Chapter 15

LORETTA'

My office was on the same floor as his.

Not down the hall, not tucked around a corner where I would be conveniently out of his sight like I had expected, but on the same floor

I stood in the doorway and took it all in. The monochrome desk gleamed, there was a high-backed chair, a shelf that was empty and waiting for me to fill with whatever I chose, bare white walls that I could already see myself filling with pressed flowers and beautiful wallpaper, and art

My name wasn't on the door yet but the space had cleared quickly for me so I left that for now

“Director of Strategic Partnerships," Elion said flatly from behind where I stood, his voice carrying the bored, impatient tone of a man who would rather be anywhere else but here

I tried not to let it sting, in a few weeks at best, I would be used to it... Hopefully

He moved closer, I heard his silent steps, felt his body heat, for some unexplainable reason, his proximity made my breath stutter

"You will oversee the Sterling licensing integration and sit on the board as the Sterling Enterprise representative. Anything that crosses between both companies goes through you first. That is your duty for now”

I turned to look at him, but he was already looking at his Rolex, counting down the seconds till he could dismiss me, and that sting in my chest pressed sharper

“For now?" I questioned

He let out an impatient sigh. “Yes, until you fail woefully and I kick you out of these premises myself"

I rolled my eyes and laughed with mockery, refusing to let him see just how sharp his words landed on me. “For a man whom people claim to be smart and strategic, you know nothing Elion Fitzpatrick”

His jaw clenched so hard, I could see the muscles ticking there. “Careful now Loretta" he snarled, voice dropping into subzero level. “Don't fùcking push me"

I laughed dryly again. “What, did I hit a nerve? You're supposed to know your enemy's capabilities Elion, being clueless won't do you any good"

He raised one finely defined brow, amusement flickering in his eyes “Capabilities?" Elion scoffed, eyeing me like I was out of my mind. “Don't flatter yourself”

That pierced through me again, harder than the first. I bit the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from flaring up, if I did that, it would mean I had let Elion take the upper hand, which means I let him win

“Has no one ever taught you not to underestimate your enemies?”

Something dark and deadly flickered over his face, his gaze panned over me as if I was something to be disposed of. I refused to be intimidated, so I stood higher on my heels and squared my shoulders, letting a sweet, smile curl on my lips

Elion let out a scornful laugh so full of ice, it could rival the artic “Has anyone ever taught you not to marry your enemies?" He shot back with a wicked smile that promised no good

Mine curved wider “I look forward to working with you, dear future husband”

I said as I walked into my office and slammed the door in his face

≈≈≈

I was given an assistant who walked me through the protocols of Fitzpatrick Holdings and the partnership with Sterling Enterprise so far

By late noon, I received a message to be at the boardroom for my official introduction into the company, I quickly redid my makeup and brushed my hair.

The boardroom sat at the far end of the floor below mine, it was ten times bigger than ours at Sterling Enterprise's.

There was a long table, floor-to-ceiling glass, and fifteen board members were already seated when I walked in. Their Conversation paused and their eyes slid over to me, assessing me, looking for weakness, flaws

Good thing I knew how to play this game

Elion appeared a moment later, authority ripping through him in waves, the way he moved, his charismatic posture, and large body physique was almost hypotonic

Almost

He took his seat at the head of the table, scanning over the room while deliberately skipping me even though I was seated by his right, I curled my fingers into my palm deep enough to draw blood

"This is Loretta Sterling," He addressed the table, with a tilt of his head to my side. “Many of you already know that she is my fiancée and soon-to-be wife”

A funny sensation made my stomach tight, it felt like nausea only it wasn't nausea. It was far from it

"She is now Director of Strategic Partnerships and Sterling Enterprise's representative on this board" He continued without any sign of emotion as if he was reading from a paper “She will be a consistent presence going forward.”

All eyes came back to me. I felt the weight of each stare, some curious, some cautious.

“Ms Sterling.” Elion gestured toward me still without looking at me. I wanted to roll my eyes at him, this man couldn't be more unwelcoming even if he tried, and I'm damm sure he was trying

“The floor is all yours"

I hadn't been told I'd be speaking, but I stood up anyway. If there was one good thing my father had taught me about the corporate world, it's that I must always be prepared

I stood up gracefully, this time, Elion looked

More like he didn't want to look but couldn't help it because the moment my eyes caught him peeking at me, his lips thinned and he glanced at his watch

A small, victorious smile curled on my lips

Loretta: 1

Elion: 0

"Thank you for having me " I greeted with my best professional smile as I addressed the table, looking around slowly to make sure I made eye contact with everyone of them

“I will keep this brief because I know your time is valuable and frankly, actions are more interesting than introductions."

A small pause and I continued

“Sterling Enterprise and Fitzpatrick Holdings have operated in adjacent markets for a few years now. Moving forward, this will be the first phase of a strategic alignment that positions both companies to access markets neither could approach independently.”

I let that land like a slap on Elion's face, from my side vision, I saw his brow quirk

"Mr Fitzpatrick and I are not interested in managing legacy, We are interested in growth, and we are more than eager to move fast. That is my vision and I look forward to demonstrating it with my best capacities" I let the last word drawl

Silence followed. The good kind, the stunned oh-my-god-she's-so-awesome-and-smart kind

Then a loud, clapping ovation followed. Most of the board members seemed impressed, all except the devil in a designer suit

I glanced towards him, and smiled sweetly, letting him see the fangs underneath that smile

Loretta: 2

Elion: 0