Chapter Four The strange man in the elevator

The moment he stepped into the elevator, I froze. For one terrifying second, my heart stopped beating. The broad shoulders. The sharp jawline. The same confident posture.

Then I noticed the silver studs in his ears. Vincent never wore earrings. From behind they could pass off as twins.

I sighed with relief.

His tuxedo jacket fit his sculpted frame perfectly. Underneath, his white shirt was left with a few buttons undone.

He was adjusting his cufflinks when he looked in my direction. His warm brown eyes met mine, my pulse started jumped. I quickly looked away.

I tried to steady my breathing. I don't know why my heart was pounding as if I had seen Vincent face-to-face. I sighed in disappointment. After all he did to me, the dude had no right to have such an effect on me. But I was quick to recognize my emotions.

It was the fear, dread…the trauma hasn't left me.

“Gawking at strangers isn't exactly professional,” the stranger interrupted my thoughts.

I blinked.

“Excuse me?” My face flushed with embarrassment.

He straightened his shoulders. His mouth curved into the faintest smile.

“I said you were staring.”

“I wasn't,” I retorted defensively.

“Then you have a very interesting way of looking at people.”

“Which can be risky.” He deliberately stepped closer to where I was. The heat of his intense gaze flushed warmth through my body. I couldn't remember the last time a man's eyes beheld my body in such a manner.

But when he closed the gap between us, my brain screamed danger. He did the unexpected. He bent over a bit, staring directly at my chest.

I crossed my hands over my shoulders.

“Wait what?!! .” I leaned hard against the wall. Who knows? He could be a pervert, I made a mental note to dig into him if I survived this encounter.

“Ava M.” He read out the name tag on my breast pocket.

He looked at my tense face, his face broke into a dimpled smile that made my knees weak.

“I just want to know your name, to file a report against you,” he teased further.

He moved back to his former position.

I straightened my posture and cleared my throat.

“Well, you should have asked.”

“Now you know my name. What's yours?”

The elevator stopped and opened

“Have a nice day, Ava,” he replied, ignoring my question.

He walked out. I couldn't hide my disappointment. There's something about him. I felt drawn to know him more.

In my defense, if I could get his name, I would stalk him on social media. Who knew what his intentions were? For all I knew, he could be trouble.

The elevator stopped at my floor. I almost forgot I had a meeting. I rushed towards my office and picked up my laptop.

“Good morning, Ava. You really had a great night, didn't you?” my cheeky secretary greeted me in her usual manner. I know she's being sarcastic.

“Good morning, Lilian,” I replied, not in the mood for her banter. I headed into my office to bring my laptop.

My eyes caught the mirror. I was looking flustered and tense.

I composed myself for a few seconds before stepping out.

I was a few steps away when my phone rang with a message from my sister.

“Venue change: we're on the third floor. Our client has arrived.”

I hissed and hurried towards the third floor.

They were in the middle of their discussion when I barged in.

I glanced around quickly. It wasn't the kind of meeting I was expecting. No board of directors or management. It was only my sister and the man… His gaze pinned me to the spot. Of all the people in new york it has to be him.

His sleeve was rolled up a bit, revealing his hairy hands. The Rolex Daytona watch he was wearing caught my attention. funny how I didn't notice all these in the elevator. He carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who was accustomed to wealth and luxury.

“Hello, we meet again,” I greeted awkwardly.

“Ava?” he asked, his brows lifted in surprise . He looked like he had a lot of questions but chose not to ask.

“You knew each other?” Victoria asked.

“Not really…” he replied with an air of detachment.

He looked different from the playful stranger I met in the elevator. This time, the atmosphere was serious. His face was emotionless. He looked like a mafia prince in an auction room. His calculated gaze followed me until I sat down beside my sister.

I reached for the bottle of water and struggled to open it.

“Let me,” he said. Without permission, he took it from me and opened it seamlessly, placing it in front of me.

Chills ran down my spine. I must be touch-starved for my body to react this way.

I gulped down the water at once and ended up spitting it out

My sister glared at me. Even though she didn't speak, she was warning me to behave through her gaze.

“Mr. Adams,” Victoria said, clearing her throat. “This is our Chief Operating Officer, Ava Morris. Ava, meet Mr. Adams.”.

“It's nice meeting you”,

Our hands shook, our touch lingered, I admired his manicured fingers, my mind wandered off to so many things his fingers could do.

I snapped back from my imagination, reminding myself that I'm in a business meeting.

" I'm offering you a mutually benefit arrangements”, he said, leaning confidently like an shrewd business man.

“I'm listening.” Victoria said,

“Your company is fighting for control of the hotel and resort market. So is mine. And there's one man standing between both of us and the position we want.”

“You're talking about De Harrington” Victoria uttered bluntly

“I'm talking about our biggest competitor.”, he retorted,

“And what exactly are you suggesting?”

“A strategic alliance.”

Victoria laughed softly. “You expect me to partner with you?”

“For six months.” he assured,

“Why six?”

“Because six months is all we need to weaken his market position, take a significant portion of his market share, and force him to renegotiate his supplier contracts.”,

Her jaw hardened. “And what's in it for you?”

“The same thing that's in it for you. We remove our biggest obstacle without wasting resources fighting each other.”

She studied him carefully.

I sat down like a third party, invading in a place I shouldn't have come to.

“And when De Harrington is out of the way?

“Then our partnership ends.”, he said, he took his time for his idea to digest, with his eyes partially still on me.

Victoria nodded in agreement, I know he sounds convincing but I don't trust him.

I cleared my throat,

“Mr Adams, can I know why you're doing this?” I asked, breaking through their conversation. curiosity burning through me.

It's my personal life not yours, he snapped, a flash of fury flickered across his eyes

I was taken back a bit, beneath his composure was angry man who wants revenge.

He stood up, straighting his posture,

I will be heading out, I have an urgent meetup with some clients “,

After we finalize I will reach out to both our lawyers, Victoria chipped in

He dropped his compliment card in front of me, his green eyes gazing through the depth of my mind.

"Call me", he said confidently like he knew I would reach out.