apparently he would have to with his father.
"Hope needs interaction. It's time for her to go back to school." Klaus was not going to back down on his decision.
"I will not argue with you, you more than anyone know what is best for her, but I admit that I feel a little worried."
Klaus nodded. "I know Rebecca can be a bit dramatic about it, but as I already told her, I wouldn't make that decision without being sure Hope's ready, there's no reason to worry."
Mikael agreed with his son.
"I know... the little lady is strong, after all, she is a Mikaelson."
Hope had problems at school since her diagnosis. After having some time with tutorings, it was time for her to go back to school. As much as Klaus did not like it, he knew that his daughter needed interaction with children of her same age.
Klaus looked at his father this time suspecting the reason for his visit.
"I know you are not here just to talk about your granddaughter's upbringing."
Mikael smiled in agreement with Klaus.
"It's true, I'm not here just because of that."
Mikael took a deep breath, not only had he come to talk about his granddaughter. He had also come because he had been concerned about the disaster in the past few months. Klaus knew it, he was also distressed.
Without any detour, Mikael went straight to the point.
"Finn has not found those responsible for the sabotage of the cellars. He assumes that the attack has been perpetuated from within,"
Without looking up, Mikael was reluctant to believe that his own people wanted to harm him.
Klaus listened to the information. They had all come to the same conclusion, but without proof it was difficult to verify. If someone within the company was cooperating with their enemies to destroy them, they had to find the infiltrator immediately.
"the investigation report yielded a span of + - 20 days,"
Mikael's words to Klaus were disturbing, distribution records had been monitored, except for a small percentage of wines production which were distributed to retailers. Elijah and Klaus worked quickly to shut down shipments. However there was an index of risk, they did not know the exact figures for all the adulterated wine bottles.
If someone was hurt by the grape strain poisoning, the lawsuits against the company would seriously affect them, and not only that, they could also be fully exposed.
With his arms crossed over his chest, Klaus tried to calm his father's anguish.
"The distribution was canceled, the transports that managed to complete the dispatch were removed from the market, we worked on a scale of + -40 days, we did not want to risk more. Unfortunately, it was a bold decision, but the laboratory tests did not arrive on time." Klaus informed his father.
"I guess it is preferable to lose more than lose everything," Mikael's reasoning coincided with his sons.
Klaus nodded, it was a difficult decision, but it was that, or present some important incident that could expose them to any type of investigation that they were not willing to face.
"Finn will find the people involved, this time I will leave him in charge." Mikael commented without hesitation.
Klaus nodded again, this time satisfied by his father's statement.
After Mikael announced his temporary retirement, and appointed his son, Finn Mikaelson, deputy director of the entire organization, to eventually pursue legal trade alongside his other children. The news reached her enemies, who took it as a sign of weakness.
Each of the companies the family owned, in one way or another were being stealthily harmed. The attacks were well planned. It was not until the incident in the wine cellars of, 'Vineyards Originals Family Company', that they were led to assume there was a relationship.
The incidents were not an unlucky coincidence for the Mikaelson family. Mikael knew that very well. However, he believed in the peace treaty that had been signed by all clans across the country.
But apparently someone was not respecting the rules.
Klaus was aware of the whole situation, so he had persuaded his father to agree to handle it in a much more effective way.
Like Finn, his brothers were members of all illicit family activities. Niklaus had shared the same level of cruelty as his brother Finn in the past. Kol was almost as ruthless as they were. But unlike Klaus and Kol, Finn was much more reasonable, a quality he shared with Elijah.
Furthermore, Klaus lacked rationality, earning himself the nickname Bloody Wolf in his youth for the volatile ferocity and violence with which he attacked his enemies.
Therefore, Mikael believed that, among all his sons, Finn was the best candidate for the position of Underboss. Niklaus and his brothers kept their places inside and outside the organization, only getting fully involved when things were strictly necessary.
After Hope's birth, added to all the alliances that guaranteed a time of peace, Mikael had decided to put aside the violent confrontations, ushering in a new era. Now Niklaus, along with his siblings, oversaw every legal business his father had, using the society as a cover to cover up the real family business.
Although at first Niklaus did not agree to definitely move away from the family business, in the end, with the arrival of Hope, he accepted. Niklaus stopped being so impulsive, becoming more flexible and pious. But things had become dangerous since the attacks began.
Mikael had questioned some decisions, but could not tolerate any more, he would accept the advice of his son Klaus, he would let Finn take over, and if it ended badly for those who had the audacity to threaten his family. Mikael was going to accept it with pleasure.
If those responsible for the attack were the same people he supposed, then the peace accords would be redundant, a possible war would result from all this, but that issue would be discussed at another time. Mikael analyzed.
Backing away a little, Mikael looked at his son this time more serenely than before.
"I hope Elijah manages to convince those from The Trinity."
Klaus was silent, if Elijah got the support of 'The Trinity' it would be a great step to get back into the game.
"He is the most diplomatic in the family, father. I am sure they came to good terms."
Mikael nodded, having clarified all the points, he needed to discuss something else.
An arranged marriage was always common to consolidate partnerships. Until now, Finn had been the only one to forge an alliance through marriage.
Initially, Mikael had chosen Elijah to take responsibility for the arrangement with Sheila Bennett, but Esther persuaded him and convinced him to choose Niklaus. Mikael could not deny that Esther was right, between Elijah and Niklaus, Klaus was more ambitious, so he asked his son to accept. The opportunity to bond with the Bennett Group was something that they really could not miss.
Someone had once said. Desperate situations deserve desperate measures. And it was the same thing he shared with his son Klaus.
"The Bennett family is a good family, Niklaus, I know this commitment to the Bennett girl is rushed, but it can work for you. I am confident that you will be a good husband to the girl. I must admit, I am a little concerned for you and for she, she's just a young woman."
Mikael paused.
"She has never been involved in a world like ours. But we are Mikaelson. I trust you will show who we really are. Honorable Men."
Although Mikael had not explained the true reasons for the marriage agreement, everyone knew it was a good opportunity to integrate more easily within the elite of the city.
Deep down, Mikael was confident that the marriage would work out.
The nickname 'the girl' that Mikael used to refer to Bonnie, made Klaus believe that she was literally a girl, but what Klaus observed the night he saw her was quite the opposite. It was very clear to her that Bonnie Bennett was not exactly a little girl.
"Father, you must not worry. I am sure that everything will end well, in the end we will all get what we want. For the good of the family and the company."
Having talked to Bonnie and Camille. Klaus no longer felt bad about the decision.
He was confident.
Inside her office, Sheila Bennett was analyzing all the agreements she had discussed with Mikael Mikaelson. Although she was not sure she was doing the right thing, it was the only option she had now.
Bonnie's marriage to Niklaus Mikaelson could be an extreme measure, but her mother had once told her.
desperate situations deserve desperate measures.
In the past few months Sheila's calm was abruptly altered, things were spiraling out of control and she did not know what to do. Sheila had gone to all the organisms without having answers, nobody guaranteed the stability and the security of her granddaughter.
Therefore, she decided to bet on another path.
When Sheila remembered her mother's words, and they echoed in her head, two months ago, just as she nearly lost her temper. Sheila had no choice but to go to the Mikaelson clan leader to ask for help as payment for the oath Mikael took to her mother Amelia.
Sheila had no knowledge of the Mikaelson family until now. Of course, she had heard rumors at some parties and social events. The Mikaelson family had a considerable reputation, they were considered a kind of shady organization, that they wanted to open themselves up into high society for a much more honest way. However, the rumors never were not confirmed. And Sheila never gave importance to what people said.
Before contacting Mikael, Sheila Bennett, like a cunning woman did her research….
Mikael Mikaelson apparently was a man with a dark past. Sheila knew that Mikael was a man of power, and that only by allying with him, she could put a stop to the monster that tormented the life of her granddaughter. In the end, Sheila had no choice but to accept the union of the corporations.
Starting a new production was the excuse they invented to hide the whole truth.
Sheila was not stupid, she knew that if she demanded an agreement with Mikael, maybe he would ask for something in return, the only detail was that Sheila did not think it was something that big. Giving her the management of a large part of her Company was disappointing. As matriarch of the family and guardian of the inheritance of her granddaughters. The only option Sheila devised to keep her company intact away from unfamiliar hands, was to propose a marriage agreement.
It was certainly a selfish move, but she had to, it was the only way to protect not only Bonnie but also the legacy of her granddaughters. Sheila preferred that, to losing the only chance to protect Bonnie.
"In a few weeks, my granddaughter will become a Mikaelson and with that her safety will be guaranteed." Sheila thought to herself, looking at the contracts on the desk.
"The only way to face an evil, is by joining another evil... there is no other option." Sheila said with determination.
Immersed in her thoughts, someone had knocked on her door.
"Grandma, I need to talk with you, can I come in?" Emily opened and knocked on the door waiting for her grandmother to accept her request.
"of course Darling... come in."
Emily entered the study.
After everything that had happened in the morning there was no need to wait any longer, they had to talk.
Sheila placed her glasses on the desk next to the papers, she ran her hands over her face. A little tired. Sheila had not spoken to anyone about it. She was tense and in constant conflict... Sheila only allowed herself to discuss the delicate situation with only one person, and she hoped that his reliability was more proper than his honorability. Now, Sheila was in doubt whether to tell the truth to her older granddaughter.
Now was not the time, Sheila thought.
Emily did not know how to start, but she dared to ask bluntly.
"Grandma... do you know the owners of Vineyards Originals Family Company well? Isn't that right, Grandma?"
Emily knew Sheila well and she knew that her grandmother took nothing for granted.
Sheila was silent for a moment, analyzing the answer, there was no need to evade the question.
"Yes, Mikael Mikaelson, leader of the Mikaelson Clan."
Sheila replied affirming what Emily suspected. Sheila knew who exactly they were the Mikaelsons.
"And from that knowledge, I forged an alliance with them..." Sheila confessed without hesitation.
"In exchange for what...?"
Emily asked anxiously, completely surprised, waiting for her grandmother to be sincere.
But Sheila did not share the real reasons with her granddaughter Emily.
"Developing a new production..."
That was the whole truth that Sheila would admit to her granddaughters, for now.
Emily dropped her face into her hands, this was absurd... Emily could not understand.
"Our family..." Emily began by saying.
"It is a founding family, we are an elite, we are known like the best company run by four generations, we are trustworthy, honest and hardworking, we owe ourselves to the principles of our ancestors..."
Emily had said something similar, days before to persuade her grandmother not to accept some type of negotiation with the Mikaelsons, but she had no result.
Emily looked seriously at her grandmother.
"I have always supported you unconditionally, although sometimes I have not agreed with many of your decisions, I have never questioned you, grandmother, but I can no longer consent to that arbitrariness. Have you not noticed?"
Emily clung to her own judgment to convince her grandmother to reevaluate her decision.
If her grandmother was unaware of the true nature of the Mikaelson family. So, Emily would tell her exactly what was behind that name.
"The Mikaelsons are highly dangerous people, grandmother, all the businesses in which they are involved are rewarded for organized crime through extortion using usury as an excuse!"
Emily spoke with determination because she knew well all the activities that family was hiding.
"Not only that, they control the administration of the unions, and if that were not enough, they are accused of corruption and many other outrages. People who are related to them fear them. The president of that company, as you said, is Mikael Mikaelson, the most feared gangster, probably not only in this city, but perhaps in the whole country. How can you think of uniting Bonnie with that man's son?"
Emily was elated trying to calm her breaths.
"You just take Bonnie to the wolf's mouth, grandmother!"
In a worried voice, Emily told everything she knew about the Mikaelsons, without noticing her grandmother's accusatory look.
By telling all the truths about the Mikaelson family. Emily was in evidence without even realizing it.
Sheila was surprised, not by the information Emily gave her.
Everything she said was true.
But getting information about them had been difficult for Sheila herself. She realized that they were extremely cautious people. The small evaluation she had obtained had been thanks to her mother's notes and Mikael's revelation.
Now, Sheila was amazed that Emily had a lot of knowledge about the Mikaelson family.
The references Emily gave caused Sheila to confirm what she unfortunately suspected of her granddaughter.
"And still, you had no qualms about relating to one of them, did you, Emily?" Sheila refuted Emily with disappointment.
"Tell me Emily. How is it possible that with all the knowledge you have about the reputation of the Mikaelsons? Did you dared to relate to one of them? answer me!" Sheila ordered furiously.
Sheila was not angry at Emily's poor decisions in the past. Sheila was upset that her granddaughter was a hypocrite judging her in such a way. hypocrite, she thought.
Emily was surprised. She didn't have the courage to look her grandmother in the face, she was embarrassed.
How the hell could her grandmother know? oh my god... she knows, she knows? no... She can't know the whole truth. Emily debated in her mind, completely desperate.
Emily had been discreet, no one was aware of that relationship. There was no way anyone would find out.
Emily knew that with the engagement, she could meet him again, but she had already made her choice. Everything between the two of them was over. Now Emily could not find the words to answer her grandmother's question.
Sheila looked at her granddaughter. She had discovered everything recently. Obviously..., The news did not sit well with her, but Sheila let it go.
"For now, we will leave it at that, later you and I will have a very serious conversation about it, I hope that now, your behavior is much more worthy than all your actions in the past. This time, I will not tolerate such behavior, Emily!"
Was the only thing Sheila said to Emily. Now, Sheila believed that it was not wise for Emily to know the whole everything the truth.
Emily nodded without looking up. She was no longer an opponent for her grandmother.
The accusation took her by surprise, without encouragement to continue protesting. Emily appreciated that her grandmother will not force her to speak.
For now, Emily was not prepared to answer, nor was she prepared to know the whole truth.
A week had passed since Bonnie first met Klaus for the first time.
The presentation dinner had finally arrived.
Both families decided to meet at the Luxury Originals Hotel complex, one of the Mikaelson family properties. The elegant restaurant that the Hotel managed was reserved for the occasion. Decorated with the most refined and luxurious details. Was the place perfect for the reason for the meeting.
Outside the compound, many men guarded security at all entrances and exits.
Emily was the first to get out of the car, she recognized the place very well, carefully observed the security cord that was in the entrance. A little thoughtful and tense, she could not hide the nerves that invaded her.
"You look scared Mily. Anyone would think that you are the one going straight to the slaughterhouse!"
Lucy commented with amusement, not realizing that this was exactly what her cousin was feeling.
Hearing Lucy's comment, Emily straightened up a bit, realizing her little mistake.
"Lucy... it is needless to tell you to take care of your vocabulary..."
The words of matriarch Bennett resounded when she got out of the car with the help of Arthur, her driver. Lucy just rolled her eyes, and turned to look at her grandmother while holding her hand.
"Of course grandma..." She said with a mischievous smile. Sheila shook her head and then gave her a brief look at her older granddaughter.
Emily, however, just swallowed thick and tried to control her anxiety a Little.
"Relax Emily... you can be sure, that he won't be here tonight."
Sheila informed to her, not caring about the confused looks of her other granddaughters.
Silently, Emily completely ignored her grandmother's words with some relief.
Unlike Bonnie who was the last to get out of the car, she was almost lost in thought, with an unrecognizable expression on her face, before hearing Sheila's comment.
Bonnie looked at Emily and then at Lucy, looking for some answer, but Emily ignored the looks of her sister and her cousin. The only answer Bonnie received was from Lucy, who shrugged as confused as she was.
Sheila gave her full attention to her youngest granddaughter.
"Are you ready Honey?"
Bonnie looked at her grandmother and with a slight smile she nodded. Sheila returned the smile and nodded, this time walking to the front with the help of Lucy to lead the way.
Bonnie approached Emily a little curious.
"Emily... why-"
Bonnie tried to inquire for the words of Sheila towards her sister, but Emily wrapped her arm around hers.
"It's nothing, Don't worry..."
Emily said quietly to reassure her little sister.
Bonnie did not want to push her and forgot the whole thing. Focusing on her own fears.
The huge doors that would take her to her fiancé.
Bonnie and Emily walked behind Sheila and Lucy.
Both sisters felt equally nervous, but for different reasons.
One of them would face her future, while the other would face her past.
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