Home / Urban / PEREZ: WHEN AURA MEETS POWER / CHAPTER FOUR: LOCKWOOD
CHAPTER FOUR: LOCKWOOD
last update2026-10-20 05:54:03

It  was really difficult to know the difference between an opportunity and temptation... But to Perez, he felt he knew what he was walking right into.

FLASHBACK,

ENTERING LOCKWOOD THAT DAY

Lockwood was quiet.... It wasn't obvious but it was there, when people looked. Quick glances and soft whispers of curiosity.... Not at Amara but at Perez. But he kept walking, until they stopped in front of an office, and Amara pushed it open. There sat a man, quite in his late 30s... He looked up with a measured gaze, his eyes landed on Perez.

“Lockwood” Amara spoke "I want you to meet Perez"

She turned to Perez with a bright smile "Perez...."

"Meet my husband.... Lockwood Vale"

Perez paused instantly... But he didn't react, her husband? Immediately Lockwood's eyes drifted to his.... In question....

"What's going on?" Lockwood asked

So that explained it.... The whole, would you meet my partner talk

“What brings him here?” Lockwood insisted

“I... just felt he needed a start" Amara replied boldly

That was simple.... Too simple to say. Perez stepped forward to speak for himself “I, I don’t really  have experience working with people"

Lockwood gazed at him "That's not quite a disqualifier"

"Yes honey" Amara concluded

"Everyone deserves an opportunity to build something for themselves" Lockwood continued

Was he being serious? He stared at Perez for a longer second.... Perez held his gaze, he had heard things like that before but different words, different people but same expectations....

“Every time someone gives me an offer” Perez voiced out “they want something in return" “Everything just seems to happen too fast"

Amara turned towards him “I don’t agree... with that"

Perez glanced at her. Lockwood watched this exchange. He was interested now..... “Then what do you think is happening?” he asked Amara

Amara didn’t look away from Perez when she answered “I think he’s not used to being seen for what he actually is"

Perez didn’t respond.... Lockwood shifted and tapped his fingers on the desk “Skills?” he said, looking back at Perez

“Uhmmm I work with systems....  heavy duty engineering. Mechanisms and  Efficiency"

Lockwood stared at him "And you're unemployed?"

Perez chuckled “I’m… unplaced"

“Good, that means you haven’t been taught the wrong things yet"

Suddenly Lockwood extended his hand for a shake.... Perez’ eyes dropped to the hand, then to Amara.... he slowly took it... it was a firm shake....

"Here tomorrow...." Lockwood said

And Perez nodded once... he nodded as if he had finally stepped into something that wasn’t chasing him,

but waiting for him to arrive.

THAT NIGHT

Perez sat elbows resting on his knees, his fingers were loosely clasped together, his gaze stayed low, fixed on nothing in particular, but his mind…. his mind was louder than the city outside.

Lockwood was an actual offer, not disguised or forced into his hands... Just given to him, with a handshake.... And he took it. Craziest part. Perez had turned down things people would've fought for because it didn't feel right.... Because something in him always caught the hidden weight behind the word "Opportunity" but this? This didn't feel exactly like a trap....

His mind shifted to Amara. With the way she looked at him at the office, not curious but intentional, always brightened up..... When they had only met once? Like she saw something real or.... She was playing something deeper....

“Does it matter?” he wondered

Because he had already accepted.... He had chosen to step into it. He finally pushed himself from the couch and retired to bed.

NEXT DAY

Morning. It felt like preparation. Perez stood infront of the mirror adjusting his white T-shirt.... Not overly formal, he preferred casual corporates.... And it was just enough to belong without looking like he was trying to. He wasn't walking into Lockwood to impress anyone.... He was walking in to see, to understand, to measure the space, and to observe.

************

LOCKWOOD

Perez stood across from Lockwood Vale again, this time not as a visitor but as something not yet defined.... Lockwood didn't waste time “Your full name” Perez held his gaze

“Alejandro Perez"

Lockwood nodded once “Good" “We’ll use that when necessary"

Perez didn’t ask what that meant.

“So you said you work with systems” Lockwood continued "Structures? Efficiency"

“Yes"

Then Lockwood slid a card towards him... it was an access card.

“There’s a division downstairs, tools, mechanical systems. You'll have access with this card"

Perez nodded “Understood" then he turned to leave....

“Perez" Lockwood called out, Perez stopped and turned, Lockwood's expression changed slightly “My wife.... has a tendency to be… too expressive"

“She was overly dramatic about your first encounter... You should understand where you stand here"

After that, silence stretched. Perez exhaled quietly then met his gaze fully.... Not challenging, not submissive either.... Just there "Understood" he quietly said and till he left, Lockwood’s eyes stayed on him.

THE HALLWAY

He made his way through the hallway "So that is the line" he said to himself.... Clear enough, Amara's presence, Lockwood's control.... Good to know, it didn't offend him, neither did it make him feel intimidated. Just informed. Halfway through his thoughts, a voice came in "Perez"

Perez stopped.

Amara. Of course. She walked towards him, there was something searching in her eyes, like she wanted to know something “How do you feel?” she asked... Perez shrugged “I don’t know yet"

Her gaze stayed on him, waiting for more... But Perez didn't have what to say to her

“I... I want to see the tool room” he added

“Oh alright"

Perez gave a nod and stepped back and continued walking.... While Amara still stood there after he left, watching the space he had just occupied... She slowly closed her eyes, she drew in a quiet breath... It's just that something about him lingered in the air.... In her mind... Maybe it was his scent, or his mysterious behavior.... Or just the way he was always calm.... Like a presence that didn't try to be felt. Her fingers slowly brushed the side of her neck.... A small soft exhale followed then she opened her eyes again....

"Interesting..." She murmured.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Latest Chapter

  • CHAPTER SIXTEEN: DISTANCE IS THE BARRIER

    The change was subtle, it wasn't obvious to the people inside Aurex.... But it was to Victoria, Perez no longer stopped by her desk, their conversations after meetings had become shorter, their casual exchange that had somehow become part of her routine vanished... He made it seem completely natural."Miss Carter, Mr. Perez would like you to review these documents"A messenger. Again. Victoria accepted the folder and thanked the assistant.Two weeks ago, he would've brought it himself.Two weeks ago, he would've asked for her opinion.Two weeks ago, he might have stayed for a conversation.She glanced towards the executive floor. His office door was closed, she lowered her eyes and returned to her work.... If that was how he wanted things to be, she could play that game, too.************The following day wasn't much different. One- word answers: "Good morning""Morning""The article has been approved""Okay""Did you receive the updated report?""Yes"And by the end of the week, sh

  • CHAPTER FIFTEEN: UNSCRIPTED

    The days that followed became strangely familiar. Victoria would walk into Aurex and Perez would already be there. Well of course, but then she would turn a cand he'd be walking out of an elevator or she would be reviewing notes in the lounge, and he'd appear beside the coffee machine. It was almost ridiculous and yet neither of them ever mentioned it.They simply exchanged glances, a nod, a greeting, then continued with their day.... Professional and controlled, atleast that's what Perez was telling himself.... Because Victoria was becoming a distraction, a dangerous one. Because unlike Natasha and Amara, she wasn't demanding anything from him, neither was she chasing nor trying to pull him into a complicated situation. She was simply there.*******That evening, Perez walked out of his office with a file tucked beneath his arms, most of the building was empty as the cleaning staff started moving through the hallways..... The lights were switched off in most of the offices then he no

  • CHAPTER FOURTEEN: BETWEEN THE LINES

    The article was finally finished or at least, Victoria had finally convinced herself to stop rewriting it, thanks to Ruby. It took three days, seven drafts and countless edits.... Plus an unhealthy amount of coffee. She finally sat at her desk staring at the final version of the article, her finger hovered over the mouseSubmit.Her eyes scanned the first few lines one last time, finally she inhaled deeply and then clicked the button. The article was officially published and there was no taking it back*********Response was immediate, employees started discussing about it, most praised it and the media team circulated it..... People started sharing it, this should've made Victoria happy but it left her nervous instead because one person hadn't read it. Few hours later, her phone vibrated.... 'Mr. Perez would like to see you in his office'Victoria's heart skipped..... She quickly stood up and headed right away. Before she reached she had already imagined at least twenty different wa

  • CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE QUIET EXPLORER

    One afternoon, Victoria sat alone in a small café a few blocks away from Aurex' headquarters. Her laptop was open and her notebook laid beside it, several pages were scattered across the table; each filled with crossed-out words, written ideas, unfinished sentences. The article was slowly taking shape, she tapped her pen against the table then began typing again...."Success changes people or perhaps it simply reveals who they were all along"She stopped, no, deleted it.... "Behind every growing empire is a person learning how to carry the weight of becoming visible"She paused, better but still not on point.... She leaned back in her chair and sighed.Why was this so difficult? She had written dozens of articles before yet this one felt strangely personal.The TV screen lit up and caught her attention, it displayed the past clips on Perez' wonder works at Lockwood.... There was always someone standing beside him in most pictures, her name was boldly casted on the screen, Amara Vale.

  • CHAPTER TWELVE: LIES OF THE HEART

    PRESENT DAYVictoria’s article had spread faster than she expected. Virally, within days, Aurex Systems was no longer just another rising tech name in San Cordova, it had become the name people associated with the City’s newest wave of powera and attached to it Alejandro Perez. By this time Natasha and Amara had become history enough to make him put on layers by layers.The invitation came directly from Aurex Media Division, it was access to Aurex itself.... Victoria stepped inside following the staff towards the interview room.... Where Perez himself sat with fellow broadcasters. When she stepped in their eyes met briefly.... Briefly not noticeable, not even enough to recognize.... “Miss Carter” someone from the media team said, gesturing for her to sit.She did, across from Perez..... And the interview began.... Victoria spoke clearly about her writing, her perspective, how she found stories in patterns people ignored and how she found a voice in Aurex systems itself....Perez lean

  • CHAPTER ELEVEN: ECHOES OF ATTRACTION

    There's always a time when everything should be put to a stop.... Every desire, temptation, history, and conflict. Perez couldn't let his guard down by falling for any of it, despite the dreams he had. He had to put a stop to its matters.FLASHBACK CONT'DIt just took a notification to make him realize what would have thrown him off guard if it were months ago.... A message from his unfinished past, the heiress.... He stared at his phone screen which glowed with a message from Alex.... Natasha's driver "She wants to speak with you? Mr Perez""Time to put an end to this for good" Perez whispered to himself *********An hour later, he was sitting across from her in a quiet lounge. Natasha hadn't changed... She still remained the smug, seductive and irresistible young lady who could pull the strings of any young man she wanted."You've done well for yourself...." she saidPerez almost smiled, he leaned back in his chair "what made you reach out? Is it because you've probably seen me on

More Chapter
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App