Only When It's Beneficial
The past
Twenty-two years ago in the United Finland.
Gold mining was the business talked about the most throughout the United Finland. People were making fortunes out of it. The Vale family wanted to expand their jewelry business. Gold mining was tempting, and they thought it would work out well with their family Jewelry business. They consulted their business analyst just to ensure everything goes accordingly, and with his approval, they ventured into gold mining.
Just when they thought their business was going to be successful.
Everything crashed in a matter of months when gold became scarce. It was just their misfortune, and to make matters worse, they took out a loan. A loan they agreed to pay back in five months' time.
During the time that the business was no longer functional, the bank raided The Vale Jewelry company and seized their most valuable Jewelries. They took their valuable gems, their titanium, and other precious metals they used to create their famous jewelry pieces.
The Vale Family business was going bankrupt. They were helpless and didn't know how to save their family business that was at the brink of collapsing.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
*Pacing up and down the sitting room in confusion* Javier, what are we going to do? Everything we've worked hard for is going to ruin if we don't do something quickly. Javier! I am going crazy here. Why are you sitting silently over there.
Shane stares at her husband with teary eyes. Her heart was beating erratically in fear. The thought of losing everything they worked for was devastating. Her husband was equally screaming for help in his mind, but he still tried to compose himself by putting up an unfazed facade.
Javier Vale FMC's Father
Darling! Calm down. Being all stressed up won't solve our situation. We need a clear mind to come up with a solution.
Javier lowers his head in contemplation. God knows there was nothing clear about his mind at that moment. He was going crazy imagining the worst-case scenarios.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
A clear mind! A clear mind in this chaos we are facing.... By tomorrow our company will be seized if we don't do something before the morning.
Javier Vale FMC's Father
*Sighs* I know, Darling, and that's why I called someone to help us out.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
*Walks hurriedly to sit next to her husband on the couch* And who is that?
Javier Vale FMC's Father
Our business analyst Monroe Leon.
Shane glares at her husband and smacks her lips in annoyance. At that point, she couldn’t help the anger she had towards the analyst. If it wasn't for his bad advice, they wouldn't be in the situation they were facing.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
What can that man do? I spoke to him the moment our stocks started going down, and all he said was that we give our new venture time to grow. Look what giving time to the business has led us to.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
*Shane slumps to the ground and closes her eyes as tears trail down her cheeks.* If we lose everything, how are we going to care for our daughter? Where are we going to live? How are we going to feed?
Javier held his wife tightly in his embrace and consoles her by gently patting her back. He was frustrated, but he needed to be strong for their family. He was holding back his emotions and the tears in his eyes when a familiar face barged into their sitting room like he was being chased.
Shane scoffs at the sight of the familiar face and shakes her head. Ever since everything went down, she couldn't help but suspect the man. It was as if he intentionally allowed their business to fail.
Javier Vale FMC's Father
My man! Monroe, what took you so long? I was almost giving up hope.
Monroe tries to catch his breath as he sits in the opposite chair in the sitting room.
Monroe Leon
I had to find a way for us to make amends before coming, right?
Javier Vale FMC's Father
Yeah! Were you able to find someone who is willing to help?
Monroe Leon
Yeah! It was hard, but I was able to find someone. The problem is, I don't know if you will be down with the person who is willing to render us help.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
Who is that person who is willing to help?
There was one man in the whole of the united Finland who is feared even in the Shadows. A man whom even the royals trembled at the mention of his name. A man whose name has echoed for centuries. A man whom many wonders if he was real or if he was just a relic of the past.
Ciel Crimson was a man of mysteries. A man of great power, who has won man battles and gained recognition far and wide around the world. He is a man of great fortune who hands out favors in return for people making deals with him. The problem is that he is a deathly man who can kill if a person doesn't fulfil their end of the bargain.
Javier Vale FMC's Father
Are you crazy? That man is deathly. Rumors have it that he is a ruthless tyrant who stores up the skull of people who fail to keep their end of the bargain in an underground basement. They say he is merciless even to little children. Do you understand what that means?
Javier stares at Monroe closely as he was trying to understand what was going through his mind for coming to such a conclusion. Monroe gulps nervously with his head lowered.
Monroe Leon
But that's only if you are unable to fulfil your end of the bargain.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
*She sighs and shakes her head frantically* Tell us what does he want?
Monroe Leon
I don't know. All he said was that if you are ready to receive his favour, your Shane should meet him alone at the cathedral by 12 midnight.
Javier Vale FMC's Father
*Glares at Monroe angrily* Alone? what does he want with my wife?
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
* The place was silent for a while* I will go! I have to go no matter what. I will do anything for the sake of our daughter.
Javier Vale FMC's Father
*Pants restlessly as he grabs his wife's hand in panic* Shane! please don't go. We don't know what ridiculous thing he will request for.
The place went silent for a while. Javier and Shane were both lost in each other’s eyes. Shane could feel her husband's hands trembling while holding onto her hands tightly. She sighed as her eyes suddenly became teary.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
If I don't go... assuming I don't go, what will happen when tomorrow comes?
It was midnight. The place was freezing. The wind carried with it flakes of snow. Shane wrapped her arms around her body tightly to warm herself up while scanning the area for the person, she waiting for.
Her head was lowered, and thoughts of her daughter and husband clouded her mind. She was lost in her mind when a deep voice startled her,
？？？
Child! So, tell me, what is your greatest desire?
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
*jolts* Master Ciel Crimsom?
？？？
*Smirks* What do you desire?
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
*Strengthens her resolve by making a fist* I want to talk to Master Ciel Crimsom and no one else.
Before living the house, Monroe had warned her to make sure she talked to Master Ciel Crimsom and no one else. He warned that if she wasn't sure and talked to the wrong person, all her effort would have been in vein.
She was worried about not recognising him, so Monroe advised to do what he wanted first before telling him what she wanted herself.
？？？
How can you tell I am not him?
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
*exhales* I can't tell in honesty, but it's not about what I want. It's about what I can do for him.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
So, if you are him, tell me, what do you want? How can I serve you?
The man vanishes, and a cackle carried by the cold wind echoes in Shane's ears. A sudden warmth enveloped her from the back, she swiftly turns to see who it was and to her shock it was a tall fair man with piercing red eyes.
Ciel Crimsom (Fl grandad)
That weasel did a good job prepping you, Mrs. Vale. I am impressed. you have a strong mind.
Ciel Crimsom (Fl grandad)
Most usually lose it after talking to my Shadow men. But you... your resolve is something else.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
*Trembles* What do you want?
Ciel Crimsom (Fl grandad)
*Smirks and inhales deeply* You smell like a lotus flower. Twenty-one years from now, I will come for what is mine. Do you agree?
Folds her lips nervously and stutters for a while. She stares at the man nervously and claws at her trembling chest.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
Yes! Yes... Master Ciel Crimsom.
Ciel Crimsom (Fl grandad)
*Laughs heartily and patts her shoulder* Then, we have a deal.
Hands her a Crimson brooch with a smirk
Ciel Crimsom (Fl grandad)
In 21 years' time, this brooch might just be your saving grace if you still have it. If you dont, nothing can save you.
As for your business, it has been saved, and by tomorrow, it will only keep growing.
The present
A 5ft5 young lady walks out of the Golden Vale Jewellery company while pressing her phone. She was wearing a short gown with her curly hair tight into a loose bun. She was very cute and petite. She swiftly hops into the first cab that stops in front of her.
Alia Vale FMC
*Still on her phone* Hello sir, 👋 You can drop me at Harp estate
Alia Vale FMC
*Checks the time and panics* Damn it! I am getting late for dinner again. I just hope mum and dad will let it slide this time around. Mister cab man, please hurry, or else I will get an earful once I return home.
Alia furrowed her brow as there was no response from the driver. She tilted her head to the side and folded her lips after a quick glance at the driver. She realized that she didn't pay attention to the appearance of the driver. Grabbing onto her phone tightly, she called out to the driver again.
Alia Vale FMC
Mister, are you okay?
The instant she spoke for the second time, the driver turned to look at her. Her heart jumped in fear at the sight of the scruffy looking man. She nervously looked around to see if she was anywhere near her destination. Her whole body trembled in fear. Realizing the man took a different route from the one leading to her destination, she stuttered, trying to talk to him:
Alia Vale FMC
Mi-mi-mister w-where are you taking me to? This is not the way to the Harp Estate.
The scruffy man started laughing at her mischievously, seeing that she was already alert by his evil intentions. He parked the car by the woods and cackled as he struggled to remove his seat belt. Seeing that the man was having a hard time removing his seat belt, the young lady opened the door and started running off, there were sounds of trees moving and sticks breaking from the woods which alerted the young lady, but She was too frightened to pay attention to it.
She only halted after getting to a crossroad. She scanned around for a good route swiftly, when suddenly men started coming out from the woods in different directions and surrounded her. Realizing her helplessness, fear took over her mind, and her legs weakened in fear. She slumped onto the ground.
The man in the car finally came out. On hearing his footsteps, she turned to look at him. The man didn't even pay attention to her. He simply turned to a man leaning by a black Mercedes by the side of the road and said:
Seeing her life flash before her eyes, Alia starts crying while looking at the two men making exchanges. Her eyes were blurry with tears, so she couldn’t see the person that ordered her kidnap well, until the man statrs strolling to where she was seated on the ground
？？？
Alia! Alia, Alia humph look where you've brought us to. You know none of us would be here if only you had listened to me and agreed to my marriage proposal. I usually don't do chasing. The women chase me, but as for you, it's like you are immune to my charms or something. I have been chasing you for years now and patiently for that matter, yet you have been playing hard to get. Well, I have had enough. And now here we are
？？？
You have made me look like a fool for a very long time, and I have had enough. So, I thought hard with my friends;what are the best ways to forget about a girl who isn't willing to cooperate with you...
Not important
*Cackles and retorts* Forcefully have your way with her.
not important
Humiliate her!
Not important
Gang up on her and have your way with her.
？？？
*Laughs maniacally* She loses her worth. It works all the time. It's like magic, they say.
Frightened by his words, Alia trembles in fear. She suddenly felt a burning sensation in her throat as she tried to swallow her pain
Alia Vale FMC
Shaun! please don't hurt me. I remember clearly telling you that I already have a boyfriend.
shaun only got more riled up by her response. He slammed his fist on the Mercedes-Benze behind him and yelled.
Shaun Sanders
You Liar! You don't have a boyfriend.
He approached her with fisted hands as if he were ready to give her a pummelling. Frightened by his sight, she defended herself some more with her round teary eyes.
Alia Vale FMC
*She flinched* I honestly do. It's just that we are on a break due to some misunderstanding.
He laughs at her defensive response in mockery
Shaun Sanders
Break, you say? Look!
Taking out his smartphone from his pocket, he showed her a picture of her boyfriend with some other girl kissing and having a good time. Alia cussed at her dilemma as she looked at the picture confused. What was she going to tell this man now? Will she escape from this trap she found herself in? Alia quickly looked away in tears
Shaun Sanders
the man you are head over heels for has blinded your eyes from seeing clearly who is really in front of you...
Silence fell over the place as tears kept streaming down Alia's beautiful honey brown eyes. Her sobs and the sounds of crickets chirping and birds cooing filled the entire environment. Those were the only sounds that could be heard in the entire woodland. Her body trembling, the cool wind blowing against her body, was not helping matters. Alia had given up hope of finding help in that isolated woodland. She was just waiting for the worst to happen.
In her helplessness, suddenly a lady in a black leather jacket and a fine black skinny trouser, with a leather high heel boots, jumped so high and kicked Shuan in the jaw. She landed in front of Alia, guarding her from the attacks coming her way
The men who surrounded Alia rushed in on them with full speed to attack the nonchalant lady standing in front of Alia.
Alia couldn't think straight in fear. She got up and took the road behind the lady standing in front of her and ran as fast as she could.
Her mind kept taunting her as she was running off. She kept thinking of the lady who saved her and how she might be in danger.
She stopped and thought of going back to help her but hesitated a couple of times. Finally, she took out her phone and placed a call to the police before she returned with her fingers crossed for the worst that awaited her.
The lady who guarded Alia scoffed and smirked in the face of the platoon of men coming after her to fight.
She jumps so high in the air and kicks the faces of four men that attack her first all at once, like she was hitting a football.
As she landed, she punched one that was behind her with her elbow and the other in front of her with her fist. More men kept coming, and she just kept fighting them off like it was nothing to her.
She fought all of them effortlessly, and as the last person approached her while planning a sneak attack on her, she shot him with a stun gun.
She dusted off her clothes and took out her phone to make a call when she caught sight of Alia. She smiled and waved at her.
？？？
Hey! You can come out now, you have nothing to be worried about. I have taken care of them
Alia crawled out from under the olive green jeep hidden amongst the trees in camouflage. Earlier, when she returned to help the estranged lady, she was met by an unexpected sight that caught her off guard. She was hiding there while watching how the lady bashed up the platoon of men that went after her, one after the other.
？？？
*The lady smiled at her* I will just call the police then I will take you home, but you will have to direct me. I am a tourist here...
Alia stuttered to respond to the lady who saved her life
Alia Vale FMC
I have_ I-I have called the police already.
The Deal
The estrange lady smiled at Alia and ran her fingers through her silky straight black hair. She smirked and raised a brow knowingly
？？？
Wow! look at you. For a moment there, I thought you abandoned me. but here you are, and you made the right call as well. Very smart. You were brave after all the hesitations. I am proud of you.I think it will be best if we wait for the police to arrive here first before we head off to your home. They should be here any moment from now.
The estranged lady brought out her Jeep from the woods and parked it by the road. She opened the door for Alia with a smile while looking at her.
？？？
You can relax in my car while we wait, I know how stressed you are right now.
Alia nodded simply and entered the car. The estranged lady took off her leather jacket and covered Alia's body with it.
？？？
This should keep you warm.
The estranged lady was now wearing only a black sleeveless crop-top. She took out a small wine flask from her pocket and gulped down the content in one go as she looked ahead into the road and smiled
Alia couldn't see them, but it seemed like the lady heard the police cars coming even before they arrived because a few seconds after she said they were coming, the police 🚔 🚔🚔 cars came into view.
Alia Vale FMC
Wow! How did she know they were close by.
Alia watched in awe as the girl went to the police and reported everything that transpired before she came into the car. She buckled her seat belt and raised her gaze to Alia:
？？？
Alright, where are we going to?
？？？
Alia smiled as she pointed at the direction. She couldn't look away from the beautiful lady driving. She looked elegant and graceful, yet there was that hint of a bad girl aura surrounding her.
The scent she was wearing was gradually driving Alia crazy. It was just intoxicating and addictive. Alia gulps nervously, realizing that her behavior might be sending the wrong message.
Alia Vale FMC
So, what are you doing here at NOK States?
The lady smirked and glanced at Alia.
？？？
You know, one moment I was at the military camp at Finland Island, then the boss called me and said:
Raven, I want you back home to take over the family business. I wasn't happy about it, but I had to comply. So I returned home to Finland, and I was handling the business just fine.
Raven Crimson FL
Someone tried to dupe me by selling me a fake treasure museum online. Actually, I just don't get along with technology, and I almost fell for it, but then I realized that I needed to see what I was buying with my eyes. And that's how I realized it was all a scheme to cheat me. The man ran off to NOK States, so I followed him because I won't allow him to cheat someone else.
Raven smiled at Alia and stretched her hand to open the storage compartment in the car. Alia's eyes fluttered as she took in Raven's scent. She blushed hard after acting in a way she found unbelievable. Raven took out another wine flask from the storage compartment and handed it to Alia.
Raven Crimson FL
Open it for me, please
Alia opened it and handed it to Raven.
She subconsciously licked her lips while watching Raven.
After a while, she realized she was staring too much and hurriedly looked away.
Alia Vale FMC
You have such a nice name Raven
Raven smirks as she glances at Alia
Raven Crimson FL
Not as sweet as yours Alia
Alia blushed again. She was going crazy in her mind. Why was she easily affected by Raven's words, she wondered.
Alia Vale FMC
So, have you found the man who tried to cheat you?
Alia asked anxiously, trying to shift her attention from the intoxicating scent wafting into her nose. She looked away, trying to avoid anything about Raven that could make her act like a fool again
Raven Crimson FL
Not yet! I was close to doing that when the boss called and said I needed to get married to someone here before leaving. Coming from a royal lineage, I don't have much choice on such matters. Unions are made only when it's beneficial. It really sucks to be me. I wish I could escape this marriage, but I can't. Not when the boss is involved.
Raven smirks at the confused look on Alia's face. Alia was wondering who this boss man was that Raven kept talking about. Why does he have so much power over Raven? Who is he to control her like that?
Raven Crimson FL
By the way, the boss man is my grandfather
They both laughed hard. Alia's soft voice echoed in Raven's ears delightfully. Raven stared at Alia's soft features for a while before looking away.
Alia Vale FMC
*Smiles brightly* Why do you call him boss?
Raven Crimson FL
Well isn’t that obvious? He is literally the boss! He controls everyone in my family. And so, we call him the boss.
Alia Vale FMC
We are here. I live here with my parents and sister.
They arrived at Harp Estates, and Raven stopped the car right in front of the classic duplex
Raven dropped hurriedly and opened the door for Alia. As they both stood in front of each other, Raven held Alia's tender hand in hers, and taking it closer to her lips, she placed a soft kiss on it.
Alia blushed, yet again. she was taken that a young lady treated her,, so well like a gentleman would.
After that, Raven swiftly kissed her on the cheeks and stared into Alia's beautiful honey brown eyes.
Raven Crimson FL
The next time we meet, I hope we don't meet for your sake because I won't let go of you even if you begged me to... Take care, sweetheart...
Alia was puzzled by Raven's words, but she didn't read into it too much. She simply smiled at her and handed Raven the jacket she lent her.
Alia Vale FMC
Here is your Jacket.
Raven smiled with her eyes lost in Alia's eyes
Raven Crimson FL
No, keep it. So that you will always remember me.
Alia watched bewildered and speechless as the young lady drove off, leaving her with tons of butterfly fluttering in her stomach. Alia was intoxicated by the lady in every way. Even she could not tell how or why she was feeling the way she felt. All she knew was that she couldn't get Raven off her mind.
Alia smiled as she entered into the house. Taking slow steps she finally arrived at the front door. Only to be blown away in shock by the scene that lay before her eyes. The house was a mess. The furniture was scattered from one end to another. Rushing into the sitting room, she called out to her parents.
Alia Vale FMC
Mum! Dad! Where are you two, and what happened here? Why is the house a mess?
Shane rushes out of her bedroom with her husband and draws Alia into her embrace.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
My sweet munchkin. I am sorry about the mess in the living room. Your dad and I had a pillow fight. Sometimes, we forget that we are still living with our two precious daughters.
Alia Vale FMC
Mum! Where is Aria? She left work earlier than me. She should have been home by now.
Shane pats her daughter's hair lovingly with a smile. Alia smiled brightly at her mother. No one pampers her as much as her mother does.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
Don't worry about your sister. She went out for fresh air. She will be back soon. Now help me clear this place up.
She glances at her husband standing by the staircase and hurries to meet him. He was glaring at Alia furiously. Shane was just grateful that Alia didn't notice him. She grabs his hand and drags him to their bedroom.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
What are you doing, Javier? Why were you staring at our daughter like she committed some kind of sin again?
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
I am disappointed in you, Javier. so much that it hurts. We made a deal for the sake of our business and our daughter with Ciel Crimson in the past, and you know this.
Javier Vale FMC's Father
*Slams his fist on the bed and furiously gets up* You made a deal, Shane. I remember clearly prohibiting you from meeting that devious man.
Javier Vale FMC's Father
Why should my daughter suffer for your mistakes?
Javier Vale FMC's Father
My baby Aria doesn't deserve all this. She is innocent.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
None of our children deserve what is happening to our family right now.
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
*Closes her eyes and lets out a shaky breath as tears trail down her cheeks.* Since I gave birth to Alia, you have never really accepted her as your child, have you?
Javier Vale FMC's Father
That's because I don't think she is Mine
Shane Vale FMC's Mother
How can she not be yours? I have never cheated on you. So what are you saying?
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
