Chapter 25 Five seconds

Chapter 25 Five seconds
I had done as Mr. Benedict had suggested. I’d even gone on an interview to maintain that my personal life and engagement had nothing to do with my competence. 
Yet, that was all everyone wanted to talk about. It was salacious gossip, so I wasn’t surprised but I’d thought by now something more scandalous than two people deciding not to get married anymore would remove attention from me.
But anytime I think that it was dwindling, it seems like someone was behind the scene igniting the flames. I’d my money on Scarlett.
Besides, only two people knew that I was calling off the engagement.
My phone buzzed, then again and again.
“It sounds urgent,” It was a flat drawl. Nicholas grabbed the wine bottle from my hand and took a swig.
Meeting Nicholas tonight had been a surprise that I was still unsure if I liked or not. The fact that he had not turned and left when I started crying moments ago was even more shocking.
I was throwing myself a pity party of one after two men had prepositioned me on becoming their mistress and all the women I’ve spoken to today manage to redirect the conversation back to my broken engagement regardless of the topic of discussion, when I’d seen him.
Now we were in the building’s balcony. I’ve long removed my heels and I was holding them in one hand leaning on the rail beside Nicholas who had loosened his tie, draped his jacket over my arms and was now sharing my bottle of wine.
I doubted that when Mr. Benedict had said that going out might help me to find some sort of allies and partners, he was talking about a drinking one.
“The ex,” I simply deadpanned, grabbing the bottle from him and drinking.
Even though I knew Collin had nothing new to say, I idly double tapped my phone to check his new messages.

Iris, please pick up your phone. I’m sorry about what I said, but you should be able to look at the big picture, we can still save Astor Cosmetics. I’m still open to helping you take care of this mess.
Collin 

Iris, I know that you’re lost, but I’m ready to help you save this. I care so much about you. Just pick up the call, let’s talk. We were so happy together, what changed?
Collin

Iris, I’m getting worried. I’d always be waiting for you. There is no one else for me but you.
Collin

“He sounds sincere,” Nicholas who from his vantage position beside me must have seen the messages.
I scoffed. “I think he had also been the one to sincerely air our issues to every gossip outlet in town,” I replied drily. “He sincerely could barely wait to tell the world about my intention to break up our engagement.”
“I hate to break it to you, Astor but your boyfriend doesn’t have the kind of influence that is spreading this news with the worst narrative possible,” He replied. “I mean no offense you’re not that fucking interesting and until a few days ago, nobody even knew what you look like yet you’re all every media outlet is reporting on.”
“Oh, that would be the work of his partner in crime and my dear older sister,” I said. “You see I broke the news of breaking off my engagement to her after she had told me how much she loved cake shopping. She must be so disappointed. My sister, you see,” I smirked, “is obsessed with wedding cakes. Especially my wedding cakes.”
His brows were furrowed. “I know that she wants to take over Astor Cosmetics but how does getting you married help her achieve this?”
Much later I’d blame the alcohol for making my tongue loose or perhaps the fact that my easy conversation with Nicholas that night might have made me mistake him for a friend. I'd even chalk it up to my loneliness but somehow I told Nicholas everything. Collin double identity as both my fiancé and my sister’s lover, how he had tried to coax me to hand ownership over to him and my sister’s intention to lead Astor Cosmetics while using him as some puppet CEO.
“So what are you going to do now?” He asked.
‘I don’t know. I’ve done the interview, I’m going to places like this… it is supposed to help—”
Nicholas shook his head. “I’m asking you what are you going to do to save yourself from your sister. Both of us know that it won’t stop with her smear campaign, in fact this might just be the beginning. Are you going to give up and just save yourself the headache or are you still hung up on the idea of taking over Astor Cosmetics?”
I glanced at him. I never knew blue could look like ice, feel frozen but regardless of the lack of emotion in his eyes, his question was an important one.
I hated the fact that I hesitated before I said, “Of course, I’m not giving in.” Then I met his eyes. ‘I’ve to lead Astor Cosmetics, I know that you think I’m the worst person to be at its helm, but I think… No, I know that my father didn’t make a mistake. I’m what Astor Cosmetics needs.”
“Five seconds,” he simply said.
My confusion must have shown on my face because he simply said, “You thought about it for five seconds.” 
He stood up and turned to leave, I didn’t know what possessed me to dart my hands out and grab his.
“Nicholas, I need your help.” 
He turned to me, his eyes cool, accessing. “What do you need my help for?”
“Make me become the kind of person that doesn’t pause for five seconds,” I met his eyes. “I want to be the CEO of Astor. Teach me how to be one for a year.”
“I hate to lose,” he drily said.
I swallowed. It hurts. Even though I’d braced myself for his rejection, it still burned. I left his hand. 
“So you have to promise me that you’d not lose.” He added. “That you’d do anything to win.”
I parted my lips.
In seconds he moved, pinning me against the railing I was leaning on and my shoes fell from my hand as a startled gasp left my lips. His eyes were ice and I was forced to meet them without flinching. “Be careful now, Iris,” he drawled. “Think it through and when you’re sure,” he handed me a business card, “Call me.”
I took it from him. The contact made me flinch, he was cold.
He waited for a few seconds before he leaned back and while I was trying to remember how to breathe, he silently resumed his place beside me and grabbed my wine bottle, taking yet another large gulp.
My heart was still beating fast when he handed the empty glass back to me.
That was our first bottle that night. He left and returned with two more bottles yet we shared a bottle, wordlessly drinking and handing it over.
For the first time, since I went back in time, I felt settled.