Chapter 13: A stranger, a friend?

Nadia's POV.

"Wait, give me another chance, please. I can make it right. Give me another chance..." I yelled out, as I ran after them, out of the room and into the walkway, but stopped running when I realized they were nowhere to be seen.

I couldn't let them go.

I had to convince them. I didn't want to lose. No!

My fingers ran into my hair as I pulled on my strands, biting my lips with frustration.

"What was I going to do? What the hell was I going to do?"

I mumbled under as I paced out of the walkway, my eyes roaming through the doors, my mind guessing on which one to knock on.

Soon I was in a busy hall in the midst of people who were busy with their steps, going to and fro.

Where was I going to find them now?

Walking briskly without direction, my shoulder brushed against someone else's, so hard that I stumbled back, the platform heels that I wore losing their balance, causing me to fall on the person behind me.

"Ah!" I groaned as I felt a sharp pain slice through my ankle.

"Are you okay?" A masculine voice queried as I felt firm hands on my arms.

"Yes, yes. I'm fine. I'm fine." I sputtered, trying to regain my balance, but then noticed that the box of foundation I held in my hand had fallen on the floor and broken into tiny pieces, its contents spilling all over the floor.

"What the hell?" I barked as my hand returned to my hair.

"What have you done?" I groaned as my eyes ran to the person who I had stumbled into.

"Me?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowed. "Yes you, you pushed me and broke my bottle, do you know how much it costs?" I snapped, my voice dragging the attention of passersby.

"You ran into me, fell on my body, literally lost grip of your little makeup and broke the bottle. I was only concerned to ask you if you were fine," he said in his defense and I groaned, clenching my fist.

"You little piece of..." I bit hard on my lower lip to trap the remaining words.

"You are going to pay for this. You are going to pay... for breaking this bottle. For destroying the foundation." I said, walking away, but then he grabbed me by the arm, pulling me back.

"Are you okay?" We locked eyes and I felt a sudden wave of irritation sweep through me.

"You're limping, did you sprain your ankle?" "Do I look fine to you? Dude, it's none of your business, let me go!" I tried to wiggle free, but he held me still.

"I said, fucking let go of me!" I snapped, pushing him away, making our spectators gasp and murmur amongst themselves.

"You ran into me, pushed me, made me sprain my ankle and then made me lose grip of the container in my hand, causing it to fall, breaking into a thousand pieces and spilling the foundation all over the floor." I scorned, my voice dripping with disdain.

"And you think I am okay? I came here to deliver this foundation. I came here to convince them to buy, but they didn't.

They pushed it back at my face and cancelled the deal." My breathing had become hitched as the pain in my ankle began to flare to the rest of my leg.

"I am going to lose my job and I am going to lose my chance at ever winning. Are you happy now? Huh?" I brawled, not giving a damn about the people watching us.

"I know, I know... I look like I'm yelling like a deranged woman, so just get the fuck away from me," I spat, walking away, but he still held on to my arm.

"I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry your bottle of makeup got broken, I'm sorry you sprained your ankle, and I'm sorry you're having a bad day," he apologized, his voice now gentle.

"I can help. I will pay for the damages, for the makeup thing, I just need you to calm down," he said as he finally let go of my arm.

I tried to relax my arms and slow down my breathing. "Pay for the damages?" I scoffed, straightening my dress.

"Okay, I will help you sell the foundation to whatever clients you are here to sell them to. You are trying to convince them, right? I will help you convince them and get them to buy your product," he offered and I raised a brow.

I could swear I heard mockery in his voice. Was he trying to taunt me? I was in no mood for any bullshit.

"Help me? You're wasting my time, get out of my way." I tried to dismiss, but he was persistent.

"Okay, listen to me, lady. I know we don't know each other, but I'm trying to make up for the damage I caused." He breathed heavily, punching the bridge of his nose.

"Well, my elder sister has been scolding me for not taking responsibility. So today, right here, right now, I want to take responsibility for making you sprain your ankle and causing your makeup container to break. Allow me to help you." He offered.

"At least it will be win-win on both our sides." He added and I furrowed my brows.

Who the fuck is this guy?

What made him so certain that he could help me?

"So... Who are you trying to sell to? Why are you here?" He said, looking around, stepping away from me, and his eyes seemed to have dispersed the crowd.

"Roberto..." I breathed. "The board members of the Roberto enterprises." His olive-brown eyes flickered with something bright but disturbing, but then, it disappeared as soon as it came.

"I want to convince them to seal a deal. Can you help me?" I asked, my voice pleading.

Who was I kidding? He was a total stranger. How was he supposed to help me seal the deal after I already messed things up?

"You know what? Never mind. I'll find my way out." I said, walking away, but his voice stopped me in my tracks.

"I know the lady, the blonde who you had the meeting with, she's my boss," he said and I turned to face him.

"I can put in a word and make her see reasons why she should give you another chance, that's if you let me."

C'mon, Nadia. Why wasn't I saying anything?

I needed help and there it was... In a white shirt, black jacket and pants, with deep brown eyes and black hair.

What could go wrong? Not like it could get any worse.

"Okay fine... Help me." I finally gave in and watched his expression lighten.