Chapter 4
Kira stared at me in anticipation. Her eyes shone as if she just won the lottery.‘We already talked about this a lot of times babe, I am not just cut out for this outing shit, okay?’‘But you need to unwind Lexi, you need to let off some steam,’ Kira whined.‘I can do that by going over some of the projects I have at hand, I will get over this engagement thing in no time.’‘You really won’t get out of this room, right?‘I am so sorry to disappoint you,’ I looked at her and gave her the most apologetic expression I can muster. She smiled as if nothing happened and pulled me into a hug.‘Since you don’t want to leave this house, then I would just have to stay my angel then, right?’ She mused and a sigh left my lip as I wrap my arms around her.‘So, what is it you are doing?’ She sounded excited and her eyes shone as she stares at me.‘I need to come up with some awesome designs that I would submit to ABM industries, they want me to do the interior designing of their new office,’ I scrunch up my face, this is going to take me days to figure out since this is the first time, I would be decorating a company.‘And have you got any samples yet?’ The concern in Kira's voice wasn’t hidden. She knew how sad I would be if I didn't get the samples submitted in time.‘I am looking up some designs online and blending them. Hopefully, before this week runs out, I would have come up with great decorations to present to them.’‘What can I help you with, she leaned closer to look over my shoulder. Those look outstanding.’‘You think so?’ The frown on my face deepens as I stared at the white and blue intricate design. It fascinated me, but I don't think the company would want something like this.Kira shook her head next to me. She must have guessed my thoughts. ‘The colours are too bright, but I am not talking about that. I am talking about the design. You can incorporate it into your sample and use dull colours for it,’ she suggests.‘That is a great idea babe,’ she beamed at my word. ‘I will send that to my list and assemble them later.’She nodded her head and swiped to the next design. We buried our heads in it, trying to figure out what goes where and putting ideas together.It is a great thing I decided to use my skills as an interior decorator to help get my dad’s company back on its feet since I know nothing about construction. I suspect it is the reason most companies refuse to invest in us. Though I’ve put aside my passion just to learn the important stuff that can help us get an investor, I fear without a good team to deliver what we are offering, getting an investor would bring us nothing.A knock at the door brought our attention back to the outside world, and I frowned. Mom wouldn't be back from her store.‘I will get the door,’ Kira quickly offered and got up from the floor while I continue with the task at hand.‘Mrs Cornell,’ I heard Kira say, and I frowned.‘Kira! How are you?’ Mom greeted as she walked into the room, her gaze everywhere but mine. ‘What are you two doing in there all day? It has been two hours since I came back, and this is 9 P.M.’My gaze flew to the clock on the wall, and I gasp. No way!When I lifted my gaze to look at Kira, her expression mirrored mine. We were so stunned to find out we have been working on the design for 6 hours straight.‘I didn't know you are here; I would have knocked sooner to let you know it was late already,’ mom took in her bottom lip, a habit that lets you know she is feeling sorry for not doing something at the right time. ‘I thought Lexi wasn't home, or she was asleep, so I didn't bother to knock until dinner was ready.’‘We are working on some designs. I guess we must have been so invested in it.’ Kira beamed a smile at her. ‘I better call mom to let her know I will stay over here.’‘Don’t worry, I will call her for you. You two should come down for dinner before going back to work, okay?’ With that, she pulls out her phone and left the room without sparing me a glance and it hurt.My mum never avoided me before, but I guess our unresolved dispute is keeping her from talking to me. As if reading my mind once again, Kira frowned at me and sigh.‘You should talk to her,’ she plops down beside me and gently ruffle my hair. ‘She is going to kill herself with guilt if you don't talk to her.’‘But she is the one in the wrong here, yet she chooses not to talk to me,’ I protested.‘Can't you see she is feeling guilty for hiding such a big thing from you and she believe you are angry at her, so she doesn’t dare to say a word to you?’I scoffed and almost laughed at her. Mom hasn’t cared about my feeling for a while now, why would she care about what or how I feel now? That isn’t like her at all.‘Promise me you will talk to her and let her know you are happy for her,’ Kira bumped my shoulder, her eyes fixed on me.‘Okay.’‘No, that won't do. I need your word,’ she insisted.‘Fine, I promise to talk to her but not now,’ I affirmed. ‘I need to clear my head and gather my thoughts before speaking to her.’‘That will do, as long as I have your word,’ She beamed, now let's go eat before getting back to work.I drop my laptop on the table and shut it down gently before walking out of the room with her, we arrived just as mom finished setting up the table.She looked up and beam at us, I could sense her itching to say something, but she swallowed her word.‘Thank you, mom,’ I said to ease her nervousness and her eyes lit up.‘You welcome, baby,’ this time her smile was as bright as the sun.Chapter 5 Dinner was splendid, mom and I were able to converse well though none of us mentioned what happened in the morning.I guess we didn't want to ruin the happiness, so we kept that aside and enjoyed the meal.‘We have to go back to the designs, Kira,’ I reminded Kira who wasn't ready to stop talking about the new movie she just watched.‘Oh!’ Her eyes dimmed as she looked down at the plates on the table. ‘Let's get this into the kitchen and wash them then,’ she got up from her seat.‘It’s okay, you girls can get back to work, I will do the dishes,’ mom was on her feet, but I stopped her.‘We would do the dishes, you just go in and get some rest, okay?’ She looked at me and I knew she wanted to say something but decide against it.Kira and I packed the plates and cutleries and headed into the kitchen.‘I am glad you talked to her, even though you said nothing about the engagement,’ I could feel her smile, so I smiled in return. ‘I told you I will talk to her but not now. Beside
Chapter 6 Kira's car stopped in front of the extensive building exactly ten minutes before nine.‘You are one hell of a reckless driver,’ I scowled at her, but she shrugged her shoulder. ‘At least, my reckless driving got you here in time for your meeting,’ she unstrapped her seatbelt and got out of the car after me.‘I'll go in now. You should get to work before your boss screams off his head.’A ghost of a smile brightens up her features, and she pulled me into a hug.‘You've got this girl. Go show them what you are made of and win the deal, okay?’I shook my head–smiling. ‘Thank you, babe.’ I pulled out of her grasp and turn to make my way into the company.Having just a few more minutes to get to meet the CEO, I ran as fast as I can toward the elevator, my feet propelling me forward over the marble floor of the company’s lobby. With my gaze fixed on the door of the elevator, I silently pray for a car to stop on this floor as soon as I reach the metal door.To my relief, the door
Chapter 7Six, seven, eight...I counted the second between each number change in the elevator indicator on my mind. That is how I preoccupied myself after I moved away from Mr green.It didn't make sense but at least it helped me focus on why I was here in ABM in the first place. I made it my mission to figure out how many seconds or minutes it takes for the elevator to get to each floor.Ten seconds for each floor.The irony of the situation is that I couldn't get away from him even though we aren't close, I could feel his gaze on me this whole time, his scent filled the elevator as if it was out to taunt me and remind me that I am in an enclosed space with a man that is out of my league.His presence deterred me from my mission, but I forced myself to pretend he didn't have any effect on me. I offered a quick thanks to God the moment the elevator stopped on the last floor.I was out of the car as soon as the door slid open, attempting to escape him before I do anything I would regre
Chapter 8‘Lexi,’ his husky, implacable voice pulled me out of my daze, and a deep frown marred my head.How did he know my name?Then I remembered that he’d scheduled this meeting with me, which means he must have found out everything about me beforehand. My brain lurched back into action when I recalled his greeting.Without looking at him, I greeted him, tilting my head a little.I felt his gaze slide over my profile, but I kept my attention trained on the file in front of me. My heart was racing in my chest, my stomach quivering madly until I was forced to start twisting the button on the wrist of my right sleeve.‘Shall we begin?’ He asked. The question wasn’t directed at me, but his gaze didn’t leave my face.The management team leader gets up and started to brief everyone on what the meeting was all about. Due to the bankruptcy my father faced over his company, I didn’t get the chance to go to college so I took online classes on interior designing to he Apparently, my job is to
Chapter 9 Aziz Mustafa, I repeated the name in my mind.Not only was I fantasizing about someone that could never be mine, but I also just met and had a meeting with someone out of my league.‘I know what you are thinking?’ He said, effortlessly putting a stop to my thought.‘What?’‘Your face gave everything away, you are thinking. What does a man so powerful and rich want with me?’ His face was impassive, it was hard trying to figure out what he was thinking.‘If I should tell you that isn’t what I am thinking, then you would know it is a lie.’ I swallow hard. ‘So, I would like you to tell me what it is you want.’Schooling my face, I looked into his eyes and tried to keep my emotion at bay. He had seen into me in ways that even my mother never did, and I would not let him see anymore.‘Now, that is exactly why I handpicked you for this job,’ a smile graces his lip briefly and then it was gone.‘Handpicked? That means the meeting wasn’t necessary.’ My confusion was apparent in my vo
Chapter 10I tossed and turned on my bed for the umpteenth time, my mind filled with his words.‘I need your help, and I need you.’He didn’t elaborate on exactly what he needed my help with but the deep meaning behind those who didn’t go unnoticed. He sounded like he was in trouble and desperately need someone to save him and that is what confuses me the most.What kind of power do I have? How can I help him? Why did he choose me of all the sophisticated ladies that would die to worship him?‘Argh, fuck it,’ I cursed, getting down from the bed. Sweat covered my whole body, soaking through my flimsy nightgown. I felt feverish suddenly as I made my way to the bathroom to have the sixth shower tonight. His words refused to leave my thoughts. Weighing down on me, the more I try to shove it aside.‘What the heck is that supposed to mean?’The cool water hit me hard, grinding my teeth as I forced myself to stay under it just to get my temperature under control. I slid down to the ground, r
Chapter 11 The sun was up in the sky when I woke up the next day. Since I had nothing to do for the day, I took my time getting out of bed and crawling my way into the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a quick shower before hitting the gym. I stared at myself in the mirror and sigh at plain Jane staring right back at me. Every day, I am reminded I am nothing without my smart brain. That was the only appealing part of me. Except that isn't true… My subconsciousness hit me hard and with a sigh, I pull my gym suit on. The shrill sound of my phone grabbed my attention and I moved away from my wardrobe to answer whoever is calling. ‘Lexi,’ Kira’s voice filled my ear as soon as I swiped the green button. ‘How was the meeting?’ I am sorry I was too busy to call you,’ I can’t tell my best friend my head had been in a mess yesterday because of a certain CEO. I know, so how was it?’ Always the impatient one. ‘It went well, babe,’ I decided to play with her a little. ‘And?’ That’s Ki
Chapter 12 ‘Hi Lexi,’ Nathan Smith greeted me as I walked into his gym. ‘Hey Nathan, how is business faring lately?’ I greeted with a nod of my chin. ‘It was great. I am grateful to people like you who wouldn't stop coming back,’ he grinned at me before walking off to attend to one of his customers. I had been drawn to Nathan the first time I saw him, and it wasn’t romantic. The way he carried himself with confidence and kept pushing to succeed even if he was only just a gym owner. His positivity helped me as well, he has just rented this place out to start building his dream when we met, and we clicked as friends at once. He is married with two kids, and he gave me the honour of meeting his beautiful wife and kids. I was the first client to ever visit his gym because back then, I had a bloaty stomach and I wanted to cut back on some fat a little. So, I registered with him, and he put me through rigorous exercises to help me achieve my goal. He didn't know what to name his gym a