Forbidden Love: Dangerous Addiction

BRUCE RYKER MANSION

"Start working from one of our companies and build your experience. Adkins will drive you down to Sydney. Director Abboth is aware you are coming."

"But father..."

"One day you will lead this company, one day you will lead this Group. You will do more than waste your time if you are really serious about leading this group. I will not hand over the company I have worked hard for many years building into someone like you!" Bruce Ryker barked at his son.

Roland tried to say another word but stopped when his father shot him a stern look. One that said his decision was final.

Bruce Ryker let out a disgruntled sigh. Sometimes when he looked at his son, he wished he was half as good as the other sons of wealthy men. Men that weren't even as wealthy as he was produced hard working sons willing to lead their companies.

But his own son? He shook his head and his teeth gritted against the corners of his mouth. He has no interest in the company, does nothing aside partying and flexing around.

"Mr Chairman, you have a call," Mr Ralph, Chairman Bruce Ryker's personal assistant, came forward and handed him a ringing phone. "It's the director from the new office," Mr Ralph added.

Chairman Bruce collected the phone from him and started out of the large living room.

Roland swallowed the rest of his words as he watched his father hurried out while speaking into the phone until his voice became distant. Times like this he knew he couldn't win his father. His father was too stubborn.

Unfortunately, that was one trait he took from him.

But Roland knew that even if he went to Sydney, he would barely do any work. It was of course certain his father would put up spies to watch him.

He smirked at the thought of it. He always had his way around this kind of situation.

"Young master, should I have one of the servants pack your bags?" The butler asked Ronald.

"No, I will get some new clothes over there." He yawned tiredly and got to his feet.

"Yes sir," the butler nodded.

"Erm, chief butler, you have a son right?"

"Yes, young master. Actually, I have two sons." The man said. The pride in his voice couldn't have been missed.

Roland nodded thoughtfully. "See if the clothes will fit and hand them over to them."

"Urh, sir... I can't do that. I'm sure the clothes are very expensive... and they are a lot. I'm sorry Young master but I can't do that. And if the chairman hears about it, I'm sure he will not be. pleased."

"Come on, chief butler, don't make me look bad. I'm sure the clothes are not that expensive for your sons to wear. If it's a lot, share them among the other servants."

Roland flashed him a smile before he walked to his room.

Once inside his room, he let out a chunk of air and collapsed into his bed. He heard a crack sound. In the midst of wondering what had made the crack sound, he realised it was the picture frame he had left on the bed that just broke.

He jumped up and gathered the pieces of the frame. Thankfully it was only the glass that broke. The picture was still intact. He breathed in relief and ran his fingers delicately on it. It was a picture of a young looking woman. Anyone could see the picture was old and had been taken many years ago.

Roland stared longer at the picture, longingly before he then tucked it into his wallet, lay on the bed and shut his eyes.

Minutes later, there was a light rap on the door and the chief butler entered. With him was a list of female servants that filed up in the room.

"Young master, will you have your bath before you leave? The car is ready to take you to Sydney as the chairman ordered. " the chief butler announced.

Roland's eyes fluttered open.

"I already had my bath." Once he said that, the chief butler signalled the servants to leave.

"I will be out in a moment," Roland added and shut his eyes again. He just needed another moment of silence. Just another moment to daydream and hope that someday his dream would come to reality.

*************

"Sir, should I inform him you are waiting..."

Roland held up his hand stopping the words from Adkin's mouth from further coming out.

His eyes were focused at the door from which an almost heated conversation was going on.

"You can't fire me because of my daughter, Director Abboth. I have given my best to this company and you know it. I have toiled for this company to the best of my ability and you know what? I don't regret any of it but you can't wake up one day and decide to fire me because I am a single mother!"

"We are doing this for your own best interest.Your daughter needs you..."

"Did my daughter tell you that? That I don't give her attention? Director Abboth, give me a chance to prove myself. To prove my skills. My daughter has never been an obstruction to my work..."

"I'm sorry but the decision has been made, unfortunately, Miss Tiffany. But I assure you, I will pay you enough money for compensation."

"What? Compensation? I don't need any of that. I just want to work with my skills and abilities. I don't need freebies from anyone. I just want to work for myself and my daughter..."

Her voice trailed off shakily.

For a moment, the conversation stopped and Roland didn't hear another sound from the office.

But seconds later, the door opened and a woman stormed out of the place furiously.

Roland managed to catch a glimpse of her face as she stormed away. She looked furious alright but she looked nothing like a woman that had given birth. She looked beautiful. He admitted. He watched her until she was out of sight. There was something about her, something that oddly fascinated him. Maybe it was her firm voice and the determination to earn a living for herself and her daughter in an honest manner. Something he couldn't quite put his fingers on.

Adkins went inside the office and a second later Director Abboth was dashing out of the office hurriedly.

"Forgive me sir, I had no idea you were waiting. I should have had my secretary let you in at once."

Roland ignored Director Abboth and strided into the office. His hands were buried into the pocket of his pants stylishly as he regarded the exquisite office.

"Sir, is there anything you would want me to get for you?" Director Abboth asked, almost cowering.

To him, this was a rare chance. Meeting the heir to Ryker Group. What better way could he butter his way to the top, to the headquarters even.

"The lady that just left..." Roland started. He was looking at a painting that caught his eyes.

"Ah, I'm sorry you had to witness such a moment sir. She was a staff member here but unfortunately we had to let her go."

"Let her go? Why?" Roland glanced at Director Abbott. He felt the painting with his finger. "Nice painting you got here," he mumbled. "And new too," he added with a light chuckle.

"Er, yes... yes sir..." Director Abboth stuttered, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. Amidst the air-conditioned room, beads of sweat formed in his forehead. "She is a divorcee and has a daughter," he added.

"Ah, a divorcee and a single mother..." Roland said and glanced at him again. He chuckled and finally turned away from the painting.

Roland's movement had fear gripping Director Abbott. And he wondered if Roland could tell the story behind the painting.

"If I heard correctly, her personal life has nothing to do with her work. Why then do you wish to lay her off... urh, I guess you found someone to take her place..."

"No sir! I can't dare do that."

"Yes? Is that so?" Roland tilted his head at him. And peered at him, longer. Then he looked away.

"I wonder what will be the reaction of the Chairman if he learns that one of his dedicated workers is being unjustly laid off... for a piece of fine painting..."

Director Abboth froze.

"I'm sorry sir... this will never happen again," he whimpered.

Roland looked at him and scoffed. He had made a rough guess and laid a reckless trap but had no idea it would actually catch Director Abbott.

People like Director Abbott disgusted him. They would do anything to be at the top. When they are finally at the top, they never did anything right but embezzle funds and engage in nepotism.

But, it was never in his nature to get involved in people's life

His face broke into a wide smirk. "No, it's okay, it's okay. I am not that rigid, you know."

He patted Director Abbott's shoulder before he started to head out of the office. "I will be back tomorrow, then. You don't have to see me out." he called behind him as he started out of the office.

"Ah, and," Roland stopped just a foot from the door. He looked behind him to meet Director Abbott's face. "This should stay between us," he said and finally walked out of the office.

Director Abboth heaved out a heavy sigh and collapsed into his seat the moment the door shut.

He wasn't sure if having the chairman's son around was a good thing anymore.

How was he able to sniff out everything within a few minutes of being in his office?

He already made inquiries about him. He still recalled they told him he hated to get involved in other people's lives and didn't care about anyone. A typical rich brat.

What changed?

He wondered if perhaps he had heard wrongly.

Then he stood up and went to the painting.

"Oh my precious..." he muttered sadly, running his hands on the painting.

"That rude bastard. When did he become so cunning?" He gritted angrily.