CHAPTER TWO.

ARDYN.

I hated anything that had to do with disorderliness. I wouldn’t call it an obsession, but I had standards; most people failed to meet. A female employee of mine walked into my building this morning in the most disgusting form of color combination I had ever seen, I just couldn’t, she had to be fired. Now, looking outside the window of my office, I had seen yet another lady, but this one just had too much food in her mouth she had to be escorted off my property.

“Mr. Lane?”

“What is it, Ellie?”

“The SAN’s company are yet to respond, and we don’t have any more time to waste. I came for your approval to go ahead with L enterprise.” Ellie said, looking down after her statement. I wouldn’t say I was scary, but I wasn’t friendly. I couldn’t stand some betrayal after or whatsoever. It’s best to keep your enemies close.

“Alright, contact Mr. SAN and tell him the deal is off. Then make a new deal with L enterprise. Give them twenty-four hours, if not; the deal is off. The same thing for every other company till we find a good alliance. Am I understood?”

“Yes sir.”

“Don’t mess this up.”

“I won’t.” And she left.

Ellie was a very good partner. She was so good I had to make her my Personal Assistant. She knew how to make and cancel deals, those of no importance or alliance with the company. She was punctual, obedient and orderly, all the qualities I needed in a personal assistant but there was just one thing stopping me from giving her a full hundred percent. She had a crush on me.

Rumors at the company spread faster than anything. That was the one thing going on in the company, I was updated on ‘naturally’. I couldn’t stand my name being on everyone’s tongue, talk more of a scandal that had so much potential in ruining so many business deals. Nope, not happening.

I left my office quite early. I had a meeting to attend to, one that consisted of many politicians, CEOs, and self-made multi-millionaires. It was a big opportunity for me to expand my company and businesses. I would have loved if Mr. SAN co-operated well enough for us to be good alliance, it would have been a lot easier going into this meeting now, but I wasn’t one to beg. Delay is Denial on my end. 

ZYRA.

I woke up this morning in the best mood I could possibly force myself to be in, because today? We were going to be seeing a lot of disappointments but rich ones. As someone who knows how hard it took to get here, I tend to be more serious, more in control, it helps me to be confident and in charge of everything around me. I seem more intimidating and unapproachable, just how I liked it. I got to the venue where the meeting was scheduled for, everywhere was filled with people. Some greetings, some laughing within themselves, some angry waiting for the meeting to start, and there was me, alone.

I never really had friends; I was always bullied, called names, been the back-up friend, third wheeling, never belonged, so, I found peace in solitude. It gets lonely sometimes but it’s just right.

“Sorry for the delay, we are to begin now.” A guy announced. I couldn’t start to take notes of their names.

“About time.” A blonde from the back shouted quite literally, to everyone’s hearing. She was alone, just like I was. Something about her just made me like her, maybe, her courage or rudeness, but she reminded me of myself, in some way.

After she made her frustration visible enough to those in charge of the supposed ‘meeting’, we finally got started. It was one meeting alright. People after people saying what they thought would help businesses, some disagreeing and objecting, some stating some facts, and there was me, just quietly listening to what everyone had to say. Personally, I agreed with most of the things that were said but that didn’t warrant me to get up to give my own opinions.

This meeting got boring really quickly after people decided to actually coordinate. No more objections or noise. It wasn’t something that happened naturally, everyone seemed to be quiet because a certain 6ft maybe 2 young man was talking. It was so insane to me. Do people still do that? I couldn’t be in an environment where licking people’s asses was a thing. I was leaving.

“Nobody is meant to move around when I’m speaking.” I guess the young man on stage had so much on his tongue, but I didn’t stop what I was doing, I just took a little more time, than usual. From adjusting the two-piece skirt and jacket I wore, to running my hands through my hair, to making sure my heels were clicking, to finally reapplying my lip gloss before taking my bag and heading out the door. I just couldn’t see myself giving the man a reply, so I left. 

ARDYN.

Women were just built differently. Like for instance, the lady that just left. That was the highest form of disrespect I’d ever gotten in a public gathering before. It was like she didn’t acknowledge the fact that everyone acknowledged me, like she didn’t care. I’d never seen a structure like hers in any of the meetings I’d attended. She was new, but that didn’t justify her rudeness.

“As previously mentioned, I am now in alliance and co-operating with Ward Industries. I expect today’s proceedings to reflect the level of excellence we are known for. This alliance represents purpose and I trust that each person here understands the value of what we’re about to begin; and with that, I leave the rest to Ward.” I didn’t have much to say because I was distracted by a certain brunette that just ignored my presence; therefore, I rounded up my speech. Mr. Ward was the best option, business-wise, out of all other options. L didn’t respond in time, so I just had to go with him. He had different stores in his name, was a good business partner from the quick research I did on him, and he had no bad review that I knew of. That could risk everything I’d worked so hard for.  

I couldn’t see myself focusing on the meeting anymore, so I headed outside for one, a little fresh air, and two, I wanted to know who she was.