Chapter 7

Carly

“Ms Carly, Mr Arthur suddenly answered the phone, he said he is on his way to the company.” I looked at the receptionist as she relayed the message.

“Mr Arthur coming to the company will stir up more rumors of the engagement,” Raya stated.

My brows furrowed as I looked at Raya. She was anxious like she was the one getting married.

I rubbed my forehead. Nothing was working. Even the throbbing headache wouldn’t stop, despite taking drugs. It was making everything worse.

There were so many things to do. I needed to speak to father, but knowing what he did, he refused to pick up my calls.

And now, Arthur wanted to see me, but why? I couldn’t place my head on the reason why he would agree to the engagement with Father. What was he trying to do? It couldn’t be because of the M&M project, as forcing me wasn’t going to make me agree to work with him.

My head was in turmoil. More and more news stations were carrying the topic. Investors were calling in, hoping it was true. Shareholders wanted a meeting, which I wasn’t in a sound mind for.

 I dropped my phone a while ago, wanting to escape from reality.

The reunion was applauded by everyone, but it was like a shackle to cage me. But I wasn’t going to let it happen. There was no way I was going to spend my life with Arthur Wilder, the man that has once turned my life into hell.

“Keep trying to suppress the news. Release to the public that we do not know of anything yet, and it could be misinformation.”

“But the information was first spread by Mr Trevor. I'm afraid such a statement won't work now.” Raya stated.

“It may be from father, but I was never informed, so I have every right to declare it as false. Both of you leave now.”

They turned to leave, but the receptionist stopped. “What about Mr Arthur? Calculating the distance, he should be here in a minute or two.”

“Anyone who wants to get in touch with me should follow my schedule and …..”

A knock from the door and we all turned to it,

The company's security entered inside, “I’m sorry, Ms Carly. Mr Arthur suddenly appeared with his secretary in front of the company, and I had to let him in because of the reporters outside. Though you are engaged to him, I wasn’t sure, so I let him inside the boardroom. ” He spoke.

I wasn’t expecting Arthur to be here so soon. Knowing he was outside my door sends shivers down my spine. I wasn’t ready to meet him, but he was already here, waiting for me to ask him in.

 Nothing was going my way, and I hated it so much. It would be rude of me to ignore him.

I took a deep breath. It was just a meeting, so I was going to speak with him like a business partner.

“Let him inside,” He nodded and left, the receptionist following, leaving Raya behind.

“Are you sure you’ll be fine?”

I nodded, and she followed after.

 I flipped through the document on my desk. I wasn’t going to give the impression that I was waiting for him.

Just then, the door opened and I looked up. James, Arthur's assistant, walked in, and behind him was Arthur, and we locked gaze immediately he entered.

How ironic that after all these years of hating him, my heart still beat faster at his sight. Arthur was handsome as ever. His brown hair was combed to reveal his perfect forehead, which only accentuated his facial features. His sharp jawline calls for attention. Unlike the casual look he gave the last time. Now he looked powerful in his tailored suit.

I broke our gaze and closed the document.

“I’ll be waiting outside for you.” His assistant suddenly said and walked out, leaving us alone. I wished he had stayed.

“You won’t even invite me to a seat?”

 I ignored him. He smiled and sat on the sofa.

He really hasn’t changed. Years ago, he was one to enter without being invited, just like he did.

He looked around the room, nodding as if in approval of what he saw.

“Why did you do it?”

That wasn’t what I wanted to say. I wasn’t supposed to ask that, but to tell him there was no way I’d agreed to marry him, but my brain was different from my head.

“I didn’t agree to it. My grandfather did, and I was informed this morning,” His voice was as gentle as ever, but it was all a lie.

I scoffed, “Why would your grandfather agree to something that involves your life without telling you?”

 He must have known. He just wanted to torment, just as before. He must have told his grandfather everything.

“My grandfather agreed because your dad wanted it. He said you wanted it.”  

We locked gaze again, and I turned to my laptop.

“I never agreed to be engaged to you, and I don’t know what is going on, but I’ll make sure to put everything to an end.”

His gaze suddenly turned cold. “ Do you still hate me so much that you can’t wait to end it?”

 I looked at him.

No, I didn’t hate him. If there was anyone to hate, it was myself. Because, despite everything he has done, as I look at him, the feeling to confide in him was beckoning my heart, like a fool desperate for love.

“It’s better that we do not cross paths, Arthur. I’ll end the engagement, and I apologize for it must have caused issues for you and your girlfriend.”

I shouldn’t have added that, but I did without thinking. His brows furrowed.

“Olivia isn’t my girlfriend, and I’ll explain things to her myself.”

I said nothing as silence filled the room. There was no way Olivia wasn’t his girlfriend with the way she acted last time.

“You haven’t changed, Carly, you are still as cold as ever. ” 

Him calling my name brought back different memories. But I’ve changed. I was no longer the Carly back then. I was no longer a prey to be tampered with.

He stood up. “But I’m glad that you are still you.”