A MAZE OF GREED

Augustus and Harold had locked themselves in the meeting room for more than an hour now. Even Theodora was not allowed to interrupt them. She wondered what Augustus had to share only with Harold and not her.

It happened only when Augustus messed up something. Did something happen during the days when he was away from Vincardine? If yes then what it could be? And where and why did he go during those days?

Theodora was getting restless by pondering over the same questions over and over again. Fannie was resting in her room in the servants quarters, and hence Theodora had no one to share her thoughts with.

Augustus maintained a face void of any emotions, but from inside, he dreaded the fact that he again had to surrender to this greedy man's one more selfish interest in the return of a favour.

"My Lord, I still can not believe what you are saying. If you have warned me about this beforehand, then we might have found some better way out of it."

Although Harold poured sympathy and worry into his words, he was jumping in joy inside. He has benefitted two ways by these unexpected turns of events.

One, he was presented with another chance to exploit Lord Augustus's powers and second, Barret Addington was out of his way and, he did not need to dirty his hands.

That man was creating problems for Harold's illegal trade of some banned products. Humans thought those products were harmful to the health of their youth.

Idiots!

Harold did not care about it. All he cared about was the profit he was making through that illegal trade.

"What is done is done, Harold. I called you here to find a way out of this mess. Soon people will find his body. You have to make sure to wipe his any link with Vincardine." Augustus said seriously.

"You mean to say his links with you, right My Lord?" Harold smirked at the twitch of Augustus's jaw.

"And what are we going to do about Edwin? Did you know about his espionage network?" Ignoring his comment, Augustus asked.

Hmm... now that was a quite troublesome part for Harold too. He was never Edwin's loyal, nor he respects him or considers him capable of being his leader.

In Harold's eyes, he was still an ignorant rich man who would die alone enjoying women and alcohol.

"No, My Lord. I had no idea about it. But if that is true and Darius Garfield is in tussle with Edwin, then it is a problematic situation for us." Harold shared his thoughts.

Augustus sighed tiredly. "I know. That is why I called only you. You are my loyal and have helped me on every occassion in return of your benefits. I want you to do the same this time too."

A minute later, Harold asked, "What are the benefits for me in this?"

Augustus clenched his jaw. At last, the wolf had shown his true colours.

"What do you want?" He asked calmly.

"Position of Douglas Morgan in your business. And an official title of Lord!"

Harold had Augustus right where he wanted him. But Augustus was not ready to accept this deal.

"What the hell are you saying Harold?" He thundered, banging his fist on the table.

Harold only shrugged. "Big price for a big task. You know My Lord, we have done this before many times. I hope it does not bother you this time too."

Augustus very well understood the underlying threat in his voice. It was true that Harold had done cleaning for Augustus's mess many times before. Some of them were so dark and dangerous that no one could imagine them except Theodora.

"Even if I agree with your first condition, I can not fulfill the second one."

The smile wiped away from Harold's face.

"To get the title of Lord, you must be born as elite or should wed in such a respectable noble family. That title is not something that even Edwin can offer anyone." Augustus explained.

All the humour left Harold's face. Of course, the situation would not give him easily what he wanted. His birth was not in his hands, but marrying in a noble family was.

He was trying to woo many ladies from such families, but they cared only about how good he made them feel in bed and not marrying him and sending their life with him.

Their parents were fine with striking business deals with Harold, but whenever he brought up the proposal of marrying their daughters, they ran away from him as if he was a plague.

"Alright! Then I will settle for the first condition for now, but only if you promise me something." Harold said after some time.

Augustus narrowed his eyes at him. "And what is that?"

"That you will grant one wish of me whenever I will ask you for it- no terms and no conditions."

Harold did not know what he would ask Augustus, but all he knew was he could not miss this golden opportunity.

Both men held each others' gazes. None of them was ready to back down.

But Augustus knew better than disagreeing with Harold. "Fine!"

Harold stood up and extended his hand for Augustus to shake. "Then it is a deal, My Lord!"

Reluctantly, Augustus shook his hand. "Deal!"

*

*

*

Ruth was having constant headaches and kept jumping at every nuisance thing in fright. She felt as if someone was following her all the time.

When she woke up after she fainted that day after meeting Harold Davies, Ida was there by her side. Ida told her that she found her unconscious and thus brought her to that room.

But Ruth refused to believe that. The glimpses of cerulean blue eyes, that masculine scent, those hard muscles, and that soothing voice made her suspicious of Ida's words.

But she could not ask Ida about her. Ruth did not want to embarrass herself anymore.

She abruptly stopped before colliding with someone. She looked up to see the same blue-eyed monster right in front of her nose.

"S-sorry." She quickly stepped back, avoiding looking at him.

Edwin studied her form and her fluctuating heartbeats. They appeared normal.

"I heard you fainted out that day. Are you feeling better now?"

She did not expect that enquiry from him. She gazed at him, but his face was an expressionless mask. His voice was formal without any hint of concern. As if he was asking her out of courtesy and nothing else.

"Y-yes."

They stood there awkwardly, and a few moments later, it became painful to look at his handsome face, so Ruth turned her head away.

"You should eat and sleep properly." This time she heard a hint of worry in his voice.

"I will." She replied curtly.

The images she had in her mind ran in front of her eyes. Had she really run to him thinking he would save her from Harold Davies?

She wanted to ask him about it but hesitated, thinking what if it was all in her head only and by asking him that she would bring embarrassment of lifetime upon herself.

"If you need anything then inform Rees and he will arange that for you." He said.

"Yes."

Edwin frowned, hearing her curt replies. She was clearly not interested in talking with him. That fact hurt him, and the only way he knew to channel out his every emotion was anger.

He turned to walk away, not extending the conversation further, but Ruth wanted the exact opposite of it.

"Wait!" She said hurriedly but then regretted it quickly when he stopped.

Now she did not know what to say to him.

Edwin faced her waiting patiently, for her to say something. But he was already on the edge, and thus his patience was running thin faster than usual.

"Erm... I... I wanted to... I wanted to..." Ruth's mind ran faster to come up with something to prolong their conversation.

Why? She did not know. But she did not like when he began walking away from her.

"What is it Miss Moore? I do not have whole day to wait for you." Edwin said, a bit annoyed.

They looked at each other, and for some reason, she found disappointment in his eyes, and he found longing in hers.

"You look stressed." She said calmly.

"Because maybe I am."

"Should not you discuss it with someone as I suggested before?" She asked.

Edwin said after a moment. "Maybe I do not trust people with my problems."

Ruth gulped down nervously. "Then you should try it sometime. It is good!"

"You say as if you have a better experience with it." Edwin raised his brow at her.

Ruth shook her head. "No. But when you share your problems with someone, you indirectly let that person know what they mean for you. And solutions may come in unexpected ways. All you can do is just... try."

Edwin stared at her a minute longer, and she wondered what was going through his head.

"Would you trust someone for your problem?"

The intensity of his gaze and the depth of his words caught Ruth off guard.

Not trusting her voice anymore, she only nodded her head in a yes.

Taking a long stride towards her, Edwin peered down at her making her breath hitch.

"Then trust me when I say nobody can hurt you when I am here. You do not need to be afraid, Miss Moore!"

Ruth stood there stunned even after Edwin left.. Only his words, replaying in her mind and soul.