Long Overdue Meeting

The next day, Natalia woke up and reached out for her phone. After checking her messages, she rolled out of bed and got ready for the day. Once she had finished up in the bathroom, she pulled open her closet. She dressed into a black pencil skirt with a magenta blouse and a black blazer. Stepping into two-inch heels, she left her room and headed downstairs.

When she entered the lavish dining room with its white table and chairs and black fur rug and golden chandelier hanging from the ornate ceiling, she saw that her in-laws were all already present. They looked up at her and smiled.

Evelyn patted the back of the chair next to her. "Natalia, come sit."

The one person who was missing was her husband. As she sat down next to her mother-in-law, she asked, "Where's Sebastian?"

"He had some business meetings to attend in Y City," Quentin said. "He should be back in a couple days."

"Ohh, okay."

Natalia, remember. This is just an arranged marriage of convenience. This is for your freedom, nothing else.

Some scrambled eggs, bacon, and sourdough toast was laid in front of her by the hired help. Nodding in thanks, she picked up her fork and started eating.

Over breakfast, she chatted amicably with her new family members. Even her three brother-in-laws were very kind to her and welcoming.

- - - - -

Within a week of living at the Black family household, Natalia quickly realized the power dynamic. No matter if Sebastian was sickly or not, he was the one deemed to inherit the family business. Hence why she still hadn't laid eyes on her husband since the wedding reception.

When they talk about a marriage in name only, this is really it. But that's better for me anyways. I have my own work to do.

She was out shopping for some new clothes with Talia, her only sister-in-law, when her phone began to ring. Pulling the device out of her purse, with once glance at the caller id, she gave Talia an apologetic look.

"Why don't you go on into Sophie's Boutique first? I need to take this call."

Without any suspicion at all, Talia nodded. "Okay."

She entered, and Natalia walked over to the railing. Clicking accept, she raised the phone to her ear.

"Ian, what updates do you have for me?"

"The stocks have dropped. The news should have it covered by tomorrow. Your father and half-brothers are panicking right now."

"Good. Let them panic. They'll never know who toyed with them anyways."

"There's another thing, Ma'am."

"What?"

"Chloe and Elina have just landed in U Country. Charlie is taking them to the headquarters as we speak."

Natalia's eyes narrowed. "I'll be there in a couple hours."

"You're coming over already?!"

"This meeting of "mother" and daughter is long overdue. Of course I should go meet her immediately like the filial daughter I am." Her words were laced with a biting tone.

On the other end, he sighed. "Very well. I'll get Elina settled in before you get here."

Natalia hung up the call and stuffed her phone back into her purse. She entered Sophie's Boutique and quickly found her sister-in-law.

"Talia, I'm sorry, but I'm starting to get a bit of a headache. Do you mind if I go back home first?"

Since Talia was a couple years older than her, she was perfectly fine on her own. As such, she nodded.

"I'll call Mr. Parker when I'm done. Take some ibuprofen when you get back."

Natalia nodded and turned to go. She walked out of the store and quickly exited the mall. After looking around, she saw a black SUV pull up in front of her. The window rolled down and a head poked out.

"Ma'am, Captain Demarteau told me to drive you to headquarters."

"Okay." Of course Ian did.

Natalia climbed in the back seat and pulled the door shut. The car pulled away from the curb. When they got on the highway, she took a deep breath in and out.

"Ma'am, the GPS is saying we'll be there in an hour and a half."

"Alright."

- - - - -

When they finally arrived at the Black Rose's headquarters, Natalia climbed out and strode towards the front doors. The guards saluted to her and pulled the heavy doors open. She nodded in acknowledgement and kept walking. By this point, she knew the whole compound inside-out. Making her way over to the main hall, she stopped at the wrought-iron doors.

"Do you ever regret stepping inside those doors?"

She shook her head. "No. The Black Rose syndicate gave me the ability to fight back. I'll never regret standing up for myself."

"Elina is in her room. Whenever you're ready, I can have Chloe fetch her."

"Give me a moment to collect my thoughts first, Ian. Then, send Chloe."

"As you wish, Ma'am."

He followed her inside the main hall, and she sat on the throne-like, black iron chair centered at the front of the room. Leaning her elbow on the left armrest, she dropped her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. She took a deep breath before straightening in her seat.

"Call for Chloe."

"Yes, Ma'am."

He walked forward and exited the main hall. A few moments later, he came back in and stood off to her right side. About ten minutes later, there was a knock on the double wrought iron doors.

"Ma'am, they're here."

Natalia turned to Ian. They're?

He winced and leaned into her ear, "I'm sorry. I didn't want to upset you earlier. But your step-father and half-brother are here as well."

Her eyes widened before fury lit in her pupils. She seethed. Then, an eerie calmness washed over her.

"Show them in," she called out.

Chloe entered first with a woman, a man, and a teenager just behind. She saluted.

"Ma'am, this is Elina Raston, her husband Phillip Raston, and their son Warren."

The three stared at the one seated before them. She lowered her chin, cold eyes falling on them.

"Elina Raston, do you know where you are?"

Her birth mother nodded, shaking. "We're at the headquarters for the Black Rose syndicate."

"It's good you know this. Do you know why you're here?"

Elina shook her head. "Please, I'm just a stay-at-home mom. How could I have offended the Black Rose?"

Natalia stood slowly, eyes narrowing. "It's not the Black Rose you've offended, Mrs. Raston. Do you have a guess as to who I am?"

Another shake of the head.

"I am the Head of the Black Rose syndicate... and the one you've offended."

"H- how have I offended you? I- I've never even met you before!"

Phillip stepped forward, seemingly protecting his wife. "What do you want from us? Money? Illegal acts?"

She scoffed. "I want to repay the suffering she caused me."

"What?"

She walked forward slowly. Grabbing her birth mother's chin, she stared right into her eyes.

"I'm not just the Head of the Black Rose. I'm also your only daughter, Natalia. Natalia Montrose Black."