STRIKER

I landed this morning from Winterbourn after two years working for a good friend, Rome Langston. Then I woke up from a nap to the black sedan waiting for me. 

I wasn’t expecting anything when I arrived at the Vanderford estate, but what shocked me was how someone welcomed me with that stone stare of hatred that had me wondering for a second. You could have begun with, are you here for my father? That sort of thing. 

Sometimes, life was really shit. When you expect too much, you get less. When you were not Messi, who took home the FIFA World Cup Champion, or Ronaldo, who just became the world’s most expensive athlete, nobody gave a shit about you. 

For instance, London Vanderford— the heiress to the Vanderford Group. I mean, who am I? That was the first thing that came to my mind. She probably didn’t remember me. The last time we met was two years ago. Things have changed a lot since then.

My smile instantly faded as I met the coldest hazel eyes I’d ever seen. I knew there were gray flecks in there—I’d seen them up close. Right now, they looked like they could freeze hell and anything they fixated on—it was unwelcoming and unsettling as she slanted daggers at me, delivering an icy chill down my spine.

I shouldn’t be thinking something carnal, but she looked hotter, though, and the pictures she posted on her Instagram for her twelve million followers didn’t do any justice. 

Despite the chill in my whole body, my posture remained strong. I thought she recognized me for a moment, but I could be wrong. It had been years. The last time we met, she was terrified, shaking, and crying as she clung to me. And I was paid to be there to save her. Other than that, I was a stranger to her.

“Sir Linus will be here shortly,” said the old man’s butler, Walton, interrupting my little musing.

I nodded as I watched the only daughter and heiress to the billion-dollar world’s largest luxury brand and Vanderford Group as she descended the grand stairs.

My chest felt like it had been set on fire as the Vanderford princess passed by. Her high heels echoed in the entire mansion, and I stood there as I rooted in place. I guessed my presence didn’t hold the same effect on her. 

I wasn’t humiliated that she didn’t give a damn that I was there. I knew where I stood. We were opposites in many ways. She was the sky, and I was the ground. She was the beauty, and I was the beast. 

London was gorgeous. Yeah, sure, I had the looks, thanks to my bastard sperm donor, but she wore more than my monthly income. That was how significant our differences were. And she was dating that asshole—what was his name? Magnum? Marcus? Maximus? Okay, I shouldn’t go there. I meant I was here to meet her father. That was all.

When the echo passed, I turned around. That was it. And the princess left. She entered the car waiting for her, and her driver and bodyguard, Ezekial Reed shut the door closed.

I’d met royals and shook their hands. I had billionaire friends, so meeting privileged kids wasn’t new to me, but I just had an eye on the forbidden fruit, and it would be just an elusive dream.

“You met London?” I recognized Linus’s voice. Deep and husky.

I faced him and offered my hand, but he pulled me into a hug instead.

“Welcome back, son.” He patted my back.

“Thank you, sir. Good to be back.” Despite how disappointed I was with myself, a small smile appeared on my lips.

“I’m assuming this is permanent.” He ushered me to the massive hallway, to the back door.

I sighed. “Yes, sir.”

“My guess Rome Langston was not happy with your decision.”

“Our agreement was a year contract, just for him to get acquainted with the country. I couldn’t say no when he and the princess asked me for another.”

“I’m glad that you are here, Striker.”

“Me too, sir.”

“Your father must be thrilled.” He sat on the lawn chair, and I took a seat across from him. 

A classic bourbon bottle, rock glasses, and a set-up chess board were on the table.

I was assuming he meant my adopted. “Dad is still on a business trip. You are the first person I have met since I landed. Well, if I don’t consider Walton and your daughter.”

He eyed me for a second before he spoke. “London has changed a lot.” He shifted gears and paused with a deep sigh. Sorrow suddenly appeared in his hazel eyes. “Since that incident.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. She’d seen therapists since I couldn’t make her open up. And her relationship with Magnus doesn’t help her either. I don’t know what to do, Striker.”

“Honestly, sir. I am the last person you wanna ask for an opinion. I’m truly sorry to hear that she’s been struggling to cope.” I was still struggling to understand why she looked at me that way. What did I do wrong? And what was I doing here? “Maybe she needs to be with the people she trusts, like you. Maybe she needs a break—a long vacation away from stress, visit places that play significant roles in her life.”

“She doesn’t want to be here. This is where she grew up, and she kept telling me that it’s absurd for a grown woman to stay with her dad.”

“Yeah, right.” I chuckled as I looked at the vast lawn. 

“She didn’t talk to you, did she?”

I moved the white pawn as I couldn’t meet his gaze. “No.”

“Not even a hi?” His brows slightly creased as he took the bottle of fine bourbon and poured us shots. 

I grabbed the glass he offered, even if I didn’t drink at this time. “I think she doesn’t remember me. I mean, it happened so fast. I was wearing gear and mask—”

“She remembers you and knows you, Striker.” He made a move with his chess piece.

“Oh.” I stared at him for a moment. Then why she seemed to hate me? I sipped the amber liquid, ignoring the twist in my stomach. 

“She asked me to look for you, but you left for Triberis Capria the next morning.”

“What did she ask me for?” I traded carefully.

“I think you were the only person she trusted at that time.” And I was gone. I felt sad, terribly sad, and guilty.

My chest ached. If she could have asked for me earlier that day, I could have paid her a visit. And then what?