Chapter2-The confrontation
1456 Words
Julia's fingers tightened around her phone as she stared at the screen. The call had ended but Loyd Kingston’s words still echoed in her ears like a threat.
“I always get back what's mine.”
She breathed out loudly, trying to shake off the heavy weight in her chest. He was just another arrogant businessman, one used to snapping his fingers and the whole world bows to his feet.
Well, she wasn't about to let him intimidate her.
She ran her hands through her hair and turned to the suitcase sitting on her bed. This was supposed to be a minor inconvenience, something we could sort out easily, but well thanks to one annoying disrespectful man it had to turn into a full-blown conflict.
With a sigh, she moved to dial the airline again.
Then she heard a knock at her door.
It was sharp and demanding.
Her breath caught.
She froze.
“It is probably nothing,” she thought to herself.
“Housekeeping perhaps”, she thought.
But then she heard another knock, louder this time, whoever was at the door was surely impatient.
She felt butterflies in her stomach.
The air in the room suddenly felt heavy with her pulse pounding in her ears. She took a hesitant step towards the door and when the third knock came, harder and firmer, she swallowed and reached for the handle.
With a deep breath, she unlocked and pulled the door open.
She saw a man.
Tall, broad-shouldered, and radiating an effortless authority. He stood in the hallway like he owned everywhere he set his foot. His sharp navy blue suit clung to his lean, exuding wealth and control. His chiseled jaw was set tight with a storm brewing in his mossy green eyes.
For a second Julia forgot how to breathe.
This was the man who didn't wait and didn't take no for an answer. And he is now standing at her door.
He moved his eyes past her, around the room scanning it up to when he landed on the suitcase inside the room, his teeth gritted in anger.
“I told you, I would find you,” he spoke with a calm soothing tone but with a pinch of anger.
Before she could react, or even think, he moved.
He walked into her room casually, making himself comfortable as if it was his own space.
Julia turned around quickly, her heart racing.
“What do you think you are doing?” she asked
Loyd didn't answer, he moved swiftly towards the suitcase, with his presence sucking air out of the room.
She stepped forward grabbing his arm. “Excuse me. You can't just…”
He turned his head slowly with his piercing eyes locking into hers.
“Watch me,” he said.
Then before she could protest, he flipped open the suitcase. He was precise and intentional. He critically scanned through his belongings making sure they were as expected.
“Okay,” he nodded his head
Julia expected him to then grab his things and leave. But instead, he reached out to her suitcase and picked out one of her folders.
His expression changed as he perused through the pages inside.
And then he laughed. A low disbelieving chuckle that sent chills down her spine.
He then looked up again and he stared sharply at her.
“Well, well,” he murmured, stepping closer to her, making her feel uncomfortable.
Julia stiffened.
“ I don't think this mix-up was an accident, Ms. Grey.”
He said
Her breath caught in her throat.
“What?” She said with her eyes wide open
But before she could form a response, he took another step forward, dominating the space around him.
“Tell me, did you plan this?” He asked with a dangerously low voice.
Julia’s head pulled back slightly, her eyes widening.
“Are you insane? Why would I plan this?”
She spoke while moving away from him.
Loyd didn’t move, didn’t blink, his stare was persistent and the weight of his presence pressed down on her like a physical force.
“People have done worse for less, “ he said smoothly, holding up her folder between his fingers.
“And considering the convenient way we ended up with each other’s belongings, it’s worth questioning, don’t you think?” He added.
Julia nodded her head in disbelief, resisting the urge to snatch the folder out of his hands.
“You are unbelievable,” she said.
“Are you defensive?” He asked with a mix of amusement and scrutiny.
“Am annoyed “, she replied
“Annoyed that I had to deal with this baggage mess, annoyed that you barged into my room like you own the place, and more annoyed that you dare to accuse me of scheming this whole situation” she elaborated
“So, tell me why would I plot this? “
“To steal your overpriced suits?” she asked with a calm low tone.
He smirked as if daring her.
“No, I think you are much smarter than that,” he said while tapping her folder on his palm.
“Oh well thank you for knowing that,” Julia replied with her hands crossed.
Then Loyd stepped closer again, reducing the distance between them and Julia held her ground, pretending not to show him how much his closeness made her feel unsettled.
“These business strategies are impressive,” he said while lifting the folder.
“You don't just have good ideas, Ms.Grey, you have brilliant ones.” He said while looking her straight in the eyes.
“And yet, you are not in the big leagues. I wonder!” he added.
For a moment, Julia’s eyes revealed a deeper feeling, then she veiled it with a look of irritation, her jaw then clenched.
“That's none of your business “ she roared.
Loyd hummed.
“Fine, I'll stop assuming you planned this,” he said as he tossed the folder onto the bed.
“Just like that?” she asked with her eyes narrowing suspiciously
He raised an eyebrow and gave a small shrug, “For now” he said
Julia breathed a sigh of relief
“Beautiful. Now, if you are done making your wild accusations, you can pick your things and…”
Before she could finish, he interjected.
“I have a proposal,” he said
“A what!” she responded with disbelief
Loyd put his hands in his pockets, with his eyes fixed on her, watching her closely, and he asked,” You want your suitcase back?”
“Obviously!” she replied.
“Then let’s negotiate” he added
“What?!” she said with her eyebrows raised.
“Are you seriously holding my belongings hostage?” she asked.
“Have dinner with me” Loyd said
Julia stared at him, very sure that she had misheard
“Excuse me?” she replied with a low tone while blinking her eyes endlessly in confusion.
“You heard me”, his voice was smooth and unbothered. One might think this was a business transaction rather than a ridiculous demand.
Julia laughed.
“Let me get this straight, you are refusing to give me back my suitcase unless I have dinner with you?”
Loyd leaned against the desk, seemingly relaxed.
“Am simply offering a mutually beneficial exchange and you seem like a woman who appreciates a good deal.”
“I also seem like a woman who doesn't have time for this nonsense”
He smirked,” yet here we are”
Julia inhaled deeply, trying to push down her frustration.”Why?”
“Because you intrigue me, Ms. Grey.” A slow deliberate statement.
The air in the room felt heavier, charged with something unspoken.
“You don't know me,” she muttered
Loyd’s eyes moved down to the folder and then back to her. “Maybe not yet.”
Julia exhaled slowly.
“Fine,”
“One dinner, then we never have to speak again,” she said
His eyes lit up with a bit of victory
“Smart choice,” he said
Julia snatched her folder and placed it in her bag.
“Don't push your luck, Kingston.”
Loyd laughed and then turned toward the door. But just before he could step out, he looked back at her and said,” By the way Ms.Grey”
She quickly turned and looked at him in anger without saying a word.
His smile deepened
“I always push my luck”
After saying that, he walked out, leaving Julia standing there with her heart screaming that she had just made a very dangerous deal.
- Writer
