Chapter 58 TURBULENT MEETING
I finished the sentence, and Pablo laughed, drawing everyone's attention.
“Wow, forgive me, Mr. Morgan, but that explains why you know how to recruit talents for drama...” He chuckled, being reprimanded by María.
“Miss Heloise was already on her way out. Please, Mr. Morgan, come in. Let's start our meeting.” Alexandre nodded toward the door.
We passed by her, and Heloise was staring at Patrick. As I walked past her, Heloise grabbed my arm and pulled me to whisper in my ear:
“Be careful with him. He seems like an honorable and protective man. Usually, monsters seem to be nice people.” Heloise chuckled softly. “However, Patrick Morgan took something extremely valuable from me, and I'm not talking about money!”
I pulled my arm back forcefully, adjusting my posture. The CEO was about to start an argument with his ex-wife when she hurriedly left the premises.
“Goodbye; see you soon, my love!” She said she was leaving the warehouse completely.
Morgan was staring at me, analytically, waiting for any reaction from me. I made an effort, putting my best professional smile on my lips, firm in my decision to ignore, at that moment, what had just happened. I went to enter the room when Patrick whispered beside me:
“What did she say to you?”
I turned my eyes to his, filled with complete hatred and revolt.
“Ask her directly, Mr. Morgan!” I entered, ignoring him, and started the meeting preparations.
We proceeded with the meeting in a calm and professional manner, but the tension in the room was almost palpable. From time to time, I noticed the CEO staring at me, restless.
“Finally, as you can see, the contract is more advantageous for you and a unique opportunity, as I mentioned before.” I finished the sentence, clearing my throat to draw Morgan's attention, who was still staring at me.
“What is Forbes offering you?” Patrick spoke harshly, turning his body slowly to the three siblings.
“Was that Heloise Forbes?” I said I was perplexed. Everything made sense in my head, including the reason the CEO went directly to Forbes' house to talk about the meeting.
“Exactly. I'm a fan of her characters in the series 'Wild'.” Pablo laughed, excited. “So beautiful. How could you separate from an icon like her?”
“Indeed, how could you?” I raised my eyebrows, crossing my arms.
Patrick smiled slightly, tilting his head a bit, moisturizing his lips, and looking at me in a predatory manner. Uncomfortable, I adjusted my posture and turned my attention back to the clients.
“We didn't know she was your ex-wife, Mr. Morgan. How did you manage to hide something like that from the media vultures?” Alexandre was the calmest among the brothers, carefully evaluating every reaction of the CEO.
“I make more noise with my work than with my personal life, gentlemen,” Patrick replied curtly. “So, are you going to tell me Forbes' proposal, or should we end our partnership right here?”
Everyone looked in shock at Mr. Morgan, who maintained a ruthless, upright posture, emanating his business acumen. Maria sighed heavily before continuing:
“Can we speak with you alone?” She said this, dragging her gaze in my direction.
“Well, as you know, I am responsible for conducting...”I started, but Patrick intervened.
“Of course, Mrs. Elisabeth, could you excuse us?” He said with coldness that I couldn't hide my disappointment with everything that was happening that morning.
“Yes, sir,” I replied quickly, leaving the room.
I walked quickly out of the warehouse. Greg was on the phone, apparently arguing with someone on the other end of the line. When he noticed that I was leaving the premises without the security guards, he called out to me:
“Miss Elisabeth, where do you think you're going?”
I quickened my pace, feeling like my emotions were about to collapse. Shaking, I began to run towards the car. I noticed that Greg was following me at a safe and respectful distance, and I mentally thanked him for that. I got into the car, allowing the tears to roll down my face and the trembling to take over my body.
“How can I be so easily deceived?” I spoke to myself.
When the car door was abruptly opened, I was pulled out with force and dragged away. I looked around in terror until I faced the CEO's face, contorted with hatred.
“What the hell are you doing?” I screamed, my heart pounding.
Patrick just stared at me, embracing me tightly and turning his back to the car, which exploded.
“My God!” I screamed, my legs trembling, sliding to the ground, being supported by Patrick, who clenched his jaw.
“You bastard!” He cursed. The security guards formed a circle around us, while others swept the area.
Greg was coming towards us, with firm steps, his eyes red with a rage I had never seen before.
“Two more of our cars have been blown up. It was intentional, just to scare us... How did you know?” Greg asked Patrick directly, who pulled out his phone showing an anonymous message with a bomb emoji and a clock, indicating time. “So it was just a warning...”
“No, dear friend... This was a declaration of war!” The CEO said coldly, making the hair on my arms stand up.
Feeling the weight of the traumas coming to the surface, unable to contain myself, I started crying compulsively and trembling. Greg looked alarmed in my direction, and Patrick sighed, lowering himself in front of me and, effortlessly, picking me up. I rested my head on his chest, hiding my face in his shirt, staining it with makeup and tears.
“It's going to be okay, Lis... Nothing bad will happen to you; you're safe!” Patrick whispered, planting a kiss on the top of my head. “Greg?”
“I've arranged for a safe car. We're going straight to the jet,” I heard his reply.
We got into the vehicle. I was carefully placed on the seat, and instinctively, I huddled in the corner near the door, hugging my knees, unconcerned about what others might think. I lowered my head between my legs, taking deep breaths, trying to steady myself and calm down.
A warm hand rested on my arms in a caress. His arms pulled me in, enveloping me in a protective hug. I pushed Patrick forcefully, delivering a slap to his face. He looked at me, surprised by my reaction.
“Don't touch me!” I shouted, looking from his marked face to my red hand. Clenching his fists, Patrick closed his eyes, rubbing his temples before running his hand over the spot where he was slapped. Sighing, I noticed he was trying to control the anger that clearly emanated from his body.
“I'm so sorry...” he whispered.
I lowered my head, unable to face him, turning to look out the window.
“I am too...” I murmured back, hurt and unsure about what else he had hidden, fearing that Patrick Morgan could be as bad as the monster chasing me.