Chapter Five – Refusing To Bend

Andrea’s POV 

“Andrea, Michael has emailed you his resignation before leaving! Have you checked?” asked Roberta as I went through the terms and conditions of the Wells Group project. After all the deals went out of our hands, this was my only hope. It was obvious Zion was deliberately trying to force me to surrender to his wishes, but he had no idea about my patience. After raising the twins single-handedly since they were born, I had loads of it. I wasn’t the immature, reckless Andrea I used to be. However much he tried, I wouldn’t rise to the bait. 

Now, this fresh piece of news shattered my inner resolve. How could Michael backstab me? How could he leave Ratio now, when I needed him the most? “Are you sure? I have received no email from him yet.” 

Roberta looked uncomfortable while I gave her a suspicious look. No, there were no emails from Michael. “How do you know about this? Did he tell you he will leave Ratio?” I was now sure this was a joke. I trusted Michael even with my eyes closed. 

“I overheard him talking to Steve McGuire, Conrad Architect’s new owner’s trusted PA. He has joined them at an exorbitant price.” Blood boiled in my veins as I stood up, ready to confront Zion. This was getting too far. I hadn’t blasted him for his cheap stunts when he snatched all our projects, but this was the limit. How could they buy Michael? My business depended on him. 

How will I make ends meet if the business doesn’t earn? When he refused to take responsibility for the twins, I didn’t pursue it with him. Now that I was trying to earn a living for my children, he had to snatch it all from me! 

“How could they do this to us? How could Michael sell his soul and leave me when I needed him the most?” 

Roberta looked upset too and stood in silence, unable to comfort me. It wasn’t her fault. I had never broken down in front of outsiders. “Do you want to appoint a new marketing guy, Andrea? My brother’s best friend, Dennis Webster, has a degree in marketing management. He’s looking for an internship. He’s quite needy! I’m sure he’ll work very hard.” 

I nodded, smiling at her with gratitude. “Ask him to come down for an interview tomorrow morning, sharp at 9.” She nodded and left while I closed my eyes to get a grip on myself. I had to do this. I had to show Zion my true mettle. He could try all his life, but I wouldn’t bend at all. I would make Dennis Webster sign a two-year deal with me before he joined us. He couldn’t leave the company any time. 

Roberta left, but I stayed on preparing the deal I would make Dennis sign on. 

After five minutes, the guard entered, looking hassled. “Ms. Cromwell, there is a gentleman outside demanding to enter the office to meet you. Should we let him in?” 

“Office hours are over for the day. Ask him to come back tomorrow.” I wasn’t in the mood to meet anyone right now. The faster I completed the document, the sooner I could go home to my children. 

With Adrian’s leg still in a cast, he was cranky at seeing the others have fun without him. He hadn’t expected it to stay for so many days, and I couldn’t tell him how long it would take him to heal. I felt guilty for neglecting the twins recently. 

“I told him, ma’am. He isn’t taking no for an answer.” Somehow, the description of the stranger fitted Zion perfectly. Who else would come over to see me here in my office? 

“Did he mention his name?” The guard shook his head when the door opened and Zion barged in furiously. 

“Why am I being stopped from coming over to see you, Andrea? Don’t they know who I am?” He trembled with fury while I gaped at his arrogance. Who did he think he was? The Almighty?

I gestured to my guard to leave the room, and he did. I turned to face Zion bravely. 

“Why are you here Zion? You’re the rival, the worst enemy Ratio Architects could ever have. Why would I agree to meet you? Please leave while I’m being nice to you. I have nothing to discuss with you.” I seethed with fury at the man, waiting for him to leave. Did he think I would welcome him with open arms after the stunt he pulled? 

He stood frozen while his hawk-like eyes watched me warily. “Are you sure you don’t want to negotiate with me? This is your last chance, Andrea.” 

“No, after you bought my employee, you’ve closed all avenues up for negotiation. Good luck with your business. You may leave!” Yet he disregarded my order and stood watching me with a strange expression on his face. I was bad at reading emotions. 

My phone buzzed with an incoming call from Grandpa Vincent and I picked it up, accepting the call. 

“Can you come home right away, Andy? The therapist is here to check up on Adrian. He has damaged the cast. Please don’t scold him. He’s quite upset now.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” I disconnected the call, dumping my stuff into my laptop bag in haste. Tears pricked in my eyes. I had been so engaged in work, that I had totally forgotten about my responsibilities towards my little ones. I was indeed the worst mom alive! 

“Boyfriend problems? Who did you leave hanging now?” Zion’s taunting words echoed in the room, bringing me out of my dazed state. I had completely forgotten about his presence in the room. 

“None of your business, Zion. If you can’t see yourself out, I might have to call the security guard.” I picked up the intercom to do just that when he punched the wall nearby and stormed out of my office. 

“You’ll pay for this insult, Andrea Cromwell!” He threw over his shoulder, but I wasn’t bothered. My mind was on my child, who might be struggling with his injury. My poor baby boy! He needed me so much while I dumped my responsibilities upon grandpa and Granny Catherine so conveniently. 

I rushed out of the office and drove as fast as possible towards Cromwell Mansion. There wasn’t a minute to lose. However, throughout the way, I had the feeling of being stalked. Of course, I was imagining things. Who would stalk me? 

After ten minutes, I pulled up in the driveway of Cromwell Mansion and rushed inside just in time to see the therapist working on Adrian’s cast. Adrian had fallen asleep from the exhaustion and I sat beside him to stroke the hair off his face. At four, he had been a brave boy indeed! Granny Catherine sat on the other side of Adrian and I gave her a smile of gratitude. I would have been so lost without her help! 

“How long will this take?” I asked the therapist in a low tone. 

“Fifteen minutes more, ma’am!” I tiptoed out of the room, leaving granny Catherine with Adrian and his therapist.  

Mrs. Hamilton brought me a chilled tumbler of refreshing lemonade. I needed it so badly. “Thank you, Kathy! I needed this.” She smiled, knowing me so well. “How did it happen? What upset him so much?” 

“Zayden and Zane challenged him to outrun them. He thought his injury had healed and tampered with the cast. I have no idea how they damaged it! When I went in to give him his evening snack, I found them all hovering around him, helping him get free.” 

I looked around for Zayden. He was getting unmanageable every day. What would I do with him? “Where’s Zayden? I think I need to talk to him.” 

“I haven’t seen him all evening. Maybe he’s hiding after the stunt he has pulled. Give him time, Andy. When things calm down, you can talk to him. Don’t shout, just make him understand his mistakes.” I nodded, taking in a deep breath. I would try, but it was difficult. 

I wondered when Knox and Danielle would return. 

I could feel a headache coming on. The day’s exhaustion was taking a toll on me. “I’ll get some coffee.” 

“After lemonade? Why don’t you freshen up? We will have an early dinner and you can rest awhile.” 

“Let’s wait for Adrian to wake up. We can have dinner together. I’ll freshen up in the meantime.” 

I was about to go to my bedroom when the doorbell rang. Who could it be? Were my grandparents expecting guests? I had no wish to entertain guests right now. 

“Who could that be now?” asked Mrs. Hamilton as she bustled towards the main door. I couldn’t take a step further as a sense of dread clutched at my heart. From the open window, I caught sight of a black Mercedes parked in the driveway! 

Of course, I knew who had a weakness for Mercedes cars! It was none other than Zion Concorde!