Chapter 6

Five Years Later

Briar’s POV

“Congratulations to us at Ford’s interior design for becoming a partner with the AS real estate empire. To more amazing deals ahead.” Liam announced, and the hall was filled with a round of applause. “We have no one else to thank but our hardworking Briar Smith, who took it upon herself to ensure we have an undeniable best proposal. Thank you for your resilience, Briar.” He beamed at me, gesturing for me to come forward to address everyone.

I clasped my hands together humbly as I nodded in acknowledgement at everyone who congratulated me. “Thank you for your kindness, everyone. I must say that this isn’t my doing. We wouldn’t have gotten this far if not for everyone's input.”

“You don’t have to be so humble.” One of the staff said, “You earned it.”

“Thank you,” I mumbled shyly.

Liam clapped his hands loudly, “I guess we can afford to take a break today. Refreshments have been placed in the meeting room for everyone. Let's eat and be merry, we deserve this much break.” He said, and they hollered in excitement. “Can I see you in my office for a moment, Briar?” he called out to me.

“Sure.” I nodded, following him.

He sat down on the couch with his legs crossed and a relaxed expression on his face. I know that look it is the friendly expression he makes after dropping the boss tag. In actuality, he is more of a friend than a boss, but I do my best not to take advantage of the free will he extends to me.

“Sit down.” He urged.

I cleared my throat and sat down. “Is everything okay?”

“Sure, everything is amazing. Actually, I have good news to share, which is why I called you here.” Liam said, sliding a brown envelope towards me.

I reached for it, opening it up cautiously. I read through the content and my eyes lit up in surprise. “You are letting me lead the design team for the partnership?” I asked in shock.

“Yes, I can't think of anyone else who can work next to me like you.”

“But there are other older staff,” I noted.

“None of them worked with me on the proposal for the partnership. You know how much a new idea was needed and you took it upon yourself to provide us with designs we never would have thought about.”

“Liam, I am still of the opinion that you took a huge risk displaying my ideas for that project,” I admitted.

“I have been in this game for ten years, Briar. The least I should be able to do is trust my instincts. And I wasn’t wrong. You will be the project lead and that is it.”

“I still think this is too much for me to handle.”

“How long have you been working here, Briar?” he asked in a serious tone.

I sighed, “Say four and a half years.”

“Now hear me out, in these past four years, I have seen you throw yourself into work, despite how much you have to deal with at home. It got to a point where I felt guilty that you are saddled with so much work. You think I don’t see how others delegate their tasks to you because they know whatever you present would be better? It's not just that, in the last three years you have brought in more big-paying projects than anyone. You are always ready to learn and give your best no matter how hard it might seem at the moment. If I don’t choose to work with someone like that, shouldn’t I be considered stupid?”

I blinked slowly, trying not to let the praise get to me. “That is so kind of you, Liam.”

“Believe me, I am not just saying this to make you feel good. Also, I am aware that it is your dream to own an interior décor company. This is the best thing you can do for yourself. These upcoming projects will be a career-defining moment for you. As a real estate empire as you know it is one of the leading real estate companies in the country. If we were called on board, it shows that we have the potential that others do not have. You can’t miss out on this.”

I stared down at the document again, which stated the mouthwatering incentives that would be included if I took up the job. I can already envision my life in a different light starting with this. I will no longer be a mere interior designer but a project lead. This is so surreal. Even though I had imagined this would be my truth someday, I didn’t think it would come this soon especially because of the older staff here.

Holding up a smile, I shrugged, “Well, I would be out of my mind to refuse this kind of offer. I guess I would just have to work harder to prove myself to you.”

“Now you are talking.” Liam slapped his hands together, grinning from ear to ear. “You should start getting ready then, we will be moving in the next two weeks because work has to start immediately. You can use the time to get ready while our accommodation is being sorted.”

“What?” I exclaimed. “What do you mean by moving? I thought we were to work from here.”

Liam chortled, “Stop playing with me, Briar. How do you expect to work on projects that require physical supervision from miles away? The job comes with relocation. We are moving to Atlanta, Briar.”

“What!” I blurted in complete shock.

He blinked in surprise. “What is wrong? Why would you scream like that?”

I swallowed hard, my eyes darting around the room as I tried to keep calm. “Do you mean, we are moving to Atlanta Georgia?” I queried as my palms became sweaty.

“It's only an hour plane ride from here.” He mumbled.

I froze in my seat, the words echoing in my head. No way! There is no chance that I am going back to that pit hole, in my mind, I have forgotten all about it. told myself that the memory is lost. I was certain that there would never be a chance of an encounter until my life came to a close. To think I am meant to start the life that I have dreamed of there again, in a world that has forgotten that I ever existed? Hell no! That is not going to happen.

Inhaling deeply, I clenched my fist under the table, holding Liam’s gaze who seemed totally confused. “I am sorry, Liam. I will have to decline this offer.”