CHAPTER 4: So a cold freak like him can be sarcastic?

Zara Langford

My hands curled into a tight fist. I literally feel my face flushed.

I released my fist. Take a breath. Zara, breathe.

My cold stare remained on Declan. Asking me to make coffee twice didn't go well with me.

Who the hell is this man?

God, how I wished to punch his smug face harder. He is doing this on purpose. Sadly, I can't prove it. But there’s something about the way he kept arching his brow.

“Making a coffee shouldn't be that hard…you are a Langford, and Langfords are known for making things right” he smirked evilly.

Trying to use my family to get to me Mister? It's not gonna work.

I exhaled. Took the mug from the desk. Wanting nothing more than to pour the remaining coffee on him and smash the mug against his face.

“I'll try making it right this time, sir” I said drawing the ‘sir’. My grip on the mug tightened.

No wonder, no assistant lasted a month in this company. He keeps changing them like clothes.

Declan, two can play this game of frustration. Just you wait and see. You have activated beast mode.

“You’d better not…I wouldn't want the press making headlines on world-famous CEO, Declan Voss, passing out after drinking an awfully made coffee prepared by his personal assistant on her first day at work.” Declan said looking all serious like he meant it.

I rolled my eyes, pushing back the laugh that almost escaped my lips. So, a cold freak like him can be this sarcastic? Natalie needs to hear about this.

“You don't do the eye rolling thing here,” he warned, rolling his index finger.

Staying in this office with Declan suddenly became suffocating.

“I'd better get back to work…since there are tons of them to be attended to before noon” I said, with a side smile.

Silence. He picked a file and began reading.

Cold asshole.

Now, it's me and the files I have to work on before noon like a robot waiting patiently for me on my desk.

I spared him a last glance wishing I had bashed his face with the mug in my hands.

I turned and walked out of the office.

★★★★

Declan Voss

Remembering all that Victor Langford did to me, made me want to frustrate his pretty daughter the most. The brain that had the company running smoothly before now.

My company. My first life. That sucker took that away from me. And framed me with a crime I knew nothing about.

Victor, you will pay. Your daughter will pay. Everyone in the Langford family will pay.

I grabbed the nearest pen on the desk and broke it in two. My breath is coming in short gasps.

My phone rang out, startling me. It's the private phone in my desk drawer.

I took out the phone without checking who the caller was, I placed it to my ear and it connected automatically.

“Good morning sir!,”The voice of my inside person in the Langford City boomed excitedly from the other end.

I recall that familiar excited voice whenever there is big news from him. I pinched the bridge of my nose, wondering what news he has for me today.

Definitely something huge.

My lips stretch into a slow side smile. “ Being it on…what do you have for me, Josh?”

I could hear an excited giggle from the other end. Must really be huge news.

“Sir, Victor will be traveling to China in two days, for a huge project with XCM Motors. This particular deal is worth millions, which can bring him back to his feet for a while,” he paused, and I knew exactly what was coming next. “ Sir, if you need to sign this deal before him and he won't know what hit him”

I quickly did a quick check in my brain. Do I have an appointment that day? I'm ready to cancel any appointment to see Victor in pain.

The heavens are really on my side. I have a business gala to attend in China two days from now. Which means killing two birds with one stone.

“Of course, Josh. I have an appointment in China in two days.” The smirk on my lips deepened. “Thank you for this information” I hung up the call.

XCM Motors. The name doesn't ring a bell. I turned to my laptop. typing in the company name. I scrolled through the details.

Boom! It's a jackpot.

Xǔ Chéngmíng. The CEO of XCM Motors. He was a business partner from eight years ago. Xǔ Chéngmíng has really done well for himself over the years.

Xǔ Chéngmíng. It's time you paid me the favor you are owing me.

Watch your back Victor. I'm coming hard.

★★★★

Zara Langford

I stretch my arm. Cracking my fingers. My hands have been hurting from typing and sorting files since this morning.

Oh! My neck hurts. It hurts everywhere. My eyes went to the time on my laptop and they widened. 3:45pm.

Jesus! I worked past the launch time. I have been sitting here for hours. Though, it was worth it. I have sorted the files I was given. I completed my first task.

My phone beeped, signaling an incoming message notification. Not now please.

I took the phone and opened the message app and the tiredness in my body disappeared.

Hold up! Just hold up!

A message from my dad. A message from Victor Langford!

I dropped the phone back on the desk. Rubbed my eyes to be sure I'm not dreaming or seeing things from stress. I picked up the phone. And guess what? It's him.

It's really him.

What does he want? Did he finally realize I'm the one meant for the company, not Matthew?

I scaled through the message and anger surged through me. I read the text again

‘Zara, Langford City has a project deal to sign in China in two days. Let's talk over dinner, I promise, it will be worth your time’

Wait. No greeting. No ‘how have you been surviving out there'. Rather he texted for a business deal he wants me to help with.

Not even in your wildest dreams, Dad.

I burst out laughing. A deal in China. Talk over dinner. I dropped the phone, picked up the printed files arranged neatly in a folder, and made for the door.

My phone vibrated on the table and started ringing.

I paused on my track. God, not now.