"Just how shameless can he be?" Reyona thought in anger as she saw Maxwell striding towards her.
The oblivious, surprised look on his face only infuriated her more, as she was sure that it was definitely part of his artifice.
He looked at her in confusion for a second before that hateful smile of his filled his face. He put his phone in his pocket, tucking his hand in as he rocked back on his heels as if lounging.
"Well, my dear CEO Lanoth. I had no idea that you have such an ample sense of imagination," he said as he barely glanced at the secretary.
Reyona knew she should just bypass him, especially since the secretary was standing some distance away, waiting for her to catch up with her.
She was not about to allow an asshole to get away with messing up her day or trying to sneak up on her at a potential client's company. "I can assure you that if you dare to pull this stunt again, I will simply get you arrested."
She hissed in a low tone and made sure to pass him by. The secretary's phone rang, and she picked up her call.
Maxwell grabbed at Reyona's hand, though, and she ignored the current that fizzed up her arm and concentrated on the anger that stirred in her.
"What do you think you are doing?" She said it with as much dignity as she could muster because she had almost slammed back into him when he grabbed her unexpectedly.
She felt as if, if she breathed wrong, she would brush up against him. Her eyes were firmly away from his tight-fitting purple shirt that had suspender straps attached to his patterned trousers over crock-like shoes. What kind of CEO dresses like that? She thought fleetingly. She ignored the strength in his hand that complimented the corded muscles evident beneath his shirt.
"Oh, nothing," he said with a twinkle in his eyes as he let go of her hands. "Just figure to let you know that you are not as irresistible as you thought you were, ma'am," he said with a sudden steel in his tone as he gave her a level look. He leaned a bit towards her, and she resisted the urge to lean farther away from him. "I have a serious business to discuss with you, Mrs. Lanoth, and yes, I would want us to have it as soon as possible, but even I wouldn't go so far as to stalk you. I am not one to chase after a woman, you know. Married or not," the twinkle was back in his eyes, and Reyona was momentarily confused as to how this man was wired. She originally thought he was angry, and now he was looking at her like...
"Excuse me, sir," the secretary said as she moved closer to them. Reyona felt a bit uncomfortable at the quizzical look that the secretary gave her.
"Yes?" Maxwell answered without turning to look at the lady.
Mr. Jordan said to tell you that he won."
"What?" Maxwell looked away from Reyona with a scowl before he looked down at his phone. "That is not…oh shit! He is right. Damn it!" He swore, then looked back at Reyona as if she had done something.
"What is wrong with him?" Reyona thought.
"Well, tell Drew that he only won this by default, and I..."
"It seemed he already knew that, and he said I should tell you that a win is a win," the secretary said instantly, and her cool demeanour melted as she gave him a charming smile.
Reyona felt like she could gag. Of course, he would have such an effect on a lady as this as well. The player. But then she was puzzled by the familiarity with which they were interacting.
"Well, I have to go now. I am not going back in there for him to lord it over me. No, you tell him that he will pay back for this next time," he said to the secretary with a wagging finger. The latter nodded, the charming smile still on her face.
Uggh.
"Well, nice meeting you again, CEO Lanoth. I will see you around, I believe. Very soon, my dear. I have this, you know, feeling."
He was gone before Reyona could find a fitting scathing retort to let him know just when that would happen. When hell froze over,.
"Ma'am?" The secretary prompted Reyona.
Reyna was chagrined that she was still standing there like a ninny in her anger. She had a question.
"You seemed familiar with..."
"You mean Mr. Rohan?" The secretary asked, her demeanour more welcoming than it had been since they met.
Reyona nodded. I'm happy that the latter didn't wait for her to embarrass herself further.
"Oh, he is a regular here."
"A regular?" Reyona's confusion showed in her voice.
"Yes," the secretary answered. "He is the boss' friend and also a partner of the company. A major shareholder, actually," she added in a mock conspiratorial tone. "Though one would never know that from the way he carries himself. He is a favourite with the ladies here.
"I will bet," Reyona muttered unconsciously, even as she processed what the lady told her.
A major shareholder? Which means that he would know about her bid for the company's contract. That means he could...
"Go right in, ma. The boss is waiting for you."
The secretary's voice jolted Reyona, and she nodded abruptly as the secretary stood aside for her in front of an open, opulent office.
*********
"You bastard!" Susan railed at him. Her eyes were wide as she looked around the interior of the visiting room. It was as if she was looking for something-anything to hurt him with.
She turned back to him and the look in her eyes gave him a pause as her tone became so low that he had to strain his ears to hear her "I knew it. I knew you did not love me! You…you were just using me as your brooding mare!" She swiped her wrist against the snot that came out of her nose, unconcerned that she looked a mess as her tangled hair slipped out of its hold.