12 Game Of Chess
“So, why was Ethan here? Athena asked as she collected the cup of hot chocolate from Gianna.
She dumped herself on a sofa and crossed her legs, took a sip of hot drink and sighed in relaxation.
After checking on her children, she had freshened up, and eaten the food that her friend had microwaved for her. Now, she felt ready for a business talk.
“Well, you were right about the situation earlier. He has started receiving proposals for a buyout. There are a few about partnering too…”
A significant pause..
Athena looked at Gianna, knowing that the latter wasn’t done talking. A bombshell was coming.
“The chief competitors are Ewan and Zane. Did Zane tell you about his interest, or did you
know?”
Athena shook her head. She didn’t discuss business with Zane, except it entailed the hospital
and the kids. They hadn’t gotten past that stage yet.
“Well, Ethan mentioned that he liked Ewan’s proposal more. He came to ask for your opinion, as he hasn’t been able to reach you via the phone…”
Athena nodded, holding back the smile that was threatening to mount on her lips. Things were working according to plan, a plan that Gianna was oblivious to.
Gianna believed she was only a doctor, and then a counselor to the infamous Ethan Patterson and his company.
What her best friend didn’t know was that she owned Ethan’s company; that she had set up the branch in the city for a purpose; that all these were part of a game she was playing–a game of
chess.
A game she couldn’t afford to lose this time around.
If her old rivals don’t provoke her, she would live out her years in wealth.
If they did provoke her, she wanted to be in charge, and not helpless, as she had been six years
ago.
But of course she would let Gianna know, only after that plan kicked off. For now, however, let her friend think of her as a rich counselor and doctor alone.
There was a perceptible silence where Athena pretended to think of the answer to give her friend on the issue of Ethan.
*If Ethan reaches out again, tell him to wait. That would increase the company value. Did he mention anything else?”
Gianna hesitated, thinking that delivering this information was making Athena uncomfortable.
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12 ramm Cif Chess
After all, hadn’t she been the one who had told her to let go of the past? But what can one do, when the past kept showing up at every turn?
“Gianna, what’s the problem?”
Gianna bit her lips. “Well, your father….
“Gianna, I told you I don’t have a father, at least not one that I know of
Glanna sighed and nodded. “Of course. Zack Moore is among the competitors. But unlike the others, he’s not seeking the buyout or partnership option. He wants to buy only five percent of the company’s shares.
A pause.
“What do you think about that? It’s good for the company right? Your friend will still have a hold over the company’s activities.”
Athena nodded, while she thought the opposite. But everything was working according to plan.
“I will talk to Ethan tomorrow. Don’t worry your pretty head, everything will be fine.” She assured her friend, before standing up from the sofa.
“Are you going to sleep?” Gianna asked, standing up too.
Athena opened her mouth to reply that she had some company documents to go through, but changed her mind. What Gianna knew her for was counseling and doctoring.
“Yeah, I’ll just take water first.” She replied, going to the kitchen to retrieve a cup of water, and her bag.
“Goodnight.”
Meanwhile at Ewan’s residence, he was pacing restlessly from one end of the sitting room to the other.
Seated on one of the sofa was Fiona, who kept clenching and unclenching her fists.
She didn’t need to ask Ewan to know that what kept the man she loved in knots was Athena’s
return.
She gritted her teeth, as she remembered what had transpired after Athena had walked out of the party hall.
Ewan had made to go after Athena, even after painting her as a whore. He had wanted to run after her, but for Zane, who had asked him to let Athena go for the night.
For Zane, she had expected the wealth mogul to talk bitterly against Athena, but the latter had just wished them goodnight with a bland smile, announced the end of the party, and left in his limousine.
Fiona didn’t need a fortune teller to inform her that the guy was in love with Athena too. Just like Lwan.
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12 Game Of Chess)
She didn’t know why Athena was still breathing, after she had paid some bandits to do away with the latter six years ago, while she journeyed away from the town.
But she would make sure that Athena dies now. She won’t be taking chances. No. Not with Ewan behaving like this.
For now, however, Fiona stilled her anger, stood up from the sofa, and walked to Ewan, who had rested on the wall.
“What is it, Ewan? You should be resting. You can deal with Athena tomorrow. Don’t worry about. Zane either. I’m sure he will know best how to deal with Athena too, for betraying him.” She said, even though she highly doubted that Zane would do a thing to hurt Athena.
But Ewan ignored her.
When she attempted to speak again, he shunned her. “Go and sleep Fiona. I want to be left alone.
Fiona gritted her teeth again. Ewan has never rebuffed her hug, except on the night that Athena left the towns six years ago.
She thought of trying again, but she knew it wouldn’t work, so she wished him goodnight, and returned to her room.
Immediately Fiona was out of sight, Ewan sat on the sofa, and held his head in his hands. What was wrong with him?
One moment he felt vindictive, another moment he felt guilty. The mixed feelings had assailed him when Athena had looked at him like he was trash and walked out of the party hall.
He sighed tiredly. Where was Sandro?
As if being summoned, Sandro stepped into the sitting room, without knocking.
Seeing him, Ewan stumbled to his feet. “What did you find out?”
Sandro inhaled softly. “That she remarried. She returned to the city with two children.”
