Eclipse - Chapter 37. Checkmate
Title: Eclipse
Author: CC
Story: In a love triangle caught in a complex web of power, lies, deception, hatred, and dark obsession, who will pay the highest price to find true happiness?
Rating: Rated R
Warnings: Graphic Sex, Non-Con
Pairing: Kradam
Disclaimer: This is purely fiction.
Word Count: 2246
Chapter 37. Checkmate
For both parties, a lot was at stake at this meeting.
China was a big market Parris had been trying to crack and if all goes well, this would mean more money which Alex just couldn’t resist. All employees had been briefed to give their best impression and to accommodate all the client’s requests.
For Kris’s part, it was critical for him to maintain a businesslike demeanor at all times without showing any signs of emotion to make sure Alex would remain blind to the real reason why he was here. Kris was embarrassed to admit that although he really intended to marry Katy his move to propose to her was also part of the scheme to sidetrack Alex. He knew that the jealous bastard wouldn’t think he was after Adam if a fiancée would tag along.
Kris had done an extensive research on Alex’s background. He wanted to be a step ahead of his opponent and to do that he needed to study what made him tick. Good-looking, strong, powerful, rich, cunning, and merciless were synonymous with Alex, but Kris already knew that from pictures he had seen and articles he had read. In person though, Alex Kennedy was much more than what he was described to be. To Kris, the biggest mistake Alex’s opponent could commit was to underestimate him. If there was one word that Kris could use to describe him, it would be lethal and he made a mental note to be extra careful around him.
He didn’t know when he became an expert in masochism but part of his brain couldn’t help but ask what Adam saw in Alex. As far as he could assess, Alex was his antithesis. He was everything he was not and everything Adam didn’t like. Was it possible that Adam simply just grew tired of him and chose somebody who was his exact opposite? This was highly unlikely. Or could it be that he was just reading too much of it and the only reason he was dumped was simply because Alex had more money. His brain was trekking down that dangerous road again and he reminded himself to stop before it led him to self-persecution and self-destruction.
Kris focused his energy on the task at hand. He needed to make a good presentation to ensure that everyone would join the ride.
Sitting on the heads of the conference table opposite each other were Kris and Alex. Seated to Kris’s right was Katy. Alex was between Sutan and an empty chair and the rest were occupied by three other designers including Brad.
Kris’s voice rang out clearly when he spoke, “I am proud to say that we are the owner of the biggest textile company in the world. Recently when I took over the business right after my father died, I realized that Parris has been one of our most loyal clients that we supply with our expensive fabrics.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“I came here not just to honor that partnership, but to also strengthen it.” Kris paused and stood up for better effect. “You must be aware that our company had only grown bigger the past year and we owe our success to an excellent research-based program that’s continually on the lookout for better high-quality fabric. We can boast about the fact that we know our fabric well, we have studied how each fabric moves, drapes, and breathes on the body. The rich colors, textures, and patterns to choose from are endless.”
For Kris, it wasn’t really hard to convince clients once you know that your product could speak for itself. The impressed look on the designers’ faces encouraged Kris to go on.
“We have the know-how in fabric and an already existing strong base in China, while you have the expertise in design, together we can enlarge both our empires and who knows what other big opportunities might come out of this renewed partnership.”
Kris saw how that last statement piqued the interest of Alex who was quietly listening to him. He sat down again beside Katy and looked at the pictures on the table, “Studying the portfolios of all your high calibre designers, I have seen one exact match of the signature style that would surely click in China.
Everyone waited in bated anticipation.
“And that would be these designs.” Kris pointed to one of the portfolios.
Sutan whispered to Alex, “That’s Adam’s portfolio, where is he?
Alex spoke directly to Kris, “I am not inclined to mince my words, Mr. Allen. There is a reason Parris has continued to keep your company as one of our top suppliers and I’m sure my mother would agree with me, and that is the consistent good service we have experienced with you. And since we have gone past that technicality, the only question left to ask is… would our designer be able to provide what you are looking for,” Alex said in a forthright manner.
Despite Kris’s understandable dislike of Alex, he had to admire his straightforward, no nonsense business style.
“I have to give you props for your excellent taste and insight in fashion. The portfolio you chose belongs to our top designer who also happens to be my beautiful husband,” Alex said with pride in his voice.
Kris felt a tightening in his chest at the tone of possessiveness in Alex’s voice.
“I will invite him to join us in a while, but for the meantime let’s not waste the food I’ve ordered for our special guests. And as if by command the waiters suddenly appeared and started serving the VIPs on the table.”
Everyone had finished eating and was just socializing when Adam entered the room. Kris’s world seemed to have stopped and everyone else in the room faded into obscurity. It was like watching Adam move in slow motion. His radiant beauty caught his breath away. Nobody else could affect him this way.
But the warm light was suddenly covered with cold dark shadows when Alex entered the picture, slithered his arms around Adam like a snake, and kissed him greedily.
A burning hatred seethed deep in his core and it took his iron will strength not to leap across the room in one fluid motion like a panther with his sharp claws and fangs and make Alex feel the abysmal pain driving through his heart at that very moment. Warring voices battled inside his head.
It should be my arms around Adam, not his.
Don’t let them see how this is affecting you.
It should be my lips touching his.
No emotions Kris, remember? How can you avenge yourself if the mere sight of him would turn you into a weakling. You’ve got to toughen up! Traitors don’t deserve sympathy!
Traitors! The idea jolted him back to reality and no sooner than the mask had crumbled when it was quickly put back into place beyond notice except for Katy whose face had turned ashen white when it suddenly dawned on her in painful clarity, the role she was about to play in this love story which in all likelihood would only end in tragedy. Even if Katy felt like screaming in indignation, she kept her mouth shut and did her best to play along whatever dangerous game Kris had started.
Adam looked down to hide his face which he was sure had turned red. He would never get use to Alex’s public display of affection that he knew came partly from his need to flaunt and mark his possession, and to wave in bold colors his bragging rights as his husband. Needless to say even if he didn’t like it, there was nothing he could do to stop it. He allowed Alex to lead him to the conference table.
“Adam, our client selected your designs to represent our first fashion line in China.” Adam simply nodded in response while still focused on Alex and what he was explaining.
“Mr. Allen, may I introduce my talented and lovely husband, Adam,” Alex said as he looked toward Kris.
Adam slowly turned his head and followed the line of his sight toward the opposite direction.
At first, Adam couldn’t believe his eyes. He blinked twice to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him. How many times had he wished to see Kris again? And now there he was, within his grasp, so close and yet so far.
“Meet also his lovely fiancée, Ms. Katy O’Connell.”
It took a while for his brain to process the words and when it did he regretfully tore his eyes away from Kris and saw Katy beside him. His lovely fiancée. An awkward silence filled the room and Adam suddenly found it hard to breathe.
Alex’s eyes ran curiously from Adam to Kris then to Katy and back again until they stayed fixed at Kris, “Have you met before?”
“I don’t believe we have or I wouldn’t have forgotten.”
Kris’s quick denial of their past felt like arrows that pierced through Adam’s heart, slowly draining the very life out of it.
“Are you okay, baby?” Alex’s worried face was trained on Adam who had lost all the color on his face and was suddenly deathly pale.
“I don’t feel well. I’m sorry. Please excuse me,” Adam pulled himself up on shaky legs and ran toward the toilet.
“Excuse us,” Alex followed him inside.
If the designers’ eyes were not fixed on Adam, they could’ve also seen how Kris was about to run after Adam if Katy’s hand did not hold him back in time.
Adam was retching on the bowl when Alex came in.
Alex rubbed his husband’s back until his stomach spasms stopped and handed him a towel and a glass of water to drink.
“Do you want me to call paramedics?”
Adam shook his head. “No. I’ll be fine.”
Adam was still badly shaken when they went back to join the others. Only Alex’s strong supportive arms kept him from tripping over his own feet. Adam avoided looking at Kris’s direction for the rest of the meeting. He did not trust himself from reacting again at the mere sight of Kris.
Kris’s familiar voice made him realize how desperately he had missed him and it brought him more pain than he could imagine. “I’m sorry Adam is not feeling well. We could reschedule another meeting. We’ll be here for a week anyway. It’s actually Katy’s first time in California so I could use the time to show her around.”
Alex ran the back of his hand across Adam’s cheek. “I think that’s a good idea, Mr. Allen. And when you’re done with your sightseeing, Adam and I would like to invite you for dinner tomorrow night.”
Adam looked up at Alex but quickly bit his lip to quell his objection that would definitely raise more suspicion from Alex.
“I don’t see anything wrong with mixing business with pleasure. Over dinner would be a good time to continue discussing where we left off.” Kris said casually to avoid sounding too eager.
At the end of the meeting while Kris was shaking Alex’s hand, a voice inside Kris’s head whispered victoriously, Checkmate. Soon, I will capture your King.
****************************************
Once Kris and Katy were back in their hotel room, Kris quickly knocked back a glass of wine to relax his tensed muscles. He just noticed how his hands were trembling. Their months of separation and his anger had not diminished the effect Adam had on him and this made him nervous.
Like a rerun, his meeting with Adam played in his brain in an endless loop, his mind scrutinizing every detail of Adam’s reactions. The shock on Adam’s face when their eyes met was very clear, but did he also see a tiny glimmer of happiness in them or maybe he was just imagining it. Why did Adam fall sick, was that because his guilt of betraying him had finally caught up with him?
What about his own reactions? There was no denying that he felt something every time Alex touched Adam. Jealousy? Anger? And what did he exactly sense when he saw Adam ill? Worry? Vindication?
His mind was groping for a good reason to explain all the baffling feelings and came up with only one-maybe seeing Adam for the first time in months confused his brain and led it to malfunction. He was positive that the next time their paths crossed again, he would be able to manage his emotions from going berserk again.
The turmoil in his head made him totally forget about Katy who was quietly sitting on the couch and openly observing him. When she finally spoke, her voice was filled with barely contained anger, “What are you doing, Kris?”
Kris feigned innocence. “I like to branch out into a new field that could provide more stability for the firm.”
“You had never been a good liar.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kris said in a mildly irritated tone.
“Your dangerous game may well backfire. Don’t throw away so easily what you’ve worked so hard for to attain.” Katy stood up and went straight to her bedroom. The shocking turn of events drained her energy to confront Kris’s stubborn resistance. She just hoped that he would come to his senses the next day.
But Katy was wrong because her words were like ocean waves against an impenetrable stone wall that did nothing to perturb Kris. If anything, they made him more dogged to see his plan through no matter what the cost.
Author: CC
Story: In a love triangle caught in a complex web of power, lies, deception, hatred, and dark obsession, who will pay the highest price to find true happiness?
Rating: Rated R
Warnings: Graphic Sex, Non-Con
Pairing: Kradam
Disclaimer: This is purely fiction.
Word Count: 2246
Chapter 37. Checkmate
For both parties, a lot was at stake at this meeting.
China was a big market Parris had been trying to crack and if all goes well, this would mean more money which Alex just couldn’t resist. All employees had been briefed to give their best impression and to accommodate all the client’s requests.
For Kris’s part, it was critical for him to maintain a businesslike demeanor at all times without showing any signs of emotion to make sure Alex would remain blind to the real reason why he was here. Kris was embarrassed to admit that although he really intended to marry Katy his move to propose to her was also part of the scheme to sidetrack Alex. He knew that the jealous bastard wouldn’t think he was after Adam if a fiancée would tag along.
Kris had done an extensive research on Alex’s background. He wanted to be a step ahead of his opponent and to do that he needed to study what made him tick. Good-looking, strong, powerful, rich, cunning, and merciless were synonymous with Alex, but Kris already knew that from pictures he had seen and articles he had read. In person though, Alex Kennedy was much more than what he was described to be. To Kris, the biggest mistake Alex’s opponent could commit was to underestimate him. If there was one word that Kris could use to describe him, it would be lethal and he made a mental note to be extra careful around him.
He didn’t know when he became an expert in masochism but part of his brain couldn’t help but ask what Adam saw in Alex. As far as he could assess, Alex was his antithesis. He was everything he was not and everything Adam didn’t like. Was it possible that Adam simply just grew tired of him and chose somebody who was his exact opposite? This was highly unlikely. Or could it be that he was just reading too much of it and the only reason he was dumped was simply because Alex had more money. His brain was trekking down that dangerous road again and he reminded himself to stop before it led him to self-persecution and self-destruction.
Kris focused his energy on the task at hand. He needed to make a good presentation to ensure that everyone would join the ride.
Sitting on the heads of the conference table opposite each other were Kris and Alex. Seated to Kris’s right was Katy. Alex was between Sutan and an empty chair and the rest were occupied by three other designers including Brad.
Kris’s voice rang out clearly when he spoke, “I am proud to say that we are the owner of the biggest textile company in the world. Recently when I took over the business right after my father died, I realized that Parris has been one of our most loyal clients that we supply with our expensive fabrics.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“I came here not just to honor that partnership, but to also strengthen it.” Kris paused and stood up for better effect. “You must be aware that our company had only grown bigger the past year and we owe our success to an excellent research-based program that’s continually on the lookout for better high-quality fabric. We can boast about the fact that we know our fabric well, we have studied how each fabric moves, drapes, and breathes on the body. The rich colors, textures, and patterns to choose from are endless.”
For Kris, it wasn’t really hard to convince clients once you know that your product could speak for itself. The impressed look on the designers’ faces encouraged Kris to go on.
“We have the know-how in fabric and an already existing strong base in China, while you have the expertise in design, together we can enlarge both our empires and who knows what other big opportunities might come out of this renewed partnership.”
Kris saw how that last statement piqued the interest of Alex who was quietly listening to him. He sat down again beside Katy and looked at the pictures on the table, “Studying the portfolios of all your high calibre designers, I have seen one exact match of the signature style that would surely click in China.
Everyone waited in bated anticipation.
“And that would be these designs.” Kris pointed to one of the portfolios.
Sutan whispered to Alex, “That’s Adam’s portfolio, where is he?
Alex spoke directly to Kris, “I am not inclined to mince my words, Mr. Allen. There is a reason Parris has continued to keep your company as one of our top suppliers and I’m sure my mother would agree with me, and that is the consistent good service we have experienced with you. And since we have gone past that technicality, the only question left to ask is… would our designer be able to provide what you are looking for,” Alex said in a forthright manner.
Despite Kris’s understandable dislike of Alex, he had to admire his straightforward, no nonsense business style.
“I have to give you props for your excellent taste and insight in fashion. The portfolio you chose belongs to our top designer who also happens to be my beautiful husband,” Alex said with pride in his voice.
Kris felt a tightening in his chest at the tone of possessiveness in Alex’s voice.
“I will invite him to join us in a while, but for the meantime let’s not waste the food I’ve ordered for our special guests. And as if by command the waiters suddenly appeared and started serving the VIPs on the table.”
Everyone had finished eating and was just socializing when Adam entered the room. Kris’s world seemed to have stopped and everyone else in the room faded into obscurity. It was like watching Adam move in slow motion. His radiant beauty caught his breath away. Nobody else could affect him this way.
But the warm light was suddenly covered with cold dark shadows when Alex entered the picture, slithered his arms around Adam like a snake, and kissed him greedily.
A burning hatred seethed deep in his core and it took his iron will strength not to leap across the room in one fluid motion like a panther with his sharp claws and fangs and make Alex feel the abysmal pain driving through his heart at that very moment. Warring voices battled inside his head.
It should be my arms around Adam, not his.
Don’t let them see how this is affecting you.
It should be my lips touching his.
No emotions Kris, remember? How can you avenge yourself if the mere sight of him would turn you into a weakling. You’ve got to toughen up! Traitors don’t deserve sympathy!
Traitors! The idea jolted him back to reality and no sooner than the mask had crumbled when it was quickly put back into place beyond notice except for Katy whose face had turned ashen white when it suddenly dawned on her in painful clarity, the role she was about to play in this love story which in all likelihood would only end in tragedy. Even if Katy felt like screaming in indignation, she kept her mouth shut and did her best to play along whatever dangerous game Kris had started.
Adam looked down to hide his face which he was sure had turned red. He would never get use to Alex’s public display of affection that he knew came partly from his need to flaunt and mark his possession, and to wave in bold colors his bragging rights as his husband. Needless to say even if he didn’t like it, there was nothing he could do to stop it. He allowed Alex to lead him to the conference table.
“Adam, our client selected your designs to represent our first fashion line in China.” Adam simply nodded in response while still focused on Alex and what he was explaining.
“Mr. Allen, may I introduce my talented and lovely husband, Adam,” Alex said as he looked toward Kris.
Adam slowly turned his head and followed the line of his sight toward the opposite direction.
At first, Adam couldn’t believe his eyes. He blinked twice to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him. How many times had he wished to see Kris again? And now there he was, within his grasp, so close and yet so far.
“Meet also his lovely fiancée, Ms. Katy O’Connell.”
It took a while for his brain to process the words and when it did he regretfully tore his eyes away from Kris and saw Katy beside him. His lovely fiancée. An awkward silence filled the room and Adam suddenly found it hard to breathe.
Alex’s eyes ran curiously from Adam to Kris then to Katy and back again until they stayed fixed at Kris, “Have you met before?”
“I don’t believe we have or I wouldn’t have forgotten.”
Kris’s quick denial of their past felt like arrows that pierced through Adam’s heart, slowly draining the very life out of it.
“Are you okay, baby?” Alex’s worried face was trained on Adam who had lost all the color on his face and was suddenly deathly pale.
“I don’t feel well. I’m sorry. Please excuse me,” Adam pulled himself up on shaky legs and ran toward the toilet.
“Excuse us,” Alex followed him inside.
If the designers’ eyes were not fixed on Adam, they could’ve also seen how Kris was about to run after Adam if Katy’s hand did not hold him back in time.
Adam was retching on the bowl when Alex came in.
Alex rubbed his husband’s back until his stomach spasms stopped and handed him a towel and a glass of water to drink.
“Do you want me to call paramedics?”
Adam shook his head. “No. I’ll be fine.”
Adam was still badly shaken when they went back to join the others. Only Alex’s strong supportive arms kept him from tripping over his own feet. Adam avoided looking at Kris’s direction for the rest of the meeting. He did not trust himself from reacting again at the mere sight of Kris.
Kris’s familiar voice made him realize how desperately he had missed him and it brought him more pain than he could imagine. “I’m sorry Adam is not feeling well. We could reschedule another meeting. We’ll be here for a week anyway. It’s actually Katy’s first time in California so I could use the time to show her around.”
Alex ran the back of his hand across Adam’s cheek. “I think that’s a good idea, Mr. Allen. And when you’re done with your sightseeing, Adam and I would like to invite you for dinner tomorrow night.”
Adam looked up at Alex but quickly bit his lip to quell his objection that would definitely raise more suspicion from Alex.
“I don’t see anything wrong with mixing business with pleasure. Over dinner would be a good time to continue discussing where we left off.” Kris said casually to avoid sounding too eager.
At the end of the meeting while Kris was shaking Alex’s hand, a voice inside Kris’s head whispered victoriously, Checkmate. Soon, I will capture your King.
****************************************
Once Kris and Katy were back in their hotel room, Kris quickly knocked back a glass of wine to relax his tensed muscles. He just noticed how his hands were trembling. Their months of separation and his anger had not diminished the effect Adam had on him and this made him nervous.
Like a rerun, his meeting with Adam played in his brain in an endless loop, his mind scrutinizing every detail of Adam’s reactions. The shock on Adam’s face when their eyes met was very clear, but did he also see a tiny glimmer of happiness in them or maybe he was just imagining it. Why did Adam fall sick, was that because his guilt of betraying him had finally caught up with him?
What about his own reactions? There was no denying that he felt something every time Alex touched Adam. Jealousy? Anger? And what did he exactly sense when he saw Adam ill? Worry? Vindication?
His mind was groping for a good reason to explain all the baffling feelings and came up with only one-maybe seeing Adam for the first time in months confused his brain and led it to malfunction. He was positive that the next time their paths crossed again, he would be able to manage his emotions from going berserk again.
The turmoil in his head made him totally forget about Katy who was quietly sitting on the couch and openly observing him. When she finally spoke, her voice was filled with barely contained anger, “What are you doing, Kris?”
Kris feigned innocence. “I like to branch out into a new field that could provide more stability for the firm.”
“You had never been a good liar.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kris said in a mildly irritated tone.
“Your dangerous game may well backfire. Don’t throw away so easily what you’ve worked so hard for to attain.” Katy stood up and went straight to her bedroom. The shocking turn of events drained her energy to confront Kris’s stubborn resistance. She just hoped that he would come to his senses the next day.
But Katy was wrong because her words were like ocean waves against an impenetrable stone wall that did nothing to perturb Kris. If anything, they made him more dogged to see his plan through no matter what the cost.