Chapter 23 CHAPTER 23
Roman’s POV
I hated routines, but more importantly,I hated routines that disturbed my mornings. With my partner out of the city, I had to attend more meetings than I desired. Usually, he dealt with the investors, the boring meetings and the morning appointments. I dealt with the less mundane aspect, meeting clients in dinners and board meetings once a month.
The only pleasant thing I looked forward to today was on my screen as I tapped on my desk. A short text from Evelyn Moon. Let's meet today to discuss please. 12 noon.
I stared at the message and tapped on the desk absentmindedly, imagining what this meeting could be about. Was she regretting choosing Micheal already? Has she realised he had fooled her? A sinister smile spread on my lips.
“Sir?”
I looked up at Mara. I had trailed off during her boring presentation. “Do whatever is right, Mara,” I said, waving her off."You've been in this company for too long to need guidance.”
She nodded, enthusiastically. “I’ll do that sir. Also, the lady who transferred her internship program here, Jolene Davis. She is starting today.”
I waved her off. “No more appointments for the rest of today please.”
I rose to my feet as she began to protest. “No exceptions. Tell them I am sick. Food poisoning. Anything that sounds serious.”
I looked at the time. It was just a few minutes past 10. Tuesday was moving quite slowly, but I needed to be away from work to be in the right frame of mind for my appointment by 12.
When I walked into the lounge a few minutes past 12, I had a bounce to my steps. She was already there, waiting patiently for me. She was dressed too corporate, with her hair swept back in a perfect bun. She didn’t smile when she saw me but the muscles on her face relaxed. I could tell she had been worried that I wouldn't show up.
“Alpha Roman,” she said, rising up to her feet and stretching her hands to me. She smiled this time.
I looked at her stretched hand, deliberated on receiving it or not, and finally settled to give her a kiss on her cheek instead.
"I was surprised to see your text,” I said, settling down opposite her. “I had to pull myself out from a busy day to make this appointment."
“I’m really grateful for that,” she said, then waved at the pastry man. “Let me buy you some coffee.”
I leaned back in my seat and prepared to hear what she had to say.
“I have a deal for you,” she started, straightening her shoulders.
A deal? I was intrigued.
“What about?”
“I heard you’ve been bidding for my company - my father’s company.”
Disappointment started creeping in. I wasn't sure this meeting was going to go in the direction I wanted.
“Moon’s enterprises?” I asked. That was definitely my partner. I had no idea we were buying the company.
“Yes. I want you to drop the bid for the Moon’s enterprises.”
I raised a brow and chuckled. “That’s very bold of you, Evelyn. To tell me how to spend my money.”
“I don’t mean you won’t own it, Roman. Just not entirely.”
“Go on.”
She leaned closer. “Buy my step mother’s and sister’s shares instead. I’ll own mine as well as my father’s. Then we can both own the company together.”
I stared at her, waiting for her to laugh and say she was throwing a prank. Her face remained serious and so I went into a fit of unfiltered laughter. Coffee arrived just then and I thanked the waiter. I raised the mug and sipped the coffee, soothing my throat.
“Oh, Evelyn,’ I said, wiping the cream that had gathered at the corner of my mouth. “You are so consistent. It’s hard to predict you.” I rubbed my palms together and held her gaze. “You want us to become partners? After you ran off to marry the poster boy of New York?”
“This has nothing to do with Alpha Michael.” She was pretty flustered. I guessed she thought it would be an easy meeting. That she could just demand favors from me.
“Everything has to do with him. Why are you here? Why aren’t you in his office or on his laps telling him all these? I’m pretty sure Greywood can buy your father’s company.”
“Roman …”
I saw her eyes cloud up in hurt. She deserved it. Every single word I had uttered and more.
I leaned back. “Let me give you a good piece of advice for free. Let go of that scrap you call a company. Paying for it is actually doing you a favour which you obviously don’t deserve.”
“Please, Roman. That's all I have left of my father. I promise you it would be worth your investment and time. I just need six months. I have a lot of ideas that would bring the company more than double of its current value in six months.”
I hummed gently, watching her. She was very desperate but she wasn’t lying.
“What do I get in return, Evelyn Moon? You never even let us have a night together. We can sign the deal in my hotel room tomorrow if you are ready.”
Her face twisted in disgust before she could control herself.
“Thought as much,” I said, rising up and glancing briefly at the unfinished coffee. “I have important appointments to make. If you are ready to sign the deal, you know my room.”
Just as I stepped out, my phone buzzed. I reached for it, thinking she was calling back with her answer. I knew she was desperate but I had yet to find out how desperate she was.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Alpha Roman,” the unfamiliar voice of a woman spoke on the other end.
“Who is this?”
“This is the one person that will help you get back at Evelyn Moon,” she said. "I have a proposal for you that you can’t say no to.”
“I said who are you?” I snapped.
“Forgive my manners. I’m Rosaleen Blackwood. I’m used to calling with introductions, never really needed one.”