Chapter 136 Chapter 136

Chapter 136 Chapter 136


ROMAN'S POV

The meeting day came fast. Just as I hoped, and for it, I cleared my entire schedule.

"They've arrived, boss." Jordan informed me half time into my estimated time.

"She too?" I asked, making sure. "Is she present there?"

"She's been there waiting since 30 minutes ago. Two of the clients only just arrived."

Remaining one then.

Good.

Very good.

"We'll be on our way in 20." I told him, eyes closed. Smoke in hand, relaxing. My feet on the table, throat just dragging in the satisfaction, the sheer goodness combined with the feeling that comes when things just works out for you.

You know? That feeling.

Not like she stood any chance though. I covered all the basics, down to the restaurant we were meeting today.

I could right now picture her face all surprised, stance uneasy when she'll see us today. Same thing she felt after receiving that email last night, about today's meeting.

'Impromptu meeting.'

If you get what I mean.

"You have been assigned to represent the Seraph project during the Executive Client Preview Session, Ms. Monroe. Date will be communicated." We'd sent to her the morning after she pulled that stunt.

I specifically had that last sentence inserted. It was more like the juice of the whole thing. Keep her edgy, wondering.

And it worked.

Never have I seen someone run down to their office, grabbed their things and head out for a meeting like I saw her do earlier today.

Utterly comical!

First I let her stay a few days after the notice, let her guard drop down, tension and anticipation ease a little. Then I dropped the bomb!

And my my, even rabbits didn't run so fast to get their meals.

Right about now, she's been surely sitting at the restaurant for over an hour trying to prepare. (Jordan doesn't know this part. I watched her leave so I knew the exact timing and details. And maybe I do have a little birdie up at the restaurant feeding me info)

I mean, what else can a man do other than take his business seriously?

She was my consultant, representing me today, I should follow up these little details, shouldn't I?

"I should." I smirked, muttered low to myself. "I definitely should."

A couple more minutes of relaxing in my smoke. Feeling the tinge of it dance in my throat, the tobacco scent in the air. "Let's go!" I stood up. Jumping to my feet, refreshed. Squashing the bum of my smoke on the ash tray.

"Make sure she doesn't come in until it's clean." I said to Jordan, moving. Leaving.

"Understand boss." He said simply, already putting calls across. Getting everything all cleaned up and vacuumed without a trace of smoke.

"Let's go."

We arrived downstairs in no time, reached the car and off to the designated location. The Chosen restaurant.

Flimingos.

Known for its seclusion, top notch services and most importantly, privacy.

My clients would be arriving after all, their comfort was my priority. This meeting wasn't a fake despite everything. It's part of the little ones I'd been putting off, too busy to bother about them.

But now I knew what to do with them. Now I knew exactly how and who to handle them with. Without me stressing at all.

Her.

So on one part, I was handling these little meetings and consultations, then on the other, I was punishing a certain person who so dreadfully ignored my presence everyday. She couldn't stand me? Well now she had to. If she wanted to do her job that is.

Which I knew she wouldn't joke with. So...

Killing two birds with one stone. That's what these kinds of deals were called right?

I loved these kinds of deals.

The car soon stopped, parked. Right in front of a stone built, modernised yet sophisticated looking restaurant. Fancy.

"We're here, boss." Jordan called out, stepping out and pulling open the car. I dropped out too, taking in the fresh air, already sighting her through the all glass-transparent walls of the restaurant. Her eagerly smiling face sitting across from three excellently dressed women.

"You've started without me." I complained, smirked. "Here I come then."

My feet moved on their own accord, taking my time. Soaking in the environment, the attention that gradually moved from her to me outside, then me on the front steps, inside the restaurant, headed for her table and finally... Me standing beside her.

"Hi!" I smiled, "Sorry for coming late, ladies."

They smiled bashfully, recognition in their gazes, her head turning rapidly to her side. To me. Almost getting a whiplash. But slow down, brown eyes.

You'll get to see me all you want.

"S-Sir!" she stuttered, surprised, confused, then irritated all at once. "What are you doing here, sir?"

I turned to her, facing her fully, hands in my pocket. A tug at my lips. "Aren't you going to get me a seat?" I asked, looking at her.

She paused. confused. prepared to narrow her eyes but then remembered the ladies. Her feet shooting up automatically, tight smile on her face.

"Of course sir. My apologies. Here." She offered me her seat. the one beside her vacant, so I just chose that one instead of letting her go get a brand new seat detached from the table.

"Sit. Carry on, I hope I'm not interrupting?" I faced the women, "Ladies?"

They beamed, flirtious as usual. One of the reasons I put off meetings like this. Even if they meant more money, they also meant open invitations like this and dealings with clients was not what I was into. Staff too.

Except her.

Only except her I've come to realize.

"So," She cleared her throat, formal. eyes on the women. "Let's continue? Let me get you started on areas in the wing."

"Please do, it's starting to sound interesting." One of them spoke, turning attention to her fully and I watched. Watched her slowly get into her element, explaining, talking about the wing with passion shining at the corner of her eyes. Every expression vivid, every point clear and the women grasped it. Ate it all up and looking actively interested at the end of everything.

It took a while, but we eventually came to an end. The meeting came to an end, and with that, the women left too. Our clients. Alina sitting for a bit, joting down stuff and making conclusive remarks on her notes.

All this time she hadn't looked at me. Not even spared me glance, cruel. Heartless. Utterly negative energy, but still, it excited me in every bit.

I was enjoying this right now. Enjoying watching her behave and act like I was somewhat invisible whereas I was sitted right next to her. At first, she was uncomfortable, kept adjusting, kept messing with her pen, her skirt. A long cut slit in front.

I was starting to see this was her style. Slits.

Love it.

They suit her. Framed her real well.

"Okay!" she rose, eager. "This has been fun. It's been... successful." She met my gaze. Finally met my gaze. Her hands grabbing the last of her things, bag sling to shoulder. "I'll be heading out now, sir. Good day."

Hmm.

"You're heading out?" I asked, taunt. She responded, nodding eagerly, turned and then paused. Almost making me let out a laugh. "Why you stop?" I taunted openly, "Go on out. Head home, Consultant."

She pressed tight together, no words. Not a glance at me, just kept staring at the transparent glass surrounding us round about. the view it provided outside.

Rain.

It was raining outside.

"You probably didn't hear when it started because you were so 'focused' on your job."

"I was." She said, quick. "I was focused on my job."

"Yeah, sure. You weren't trying at all not to glance at me, look my way or maybe past me. Else, you would've noticed the rain outside. You would've seen it even though there's a soundproof system running in here." I said, smirking openly at her frame. Her conceited, repressed frame. Trying not to show what she really wanted to show.

Instead, "I'll just order a cab here." She brought out her phone, already typing away. Scoffs leaving my lips, amused.

"You really think a cab is going to come in here. In this environment."

She paused. Looking outside for a bit, taking in again the leveled, high grade grounds. Quiet, serene and air purely fresh indicating just how much was put into the environment to make it what it was.

This wasn't a place she could get cabs left and right. In fact, you wouldn't see a cab at all in this entire area unless you left the space entirely. Get back onto the main road that led to less sophisticated looking buildings.

Didn't she calculate how much she spent getting here today?

"I guess I have to wait out the rain." I heard her mildly mumble, reluctant. Disappointed. But I already took out my phone then, leaving that message I'd thought about minutes into downpour, into the concluding part of her session with the clients.

They were gone now in their cars. Only she remained.

With me.

And I had no plans leaving so soon.

"Prepare the car, but don't come yet." I sent out to Jordan, putting down the phone before approaching her.