A Deal with a Windsor

A stack of papers was dumped on my table and I immediately looked up to my manager staring down at me. "The meeting is in 15 minutes, go through all these and be ready for the presentation. Do not mess this up." My eyes slightly widened and I looked at the stack of papers. He cannot be serious. "I'm already handling the Anderson project, sir. This is..." He paused and slowly c****d his head to the side. "Are you talking back at me?" Using his fingertip, he shoved me back slightly, and while words danced at the tip of my tongue, I swallowed it and kept my head down. "Are you saying you cannot handle the work delegated to you? Do you want to resign?" Balling my hands into fists, I shook my head softly. "You have only 10 minutes now, Lilian, and if you mess this up, you can consider yourself fired." He stormed off afterwards and for a couple seconds, I stood frozen in my spot, glaring at his non-existent self before I sighed and plumped down on my chair. I hated everything about this work, particularly my manager who has hated me for reasons I cannot even guess. Picking up the files, I began to flip through them. Messing up was guaranteed given the time I had, but I can only hope I'd wing it perfectly. By the time my time was up, I was already in the conference room waiting for the company representatives, and I had only the basic knowledge of the deal. Shortly after, they all strutted in and I looked away to take deep breaths and muster courage. But the courage I mustered disappeared when I looked up and saw him. Axel Grey, my brother's ex best friend and my ex lover. My heart dropped to my stomach and my guts clenched so hard I thought I was going to throw up. I cannot do this presentation, someone else has to do it, but before I could protest and slip away, I saw Axel's lips stretch into a smile. His eyes were on me. "Lilian, you work here." "I do." I said with a forced smile and his eyes roamed over me in that lustful way I once loved, but now it made my skin crawl all over. "Now, I'm even more interested in what this company has to offer " And just like that, my means of escape was shut down. My manager was already giving me a look from the other end of the room. "Are we going to wait all day?" "No! Sorry, right..." I cleared my throat and turned to the projector. "The Anderson Project is..." "This is the Maximilian Project, Lilian." My manager's cold voice echoed in the room and my blood ran cold. I hadn't even started and I was already messing up. "Apologies, the Maximilian Project." I shot them a smile then proceeded to recite all I managed to get into my head within the 10-minutes framework that I was given. "Well... That is something." Axel stated when I was finally done with my presentation and I held my breath. "My team and I are going to deliberate over it, although your chances are very high, and it's all thanks to her." "That is good to hear.” My manager said in a clipped tone, “We await..." "Make sure she's at the party tonight, I might have feedback for you tonight but it depends on her presence.” He cut him short and stood up. His team mates immediately stood up as well, and while I was relieved that the presentation was not a complete mess, I knew my manager was still going to give me a mouthful for being interrupted because of me. They all began to walk out, and my manager continued to make small talk as he led them out. But Axel did not budge. Once the last person left the room, I hurriedly gathered my things, hoping to escape but he blocked my path. “Why are you acting like we are strangers?” “Excuse me?” “You heard me, Lilian. It's been 3 years since we last saw each other and this is how you act?” I slowly released a breath. Was he being serious right now? He abandoned me with no explanation to get married to an heiress and he thinks I’ll be elated to see him? “Let's not do this, Axel.” I muttered and tried to walk past him, but he immediately grabbed my arm. “It's been so long, Lilian. I miss you, I've thought of you for the past three years. I'm sorry.” His voice was low and soothing, and I hated how it made my treacherous heart melt. “And your wife?” I asked,and I held my breath, hoping he'd say something that'll make me attempt to forgive the betrayal of a lifetime. “She doesn't have to know.” It felt like I was doused with a bucket of ice cold water, but despite my chest clenching like I would pass out anytime soon, I dragged my arm out of his hold. “You are an asshole, Axel. Stay away from me.” I was already at the door when his words stopped me. “With a word, I can put an end to this deal and I know it would cost you. Are you sure you want me to stay away from you?” Taking a deep breath, I just walked away. I bumped into my manager on my way out. “About the dinner tonight, I don't think I'm going to be available. I…” “You either avail yourself, Lilian, or you can kiss the job goodbye.” He stormed off without another word, and while I stood there defeated, I caught a glimpse of Axel standing at the corner and he had the biggest smirk on his face Asshole.