The ‘board meeting’

The drive to the company was silent. While Harry was busy with his laptop, Zara watched him, trying to see what he was doing.

Despite seeing the screen, she couldn’t understand what he was busy doing.

She shrugged her shoulders and looked away, staring at the outside views as the car rode speedily.

“I’m not supposed to tell you this, but your father called.” Harry suddenly said.

She looked at him immediately. Her eyes flashed in surprise. “He did?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” She asked curiously.

“He said he was worried about how you were doing and why you came back to California looking homeless. He asked if I knew where you were.”

Her brows furrowed. She found his words unbelievable. “Why would he ask you? You are the last person that comes to anyone’s mind when…”

“He saw the photos, the one that was posted the day you called for help.” He cuts her off.

“The one at the restaurant?”

“Yes. He said he saw us together, and wanted to know if I knew where you were and why you came back to California.”

Her eyes widened. “Did you tell him?”

“No.” He replied shortly before taking his gaze back to his laptop.

She sighed in relief. “He cares about me, but I don’t just get why he refused to let me into the house. He couldn’t stand seeing me body shamed so somehow he made the girl do an apology video.” She smiled as she said those words.

Harry took a quick glance at her and let out a chuckle.

“I can’t wait for him to accept me back and give me access to his properties.” She giggled. “I’ve missed shopping designers and also traveling for fun.”

“That’s your plan?” Disappointment hint at his tone.

Zara raised a brow. “What’s wrong with it?”

“If you did something profitable with your time and money when you had the chance, you won’t be here right now. You depend solely on your dad’s money and that’s why you are in this condition.” He stated.

For some seconds, Zara went speechless. There was truth in what Harry said, but she didn’t think there was a need to work when her father provided her with whatever she needed and lots more.

“I’m definitely not doing anything to get on my father’s bad side from now on.” She rolled her eyes.

Harry didn’t say a word. The drive continued in silence and after about an hour, they arrived at the company.

As soon as they stepped out of the car, Zara let out a sigh.

She knew it was time to put on and act, and do whatever Harry wanted her to do.

They walked into the company and when Zara saw the receptionist gaze at them, she wrapped her hand around Harry’s arm.

Her stomach churned in excitement when she saw the shock on the lady’s face.

“Welcome, sir.” The lady greeted Harry with a smile on her face, ignoring her as if she wasn’t present.

She was about to speak when Harry beats her to it.

“Am I the only one that walked in? Or you’ve suddenly become blind?” His tone was firm and the receptionist lowered her head to the floor.

“I’m sorry, sir.” She apologized. “Welcome, ma.” It was directed to Zara.

Zara scoffed. She removed her hand from Harry’s shoulder and took a step forward, close to the counter of the receptionist.

“Do it properly.” She demanded, her gaze intense.

The lady lifted her head up and when her eyes met Harry’s intense gaze, she turned to Zara and flashed her a smile. A smile which everyone could tell was fake.

“Welcome, ma.”

Without saying any words, Zara walked away, while Harry followed immediately.

“I’ll get her fired, I swear.” She spoke up, knowing fully well Harry was behind her.

“It’s my company, Zara. I make the decisions.” He said, more like a reminder that she couldn’t do anything to the receptionist.

Zara’s steps halted, she turned to him with a deep frown on her face. “If I was really your fiancé, would you let her humiliate me without doing anything?”

“That’s why you are not my fiancé.” He replied bluntly, and walked past her, brushing her shoulder as he did.

She let out a scoff. “And you think I’ll do same if roles were switched?”

Her words made him stop walking. He turned to her sharply.

“When she didn’t address you, I asked her to. What else do you want me to do?” He enquired angrily.

His creased brows forming wrinkles at his forehead, showed how furious he was.

Zara suddenly went bereft of words. She took a deep breath and spoke softly, “Where’s the hall for the meeting?”

Without saying any words, Harry turned and walked towards the other direction, and having no choice, she followed him quietly.

They got in an elevator and when the elevator was about to close, a guy shouted from outside, “Please hold it up!”

He was running towards the elevator from a distance.

Zara held the elevator door from closing and it opened again widely.

When the guy got closer, his eyes widened when he saw both of them in the elevator. He immediately turned.

“Get in.” Harry instructed firmly.

Slowly, the guy turned back and walked into the elevator. He tapped the button of the floor he was going to.

His eyes flashed in recognition when he saw Zara. ‘Isn’t she Zara Wellington?’ He thought.

“Good… good evening, blessed couz.” He greeted Harry, almost stuttering. “Good evening, miss.” He gave her a quick smile.

“Why are you just coming?” Harry questioned.

“I… I forgot…” He raised the paper he was holding. “This. I had to go back.”

“Is everyone present already?” Harry asked.

“Yes, sir. They’re all waiting for you.” He replied immediately.

When he noticed Harry’s gaze on him, he looked down immediately, praying not to get into trouble.

“And why are you wearing crocs?”

Boom! Here comes trouble.

“My… my foot got injured so I couldn’t put on shoes.” He quickly thought of a reply.

Harry touched his forehead, he was frustrated. “Uncle should take you somewhere else for your IT. You are getting me worked up.”

“No, I’m not.” He looked up immediately. “I’ve only worked here for four months and I can tell I’m the best worker here.” He smiled at his own words.

Zara just watched silently. From the look of things, it seemed the boy was Harry’s cousin, but she hadn’t seen him before.

The elevator ding, implying that they’ve arrived the floor. It opened and they all stepped out of it.

As they approached the hall, Harry spoke up, “Don’t display your rudeness.” It was more like a warning.

She scoffed, not saying a word.

She was a bit anxious. She had never attended a board meeting before.

Her dad told her only board members could attend board meetings, but she was surprised when Harry allowed her to, despite not being a board member.

As they entered the hall, her eyes moved around, observing the people present, and she could see how they looked perplexed to see her.

While they were surprised to see her, she was surprised to see Kimberly seated amongst the board members.

She turned to her side to ask Harry what she was doing there but Harry was no longer beside her, he was already seated on the chair at the center of the end of both rows.

There was no other vacant seat and it annoyed her that he left her there standing.

All eyes were on her, probably seeing her as a clown.

‘Son of a…’

“And you are?” One of the board members asked. He was an old man, probably in his sixties, dressed in suit like everywhere else.

“She looks like Zara Wellington.” Another man said.

“She is. But I’m wondering what she’s doing here.” Kimberly spoke up.

That was the most serious, Zara had seen her been.

Kimberly moved her gaze to Harry. “What is she doing here?”

“I don’t know.” His tone was firm, Zara could tell he wasn’t trying to pull a prank on her.

She exchanged looks with his cousin who also looked shocked by what he said.

Realization suddenly dawned on her. Harry brought her there to humiliate her in front of his board members and her enemy.

“But you came in with her.” One of the men who had been quiet the whole time, spoke up.

Murmurings filled the hall immediately.

She had never been humiliated in her entire life. She felt like a sheep wandering in the midst of wolves.

If it was two years ago, Zara would brag to them about who her father was and how one phone call would ruin things for them. But now she just stared at them in silence.

She didn’t know if it was because her father disowned her, or she stopped being childish.

The noise was starting to annoy her, she couldn’t endure it anymore. She cast Harry a death glare and wanted to walk away in silence but that would be a win for Kimberly.

“Babe.” She rushed to Harry and grabbed his hands, leaving everyone stunned.

“Just because we had an argument doesn’t mean you should deny me in front of others, it is normal for couples to fight…” she pouted.

“Couples?” Almost everyone repeated.

She turned to them immediately. “Yeah, couples. Anything wrong with that?”

Ignoring their chorus reply, she turned back to Harry and leaned closer to him. “If I go out being humiliated, I swear to God, I’ll ruin you.”

He chuckled dryly. “You can’t even afford to wear a good perfume. You smell cheap.” His voice was low, only her could hear. “Ruining me would be expensive.”

Zara’s fists clenched. “This wasn’t our agreement.”

“How does it feel being humiliated in front of people?” A smirk lingered on the corner of his lips.

Realization suddenly dawned on her. “You tricked me?”

“No. We’ll go ahead with the wedding plans, but right now…” He looked away from her. “I do not know why you are here.” He said that loudly to everyone’s hearing.

“Louis.” He called.

“Yes, sir.” A guy whom she assumed to be his assistant, answered.

“Take her out.” He ordered.

She stared at him in disbelief. “Harry?”

The guy who was instructed to take her out, stood up and in no time, he was beside her.

“Miss…”

She glared at him. “Touch me, and I’ll make sure you lose this job and don’t get to work anywhere ever again.”

The guy moved back immediately and she couldn’t tell if he was frightened by her threat or he just wanted to respect her.

Without saying another word, she turned and walked out quietly.

All hope was lost and at that moment, she knew she’ll never become Zara Wellington ever again.