Mr. Nobody: Owns It All

Don't get caught

The news hung heavy in the air, a sudden storm cloud in the midst of a celebratory evening. Norah stared at her phone, the call ended, a hollow echo resonating in her ears. 'Unforeseen circumstances'? What unforeseen circumstances could possibly derail a project that was practically a done deal?

Her smile, once radiant, had vanished, replaced by a mask of confusion. The air around Norah crackled with a sudden tension. 

The group of businessmen who had been fawning over her moments ago seemed to sense the shift in her mood. One by one, they made polite excuses and drifted away, leaving her standing alone in the middle of the room. 

The news of the halted collaboration with Resilience Industries had spread like wildfire, and the once eager crowd now saw her as a sinking ship they wanted nothing to do with. 

Their smiles were gone, replaced by a mixture of pity and thinly veiled smugness. Without it, her company, Dreamscape, might not be able to stay afloat.

Panic clawed at Norah's throat, constricting her breath. This couldn't be happening. This deal was her lifeline, the key to propelling Dreamscape into the big leagues. 

The project was more than just a lucrative contract – it was a symbol of her success, the validation of her years of hard work.

 She couldn't let it fall apart, not after all her hard work; all the sleepless nights poured into building her company from the ground up.

Her eyes darted around the room, searching for someone, anyone, who might shed light on the situation. 

Her gaze landed on Anderson, her so-called 'business partner,' who was currently attempting to charm another group of investors. He seemed oblivious to her distress, his face all smiles and practiced charisma.

He was the one who'd bragged about his connections. Surely, he could help her salvage this mess.

Desperate, Norah made her way towards him, her heels clicking a frantic rhythm against the polished marble floor. "Anderson," she gasped, her voice breathless, "I need your help."

Anderson, mid-sentence with a potential client, turned towards her with a frown. "What is it?"

"It’s about the Resilience project," she blurted out, ignoring the surprised glances their exchange was drawing. "They just called and said they're putting the project on hold!"

Anderson's smile faltered for a moment, then he regained his composure. "Hold on?" he echoed, feigning concern. He held her arm and then took her to another table, were there were fewer ears and prying eyes. 

"That's strange. I thought everything was finalized." He paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. 

"Anderson," she pleaded, her voice trembling slightly, "you said you knew the CEO of Resilience. Can't you do something? Talk to him, explain the situation…"

Anderson, however, wasn't the confident businessman he pretended to be. He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, his bravado evaporating. The truth was, his acquaintance with the CEO was nothing more than a boast, a white lie to impress her.

"Maybe there's been some misunderstanding. Don't worry, I have connections, you know. I'll make some calls and see what I can find out."

Norah clung to his words like a lifeline, a flicker of hope rekindled in her eyes. "Really? You can do that?"

Anderson puffed out his chest, a hint of arrogance creeping back into his demeanour. "Of course, darling," he assured her, a predatory glint in his eyes.

Inwardly, however, Anderson was panicking. His 'connections' were nothing more than an inflated ego. He had bragged about knowing the CEO of Resilience to impress Norah, never truly believing she'd call his bluff.

He'd never even met the man, let alone had any influence over him. His only connection to Resilience, was a distant relative who held a middle-management position in the company.

Now, faced with his own deceit, his mind raced. He needed a way out, a way to maintain the charade of being Norah's saviour, the one who could fix everything.

"Consider it done," he lied, his voice taking on a reassuring tone. "Just give me a moment to make a call."

He walked a few meters away from her. Reaching a secluded corner, he pulled out his phone and dialled a familiar number.

"Father," he began, his voice dripping with a feigned deference, "I need your help."

He poured his woes out to his father, a prominent businessman in the city, describing the situation with Norah and the stalled project. 

He pleaded for his father's intervention, hoping to use his connections to repair the situation and hopefully, save the deal.

But to his surprise, his father's response was not what he expected. A harsh reprimand filled the air as his father scolded him for his naivety.

"You idiot," his father finally growled, his voice laced with disappointment. "Don't you ever think before you speak?"

"I… I just wanted to impress her," he stammered, his voice shrinking under his father's scrutiny.

"Impress her?" his father scoffed. 

"You jeopardized a potential partnership with a company known for its secrecy and ruthless business practices! Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"

Anderson, overwhelmed by the sudden gravity of the situation, mumbled a negative response.

“No.”

"Exactly," his father snapped.

"That company is shrouded in mystery. They operate on their own terms, and nobody, not even the most powerful families in the city, messes with them."

His face paled. He hadn't considered that. His ego had blinded him to the true power dynamics at play.

"But what about Norah?" he stammered, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice. "Her company is going under without the deal!"

His father scoffed. "That's her problem, not yours. You should have been more careful who you chose to get involved with. Now, clean up your mess and don't bother me with such trivial matters again."

The phone call ended abruptly, leaving him fuming. His carefully constructed plan was falling apart, his lies exposed. He glared at his phone, a surge of anger coursing through him.

He returned to where he left Norah, a fake smile plastered on his face. "Norah," he announced, returning his phone to his pocket, forcing a lightness into his voice, "It is done."

“Really!?"

“I spoke with a few contacts, and it seems there might be a slight delay with the project, but nothing to worry about. They're just ironing out some minor details."

Norah, desperate for any glimmer of hope, perked up at his words. "Oh, thank goodness," she breathed, a flicker of relief crossing her features. "I don't know what I would have done without you, Anderson."

His heart was pounding an erratic rhythm, and he felt a pang of guilt. He knew his lie wouldn't hold for long, but for now, it would suffice.

He remembered his father’s words and his mind started racing for a solution. He couldn't risk exposing his lie, not now that he had finally snagged her attention. His true motive, buried beneath the facade of partnership, was far more sinister. 

He aimed to marry Norah, to gain control of her company, but that dream seemed to be slipping away with the cancelled project. He needed a new plan, a way to keep Norah close, even if it meant exploiting her vulnerability.

Now that her company was going bankrupt, he lost interest in marrying her. But before he let her go and moved on, he wanted to know how it felt to be inside her. 

‘Surely she’ll feel as good as she looks, I have to sleep with her, even if it’s just once.’ He thought to himself.

An idea sparked in his mind, a twisted plan that sent a shiver down his spine. He was glad he was prepared, in case Norah acted weird or did not give him face.

She excused himself from the table, “Are you alright?” he asked, his face feigning concern. “Oh, yes, I’m just going to the Restroom to touch up my makeup.”

As soon as she was out of sight, he took out a white powder from his pocket and secretly drugged her drink.

‘I hope I don’t get caught.’ 

The drug’s purpose was to make her unconscious, so he can have his way with her without her refusing him. But a waiter saw it and he hurried to find Blake. He needed to inform him that the former Madam was in potential trouble.