Chapter 6 Chapter 5:
Arya:
“Let me get this straight.” Emma drawls, placing her hand on the table, “The man you slept with on the cruise ship is no other than Devon Brookes and now, he’s fighting you for custody right?” She half-yells and I have to remind her we are in a bakery.
Mrs. Winters looks at me with concern from the counter and I smile to assure her that I am okay, Emma, Nicole and I always meet in Mrs. Winters bakery whenever it’s our lunch break. Nicole has her law firm just down the street, so it’s easier to meet here.
Nicole stares at me with an unreadable expression, she always looks at everyone so blankly. With her straight dark hair and expressionless face, she’s the ‘I don’t take shit’ kind of person, people say she’s ruthless in court, which is exactly why I am using her as my lawyer.
“Yes.” I say, taking a sip out of my pumpkin spice latte, “He is.”
“Devon Brookes? As in Devon Brookes? The one who graduated from Oxford and Cambridge, the one whose name is all over the internet, the one that is known as the stiff and cold-hearted CEO? That Devon Brookes?” Emma clamps a hand over her mouth and gasps. Nicole on the other hand doesn’t look fazed.
“He already has a lawyer.” I tell them.
“I will help you take him down in court.” Nicole reaches out for the powdered donut and takes a bite, chewing delicately. I have known them ever since we were little, alongside their twin brothers, Nicholas and Ethan. I remember getting teased that I was the only one who didn’t have a twin brother.
They are like family to me and not to forget the part that our parents were business partners.
Nicole Hart and Emma Roberts has their fair share of popularity on the internet, while Nicole is a lawyer, Emma runs her own game company,
“Has he come over yet to see Vera?” Nicole asks, I like that my friends are equally protective of my daughter.
“He has, yesterday evening.” I say quickly.
“How was he behaving around her?” Nicole asks, as though she’s already mentally running the scripts to say in court.
I think about it for a brief moment, I didn’t give him much time to say, because he is freaking Devon Brookes, I could see it in him, he was trying his best to get accepted by her.
“He was good.” I say instead.
Most billionaires would ignore their daughter in order not to cause a scandal, but Devon made that pretty clear he was going to stay, it is like he wants to be involved in her life and I am not that evil to prevent him from doing so.
And then...he gave me that box of chocolates. I was surprised because it was her favorite type of chocolate from her favorite store, how did he know about that? Had he been paying attention secretly?
“You could give him a chance; you guys can co-parent together, adjusting your schedule.” Emma suggests.
“Or, you could destroy him in court.” Nicole says casually, popping another donut into her mouth.
“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate your thoughts but I have to get back to work, my lunch break has already ended.” I grab my purse and Emma embraces me, Nicole doesn’t hug me, she always said the display of attention made her feel sick, but she gives me a gentle smile.
I am already running to work when my phone rings with a text from Wendy.
Wendy: Girl! Devon Brookes changed the date of the initial meeting to today! Axel and I are already in his company, we are expecting you in twenty minutes. Get here ASAP.
I stare at my phone for a pretty long time, my heart beating. I had at least hoped the meeting would be in two weeks, and now I am going to be pitching a proposal to a man that I didn’t treat too kindly yesterday. I have a feeling that sooner or later, I am going to get fired.
I reach the company in just enough time to see Wendy wave at me beside the elevator, it feels strange just knowing I had been here before and here I am, again.
My pulse can’t stop pounding as we walk through the hall that leads to the meeting. We are supposed to be pitching the proposal to Devon’s family, but they couldn’t make it, so we are meeting only him.
He must be lucky that he’s an only child. Getting everything he wants, I bet he never had to work a day in his life.
“Gosh, I am nervous just thinking about it.” Wendy rubs her elbows. “I spent all night goggling him last night, damn, Arya. That man is like a demi-god.”
My smile falters for a brief moment.
“He’s just a CEO, that’s all.” Axel joins us, so we are walking side by side. Axel joined Clara’s fashion brand last year and since then, we hit it off, also we attended the same high school.
“He’s handsome for one.” Wendy shoots him a glare, “And super rich. Which one are you?”
His ears turn a shade of pink as he looks away, we reach the meeting room and Wendy pushes the door open, at least twelve chairs are lined round a long table, a laptop placed in the middle, a white board is fixed on the wall, ready for our proposal.
Devon Brookes is right there, seated on the chair, perfect legs crossed together as he clutches a mug of coffee. I gulp, taking a step forward.
“Hello, sir.” Wendy walks to the front and gestures for me to do the same. With shaking hands, I join Wendy in front of the white board; our eyes connect, for a brief moment, recognition flashes through his emerald orbs, but he doesn’t give any sign that we know each other.
Either this man is good at pretending or he really doesn’t care, but still how is this man so good at ignoring someone? While, I am here shivering like a fish.
He clears his throat. “Shall we begin?” His brows furrows as he stares at us.
Axel steps forward. “I am Axel Williams, this is Wendy Finn and right here is Arya Morris, we are from ClaraVogue, and we would like to collaborate with your family to deliver our new collection for you to wear.”
Imagine what happens when Devon Brookes wears one of our collections, the whole world will rush it.
He stares intently at us, and I feel the hair on my back rise, the air is thicker than the last time we met, his sleeked cheekbone is ticked slightly, is he annoyed?
“Millions of brands have offered me the same proposal words, saying the same word.” He says, bringing the cup to his lips, we stare at him with our mouth hanging open.
He directs his icy-gaze towards me and I gulp. “Miss. Morris, in a world filled with billions of people, do you think it’s advisable to go after cliché?”
Wait, did he just ask me a question? Cold sweat breaks out from the nape of my neck. He’s tapping his pen against the table slowly, as if following a particular rhythm, I don’t know where to be terrified or amused. He’s so stiff and cold, exactly the way the media described him, but yesterday, I could have sworn he was nervous when he was around Vera.
“No.” I shake my head, “I don’t think it’s advisable to follow cliché.”
“Good.” He nods his head like he understands, “When you have something unique to say to me. You can pitch for me, my assistant, Daphne will schedule your next meeting.” He stands up abruptly, and walks to our side. Is he rejecting our proposal just like that? Without even hearing our initial starting plan?
I stiffen when he stops beside me.
“And, oh, Miss. Morris, I hope you don’t come late for our next meeting, I will have you know that I value my time very well,” The door clicks shut at his dismissal. My cheeks redden with embarrassment at his words, not only did he just dismiss us but he’s trying to imply that I showed up late. Now, I just want to punch him in the fucking face.
Oh great, he’s coming over tonight. How worse can this deal get?