Chapter 4: AMELIA POV

"Good morning, girl." A heavily pregnant Jasmine walked into my office.

Her well-manicured hands sat upon her pregnant stomach, which was extra evident in her tight grey dress. Even though her hair is in a messy bun she's shining with that pregnancy glow.

"How you feeling?" I push the chair out from under my desk with my foot and gesture for her to sit down.

"Ugh, this baby needs to come out of me ASAP." She clapped her hands to emphasize each word. I just laugh, and she shoots me a dirty look.

"Well, I can't wait to meet my little niece or nephew," I gushed. I was nowhere near having my own baby, so for now Jasmine's will have to do.

"Congratulations on your award, Mel." She grabs my hands and squeezes them excitedly. I smile.

Ever since the divorce I was more reserved and private with my emotions, Jasmine and Jodie were pretty much the only ones I was truly myself around.

"I thought I heard you." Jodie walks into my office as well. She gives Jasmine a hug and sits down as well. "So, what are we talking about?" she chirped.

I rolled my eyes jokingly. I really loved these girls.

"Just about how Jasmine can't wait for the baby to pop out," I joked.

"Oh, yes!" she squealed. "Aunt Jodie can't wait to see you," she said loudly to Jasmine's stomach.

"Anyway, girls," Jasmine started, "I actually have a doctor’s appointment. I just popped in to say hi." She groaned as she got up and then left after giving us both a hug.

"Here. The stats you wanted on the shipment in Ohio." Jodie hands me a document, I thank her and then she leaves my office.

As soon as I was stable enough to hire people, I hired Jodie straight away. She was the only thing I missed about Kings Corp., and I needed an assistant I could trust.

I go through the file, pleasantly surprised that every hospital received their equipment.

Profit was important, but not as important to me as customer satisfaction, especially in the medical industry where people's lives were on the line.

From the Eva Enterprises headquarters, you could see the Kings Corp. building. The dark metals gave it an eerie and intimidating look compared to all the other buildings on the street.

Thankfully, it wasn't the building that Xavier worked from otherwise I would never be here.

My office phone begins ringing, I let it ring a few times before picking it up.

"Hello, this is Amelia Davis. How can I help you?" I answered.

"La," I heard his husky voice say. My breath hitches for a second and I immediately slam the phone back into the holder, ending the call.

Why is Xavier calling me?

What does he want?

It's been 4 years.

I shrug it off and block whatever number he called from. I don't need to nor want to hear from him ever again. I was doing perfectly without him in my life, and nothing would mess that up.

Literally seconds later, Jodie comes into my office. "I received an email from Kings Corp.," she said. "Mr King would like to request a business meeting with Miss Davis as he proposes a business opportunity that could ‘benefit’ them both," she quoted the email, her fingers doing quotation marks.

"Jodie," I said seriously. "You already know the answer to that question." 

"Come on, Amelia. Don't let the past stop you from making a good business move."

"I know what I'm doing," I deadpanned and gestured for her to leave. She huffs, but I know she understands.

The rest of the day goes smoothly, and I manage to leave work at a decent time decide to get sushi for dinner. 

Having sushi was a rare thing, since I was spending so much time with Jasmine, eating sushi became impossible, as she was pregnant and didn't let us eat it if she couldn't.

I check my phone, it was usually scrolling through social media or calling my friends, but today I decided to go on the American Business Newspaper.

Pyramid CEO, Alexander Chopra looking for business partner.

My heart skips a beat.

What?

This was my chance to expand out of medical business and be a part of another business.

I'm feeling smug as I realized this is a much better opportunity than working with Kings Corp. and I was going to try my hardest to make it mine.

I email the Pyramid office and set up a meeting with Mr Chopra for the next day. I go to bed excitedly and soon fall asleep.

The next morning, I woke up before my alarm even went off out of excitement and started getting ready. I have a quick shower and put my curly hair in a low ponytail with a few strands to frame my face.

I put on a nude-coloured dress with a black blazer and black heels before grabbing some necessary documents and leaving.

I drive to the Pyramid offices and park my car in the closest empty space. After giving my name and getting an appointment card from security, I went into the building, and a woman, who I guessed was his secretary, guided me to his office.

"Ah, I've been excited to finally meet you," Mr Chopra said loudly. He looks like he's in his late twenties/early thirties.

"Morning, Mr Chopra." I confidently shook his hand and took a seat in front of him, and we began discussing.

It had been about half an hour, and I'd shown him my profit charts and the future ideas for my business.

"Listen, Miss Davis," he began, "this all looks great, but unfortunately, I can't work with you."

"Can I ask why?" I asked politely.

"As brilliant as your business is, and I am genuinely impressed with your success—you're a newbie. I can't possibly trust you as a partner when you've had absolutely no experience working with another company. You're used to calling all the shots, and that's not how it works here." He shrugged. "I like to be the best, and I won't let anything harm that in the slightest."

"Is there anything I can do to change your mind?" I asked eagerly. I could feel the opportunity slipping out of my hands.

"Could you get partnership experience in a month?" he scoffed jokingly.

My gears in my brain begin working.

"If I could," I asked daringly, "then would you make me your partner?"

His face looked surprised. He thought about it for a second. "Yes. If you can get experience as a successful partner with another company, then yes—I'll work with you," he agreed.

"Thank you, Mr Chopra. I'll see you in a month, then." I shook his hand once more before leaving.

I take my car back to the Eva Enterprises building and quickly park before going to my office. I turn on my laptop and begin drafting my email.

Dear Mr King, Upon careful reconsideration, Eva Enterprises is willing to work alongside Kings Corp. Please contact me for further details and questions.

Kind Regards, Amelia Davis.

Here goes nothing…