Chapter 23: Peter's Manipulation 

Selena's entire body froze in shock as Kelvin's lips touched hers. She couldn't think of anything else and just stared at him with her eyes wide open.

"What am I doing? What is this attraction?" He asked feeling hot inside his body as he started tensing up. He could not understand how his usual aggressive kisses turned to a gentle one. "This is definitely not me" he murmured to himself as he is an aggressive kisser only for lust and pleasure but why was this different.

Noticing the unmoving figure he was kissing, he broke away with his eyes filled with confusion and frustration. He was confused at this sudden feeling building up within him and frustrated for not knowing what was behind it.

Getting up from the bed, he felt her hand grab his shirt, "Please, my parents..."He heard her shaking voice and putting his finger on her lips.

"Shush!" He whispered. "Everything is alright. Your parents..." He paused and looked away. He knew the power she possessed and if her parents death was part of her vision then there was nothing he or anyone could do but somehow he felt compelled to try something.

"Your parents are both fine." He said and she let go of his shirt slowly. He walked out of the room, he could not stay in there with her because he doubted if he would be able to restrain himself. 

"Call Eva to attend to her. She's already calm now." Kelvin said as he met Robert standing outside near the door.

"Calm? Sir, she's not yet asleep so how can you say she's calm. What if she starts screaming again? What would Eva do?" Robert thought.

"Okay sir." He finally said.

Kelvin looked back once more and he saw Selena still unmoving on the spot. He sighed, "Tell Eva to call me when she gets here. I'm going somewhere." He said and left, this time he walked slowly.

His racing heart became calm as he walked to the garage to get his car. "Why did I react like that?' He mused and clenched his fist in frustration, he entered his car and drove off.

Meanwhile in another part of New York city, Peter was sitting down comfortably in his office, his head was raised and his eyes closed as different thoughts compiled in his head.

"Peter." Ethan called as he entered Peter's office.

Without opening his eyes or moving, Peter answered in a gruff voice. "What is it?"

Taking his seat opposite Peter, "I met Lana crying at home. What did you do?"

Peter heard what he said and a wry smile formed on his lips. "I told her to face reality." He said bluntly.

"Reality?" Ethan sneered, "Tell me Peter, what reality must she know that would leave her in tears." He said and clenched his fist in anger. "You and I know Lana isn't weak so what the hell did you do?" Ethan yelled at him.

His anger was rising beyond control. When it comes to Lana and ever since he realized his feelings for her, he always protected her. Even though they were not related, his feelings for her just takes control of his entire being and he acts out of sentiment.

Peter, opened his eyes when he heard Ethan yell. He looked straight at Ethan's burning eyes and with a smirk and sarcastic tone he replied. "If you must know what I told her then fine. I told her to forget all her feelings for that son of a gun called Kelvin and either marry you or Ryan."

"Huh!" Ethan's anger started fading away when he heard what Peter said. "Ryan? Mr Luis son?" He asked for confirmation.

"Yes, Ryan Yanns." Peter gave him a short answer.

"Why would you want her to marry Ryan when he's not even her mate?"

"Lana hasn't found her mate yet. Neither you, Kelvin nor Ryan are her mate so it makes no difference with who she marries...," Peter said

"And that's the reason I'm not forcing myself on Lana like you wish. She needs to get married to her mate if not how would she be happy." Ethan chimed in

Peter clasped his hands together, "Lana is my sister and my responsibility." He sighed, "I'll decide for her and there is nothing you can do about it." Peter said in finality with a hint of irritation on his face.

Changing the topic immediately with a stoic expression, "Did you find the perfect position to give Mr Riley's daughter?" He asked. 

Ethan's jaw dropped. "How could he care less about what we're saying about his sister and the only thing on his mind is a perfect position for Selena? Is he really serious about marrying Lana to Ryan? The guy knows nothing about her including what she likes and don't and when she's scheming something or not"

"Did Mr Luis promise to join you in taking Kelvin down?" Ethan asked, ignoring Peter's question. When he got no answer from Peter, he asked again, "Do you want to now join force with Mr Luis just to surpass Kelvin?"

''Are we still on this?'' Peter grumbled. "Yes, I need the other circles under my control. You and I are fully aware that Ryan knows nothing about holding power, and the only thing he's good at is building a business empire. That's what he's been doing all his life, so tell me Ethan, What do you think would happen to Mr Luis circle if he dies?" 

"Don't tell me that your plan is to marry Lana off to Ryan, become a son-in-law then kill Mr Luis?" 

A mischievous smile formed on Peter's face, "I'm glad you are really on my side Ethan. You understand a lot of things so fast." His voice full of sarcasm.

"What if Lana agrees to marry Ryan and later falls for him.., What would you tell her if she finds out about your plan? Or have you even thought about what you'll do if Lana doesn't marry him?" Ethan asked, he couldn't believe his ears at what Peter was saying.

He knew that Peter is a schemer when it comes to his selfishness. He knew Peter's real desire and this was something he had expected from him but not now as this was too soon.

"Then that's good, if she doesn't marry Ryan she won't get hurt and I'm sure you'll protect her, but if she marries him then I'm also sure she'll be happy when his father dies and she can break free from the marriage because I'll have what I want." Peter said sharply.

"Wait, you never seize to amaze me. Peter, you want to sacrifice Lana's happiness just to bring down Kelvin?"

"Hey, don't say it that way." Peter said then pressed some numbers on the telephone on his desk. "Bring two cups of coffee." He said and cut the call after hearing an "okay".

Ethan was patiently waiting for Peter as he has many questions in his head that he needed answers to. As long as it was related to Lana's happiness, he would do anything to figure it out and make it right.

"We both know Lana well enough and we also know that my sister won't ever fall for Ryan. Her heart is already for Kelvin and I'm using it to my advantage." He scanned Ethan's face carefully and seeing his composed expression he continued.

"If Mr Luis dies and I have control over his circle don't you think that there's no more reason for my sister to stay married to Ryan?" He asked looking intently at Ethan.

"I told you before, Ethan, I will do anything and use anyone just to get what I want and I know right now my sister would be thinking the same thing..." Peter was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

Sofia, Peter's secretary, entered the office with a tray of refreshments. She set it down on a side table and offered a warm smile. "Mr Williams, Mr Hart, your cups of coffee."

"Thank you Sofia." Ethan said and Peter nodded.

"Is there anything else you might want me to do?" She asked politely.

"No, we're okay with this. I'll call you when I need you." Peter said and she nodded with a smile and left.

Peter took a cup of coffee and inhaled the rich aroma that filled the room. "Don't you drink coffee again?" With creased brows he asked Ethan who was just staring at him.

"Fine." Peter said, leaning his back on his chair as he looked at Ethan with a thoughtful expression. "Ethan, do you really have to be worried about me marrying my sister off to the Yanns family or you should be worried about Lana? You know what length she can go inorder to get what she wants."

"You love Lana and you don't want to see her get hurt. I believe there is only one way out of all this and I guess you already know what I'm talking about."

"Kelvin?" Ethan asked with raised brows.

"Yes, Kill Kelvin." Peter said smiling viciously.

He knew that he was manipulating his best friend with words but right now, his desire for power was beyond control.