Chapter 12–The meeting
1229 Words
Chapter 12
Hazel squinted her eyes as she stretched her hands to pull the curtains close. She sat up looking around at nothing in particular. Setting down the picture frame in her hand on the night table, she walked into the bathroom.
Moments later she came out and headed for the closet. She cast a quick glance at the clock hanging on the wall. She fastened her pace significantly as she got dressed, picked her phone and made her way out.
She skipped breakfast as she immediately got into the car and headed straight for the office.
She was almost late for the appointment with the Voss Inc. today. She needed to pick some things from the office before going to the agreed meeting place.
She needed to secure this partnership, not for herself, but because Executive Lucas was expecting her to and that was a first in a long time.
She gazed out of the window as the car slowly came to a stop in front of the corporation. With brisk and purposeful steps she got out of the car and headed into the building.
-----
Voss mansion
"Mom, I'm leaving" Kyle called lightly, walking towards Evelyn.
"Oh dear, wait a minute, I'll be right back" Evelyn said as she headed to the kitchen
Kyle glanced at his watch and stood still at the spot waiting for her. Few minutes later, Evelyn emerged from the kitchen holding a thermos flask.
"Here have this, you can't go hungry. I asked your dad what you ate yesterday but he had no idea. All he does is make you work and can't even be sure to keep you well fed" Evelyn ranted on as she handed him the flask.
Kyle knew better than to reject that flask so he held it.
"You really don't need to bother about such things mom and dad doesn't make me work... I chose to" He said with a soft smile.
"Either way" Evelyn said not satisfied.
Kyle chuckled lightly
"Alright I'll be off now, mom" he said as he bent to kiss the back of her hand.
"Mum" Alex called out loudly as he walked towards them.
He kissed Evelyn on her cheek
"Bye mom" he said
Greg followed suit then Eva before they all left.
-----
Kyle walked into his office with Jason trailing closely behind him.
"I hope you haven't forgotten your meeting with the Rivera Heiress" Jason reminded as they walked in
"That's today... Came faster than I thought" Kyle mused as he settled down on his chair
"What time is it"
"10 am" Jason replied
"And you're just telling me now... " Kyle said as he checked his watch.
"Well thought you knew" Jason shrugged as he got comfortable on one of the sofas.
Kyle cast him a lazy glance before returning to the document on his table.
"Maybe keeping you here wasn't such a great choice" he said flatly
---
Hazel reviewed the proposal and finished up some work in the executive's office before glancing at her watch. She quickly packed up a few things before heading out.
She exited the company building with brisk steps, the wind gently swaying her hair. She took a glance at her phone which displayed the time on it's lock screen
"9:40 am" she muttered as she yanked open the car door, got inside and the car shot forward in a heartbeat.
Hazel drove with skilled focused. She swiveled to the right before parking her car neatly in front of the Private dining restaurant.
She walked in and got comfortable in the reserved room. Dropping her phone and bag beside her on the chair she put on her most professional look.
Time ticked by and Kyle was no where to be seen. Hazel's gaze dimmed visibly as she leaned back into the chair, her fingers danced on the table with paused rhythms.
Hazel’s fingers stilled.
She checked her watch again.
10:32 a.m.
A slow breath left her nose. She straightened in her chair anyway, smoothing imaginary creases from her skirt. If they thought being late would rattle her, they were already mistaken.
The door finally opened at 10:45 a.m.
Hazel looked up.
Kyle walked in like he owned the place. Jason trailing behind him.
No rush. No apology. Suit perfectly tailored, sleeves casually pushed up, one hand in his pocket as if he had all the time in the world. His gaze swept the room lazily before landing on her—sharp, assessing… amused.
“You must be Hazel Rivera,” he said easily, pulling out a chair and sitting without waiting for confirmation. “I expected… mature.”
Hazel blinked once then she smiled. The dangerous kind.
“And you must be Mr. Voss,” she replied coolly. “I expected… punctual.”
Jason, cleared his throat awkwardly.
Kyle chuckled. “Ah. Right to the point. I like that.”
Hazel slid the proposal folder across the table. “Then let’s not waste more time than you already have"
Kyle didn’t touch the folder.
Instead, he leaned back in his chair, eyes roaming over her face with infuriating calm. “Before that—tell me. Are you here as a representative… or as the Rivera heiress trying to reclaim relevance?” He said with amusing curiosity in his eyes
Hazel’s jaw tightened subtly. She narrowed her eyes slightly holding his gaze for a heartbeat.
She leaned forward, elbows resting lightly on the table. “I’m here because your company requested this meeting. If you intend to go full on detective mood, I suggest you do it quickly so we can proceed with actual business.”
Jason winced.
Kyle’s lips twitched. “Feisty.”
Hazel’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Competent.”
Finally, Kyle picked up the folder, flipping through it slowly—too slowly. He hummed thoughtfully, then closed it.
“Interesting proposal,” he said. “But I don’t make decisions on the first meeting.”
Hazel frowned and arched her brow ”So this meeting was for? "
“—a preliminary discussion,” Kyle said smoothly. “And we’ve discussed. Briefly.”
She straightened. “You were forty-five minutes late.”
“And you’re still here.” His gaze sharpened. “That says dedication...or desperation.”
Silence fell.
Hazel stood.
“Mr. Voss,” she said evenly, gathering her things, “Reach out to me when you learn professionalism, until then, I'll report whatever I please" she said as she flashed a smile that didn't reach her eyes
Jason opened his mouth. Kyle raised a hand.
“Relax,” Kyle said, finally standing. “I’m adjourning the meeting.”
Hazel paused, her brows raised.
“We’ll reschedule,” he said casually. “I want a clearer picture of Rivera Corp’s… internal stability.”
Her eyes flashed. “Then next time, show up on time.”
Kyle stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough. “Next time, Miss Rivera… don’t come in assuming you’re the one in control.”
Hazel met his gaze, unflinching.
“Oh, trust me,” she said quietly, tilting her head dangerously “I never assume.”
She walked past him without another glance, heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Kyle watched her leave, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
Jason exhaled. “You did that on purpose.”
Kyle smirked faintly.
“Of course.”
- Writer
