Chapter 18

Adrian’s POV

“I am certain you are not deaf, Miss Smith. Get out of this room right now?” I growled at Briar.

Briar blinked rapidly, her face flushed like she had been running. “S…sir, pardon my lateness please. It won’t happen again.”

“That is the usual excuse, but we both know people like you would always make it happen again. What do you think this place is? A marketplace? Somewhere you can just breeze in and out as you please?” I queried.

“Sir, Briar is not like that,” Liam spoke up. “She called earlier to inform me of an emergency she had to attend to. Please sir. She is not the type to disrespect her workplace. Please.” He pleaded so passionately that it made me uncomfortable.

Both of them kept sharing glances as if exchanging inner thoughts. I couldn’t get a wink of sleep last night all because of Briar. This morning I intentionally had my schedule changed just so I could be here to see her and figure out if she is still holding onto her string of lies about her true identity. Only to find her absence.

Clenching and unclenching my fist, I tuttered. “This had better be the last time! I do not take sloppiness lightly. This company was built on the hard work and perseverance of many people. I won’t have someone come from nowhere to trample upon the legacy.” I warned.

Briar nodded firmly, “Thank you, sir.” She sniffed, taking her seat.

“So where did we stop?” I asked, glancing discreetly at her. She and Liam smiled at each other and the color on her face returned. Is there something between them?

“We were looking at the furniture materials, sir.” Someone replied.

I flipped the proposed page for the furniture. There was a uniqueness to it that was quite surprising. “Who suggested cotton blends for the furniture materials?” I asked. Someone cleared their throat causing me to raise my head a little.

Briar raised her hand slightly. “It was me, sir. I also thought the color should be neutral. That way it blends with all the moods.”

I stayed quiet for a moment before letting out a scoff. “How does someone who has not been able to provide an apt design proposal for the lounge, know what appropriate material to use for furniture?” I queried and her face fell in response making me feel a sense of victory.

“Sir, I already have three different unique propositions for you. You turned them all down.”

“That is because they are trash just like this one. I have doubts about your expertise.”

“I am good at my job.” She said through clench tweth, a flash of anger in her eyes.

Excitement bubbled inside me. Yes, Briar. Express who you truly are.

“Not from what I am seeing.” I flipped the document away from me.

“Sir, Briar actually made most of the suggestions that you have approved so far,” Liam interjected.

That caught me off guard a little, but it only took a second for me to bounce back.

“Mr Ashford, are you saying I am blind?” I questioned.

He sighed, “That is not what I mean sir.”

“If you do not have anything tangible to say, stay out of it. This is my company and I put in a lot of work for us to be considered valuable. I do not subscribe to mediocre works and she is doing exactly that.”

“She is our best hands, sir.”

“Maybe to you. Not me.” I cleared my throat loudly. “I want Miss Smith off the other projects until she proves to me that she can handle the one with her right now.”

“What?” Briar blurted. “Why would you do this? I haven’t done anything wrong.” She defended.

I got up. “The fact that you think like that, is enough to know what you are. This meeting is over. I will let you know if I have any other ideas, Mr Ashford.” I said, walking out of the room while her eyes burned into my back.

Since she has chosen to act indifferent, two can play. I will see how long she can endure this phase because I do not plan to make her stay here any easier. If she won’t admit to knowing me, then she doesn’t deserve to work here.

“Welcome sir. Mr Eric is in your office.” Anita announced when I arrived at the office.

I sucked my teeth loudly. “What is he doing here this early? What is my schedule like?”

“You don’t have a meeting until after lunch and you will be having dinner with one of the investors who arrived today.” She replied.

“I hope they are comfortable at the hotel?”

“Yes sir. We ensured they got premium treatment.”

“Alright then. Keep me posted.” Heading towards the door, I paused abruptly. “Anita?”

“Yes sir.”

“When Miss Smith, comes to submit another design proposal tell her to do another one. Don’t bother to show it to me.” I instructed.

“But sir….”

“What? You have something to say?”

She swallowed with difficulty, shaking her head. “Not at all, sir.”

“I didn’t think so.” I kissed my teeth. “Eric, do you not have a job? Why are you always here?” I grilled him as soon as I walked in.

He spread his arms proudly. “This is why you should own a chain of luxury department stores. Allows you a lot of time on your hands.”

I cursed inwardly. Eric never misses the opportunity to brag to my face about how much time his job allows him despite being the CEO, which annoys me. I believe that he definitely has more work to do to keep things running smoothly. But the bastard insists he decides if he wants to have enough time or not.

“You should still be busy at least. Have a meeting to attend or anything at all?” I insisted.

“Well, I do have a meeting.” Eric held up a stupid grin. “With you.”

I inhaled sharply, glaring at him. “You are taking too much advantage and I do not appreciate it. Do you think you can just waltz in and out as you please?”

He bobbed his head along like I was singing to his ears. “Definitely! That is exactly what I think.”

“I am going to break you into pieces I promise.”

“What ant crawled up your butt this morning. Why are you so upset?”

“Briar.”

Eric chortled. “What is it this time?”

“She is holding out stronger than expected and that is getting on my nerves.”

“Well, you did start this game. You shouldn’t get tired now.”

“She started it first. Playing dead and appearing alive years later is a fucking deadly and stupid game.”

“Really, Adrian. I think you two need time to talk.”

“How do I talk to someone who already erased me from her life?”

“Maybe show her that you know what the truth is and if it's okay if she tells you what really happened?”

I threw a dismissive hand. “It’s of no use. It’s not like I am in love with her. I can live my life on my own. I just feel cheated, that's all.”

“Really, Adrian? Don’t you love her? A woman you mourned for five years?”

“It is called guilt, Eric. Pure guilt. Now that I know she is alive, I guess I can get her out of my mind.”

Eric had a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You are not good at lying.” He said.

“Burn to the ground.” I hissed. “What the hell are you here for?”

“I want to expand. I need a mall. You will be handling the project.”

“You want a whole mall to yourself? Just for your store?” I had to ask.

Eric snickered at me. “I don’t want to believe you are slow. I will own the mall and of course, the store will be in it, including other business ventures. I just want to have full ownership of it.”

“Are you trying to delve into real estate?” I thinned my eyes at him.

“Are you scared I might be an undefeatable competitor?”

“Don't get ahead of yourself. Send your details to the usual route, I will see what I can do.”

“I am putting it right on your table, asshole.” Eric hissed, reaching for a file on top of the small pile I have on my table. Staying quiet for a while as he flips through. “Damn! Whose design proposal is this? I like it.” He said. “Actually, I love it. This could work for that resort you are working on.”

I furrowed my brow, reaching for the file. I kissed my teeth at it, dumping it back on the table. “Don’t bother about it.”

“Why not?”

“It’s one of the design proposals Briar submitted and I turned it down.”

“Why? She did well.”

I turned a blank gaze at him. “She should do great. I refuse to make this easy for her.” I fumed.

Eric gasped, shaking his head. “You are one cold bastard! I bet you haven’t had breakfast.”

“What has that got to do with anything?”

“Just enough to know why you are bitter.”

“Leave my office!” I yelled at him.

“I was just leaving.” He retorted, giving me the middle finger as he walked away.

My eyes lingered on the document again and I felt guilt envelop me. I shouldn’t let my personal interest mix with business. But then, she stepped into my business first. This could be my cheat pass. I am not backing down soon. Let’s see who breaks first.