Eric looked to Nathan, then to the old Davis, and he said, "I want to take her away in a few days. You don't mind, do you?"
"She's just one of my playthings," Nathan replied. "She's not good enough for you, Master Bush." As he spoke, he gave Crystal a look that was both playful and predatory.
"If you want her, you have my full support. Just take her away," said the old Davis decisively.
Crystal thought they were all crazy. She hadn't reached a consensus with Eric, and they were talking about her as if she were a commodity- she thought - Who do they think they are, and why do they think they can decide my fate? That's funny!
Eric smiled and said, "Thank you, old Mr. Davis. On the day of our wedding, it will be my great honor to have you be our witness."
"You're going to marry her?" Christine asked skeptically. She eyed Crystal disdainfully.
"Yes," Eric replied. "I am going to marry her." He narrowed his fox-like eyes, sat down, and signaled for Crystal to sit beside him.
Crystal bowed down her head. She wanted to pull her hand out of Eric's tight grip, but he would not let her. She felt very uncomfortable, and there were goosebumps all over her body.
Eric let one of the servants set the utensils for Crystal. Then he cut a piece of steak and lifted it to her mouth. "You cook a lot better than this," he said. "But have a taste anyway. I think that you'll like it."
Crystal tilted her head. She wanted to dodge him, but he winked at her, reminding her to cooperate with the performance. Taking the hint, she ate the steak and showed him a sweet smile. "I'll cook for you every day," she said coquettishly, "once we're married."
There was a bit of sauce at the corner of Eric's mouth, and when Crystal saw it, she drew a tissue from her pocket and wiped it off for him. Then, as she withdrew her hand, he held her chin with his hand, lowered his head, and leaned into her. Their noses pressed together, and everyone at the table thought that they were kissing. Their movements seemed to be natural and real.
Nathan scowled and said, "Get a room for Master Bush." Beside him, Vic was angrily clenching and unclenching his fists at his sides, and his face was red.
Crystal knew the Nathan in front of her was no longer the man who loved her and spoiled her. That man would never let another man touch her. Even so, when she heard him say such words, her heart hurt.
Eric smiled and said, "Master Davis is always so thoughtful." He looked at the old Davis, whose head was nodding heavily. The old man seemed to not care very much about the conversation anymore. Any suspicion that he'd harbored in his heart about Eric had already disappeared.
Suddenly, Eric picked Crystal up, and he carried her to the room that the servants had prepared for them. As soon as the door was closed behind them, she struggled to get out of his arms, but he would not let her go. Instead, he pressed her against the door. The ambiguous assault made Crystal uncomfortable, and she tried to push him away. Much to her surprise, though, instead of letting her go, he pressed himself against her with more force. "Stop," she cried. "You're hurting me."
Eric smiled and said, "I like that. Can you groan?"
Crystal: "Why?"
Eric: "Aren't we going to have sex?"
Crystal looked straight into Eric's eyes, and she instantly understood his meaning. She shook her head and said, "How can I groan in a situation like this?"
Eric: "Come on. Don't be such a prude. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?"
Crystal bit her delicate lips so hard that they almost bled. "Fine," she sighed. "Hmm..." she groaned. "Ah... Your cock is too big... You're going to break me..."
Eric was startled by her groaning, and he hurriedly covered her mouth with his hand. "Be professional," he scolded her. "Those don't sound like sex noises. They sound like the noises someone would make while being abused!"
Crystal thought about it for a minute. She tried to remember what the heroines in porn sounded like, and she tried again. "Hmm..." she groaned. "I'm hot... Yes, yes... that's it... that's it... That's what Momma likes..."
Eric pressed his body to the door, but the coldness of it could not put out the fire of desire that Crystal had ignited inside of him. Her groaning was like cat claws. They scratched him and made him itchy.
Crystal: "Ah...Great... Awesome... I want more... more... Hmm... Ah..."
Eric could barely control himself.
Suddenly, Crystal punched him on the chest, which sobered him up instantly.
"Why don't you groan?" Crystal protested.
Eric: "Men don't groan until they reach orgasm."
****
Christine put her mobile phone back into her pocket on the other side of the door with satisfaction. Then she walked back to the dining room, sat down, turned to the old Davis, and said, "Grandpa, Eric is so cheeky. How can he do that while we're having dinner? He needs some discipline."
The old Davis took a leisurely sip of wine and said, "Young men are always energetic. Just let him be."
The old man watched Nathan's ruthless persona - the man he called Gerald - from the corner of his eye. This side of Nathan was cruel and bloodthirsty and entirely unlike his weaker persona.
The weaker persona was talented and knew how to run a business, but he was a disappointment to the old man because he had no interest in the regime. If the coldblooded Gerald persona remained in control, though, things could be different, and his position in Huston would be impregnable.
Before today, the old Davis had thought that more observation would be needed to see which persona would win the war over his Grandson's body, mind, and soul, but it seemed that the answer was obvious. He smiled and thought-Nathan was dead. Long live, Gerald!
Christine frowned when she heard the old Davis's reaction. She wasn't willing to let the matter go, so she walked over to Helen and whispered something in her ear. Then she placed her phone on the table, turned up the volume, and played the audio she had just recorded.
As the groaning began, Vic glanced nervously at Nathan. He expected an outburst. But, much to his surprise, one never came.
By now, Nathan was a little bit drunk, and he excused himself to go to the bathroom. He took a piss, and after washing his hands, he splashed some cold water on his face. Then, as he leaned over the sink, he looked at himself in the mirror, and he felt out of sorts. He felt a doubling effect in his mind, and his reflection seemed somehow foreign to him.
For no good reason, he found himself thinking about Christine's audio recording. He thought - Damn it! As soon as I'm not by her side, that woman hooks up with another man. And so quickly! And she even intends to marry him...?!?!
Where did that thought come from? - he wondered.