Taming Mr. Black

Naomi’s POV

Bianca doesn’t work at Colton Corp. The more I think about it, the more it’s hard for me to take that in. We’ve been friends for years, close friends to be exact. Why would she lie about working? Why would she do something like that?

Is this something more or is this just a coincidence?

I don’t know what to believe anymore.

The house is quiet and since Bianca left for “work” this morning, she still hasn’t returned. I look around the house, asking myself if I really wanted to do this. Going through her stuff or her room isn’t nice. Nobody likes their privacy to be violated. I hate it when people go through my stuff without my permission, I’m not about to do that to her because I’m having suspicions.

I have a feeling she’s hiding something from me. But what? What would that be? The door opens as Bianca walks in, wearing her work clothes and holding a handbag.

” Hey, sugar.” Bianca calls for me.

I give her a small smile as a response. Bianca drops her bag on the floor and sits close to me.

” How’s work?” I ask her.

Bianca sighs. ” Work’s great. I mean it’s been difficult, but I’m trying. How are you doing? Did you just get back from work?”

” Not really. I wasn’t feeling too fine, I had to come home early.”

” Yeah?” She presses her palm against my forehead and neck as I giggle in fake enthusiasm.

” I’m okay, don’t worry about me.”

” Oh, come on. You know I must worry about you. You sure you’re not pregnant?” Bianca asks with a small smirk.

” What?” I chuckle for real this time. ” How can you think that? I’m not pregnant. God, no.”

” You’re acting like you two aren’t fucking without protection.”

” Yeah, and I’m on birth control.”

” That shit can fail you sometimes.” Bianca says as she winks at me. I scoff.

” Oh, please. What’s that on your hand?” I ask, referring to the brown small envelope in her hand.

” Right.” She hands it over. ” Found it outside on the doorpost. Someone must have dropped it outside so I picked it up.”

I turn the envelope over to stare at anything suspicious, but there’s nothing. No address, no name, it’s just plain.

” What do you think is in there? You should open it.” Bianca says, reaching out to take the envelope from my hand, but I quickly declined.

” No. It’s fine. I’ll check the content later.”

” Okay. Sure. Are you sure you’re okay?”

” It’s nothing that I can’t handle.”

” Is this about Killian and what’s going on? You really should give him listening ears. I think he’s sorry.”

” Yeah, I know he’s sorry. I just need some time to myself, that’s all.” I say with a smile.

” Sure thing, girl.” Bianca pats me on the shoulder and stands up. ” I gotta go change out of these clothes.”

” Ernest still giving you trouble?” I ask, staring at the envelope in my hand.

” You bet he is.” Bianca says as she grabs her bag and leaves the living room.

I stare at her back, watching her as she disappears behind the walls and down the hallway.

Why’s she lying to me? I’m pretty sure this Ernest guy who’s her boss doesn’t even exist. Last I checked, she isn’t working with Colton Corp. Then where does she go wearing work clothes every morning?

I guess there’s only one way to find out and I’m already hating the idea. I stand up to go to my room, with the strange envelope in my hand. I want to tear open the envelope but I’m afraid of the content inside the envelope. I don’t think I’m ready to know what’s inside.

If it’s from that crazy woman, Lily Sanders, then I guess I should start getting worried that she knows where I live.

Without bothering to change out of my work clothes, I grab my handbag and toss the envelope inside as I step out of my room to leave.

” You going out?” Bianca asks, peeking her head out from her room opposite of mine.

” Yeah.”

” Who are you meeting? Do you want me to come with you?”

” Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m just meeting someone.” I say as I lock my room door.

” Are you sure you’re okay?” Bianca asks as she stares at me, arms crossed as she leans against her bedroom door frame.

” Yeah, I’m okay. I’m fine. Thanks for asking.” I tell my friend, smiling at her, as I walk past her to leave.

” Be careful.”

” Yeah. Thanks, Bia!” I call out to her as I hurry out of the house.

Celine runs her own clothing line, with her boutique right in the middle of town and on top of a tall building. I take the elevator to the top, tapping my foot impatiently on the elevator floor as I stare at my reflection. I don’t look all that good, Bianca is right. I look sick and I’m pretty sure it’s because I’ve barely had a good sleep these past nights. My thoughts are always running wild and I can barely focus.

Who will when there’s a psychopath trying to take their life?

The elevator opens and I step into a beautiful store. It’s big, with Celine printed on the wall with pink letters. I take my time to glance around, staring at the clothes on the mannequins and the unbelievable price tags.

Wow, the inside of her store is really glamorous. It’s huge, with designer clothes everywhere.

” Do you want something?” A voice makes me jump.

” Jesus. You scared me.” I say, with my hand on my chest as I stare at the salesperson. It’s a woman, dark short hair and dressed impressively.

She gives me a small smile. ” Sorry, I scared you. Can I help you with anything?”

” No, not really. I’m here to see Celine Sanders.”

” Do you have an appointment?” An appointment? Are you friggin’ kidding me?

” Um, no. Not really. Can you tell her Naomi Alderson is here? She’ll see me.”

” Okay. Please have a seat.” The woman points to the couch at the corner of the room.

” Thank you.”

With a small nod, she turns the corner to leave. Pulling out my phone, there are countless missed calls on my phone. I unlock the phone to check my missed calls. It’s from Killian, surprisingly Eve, and two other strange numbers. There’s two from my mom and one missed call from my brother, Antonio.

What do they want? Killian, I know what he wants? But Eve? Isn’t she supposed to be at her honeymoon doing what married couples do? I go through my phone and see three voicemails. I click the first voicemail and it starts to play.

” Hey, mami, it’s me, Eve. How have you been? I’m sorry I haven’t been able to check on you since your accident in Miami, but I hope you’re doing okay. I don’t know what happened or what’s going on between you two, but I know that Killian’s sorry. He’s desperate and he’s willing to do anything possible just so you can forgive him and give him a chance. If you’re free, please call me and let’s talk.”

Of course, if it’s not about Killian. I can’t believe Killian would talk Eve into talking to me. I didn’t break up with him, I only asked for space. Is that too much to ask for?

” Well, well, well. If it’s not the chick who’s got Killian Black wrapped around her fingers.” A familiar voice says.

I look up from my phone and stand up. Celine stands before me, arms crossed as she glares at me.

” What the fuck do you want? How did you find this place?”

” Well, it’s not hard.” I say, locking my phone screen and tossing it inside my handbag. ” Considering the fact that you live half your life on the internet.”

” What do you want?”

” To talk.”

” To ‘talk’? To talk about what?” Celine asks, still scowling at me like I’m a ten years delinquent. ” Or are you here to point fingers at me? To call me a murderer?”

I sigh as I slowly approach her.

” Trust me, I won’t be here if it’s not important. Also, I still don’t like you and I still think you’re a bitch. I just wanna talk.”

” Right. This way then.” Celine turns around and starts to walk, I follow her.

She leads me to her office in the corner of this huge store. I step inside and shut the door behind me.

” Make it snappy, I don’t have time.”

” Can you stop being a brat for a second and hear me out? I just wanna talk. I’m not here to exchange words with you. For a start, I know you didn’t try to kill me in Miami.”

” What makes you think that?” Celine asks and sits down on her chair.

I drop my bag on the floor next to my foot as I sit down on the chair opposite hers.

” Or did you try to kill me?” I ask. Celine chuckles.

” I don’t like you and maybe I feel like Killian deserves better, but the last thing on my mind is poisoning you and pushing you off the boat. I’m not a maniac, sweetheart. That’s the job of a maniacal jealous woman.”

” Right. Figures.”

” Now, what did you get yourself into this time, Alderson?”

I sigh.

” You’ve been into fashion for how long now?”

” Six years, why?”

” Do you know anyone with the name Gianna Haines? I think she runs her own clothing line too. Pretty successful, if I’m not mistaken.”

” What’s this about? Is this like an interview?”

” It’s not. I’m just curious. I guess you’re a hot shot in this whole clothing line business. I guess when there’s a competition out there, you should know one.”

” And you assume Gianna Haines is my competition, because?”

” Can you just tell me if you know anyone with the name Gianna Haines or not?”

” I don’t.”

I sigh. ” Look, I’m sorry we have to fight over irrelevant stuff. I know you have a thing for Killian and I know you desperately wanted it to be something else, but I think it’s time you come to terms with the fact that Killian isn’t yours, Celine. He was never yours. You’re beautiful, you’re talented, you have your own clothing line, that’s a lot. You’re pretty successful. Hating me because the man you want doesn’t want you back should be the last thing on your mind. You can literally have any man you want, any man at all. Why hold back to a man who doesn’t love you?”

Celine is quiet as she scowls at me. I shake my head and stand up, ready to leave her office.

” Sorry to bother you.” I tell her as I turn to leave.

” I don’t know anyone with the name Gianna Haines, I didn’t lie about that. But there’s this store that’s quite successful.” Celine says.

” Okay…” I stop on my track as I turn around to look at her.

” I haven’t seen her before, none of us have, but her clothing line has been around for nearly six years now. She’s among the top markets and she’s pretty successful and I’m guessing she’s kind of a private person.”

” Okay. Do you know her name?”

” Yeah. Bianca Haines.”

” What?”

” Yeah, I said her name’s Bianca Haines. Wow, why does her first name sound like your friend’s? The one with you at the mall.”

Oh my God.

” Are you sure? And you’ve never seen her face to face?”

” I haven’t. Not even on TV. I still don’t get or understand how she’s been running that store all these years?”

” What’s the name of her store and where’s it located?”

” What’s this about? Did you get into more trouble?”

” Let’s just say the person who tried to kill me in Miami is maybe related to Gianna Haines. It’s not like you care anyway.”

Celine sighs as she slowly approaches me.

” Look, I’m sorry I’ve been awful to you. You’re right, hating on you because the man I’ve always wanted wants you, is just unnecessary. You’re a great woman, at least I know that and it’s not a surprise Killian would do anything for you. You’re beautiful, and you’re talented. You did nothing to me and I was just awful to you because I was jealous of you. And you’re right, I can literally get any man I want, why should I be stuck with one man who doesn’t want me?”

I smile at her.

” I’m sorry for being a bitch to you.”

” It’s okay.”

” You wanna start afresh?” Celine asks.

” Yeah.”

Celine and I shake hands.

” Since you’re curious about Bianca Haines, I’m just gonna write down her store address. It’s not that far from here.” Celine says as she goes back to her seat, pulls out a pen and a little piece of paper as she starts to write down something.

” Does this have anything to do with your friend? The one with you at the mall the other day?” Celine asks as she looks at me from under her lashes.

” I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Celine sighs as she leans back to look at me.

” I’m not the most observant person out there, but I could tell your friend was sketchy the minute I saw her. She doesn’t like you and I’m pretty sure she’s faking everything when it comes to you. I won’t be surprised if she’s someone else entirely. You shouldn’t be surprised either.” Celine says as she stands up and walks towards me.

She hands me the piece of paper. ” That’s the address.”

” Thanks, Celine.” I take it from her.

” Sorry you’re going through whatever you’re going through. It’s not your fault a powerful man like Killian Black fell in love with you.”

” Right. Thanks, Celine, for your help.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

” You’re welcome.”

With a small nod, I step out of her office and straight to the elevator. It’s hard to grasp what Celine told me. About Bianca Haines being the owner of a clothing line and she’s even a successful person. Is that the reason she doesn’t work with Colton Corp?

All of this might just be a coincidence. There are a million Bianca Haines out there. A million different Bianca Haines. And there might be a good explanation for what’s going on.

By the curb, I stare at the address in my hand, with a million questions going through my head. Who’s Bianca, really? Why’s she doing this if truly she’s someone else? What did I do to her to warrant this hatred? Why has she been lying to me all these years? I thought we were best friends and sisters? We were supposed to fight for each other and not fight against each other.

What’s her real name? Is she really related to Gianna Haines, Killian’s ex late girlfriend? So many questions and I need answers to them.

My phone pings with a notification that my Uber has arrived. I slide my phone inside my bag and cross the street to enter my Uber. I slide into the backseat of the Uber and hand the driver the address that Celine wrote for me. I strap in my seatbelt as I begin to fidget.

The driver starts the car and drives onto the road. I turn to look at the envelope peeking from the corner of my bag. I pull it out, turning it around in my hand before finally tearing it open. Inside contains photos of Killian and I. Same old. And there’s a little piece of paper with five words written on bold letters. They are just five words, but it can cause a lot of harm.

I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE are the five words. Sighing, I scrunch the paper in my hand and toss it out the open car window. I squeeze the photos of Killian and I into a ball and throw it inside my bag.

My phone rings as I quickly pull it out of my bag. The caller ID reads Eve. I slide the answer icon and put the phone to my ear.

” Hey, Eve.”

” Naomi, hey. What’s up? How are you doing?”

” I’m good. How are you doing? Aren’t you supposed to be having fun on your honeymoon?”

” Yeah. Hawaii isn’t that bad, though. What’s going on, babe?”

I rest my hand on the window sill of the Uber as I run my fingers through my hair.

” Nothing that I can’t handle.”

” I know you’re strong but you gotta talk to me. What’s up? Killian, he, uh…”

” He talked to you?”

” He didn’t tell me everything, but I know something’s up. He wants me to talk to you.”

” Right. I’m okay. We’re just having a little fight, but I’m pretty sure it’s something we can handle.” I say, eyes flicking to the street and each passing car.

” Naomi, you…” I zone out completely on Eve, freezing on my seat as I stare at the vehicle speeding right for my Uber.

” What the–” I don’t finish my sentence as this car slams against the Uber aggressively.

My phone falls out of my hand, with my body colliding with the locked door. The car slams into the Uber again, this time more aggressively. Everything starts to spin, including the Uber. The car somersault as I continuously collide against different interiors inside the Uber. I can hear a voice, it’s not coming from me because I’m screaming in pain.

” Bianca, are you okay?” It’s a voice coming from my phone and the person is panicking. Eve. It’s Eve. I didn’t get off the phone earlier.

The Uber stops somersaulting, with the Uber upside down. Blood drips out of my nose and I can feel something wet and warm at the side of my head. My head hurts, and I feel like it’s going to fall off. My vision is blurry, I can barely make out my environment. My whole body is hurting and on fire. I slowly move my head, whimpering at the pain as I try to look at the Uber driver. Through my blurry vision, I can tell the driver is sitting dormant on his seat, with his head tilted to the side. He’s not moving and there’s blood everywhere.

Oh shit. Is he dead?

I try to move, but I can’t. I’m stuck. Blood covers the left side of my eyes. I try to unfasten my seatbelt, but I can’t. I turn my head to stare at the road, and through the broken side mirror, I can see someone approaching the car. This person is wearing leather shoes. And it’s a woman’s boot. This person slowly rips out the passenger door and squats to look inside the Uber.

I blink my eyes, trying to see who this person is.

” Look who’s still alive?” The person says and the voice sounds familiar. I know that voice.

The person sighs as she unfasten my seatbelt with ease.

” Why don’t you die already, Naomi? You make everything hard without you knowing.” She says as she pulls me out of the Uber. ” Now, because of you, an innocent Uber driver is dead. Now whose fault is that?” She grunts as she pulls me out, dragging my limp body on the pavement.

I can tell she’s wearing all black attire. And the more she talks, the more her voice sounds familiar.

” Bianca.”

” Fucking shut up and die already.” She says.

Tears slipped out of my eyes, mixed with my own blood. Bianca hovers above me as she stares into my face, with her face slowly coming into view.

” Bianca, what are you doing?” My voice sounds croak, like someone who hasn’t had a taste of water for months.

” Shush…” She smirks, slowly running her fingers through my hair. ” It will all be over soon, I promise. Now close your eyes, darling.” She whispers, her voice laced with venom and anger.

And slowly, I slip into darkness.