Sophia’s POV:
Sasha pushed open the door to the new office set aside for Ivan. She walked in while I trailed behind her. The door shut behind me and I took in my surroundings.
Ivan sat behind his huge desk, his gaze instantly landing on me as I walked in.
Behind Ivan, stood the guy I’d come to know as his cousin.
Sasha moved to sit on the couch situated in the corner of the room while I remained standing, watching Ivan.
Ivan’s dark-blue eyes bore into me and I tried as much as possible to not cower. He’d already taken enough from me, I won’t give him anymore. I can’t believe I actually thought I liked him. Fine, he didn’t kill dad but he sure as shit wasn’t innocent. There’s no way he’d gotten everything simply on a mutual agreement, with someone who hated his guts!
I was itching to know what had happened. But how? It’s not like he would be willing to tell me his secrets or anything.
“Sit,” Ivan’s voice cut through my thoughts like a hot knife through butter as he gestured to the seat across his desk.
“There will be no need for that, just make this meeting short, I have things to catch up on,” I replied firmly.
He stared at me for a minute. “Suit yourself then,” He said finally. “You are late to work, Sophia, but that wouldn’t have been a problem if you’d just let someone know beforehand. You’ve just been appointed as the CEO, this looks bad,” He stressed.
He was right, and I hated that. But I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. “I’m here now anyway,” I said quietly as I shifted from one foot to the other. Maybe I should have just sat down, work heels could be uncomfortable.
He cocked a brow and frowned. “After you missed the K&M law firm deal and the meeting with Allegro company? You do realize that you could cost the company its clients and money if you keep this on. You will ruin everything.” He pointed out.
I scoffed, crossing my arms. “And you won’t? You stole from my father-oh, don’t give me that look. It’s true because how else did you get the majority of his shares and the board to vote you in? You didn’t think investors would be worried about our credibility and integrity with the sudden change of power? No one understands how you, who isn’t in any way related to dad, got his shares and position!” I shot back
The room was eerily quiet by the time I was done talking and I felt all three sets of their gazes on me. Ivan looked unbothered and his cousin had a hint of amusement in his eyes. What’s funny? I wanted to ask him.
The room was so thick with tension, that you could almost choke on it.
Ivan broke the silence. “I don’t care what you think, Sophia. I’ll handle the investors, all you need to do is focus on your job,” He replied, his tone infuriatingly calm. I wanted him to be as angry as I was. I had a lot to say and Ivan being calm wouldn’t give room for that. My throat tightened with the pent-up emotions I was feeling.
“And how exactly are you going to fix this? My soon-to-be father-in-law, Prince Philip, is also an investor in this company and he’s beyond furious, imagine how others feel, they might start pulling out. The media gets wind of it and our stocks will start falling, and then what? Since you’re Mr. Know it all!” I bit out.
Not to mention that Ivan stole part of the shares promised to Harry. What if his father gets angry and calls off the wedding? Phew, that would be great.
Ivan’s cousin whistled, obviously enjoying whatever issue was going on between me and Ivan. “Damn, she is fierce,” He chuckled.
Ivan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Can you be serious for once?” Then he turned to his sister, Sasha, and pointed. “Sasha will be here for two weeks, she will guide you on things you need to know as a CEO since you don’t have any experience. You can also ask her for more tips even after she’s gone back to Norway.”
Sasha stood up from the couch and walked up to me with a folder in her hand. “I already ticked out important things you’d do starting this weekend,” She says as she passes the folder to me.
But I wasn’t buying any of this, if I wanted to get more knowledge on being a CEO I could always find another way. I don’t need Ivan or his family’s help, what game was he trying to play here? Why would he want to help me?
“I don’t need her assistance or guidance, you’re wasting your time,” I said firmly.
“Sophia, you need this, trust me,” Sasha reassured.
Ivan narrowed his eyes on me. “It is not negotiable, you need this.”
My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “I can get someone else for that, why should I trust you or your sister?” I demanded.
“Soph-”
Sasha cuts Ivan off. “You can trust me, I’m only here to help, and as much as you hate Ivan, he’s trying to help too,” She said softly.
I sighed, my resolve softening. I knew she was right, I did need help, and for all my big talks, I didn’t know any other person who could guide me. Sure, I’ve heard people can hire such coaches but if the media gets to know, I can’t imagine what the headline will be. Our company has been on the news lately, and putting it out there again for something negative would be a big blow.
I turned to Sasha. “Fine. Two weeks, and nothing more.” I glared at Ivan. “And I mean it.”
Ivan leaned back in his seat, “Now that that’s settled, let’s move on. We need to get the deal with the K&M law firm back and get the CEO, Dante Allegro, to agree to another meeting with us so we can proceed with the Mall Project.”
“I can solve that myself, I know what to do,” I said defiantly, it was bad enough that he asked his sister to guide me, but looking more incompetent by depending on him for help was embarrassing.
The look he gave me was condescending. “Can you now?” He said, his tone making it obvious that he didn’t think I could handle it.
I scoffed. “Yes, I can.”
“Bozhe moy, ona takaya upryamaya,” he muttered under his breath as he massaged his temple with his index finger.
And I didn’t miss the way Sasha and their cousin(I really need to ask him his name, I think it was something S or M.) exchanged a look. Needless to say, they’ve been quietly observing us. What’s their deal anyway?
“Sidorov, the invite,” Ivan said, and his cousin-Sidorov-passed a beautifully decorated card to him. “Dante’s younger sister will be getting married next Saturday, I got the invite from her husband-to-be. You will attend that wedding and get Dante to forget today’s incident. He felt humiliated waiting for you for hours. As for K&M, I’ve spoken to them, and they’ve rescheduled the meeting for Monday, please don’t repeat your mistake.”
“Wait, I should attend the wedding alone?”
“Yes, Milaya,” He answered simply, and Sidorov coughed loudly.
My face heats up. “I told you, no more endearment.”
He ignored me. “You can’t handle it?”
I thought about it for a second. I’ve never handled men like Dante Allegro, what if I fuck up? Dad never let me attend meetings, only charity events, so I could smile at the cameras and make big donations.
“I… I just need someone to accompany me.” He looked at me like he was expecting to say something more. “I’ve never done things like this before,” I blurted out.
Sidorov pushed off against the wall. “I could come with you,” He says cheerfully. And Sasha snickered.
“No,” Ivan growled. “I will go with her.”
“YA znal eto!” Sasha exclaimed, she and Sidorov both burst into uncontrollable laughter, and I wondered what was so amusing. Was there some kind of inside joke or something?
Sidorov shook his head. “On nikogda ne oprovergayet eti obvineniya,” He smirked at Ivan.
Ivan glared at both of them. “She understands Russian, morons,” he bit out. Sasha smiled sheepishly as Sidorov seemed to be choking on air. What’s wrong with them?
Ivan looked like he was sick of those two, it was almost adorable.
Nope, not adorable. Ivan and the word ‘adorable’ don’t mix, ever. I guess that’s my cue to leave.
“If that is all, I’ll head back to my office,” I said politely. Ivan hummed in approval and turned to the door. I glanced back at Sasha. “Can you please text me, I’ll send you my schedule and you send yours so we can work something out. Thanks.”
She nodded as she smiled warmly at me. She really was beautiful and she seemed nice. I may start liking her if we work together.
As I stepped out of his office, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen.
Harry.
I wasn’t in the mood for a phone call, but I knew Harry must be worried about me. I haven’t explained anything to him and he knows his father is unhappy about the new changes.
I let out a deep breath and swiped to answer the call.