Chapter One – A Taste Of His Own Medicine

Andrea’s POV

All eyes were on me, and I had no option but to step into the room. My glance immediately flew towards the far end where he stood, brooding like a dark angel! He still looked the same. Furious, rebellious, and arrogant. How had I expected him to change? My heart sank, and I felt like the rug had been pulled from underneath my feet. 

His blue eyes locked with mine, making my heartbeats run amok. My posture stiffened as his eyes seared into mine. My breath settled near my collarbone. All the memories flooded my brain at that moment. Those memories left me dizzy, hurt, and numb with longing. So many years have passed between us, yet I struggled to hide the emotions choking my throat. The reason was obvious! I loved him with everything I possessed. Despite his rejection, I hadn't been able to move on from him.

Was he really here? The short black hair, the thick dark brows, the long curled eyelashes, the chiseled face, and the full lips were still the same! He was still the most gorgeous man in the entire world! Only he wasn’t mine! 

“Andrea! You kept me waiting!” Reality crashed in at his double-edged admission and I tried hard to look unaffected. He hadn’t changed a bit! Playing with words and emotions had always been his forte. I knew what he meant! I had disappeared on him that fateful night, five years ago, when he insulted me after I announced my pregnancy. 

It hurt more when he married after a month of my departure only to get divorced after a year! At that point, I had stopped keeping tabs on him, picking myself up from the crossroads and living my life without looking in the rear mirror. 

For five years, I blocked him out of my life. His hurtful rejection still echoed in my mind every night. They pierced my heart more than a bullet would. 

I blinked and broke the eye contact. I wasn’t the inexperienced, gullible woman I was before to fall for his bait. 

“I’m sorry, Mr. Concorde! There was an emergency I couldn’t overlook.” He almost winced at my haughty tone while the others watched us warily. No one dared to speak out of turn before the new CEO. 

“Explain yourself!” Distrust flickered on his face, but soon dissipated. He was never an easy man to read. 

“It’s personal!” Did he really think I would explain myself in front of all? A nerve clenched near his temple.

“Shall we resume?” His eyebrows arched a fraction as he held my gaze in a challenge. Little did he know I wasn’t accepting the bait. He could resume the meeting, but not his flirty game from where he left off years ago. 

Not acknowledging his implications, I greeted the others and marched forward to gear up for my presentation. 

‘Don’t let him intimidate you. You’ve worked hard for this contract!’ prodded my inner mind. I glanced around to see the smug look on my rival competitor, Mr. Jenkins’ face. As the Chief Architect of Greensboro Architectural Solutions, his designs were equally good, yet Sebastián Conrad always preferred mine. Maybe with the change in administration, he felt hopeful about the deal. 

It was the same with Mr. Arlington, co-founder of Arlington and Perkins! The victorious smile he flashed in my direction made my blood boil. 

“We will start with Mr. Jenkins since he arrived on time!” I looked up to see the determined look in Zion’s eyes. I knew what he was aiming at! He wanted to give me a hard time. I was fine with it. 

Mr. Jenkins sprang from his seat to start his presentation while I occupied the seat at the far end, as far away from Zion as possible. It made him give me an annoyed look, but I ignored him and the empty seats on either side of him. 

Mr. Jenkins’ presentation was good, but Zion criticized him so much that his confidence took a backseat. He sat down in a daze, allowing Mr. Arlington to take over. He too met with the same fate! I didn't let it hamper my confidence level. I was ready to fight tooth and nail for this deal!

“You must understand the client is a celebrity hotelier! I want foolproof designs that wouldn’t jeopardize our reputation!” I sat, listening to him discuss the key structures the client wanted incorporated into the design. 

After two more presentations, it was finally my turn. Zion watched me like a hawk, ready to rip me apart. It made me lick my lips nervously. I sucked in a deep breath and started my presentation, maintaining eye contact with all, especially with Zion.

“I’ve incorporated sustainability in all my five designs. Green building practices, energy-efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, water conservation through low-flow fixtures, and water recycling systems are the key components I plan to implement. Keeping in mind the latest trend of wellness travel, all my designs have provisions for wellness amenities like spas, yoga studios, and meditation spaces. I have incorporated a modern boutique look, keeping in mind the location and the client’s criteria involved, but I’m open to change. This is only a draft. My ultimate design would materialize only after meeting the client and visiting the location.” 

“What makes you think a modern look is what the client needs? Rome, where the first hotel will come up, has a rich cultural heritage. Don’t you think we should tap into that factor to lure guests?” I knew him too well to know he would raise this issue. 

“Yes, but when all the hotels nearby are milking the same theme, don’t you think a different approach would give this project its uniqueness?” Zion nodded, totally dumbfounded by the extent of my research. I searched the client’s website, hunted for information on the location, and even called their General Manager to get my facts straight before starting the designs. 

“As I have said earlier, these aren’t the final designs. I want each hotel to tell a story that will force people to gravitate towards the place. They should provide a brand experience to the visitors. That’s how he would blindly choose the same brand name repeatedly when visiting other destinations!” I noticed the appreciation in his eyes for a moment before it was masked by his signature cold, arrogant look.

My confidence grew as I proceeded with the presentation. I knew I had nailed it and the project would definitely be mine. There was a time when I worked for Zion at his architectural venture ZC Architects, headquartered in Athens, Greece. He was well-versed with the way I functioned. I sat down after my presentation, waiting for his verdict, but he simply got up to leave. 

“Thank you for your hard work. I will get back to you with my decision. That will be all for now.” It was the standard procedure to discuss the designs with the client before finalization. I collected my stuff to leave when Zion stopped at the door. 

“Andrea, see me in my office right now!” He walked out without waiting for my reply. His tone didn’t sit well with me, since I wasn’t his employee anymore. If he wanted to discuss personal issues here at the office, I wasn’t interested at all. However, on the professional front, I would have been pleased if he didn’t give me preferential treatment. 

I could see the judgemental look in the eyes of all my competitors. Mr. Jenkins scowled at me as if I had committed a grave crime! “Perks of being a female architect!” he muttered, giving me a scornful look while the others smirked, agreeing with him. 

I lost my composure. My body seethed with fury and I strode purposefully towards him. Did he think I would let this go? What he said was derogatory. It was verbal abuse! 

His eyes widened as I stood in front of him, blocking his way. “I would be careful with my words if I were you, Mr. Jenkins. I am proud of myself as an architect! If you are so good, prove your mettle through your work, not through petty politics. If I hear one more derogatory remark about me, I’ll drag you and your company to court for gender bias and verbal abuse! It will take me minutes to gather proof against you.” 

“You’re misunderstanding me, Ms. Cromwell!” he started, but I held my hand up to stop him. 

“I don’t think so. Mark my words. I don’t give out useless threats!” I looked around to see the guilty look on all their faces. It made me feel better. Yet, I was furious with Zion. How could he be so unprofessional? The need to give him a taste of his own medicine coursed through me. I didn’t have time for a personal meet up. For a professional discussion, he would have to fix a convenient time when I could come down. That was how Sebastián functioned. 

I walked out of the conference room to collect my stuff. My work at Conrad was done and I could go back to my office! It was a small space, located a stone’s throw away from my apartment. The proximity helped since I admitted the twins at the play school opposite. 

Thankfully, no one noticed me slipping out of the office. Yes, I was escaping him. 

Just as I unlocked my office, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was from Conrad’s. I accepted the call, but to my surprise, it wasn’t Laura on the other end. 

“Andrea? Where are you? I thought I asked you to see me in my office.” Zion’s angry voice at the other end surprised me. 

“I’m at my office, Mr. Concorde. What did you want to see me for? Can you email it to me, please?”

He scoffed at my request. “It’s not work-related, Andrea. It’s personal.” 

It was my turn to scoff at him. “My personal schedule is tight, Mr. Concorde. If you have anything to tell me about the contract, I can come down to your office tomorrow.”