The Billionaires Crush

Episode 6

"How could you Nathan? I mean I've mentioned staying clear of anything related to the Anderson Group but went ahead and accepted this contract without my input. I shouldn't have trusted you all and left you to your own devices." Zelia said. She had received the contract and when she heard of the payment, she was willing to come back to Accraville despite the odds. This contract will help her children's health. The medical bills were piling up and the city would give them better health care, especially Layla who apart from her night blindness was now experiencing changes in her ability to perceive colours.

"I knew you needed the money and the push. I'm sorry but if we breach the contract now we have a lot to pay. Moreover, they are paying enough for you and the kids for a long time." Nathan had been working with her since the company started. He unlike her had travelled to Japekrom to experience new things and was more than happy to help her expand her company. Facing the Anderson building, Zelia breathed in and out. "Fine but we are stopping immediately anything goes south." Upon arrival, they informed the receptionist of their purpose and they were directed to the conference. No one had arrived so they sat at the left side of the seat. The conference room was large with opened windows providing a view of the city skyline. Zelia couldn't shake off the uneasiness about the Anderson Group and fear of running into him, but the financial strain on her family pushed her to proceed.

As they waited for the meeting to commence, Nathan tried to reassure Zelia. "I understand your concerns, Zee but sometimes, we have to take risks. This contract could be the lifeline we need for Layla's medical expenses and more, maybe freedom." Zelia nodded, her thoughts still conflicted but understanding the dire circumstances they were facing. Layla's health was a priority.

The door to the conference room creaked open, and a well-dressed representative from the Anderson Group entered. Ernest followed by Mark. Ernest took his seat with Mark standing beside him, other representatives had already arrived and were seated opposite Nathan and Zelia.

As Zelia raised her head from the papers, facing Nathan, she couldn't help but harbour a lingering frustration over the secret dealings with the Anderson Group. Yet, she maintained her professional demeanour, focusing on the task at hand. She turned to face the new person who had entered and taken his seat. She was stunned but recovered her composure almost instantly masking her emotion. There he stood, just a couple of feet away from her – Ernest Anderson. The familiar brown eyes that once captivated her were unchanged, still carrying a natural arch that had drawn her in. Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed the familiar features that had attracted her before. The well-groomed beard that made him look confident. Even though time had passed, he still had that special something that made him stand out.

"I am Zelia Koomson, In Charge of your brand's current reputation management, Crisis, and other PR-related activities for the next two months. Thus until the launch of your new branch. Nice to meet you all," she said, extending a polite but controlled greeting to the team.

Ernest, the manager, managed to conceal his surprise but greeted her with a nod. The room felt charged with an unexpected tension, and as Zelia continued to address the team throughout the meeting, she demonstrated a profound understanding of public relations. She proposed innovative campaigns and crisis management tactics, all the while concealing her internal turmoil over the Anderson Group situation.

Nathan, sitting beside her, observed Zelia's ability to separate her emotions while professionally handling the meeting. After she was done, she said down and Nathan gave her a Thumbs up with a smile. Trying to apologize for the decisions made. "I knew you could do it.." Zelia eyed him and ignored him focusing on her internal thoughts leading her not to pay attention to the rest of the meeting. Nathan negotiated the contract terms and the meeting came to a close.

As the conference room emptied out, Zelia gathered her belongings with a determined look on her face. Nathan, noticing her shift in demeanour, hesitated before asking, "Zee, are you okay?" She glanced at him, a mix of frustration and determination in her eyes.

"I'll be fine, Nathan. Just need some air," she replied, brushing off his concern. With a nod, Nathan respected her need for space, silently acknowledging the complexity of the situation.

Zelia stepped into the hallway, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. The encounter with Ernest had stirred up emotions she thought were long buried. She didn't know how to face him. As she walked, lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice the figure approaching from behind.

Ernest, too, had left the conference room with a lot on his mind. The surprise of seeing Zelia, combined with the unresolved history between them, left him in a state of internal turmoil. He turned the corner of the hallway and nearly collided with Zelia.

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. The air crackled with the tension of their unspoken past. Zelia broke the silence, her voice laced with a mixture of resentment and restraint, "Sorry Mr Anderson."

Ernest, struggling to find the right words, managed a strained smile. "Mr. Anderson? Really? Lia... Do you know how long I've searched for you? It was as though your existence was wiped from the face of the Earth. Then suddenly you are here with a different name. The years have been kind to you. You look great." He couldn't help but comment.

"I'm sorry Mr. Anderson. I don't know what you are talking about. I don't believe we have met before. This is a case of mistaken Identity." she bowed and turned to leave. "He has been looking for me? For what? Why? so he could insult me again or laugh in my face? Ha! I would be a fool to fall twice into a trap." she was seething within when suddenly she heard a thud sound. Turning she saw Ernest leaning against the wall with shallow breathing.

"s**t! What the hell?" she rushed to his side without a second thought helping him relax... When she realised he needed extra help, she reached for his coat pocket taking his inhaler assisting him use it. "Are you okay?" He nodded. "Are you serious? How could you not take good care of yourself and work on your triggers."

"If you are not her, how were you so natural with helping me?" She had helped in the past and advised him to avoid stress and work on his stress to minimise his asthma attacks which she noticed as part of his triggers. "I don't know who you think I am, but it's a basic human instinct to help someone in need. Now, if you're feeling better, I suggest you take care of yourself and address your health issues properly," Zelia said, her tone firm but laced with a hint of compassion.

Ernest, still catching his breath, looked at her with a mix of gratitude and confusion. "You might deny it, but I know it's you, Lia. You knew exactly where to go to get my Inhaler. I've never forgotten you and anything related to you. Why did you disappear? Why did you change your name?" he questioned, his eyes searching hers for answers.

Zelia hesitated, torn between revealing her true identity and maintaining the facade she had carefully constructed. She took a step back, creating some distance between them. She just couldn't trust him. Their last encounter was the worst memory and considered the worst day of her life to date. "I don't owe you any explanations, Mr. Anderson. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to," she said, trying to assert control over the situation.

As Zelia turned to leave, Ernest reached out and gently grabbed her arm. "Lia, please. I need to understand. We had something special, and then you vanished without a trace. I've spent years searching for you," he pleaded, a mix of desperation and sincerity in his eyes.

Zelia sighed, realizing that the situation was more complicated than she had anticipated. She gently pulled her arm away from his grip. "I don't know what you're talking about. It's clear that there's been a misunderstanding. Now, if you'll excuse me." she stated, her voice unwavering.

With that, Zelia walked away, leaving Ernest standing in the hallway, still grappling with the shock of their unexpected encounter. As she continued down the corridor, she couldn't shake off the whirlwind of emotions stirred by the reunion. Nathan, who had been observing from a distance, approached Zelia with a concerned expression. "Everything okay, Zee?" he asked, noting the tension in her demeanour.

Zelia took a deep breath, composing herself. "Just another unexpected encounter from the past. Nathan. Let's focus on the task at hand and get through this contract. We have more pressing matters to attend to," she replied, a steely determination in her eyes.

As they walked out of the company, Zelia couldn't help but wonder how the reappearance of Ernest would impact not only the current contract with the Anderson Group but also the carefully constructed life she had built for herself and her family. The echoes of the past seemed determined to disrupt the delicate balance she had worked so hard to achieve.