MORNING MEETINGS

The blond-haired woman sitting at the back of the limo was wearing silver four-inch stilettos with rhinestones and glitter embedded into them. Though very chic, her shoes seemed to be out of place since it was early morning, and she was on her way to work.

However, her expensive high-heels did match her onyx and diamond jewellery set, which included a platinum watch, silver choker, a white gold ring on her right pointy finger, small hoop earrings with a single small diamond each near her earlobes, and a thick shackle-like slave bracelet, all made with elegant with classic-looking lines in black metal. It all completed her evening gala socialite look, but she didn't care about the way she looked right now.

Her mind was still fluttering over her dream and the to-dos for the day when Eros' low bass voice pierced through her cluttered thoughts.

"We might be in for some heavy traffic, Zoe. I'll be calling your father about it and I hope you don't mind."

"Eros, just do your job. After all, he's your boss and that's what you're being paid for," she answered without caring.

She was also wearing a typical business suit any modern-day executive female would wear, except that her cream-coloured blouse's front was opened beyond her breast line, and it had no buttons to close it. Her deep, rounded cleavage was on full display since she chose not to wear a bra. She has never worn underwear ever, and she's not about to start now just because they'll be having several serious business meetings today.

The man sitting in front of her paused in his planned phone call as he watched her put on blood-red lipstick on her full lips to match her shiny crimson nail polish.

"Zoe, sorry for saying this, but are you sure about that blouse though, and all that jewellery… and those shoes? You are having several meetings with several business partners and big-time investors today, right?"

"Eros, please, that's NOT part of your job description. After all, we both know that the only one who'll put up a fuss is Victor, and he's NOT your boss and neither of you both are my dad or my partner to comment on what I'm wearing, so I hope you both don't mind…."

The broad-shouldered, dark-haired and handsome male's face remained cold and unreadable for a moment before he went on to speed dial Roman Buenaventura's private number. Zoe could hear her dad's suave and friendly tone from where she sat, as she continued to primp in front of her classy compact mirror.

"Good morning, Eros, let me guess… heavy traffic, right? You could have just sent me a text."

"I'm sorry, sir. I don't think I'll ever be used to just typing you a message."

"Well, you can take a man out of the army…"

"The same can be said about you. And Victor…"

"Ah, your so-called twin is also late, which is why I'm sure you will also be delayed for the same reason. Tell my daughter to be ready for a very busy day. We have a lot happening since our newly acquired corporation has been onboard."

"I can hear you, Dad!" Zoe loudly interrupted while flipping her long thick and brown hair, not caring about ladylike behavior. "At least when I get there, I don't have to deal with the big bad wolf at once, so my day is saved, no matter how heavy it will be!"

Eros decided to go on speakerphone at this point, and she could almost 'see' her father clucking his tongue and shaking his head at his answer, "Daughter, why do you insist on having this long-time war with Victor? He's my first and most trusted business partner here at Silverfire and has been around with the family from the time that you were a child…"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. He's your first protégé in the army and is like a son to you, blah, blah, blah! But he's the first one who turned cold on me, Dad, so you can't blame me for being this way with him."

"But is that the only reason why you hate him so much, Estelle?"

Zoe flinched, not just because her father used his favourite name for her, which she secretly loathed because her dead mom used to call her that, but because she knew that Victor's sudden iciness towards her - which started about a decade ago - had hit her hard.

She wasn't about to admit that to her father, who she knew would take his loyal longtime friend's side.

Especially not when the clean-shaven and stoic Silverfire's Head of Security was right there in front of her, hearing words that he could easily tell Victor. Sure, he's the most trustworthy man in the whole company as far as she knows, but Eros did serve in her father's former militia group more than a decade ago.

And, of course, Victor was in the same group. Twins, remember? Nope, dad, I am not going to tell you SHIT.

"So… Dad, am I really going to be the overall head for our upcoming annual Investor's Meet? I hope I've already gotten a go for that?"

Silence at the other end of the line.

Zoe sighed before whispering under her breath, "That's not a very good sign…"

Eros seemed to have heard her, "Sir, we're already here. Just give us a few minutes to park, and we'll be there in your office in no time."

A sigh could be heard over the phone, although it's not clear if it was out of relief or slight frustration…

"Alright, we can just continue our discussion when you get here, Estelle. See you soon, darling daughter."

The call ended and Eros slipped his hi-tech wide-screen cellular work phone back into his coat's inner breast pocket. Zoe hurriedly stowed away her make-up things into her signature leather handbag, which had the same colour theme as her shoes and jewellery, slung it over her shoulder and placed her formal leather binder on her lap.

Discussion huh, Dad? If I find out that it's Victor who's vetoing my proposal for the annual event, I swear… the woman said to herself.

She didn't get to finish her thoughts as their tinted door was opened by their chauffeur, Serg. It was hard to stay mad with this young man's eager-to-please attitude and innocent, cheerful smile.

"Here we are, Miss Zoe. You have a nice day now. You too, Sir Eros," their boyish-looking driver beamed, as he stretched his arm out towards the executive elevator entrance, which looked more like a simple cargo elevator.

Except, of course, there were hidden security measures before it could even be opened…

Sergei stood right behind them, with the limo doors locked, as Eros placed his hand over a spot on the bare cemented wall beside the wide elevator door frame. It lit up under his palms and a patch of light showed up above his hand. He then pressed specific spots on the glowing strip and a ding could be heard as the elevator doors slid open. As the overall Security Head of the whole of Silverfire Inc., he preferred to do everything by himself rather than Zoe, so she let him do all that on his own.

The two top honchos entered the lift and that's the only time Sergei slid his gun back into his chest holster and unlocked the limo's front door. Zoe and Eros didn't see him drive away since they were already zooming up to the 122nd floor by that time.

While going up, Zoe was reviewing her dream and what happened last night…

+++

"VICTOR! NOOOOO!!!"

Zoe woke up to her screaming his name again. She hoped to God that no one heard her. Meanwhile, her mind is running in panic mode.

Thank God that I practically have my own suite in this house. If this happened in our luxury condo, my dad would definitely freak out. Especially since it's THAT name, I'm screaming like I'm being murdered.

She knew she had slept naked last night, so there was nothing to take off before taking her bath. And since she slept alone in her massive bedroom, walking around naked was the most natural thing for her to do.

Heh, knowing how we always fight, I don't think Daddy would even find it strange. Besides, it's a dream that's really strange. Like how many times did I dream that up? At least once a week? Damn, I must really be wanting him that much.

The young woman opened her eyes and saw complete darkness. She was a bit surprised since she usually slept with one or two ambient lights on…

Need to find a way to get my 'fix' soon. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time for that. I really should schedule a session, and fast. My sanity depends on it.

She tried to sit up on her bed, then realized that she had her 'fix' quite recently.

Her 'fix' was sleeping soundly right beside her, naked as the day he was born.

Oh my God, I'm not at home… Fucking hell, was I that totally out of myself? Damn it Zoe, how could you forget?! Thank God, he didn't wake up when I started screaming!

As she tried to creep out of bed, Zoe realized that two other men were sharing her room, all of them in the same state of undress as she was. She groaned as more of the memories of the night before started invading her head, along with a strong headache and nausea due to a lousy hangover. Meanwhile, her "Cousin It" never had a hangover, and she wished she were so lucky…

It's that dream… that fucked up shitty nightmare! Now I'm so disoriented that I am not able to realize where I am. And shit… we have a full day of meetings later in the day too! I have to get back home before my father leaves for the office. Shitshitshitshit!

+++

Thankfully, she was able to get a cab to drop her off a few meters away from their mansion's camera-ridden gates. Zoe also managed to sneak into the property and inside her room without anyone seeing her or being caught on the CCTV, hours before her father had already left with their chauffeur/bodyguard Sergei.

And now, she's but seconds away from reaching the President and Vice-President's office floor. Zoe couldn't help but smile mischievously at being able to avoid being discovered with her secret fix… again.

Genius move, Zoe, to message your dad before leaving 'The Midnight Resort' so you can show up later at the office an hour before the meetings. And using Asia as an excuse too? Hah, he always goes soft when he hears me spending time with my ultimate childhood best friend. Now, all the evidence of last night has been erased with a bit of sleep, a fast intense facial, make-up galore and a double shot of espresso.

The elevator doors opened, and the Security Chief made sure he was one step ahead of the only daughter of Roman Stephano Buenaventura as they walked the half-dozen carpeted meters towards the Silverfire President's office. His being a natural gentleman dictated it, along with the fact that he knew it was what was expected of him since it's a security protocol that he personally included in Silverfire corporate safety rules and regulations which he personally added when he became the Security Head of the said business conglomerate.

Eros' strong hands smoothly turned the ornate doorknobs of the carved mahogany double doors of Roman's modern and state-of-the-art executive office. He opened it with only a slight shove due to the impressive strength of his muscular arms.

In walked Zoe, into her father's massive and classically-designed corporate room…

And her smile disappeared…

As her heart started to pound…

"Hello Estelle, I see you've come dressed for another kind of occasion. Are we having a party later? "

She could have her father calling her that name, but not from him. Nor could she take that kind of criticism from Victor for how she was, especially when it came to the way she looked.

And that smooth, sarcastic and drawling tone of his that was sending chills up and down her spine…

"Hello Victor…" she slowly said in a cold, cutting voice, her eyes narrowing…

And no one in the room can blame her for how she's feeling right now.