Chapter 7 The Man In Charge
The Knowles building was large and extravagantly detailed. Cara felt a choking sensation in her throat as they– she and Romeo– walked into the company.
Her hands fiddled together nervously as they walked side by side, her throat tightened and a bead of sweat trickled down her face. Romeo, on the other hand, was all smiles as he walked. Not even an iota of worry was apparent on his face.
The handsome young man strolled confidently with his hands in the depth of his pocket and his shoulders and head held up high just like he was the CEO of the company.
If he were the CEO, then she was the low and unnoticed staff that was about to get fired for looking at him in the wrong way.
But she swallowed her fear and managed to keep her head up.
The secretary rose to her feet and gave a deep bow to Romeo as she saw him. “Mr Armani, welcome.” Her brown hair almost touched the floor at the depth of her bow.
“Michael Knowles, is he in?” He plainly asked.
The secretary seemed to be shuddering or maybe Cara was imagining it all. But she was sure the brown haired lady looked like she was in the presence of a king.
“Yes sir, he is in his office. Would you like me to announce your presence, sir?”
He waved a hand. “No need, I'll announce myself.” He turned to look at Cara and his friendly smile returned. “Shall we go in?” His brow arched slightly.
Cara once again swallowed her fear and nodded her head.
They both walked into the office of Mr Michael Knowles– without knocking– and Cara promised not to make a fool of herself. The man was still her father in law after all, would he just do what Romeo said without asking quest–
“Mr Armani!” A man's voice severed Cara's connection with her thoughts.
She looked up and noticed Mr Michael Knowles springing up from his table and scurrying towards them. He gave a startled look at first when he saw her standing next to Romeo but averted his eyes as he gave a full deep bow.
“Can we talk?” Romeo simply asked the man.
Mr Knowles shot his head up to look at Romeo but didn't dare to meet his gaze. “Oh of course! Yes! Please come.” The man led them to where the seats were located in the most humble manner Cara had ever seen him wear.
If the brown haired secretary acted like she was in the presence of a king, then Mr Michael Knowles acted like God was standing right before him. As they arrived at the seats, he made sure it was clean by dusting it himself before Romeo sat down with Cara next to him. He didn't sit until Romeo offered him a seat on the chair opposite his even though the office belonged to Mr Michael Knowles.
“D--do you need anything, Mr Armani?” Mr Michael Knowles started. “Tea? Water? Coffee? Anything at all! I'll make sure they get it for you or else they are fired!”
Romeo's lips curved into a slight smile so briefly that Cara thought she had imagined it. “You don't have to do any of that. I could have gone to a cafe if I needed something to drink. I'm here for business.”
“Oh… okay.” Mr Michael Knowles responded. “Please, tell me how I can help.” His gaze wandered briefly to Cara who was as quiet as a mute.
“I believe you know Miss Cara Smith.” Romeo asked.
Mr Knowles looked at Cara. “Yes, she is my daughter in law so she is not a Miss.”
“Well she is a Miss now because she is single. Well soon to be single.” Romeo stated bluntly.
Mr Knowles’ head tilted to the side confusedly. He shifted his gaze from Romeo to Cara and then back to Romeo again. “I don't… soon to be single? I don't– I don't think I–”
“Well we didn't come here to argue about that now did we, Carina?” Romeo's brow arched.
Cara finally opened her mouth to speak. “Uh no, no we didn't.”
“Good. Now, Mr Knowles, if you wish to know why you have been demoted from father in law to ex father in law, you can ask your son for an explanation. I came here today to tell you that from this moment onward, you need to become one of the Smith's company's reliable investors.” He said, as if asking the man to spare a money as simple as a dollar.
Mr Knowles’ eyes widened and his mouth opened to let out a short laugh. “Mr Armani, that is… that is quite absurd– Sir, please, as you said just now, I have been demoted from father in law to ex father in law so I don't think I have any responsibility taking care of her anymore.”
Romeo's brow arched simply and the man remembered whose presence he was in front of. His head dropped and his gaze fell to his fingers that fiddled together.
“That's what I thought.” Romeo softly said.