The white lights enveloped the conference room as opinions were offered and decisions were made. Zayn was in his comfort zone, one hand casually resting on the arm of the chair and the other clicking a pen repeatedly. His eyes worked fast in line with his mind, thinking about the pros and cons of every suggestion made. Sometimes, he scribbled something down, but most times, his almost perfect memory made it dispensable.
Mia, on the other hand, had a perfectly written minute, her hands moving fast against the keypad of her computer, and her eyes never missing a thing. She was already the longest secretary that had ever worked for Zayn, and he had to admit that she was great at her job. That made things a whole lot easier for him.
The stakeholders seemed fine with the progress report, until they brushed a subject Zayn didn’t want to compromise on. They suggested that one of them should head the market review and analysis over there, as well as the financial department, since they had been with the conglomerate for quite some time.
“I don’t think that will be possible,” Zayn said, scooting to the edge of his seat. “I already got someone to fill that role. I’m sure you all understand that one of my veto powers includes determining who to run certain aspects of the company. You can only make suggestions.”
“If none of us here is going to take up that responsibility, it would be appreciated if you could tell us the identity of the person doing it.” An older man, with white hair and smart eyes said on behalf of all the other stakeholders. He had always acted like their spokesperson in situations like that because they all feared Zayn and didn’t want to get on his bad side.
“Of course, Mr. Wellington. We are all going to find out when we have our official launch in Hong Kong. You all would be expected to be there because you know how much you mean to Graham Conglomerate. And it’s also going to be a big celebration to make a statement. I was thinking of a charity event or a casual dinner. But that is the only time you would get to meet the team, especially the person handling the market analysis.”
Zayn got on his feet and looked around. “I guess that’s all for now. Thank you for coming and for waiting when I had to unavoidably run late.” Nodding in acknowledgment, he retrieved his phone from the glass table, grabbed his iPad, and walked briskly out of the room, heading straight to the first floor. His head was down, with all focus on his phone as he informed William he was done with the meeting. But as the ding of the elevator sounded and Zayn made his way out, he bumped into someone, who rather than jump back in fright as most people would, still stood in his face.
“You should look where you are going!” She snapped, her mass of pretty red curls moving as she spoke. “You could have pushed me into a wall.”
Zayn recognized that voice. He took a step back and sighed when he saw who it was. “Really? You suck at putting up an act. It was terrible all those years ago, and it is still terrible. Get out of my way.”
He started to walk around her, but she raced after him immediately, her perfectly manicured nails digging into his skin as she tried to hold on to his arm. Zayn shook her off immediately, and she fell to the ground, wincing slightly. If it had been any other person, perhaps, he would have felt the slightest bit of pity. But Zayn felt nothing as he watched her crumpled form on the floor. Now that he thought about it, Zayn wondered what he had seen in her all those years that made him believe that he could be with her even though he wasn’t in love with her, that he could toss away the idea of casual sex since she seemed open to the idea as well.
“I don’t know what you think you are doing in my building, but this should be the last time I see you within these walls.”
“Please,” she gasped. “You haven’t seen me in the past three years. You should at least hear what I have to say.”
“I heard you loud and clear three years ago, Jada. And honestly, I’m not interested in talking to you. Now get lost.”
Jada got off the ground, dusting her short pink dress that seemed to contrast quite wildly with her hair. But she was a stunner and everyone who knew her was well aware of that. Jada turned heads everywhere she went, and Zayn guessed it was one of the reasons she loved hanging on his arm. It boosted her image on social media.
“Do you think you can get rid of me that easily, Zayn?”
“Are you really going to threaten me?”
She blinked rapidly and the determination in her face crumbled. “I missed you so much, and I…I have been in rehab recovering from an addiction. I had to have some release and…”
Zayn pressed a finger to his temple and sighed exasperatedly. “That is none of my business. Don’t you get it?”
William must have been waiting outside for a while because he suddenly appeared in the hallway, his gaze moving from Jada to Zayn before casually stepping in between them. “Sir, we have to be somewhere as soon as possible.”
“Let’s go,” Zayn breathed, giving Jada one last look before turning away. “And on our way out, can you please tell the doorman not to let her in ever again? I’m scared she would seduce one of my clients and I would have to clean up her mess. It wouldn’t be any hassle, but I don’t want to have to help her in any way.”
William nodded in understanding and walked ahead of him, getting Zayn’s instruction to the doorman before the duo stepped out under the night skies.