Finn’s POV
“You should ask me where I got the picture from,” Charles grinned.
I was speechless to say the least, I was in shock and disbelief.
“Where… wh…what is the meaning of this?” My voice was hoarse with anger and confusion.
“This is Rita, the woman you want to marry, take a good look at it well, it is not edited” Charles said.
I walked towards him and forcefully shut the laptop, and didn't care if the screen broke.
“Where did you get those pictures?” I choked out.
“The internet, simple! I'm very handy with the internet, you know” Charles responded, the sinister glint in his eyes was infuriatingly intensifying.
“I know!!!” I almost screamed.
“Easy dude, the next question you should ask is why would Rita have her nude on the internet, you know as well as I do that the internet never forgets and let's just say Rita’s past is nasty and uhm… a bit colorful” Charles’ smug was only inflaming my rage further.
“Shut up! Just shut the fvck up! Shiii! Rita had only sent this pictures to her ex boyfriend, Zane”
“ Wow, she confessed. I'm Zane” Charles repeated.
I growled: “ You are a liar and a fraud”
Charles shrugged with a twisted smirk plastered on his face.
“Believe what you want but if I were you, i’d be asking Rita a few questions right now”
I felt my blood boiling, the urge to strangle Charles nearly overwhelmed me. But I couldn’t let him bait me into doing something foolish.
“Now as you can see, you can't get me out of your life like you did with Vanessa. Oops Vanessa, we had plans, she wanted to have you while I have Rita. It didn't work out for her but I will always get what I want”
I shot him a hard stare.
“You have two options, it's either you let me have Rita or you give me $50,000,000”
“Fifty million dollars!! You are definitely out of your head. You won't get a penny from me”
“It's fine, everyone would see Rita’s pictures” Charles continued, his grin widening.
I seethed, glaring at him with pure venom in my eyes. “You wouldn't dare”
Charles feigned surprise, chuckling darkly; “Oh! Wouldn't I? Rita’s reputation, her dignity ..gone in a matter of seconds, all because you couldn't part with a measly fifty million”
His words sent cold shivers into my spine, I had to let my pride be trampled on and begged
“Please Charles, please.. don't do this. Rita do not deserve this, you are literally destroying her life”
“Uhm, if you feel it's not fair for Rita to suffer her past indiscretions then just grant one of the conditions, I have her or the money or both it's that simple. Remember the internet will never forget when the pictures get leaked out but for now, only I have these pictures” Charles’ eyes gleamed with a sick satisfaction as he watched my agony with relish.
“I am Zane, '' I muttered. “Yes, Rita and I dated on your Kikachat Application before we moved on physically. She doesn't know I'm Zane” I confessed.
“Wow” Charles exclaimed; “Wow,wow,wow” He clapped his hands. “This is interesting, you are the face behind the other pictures”
I was face shamed.
“I must commend, I enjoy your love story journey with Rita” He laughed hysterically. “So tell me Zane, what are you going to do?” Charles leaned back in the chair. “Are you going to hand over Rita to me or pay me fifty million dollars to keep these pictures private?” His tone was gleeful.
I stood there, my mind racing, my thoughts a tangled web of confusion and fury. How did I get myself and Rita into this mess? She isn't even aware yet.
“You think I'm joking here?!” Charles stomped on his feet and hit the desk to jolt back my attention since I didn't say anything.
“If you cannot decide by the end of the day, I'll unleash pictures onto the internet! “ He concluded, packing his things and laptop.
“Hold on… I… “
He walked out of the office because I stuttered with my words, I still didn't know what to say.
The seconds ticked by, the silence in the office deafening. I was paralyzed by indecision, my mind racing with thoughts of Rita, my anger towards Charles, and the implications of my choice.
The thought of handing over Rita, the woman I loved and planned to spend the rest of my life with, to that despicable man was unfathomable. Also the thought of letting her reputation be ruined by his sick blackmail scheme was equally as harrowing.
As the minutes dragged on, the weight of the choice before me grew heavier and heavier. My mind was churning, looking for a way out of this. My hands clenched and unclenched as I paced the room, trying to calm myself, to think clearly.
I knew
I couldn't let Charles get away with this.
*****
To Be Continued