Chapter Thirty-Six – Business prospect.
The building had a long hallway that seemed to never end. Arya had passed by the seventh red door, as per Seth’s description.
She’d really appreciate it if he just left his office to meet her but he deemed himself busy. She exhaled tiredly.
“I’m someone with a business prospect. Shouldn’t he take me more seriously?” she mouthed.
A sound came from behind her, she turned, startled, seeing him. Did he hear her? He had a slightly stunned look so he might have.
“Hey, Arya, I’m sorry for wasting your time. I was on a call.”
Her shoulders dropped, he definitely heard her. “I don’t mind, I just wondered how many more red doors I’d meet again.”
He nodded and pointed back at a door she had passed. “My office is over there. I should have used a number to direct you. My bad.”
When Arya got closer, she realized all doors were numbered. Why did he forget that detail that would have made her work easier? Was he losing focus due to the heartbreak?
Behind closed doors, he sighed heavily, then plopped down on his seat.
They were quiet before he looked up at her. She forced a smile to hide how tensed she felt and he started speaking.
“You know, after you told me that day that you appreciated my efforts. I slacked a bit. Became, I don’t know, nonchalant.”
Arya cocked her head. That wasn’t the conversation she came for, but it sounded important to him.
Why did he think he slacked? Because Edna cheated on him?
“I don’t understand. You are here, helping your dad. I’m sure he appreciates it.” She said.
Seth shrugged. “He might, but he never shows. But things I’d do for myself, I wasn’t able to do them. I’m not that cool.”
Things he would do for himself? Did it include Edna? She cheating had nothing to do with him. She was a prostitute and in time, she was bound to show her true colors.
But Arya didn’t want to act like she was aware of what he was going through. She didn’t want Edna to be their topic subject at all.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, but knowing all the other things you actually did too, I still think you’re really cool.” She said.
A smile crawled to his lips, and he clasped his hands. “Thank you. So what did you want to talk about?”
She pushed her chair forward, thinking of how to form the words. “A business prospect. I know someone that would like a meeting with your father.”
As it left her mouth, she realized how vague that sounded.
Seth’s eyebrows raised. “Someone? Do you know what’s it about?”
Arya’s heartbeat had begun beating loudly. She didn’t want to say it’s her ‘husband’ and she didn’t know the details of what Damien wanted.
Why did he send her on such a mission without giving enough information?
“The person needed a meeting with your father concerning a business venture but was skeptical about it as he knew no one here.” She rapped.
Seth nodded slowly. “My father isn’t very open to business prospects but I could help.”
Arya nodded quickly. “Yes, that’s what he feared so asked me to talk to you, since we’re friends.” She gulped down saliva as she said the friends part.
Seth turned on his chair, picking a file. “Sure. I’d help. Who’s this person and what business is it exactly?”
Now, Arya had no clue how to reply to that. She didn’t know the business and mentioning a high ranked CEO like Damien will raise questions like ‘how do you know him?’
“Sir Damien of the Wade group of companies. My sister is a friend of his and we’re acquainted.” She said quickly.
The file on Seth’s hands dropped and he snapped his head towards Arya. “Sir Damien?”
A nod from Arya was his reply.
“And he sent you? He’s a high ranked CEO, he could have come him…. Well, I understand he doesn’t have an acquaintance here…” he trailed off, thinking.
“Yes, he sent me because he knew we are friends. I was only training to help him gain awareness.” She remarked.
Seth stared into space before scoffing. “He’s interested in working with my father now he’s a deputy governor?”
Arya wasn’t sure what he meant but she smiled.
“He’s a big fish so my father would surely forgive him.” Seth picked the file and threw it back on the table. “Monday. I’d fix a meeting with my father by Monday. Noon.”
Arya typed it down on her phone. “Sure, I’d tell him. Thank you for agreeing.”
“Of course, I will. And thank you, Arya, you are the one who helped and it means a lot.” Seth commented.
Her cheeks reddened at the compliment and she buried her nose into her phone and made an hmm sound. “Sure.”
She rose from the chair, smiling widely and made a bow to him. He stood up and did the same. “Let be walk you out.”
“No, don’t worry. I’m good.” She hurriedly said before rushing out. She slapped her beating chest as she left, telling it not to bust out of her rib cage.
Even if she couldn’t tell Seth how she felt again, she was able to get in his really good books and put a smile and sense of purpose in him, after his breakup.
What Seth said about his dad forgiving Damien still bothered her but she brushed it off, basking in her excitement.
There was more bounce in her steps as she headed to the door, feeling fulfilled but it all died down when she sighted someone walking into the building.
Edna!
“What’s she doing here?” Arya thought. “Probably to beg Seth to forgive her or something.”
A scowl came to her face, she wondered if she should let Edna see her or proudly walk off. She chose the latter.
“Hey, Arya.” Edna stopped in front of her with a blank expression.
“Yes. What?” Arya said with hooded eyes.
“You came to get something from the government house? Do you know if Seth’s around?” Edna smiled coyly.
Arya frowned. Why was she asking her when she could call or go check herself?
“I was to speak with him about a business contract at school but I left early. I did now, he’s in his office.” Arya explained moodily.
Edna peered into her eyes and relaxed. “If you left early then you didn’t hear the news.” She mused.
Arya tilted her head obviously in front of her and Edna brushed past her towards Seth’s office.
A smirk came to Arya’s face and she muttered. “I heard the news, bitch. Your days of manipulating him are ending.”