Chapter 5

The Next Day.

“What? You will be meeting your father and ex–husband in two hours? And you are just telling me this now?” Debbie shrieked over the phone. Her voice was so loud and her anger didn’t go unnoticed.

Hailey sighed, taking away the phone from her ear for a while.

“I only knew about everything yesterday. It was a quick decision.“”

Debbie sighed deeply from the other side. “You’ve always had a good heart. I guess that is a virtue no one can take from you.”

“No, don’t get

get me wrong. I’m not going there to receive them with open arms. I am only doing this for the respect and admiration I have for my Grandfather. I know how much he sacrificed to build that company from scratch. It sucks that my Dad’s management ruined everything!

“Of course, with someone like your step–sister and your stepmother in the picture, it’s certain for the company to run into bankruptcy. As far as I know, they see the company’s money as theirs so they spend lavishly.”

“You know them well enough. I am only doing this for my Grandfather and also, for the sake of the staff so they don’t lose their jobs.”

“In as much as I don’t want you to be there or have anything to do with them, I totally understand your reason. I know it is not easy for you to relate with people who have hurt you in the past but I

understand your courage.

I Don’t forget to always keep them at arm’s length.”

“Definitely! It is strictly going to be business.”

“So how do you feel about all of it? Seeing Cole again? I know it is not going to be easy for you.”

“I’m indifferent about him. I have no business with him but he is going to be in the meeting because he’s a shareholder in the family company. I used to be in love with him but I don’t think I care about that anymore.”

“Would you consider telling him about the twins?”

“For now, I still don’t want him in my babies‘ life. Once the twins are grown and they want to know about their

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father, I will gladly inform them of how much of an asshole he is.”

I

“Tyler will be driving me to the meeting.

“This is getting interesting: Someone grab me some popcorn”

“Please don’t start, Debbie.” Hailey groaned.

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“Damn, I wish I could clear my schedule just to come see the drama unfold. Cole is definitely not going to see this

coming.”

“I told Tyler that he doesn’t have to be there. But he’s insisting.”

“You know how much he likes you, right?

“I know and I am always grateful for his support. The boys like him too and they really look up to him.”

“I know Enzo and Oliver adore him. What about you?”

“I adore him too.”

“You sure? We both know that he would have put a ring on you and a baby in your womb if you weren’t so strict with him.”

“Debbie!” Hailey groaned.

“Oh please, babe. You know I’m spilling the truth.”

“I am done with relationships and Tyler knows now. He’s probably still clinging to me because I’m a good friend.”

“Stop trying to hide. You know that dude loves you. Not everyone is going to be like that fucking ass Cole.”

“The only love I have to give is for my children. Anyone apart from them, I don’t think I can handle. I have a lot of things to occupy my mind and heart with. I’m not sure I have the energy for any sort of relationship.

“What about me?” Debbie sneered, the jealousy didn’t go undetected in her voice.

“Don’t be silly. You know we are sisters for life.”

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“Well, that sounds comforting. I think I can manage with that.”

Hailey chuckled. “Weirdo!”

“Unfortunately for me, unlike you and Tyler, I have a boss so I can’t be there.”

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Hailey playfully rolled her eyes at her best friend over the phone. “Being a boss isn’t as fun as you think.”

“I know and I don’t wish I was. I can’t give up partying for all those responsibilities. It’s a lot.”

“That sounds so much like you.”

||

5

Debbie chuckled.

“I’m definitely going to call you later. Be good!”

“You too, bye love,” Hailey said, ending the call.

Cole sighed deeply after reading the last line of the proposal rejection mail.

“I was such a fool to think that they were going to partner with us,” Cole mumbled in defeat, massaging his temple. His hair was messy due to the amount of times he had run his fingers through them. The first three buttons of his shirt were left undone and his eyes were swollen due to lack of sle

“You don’t have to blame yourself, Sir. We did our best.” Itam, the managing director, who sat opposite him said.

“Can’t you see that our best is not enough? If care is not taken, this company will go down the drain before we know it.”

“Everything used to go well. What the hell happened?”

Itam sighed “We had someone who was always helping out with the pitches and other stuff but she left.”

Cole frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I picked out very serious–minded people so whenever the idea of a new project pops up, we sit, discuss, and try to pitch up the proposal before it is forwarded to you.”

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Chapter S

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“A lady was part of the team and to be honest, She came up with most of the ideas and proposals. She was really brilliant with business–related issues and that made us have back–to–back success years ago.”

“Why am I just knowing about this? And where the hell is the lady?”

“For strange reasons, She hated taking credits and hated being the center of attention. She did most of the hard work and made me and the rest of the team take credit for it.”

“Where the hell is she?” Cole said at the top of his voice, running out of patience.

“She left the company.”

“What do you mean she left the company? Who the hell fired her?”

“I had no idea. She just stopped coming to work. I tried reaching out to her after that but luck wasn’t on my side. I know every worker in this company has a file that contains every information but we couldn’t find a file on her. I heard from colleagues that the last time they saw her, she was crying out of the building

Her name is Hailey Summers. She really secured a lot of deals for this company.”

Cole’s heart fell upon hearing the manager’s words. “Sh….she did all that?”

“Yes sir.

He sighed deeply, massaging his temple.

“We need to get going so we can be on time for the meeting with Mr Eric.” Itam voiced out.

“I really hope they’ve got an investor already. I’m tired of losing everywhere!” Cole mumbled, rising to his feet.

The duo exited the company and joined Cole’s driver who was waiting for them in the car. Cole sat in the back seat while his driver and Itam occupied the front seat.

The drive was a long and very silent one but after forever, they arrived at their destination.

Deep down, Cole wasn’t happy and his mood was worse whenever it was time to see or have anything to do with Eric Summer. He just couldn’t miss this because it was an emergency board meeting.

Wanting to get done with all this crap as soon as possible, Cole didn’t wait for his driver to open up for him. He

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calls only DOOMB

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helped himself to the door and got down immediately. And just when he was about to take steps towards the entrance of the building, his eyes met with the person that gave him sleepless nights in the last four years.

Cole froze where he stood, staring in disbelief as he exchanged glances with her. He had no idea what surprised him the most, the person he was staring at or the expensive car that the person got down from.

“Hailey?!” He whispered her name in disbelief and for the first time in a very long time, he felt tears well up in his

eyes.