Chapter 4

Andera's pov 

I withdrew my outstretched arm, squaring up to Thane. He may be six foot four, but my boldness is taller, and the heels I'm on give me two extra inches. 

I don't shy away from his menacing gaze, mine is confident and impenetrable. 

" Shall we start our meeting, Mr Renihardt, or would you rather we remain standing? "   

I cocked one brow at him, ignoring his outburst. He drew his head back in surprise and blinked at me. 

 Stunned, Thane? Just wait; you don't know what's coming for you, my dear ex-husband. I smirked.

 Without waiting for his approval, I took a seat. Rosa sat next to me and the rest of my team followed suit. 

Thane stood like a statue, with different emotions flicking in those gray eyes. Paul nudged his boss to sit down. The tension in the conference room was so thick, I could slice it with a blunt knife.

"Thank you for agreeing to partner with Auraspire Energies. " I gave him a sweet smile.  

" Now all that's left is to discuss the terms and sign both our agreements. "

" I've reviewed your proposal, and my team and I are satisfied with your terms. We're ready to move forward," 

Thane's voice was clipped. One of his board members grumbled and tried to call his attention, but he didn't look his way. I slid the partnership agreement over to him, and he signed it swiftly.

" Excellent! Now that we're done with that, let's get to know each other, Ms Campbell" He dragged the last word.  

 I set my bag on the desk, taking my precious time to give him an answer. Thane clenched his teeth and I had to suppress a laugh. The fun's just starting and he's already agitated? Tsk tsk tsk

" So I'm guessing you married Mr Campbell. " He chided. 

I couldn't help but snort; that's the best thing he could think of.

" My success story is the kind that brings tears to one's eye....."

 I took glances at everyone before continuing; they seemed interested.

" Five years ago, I was accused wrongly, and the person who should have stood up for me didn't. Without even an ounce of sympathy, He threw me out of his home and his life. I was stranded, I had no family, no money, just a twenty-two-year-old girl wandering the streets of Seattle. " 

Thane sat up, his eyebrows shot so high It could have touched his silky dark, almost black hair. He looked surprised, was that pain I saw in his eyes?   

" That was when my miracle came." I continued "Before that, I had gone missing from my birth family as a child, and on that day, I was thrown out; my father, Mr Campbell, founder and CEO of Campbell's Technologies, saw me and knew instantly. I have an uncanny resemblance to my late mother, who unfortunately died some months after losing me.

 My father carried out a DNA test just to be sure. After reuniting with him, I went to college again, took over as the manager of his affairs, and now, I have my own company, Auraspire Energies, where I aim to take renewable energy sources, energy storage, and smart grid technologies to the next level, not just in Seattle but the whole of Washington."

A clapping ovation followed and I could see the smiles on the faces of everyone, all except Thane; his gaze was still on me. 

The meeting ended on an upbeat note; while my plan for partnering with Renihardt's Empire was for revenge, choosing them would also help my new company get the trust of the people. The Renihardt's are well-known and respected. This is good for my company and me.

 A sly smile spread on my face when I shook hands with Thane. He held mine longer than necessary, and what's with that look on his face? Why did he look as if he was going to pass out the next minute?

" Can we talk? " He lowered his voice.

" I believe we have covered all grounds for discussion; whatever it is you want to discuss will wait till our next meeting. " I replied.

 His eyes narrowed. 

" Andera, we need to talk. It's important " he half ordered, half requested.

  I huffed. Oh, Thane. The years when you could control me with your commands are gone. I'm the boss now, and the sooner you realize that, the better.

" Have a good day, Mr Renihardt. " I answer sardonically, straightening my cream-colored pencil skirt; his eyes follow the movement. I pulled my hair behind my ear, giving him one final smile; I sashayed out of his meeting room with Rosa and the rest of my team behind me.

  

The joy bubbling inside of me was enough to make me squeal like a high school girl. The shock on Thane's face when he saw me was priceless. For five years, I had dreamt of this moment where I would meet Thane face to face and give him a small dose of the bitterness he showed me.

 I studied and worked, even with my pregnancy and, eventually, babies. I labored to be the best version of myself. And here I am today, no dream or fantasy of mine measured up to this. 

" Andera Wait! " 

I spun around in my heels; Thane was taking long strides toward me.

" Go on, I'll be behind you. " I told my team members. Rosa seemed reluctant, but she finally budged.

" What? " 

" Andera, I never knew you were out on the streets; I thought you must have gone to Pa Eugene's relatives. If I had known you didn't have a home, I would have..." 

" You would have what, Thane? 

Believed me when I said I didn't steal anything, gave me a home, loved me back?" 

 I snap, eying him with disgust.

 He opened his mouth to talk, but I raised my palm to cut him short. 

 " If it wasn't the heirloom, it would have been something else. Whether or not you knew I had a home isn't the issue. It was you, Thane. "

I stepped closer to him, hoping he could feel my resentment.

" Thank you for not believing me, for breaking my heart, for never once in your life loving me back! I owe who I am today to it."

I turn my back towards him, take two steps, and then stop, tilting my head to my side, and my voice drops low.

" I look forward to our partnership Mr Renihardt. It will be plenty of....... fun. "