Velvet Shadows

CHAPTER FIVE

Ahvi's POV.

Nael? What was he doing here? Was he the one? Why WHY?! I stood there, mouth agape, eyes wide open, so wide I feared they would pop out of their socket. I hadn't even realized Mrs. Cole was calling my name until she yelled.

"Ahvi!"

"Yes!" I blinked then straightened up, clearing my throat I turned to face her with a small smile then turned to face Nael once again, summoning every bit of coverage I could. I forced a fake smile as I stretched my arms towards him. "Pardon me. I'm Miss Ahvi, personal assistant to Mrs. Cole. It's an honor to work with you Sir, I hope our companies can benefit greatly from each other."

What the f**k was I sprouting? I obviously sounded like a nerd! How could I say something so stupid with such confidence?

He let out a chuckle, my cheeks burned with embarrassment. He turned to Mrs. Cole with a small smile. "Well, she's funny."

Mrs. Cole chuckled nervously behind me, even though my back was turned on her I could feel her intense gaze boring into my back.

"Nice to meet you Ahvi," Nael shook my hand, his touch sending waves of electric shocks down my body...just like it had three years ago. My body reacted exactly the same way.

Oh f**k- this is embarrassing.

"Pleasure is all mine sir." I said as I quickly withdrew from his touch. My hand still burned from his touch, it lingered there for what almost felt like forever.

"In that case," Mrs. Cole cleared her throat, breaking the awkward silence. "Shall we get started with the meeting?"

Nael straightened up in his chair, he finally tore his gaze from me. "Sure." I watched as his lips curled into a smile, biting my lower lip nervously, I mentally slapped myself, trying to focus on the important issue on ground and not him.

But it was hard not to. It had been three years, yet he changed so much. I still hated him, but I couldn't deny the fact that he looked even more handsome than he did years ago.

"I'll take my seat." I muttered under my breath as I sat on the chair beside him. Mrs. Cole's eyes were still on me but she simply cleared her throat, and soon after the meeting began.

I was barely paying any attention to whatever they were saying. I simply nodded and gave short answers, agreeing to whatever they were saying.

Nael.

Nael.

Nael!

How could I ever bump into him in such a situation like this? And why? I never wanted to see him again. I never wanted to have anything to do with him again, and yet...here I am, the bridge between him and Mrs. Cole. I couldn't even back out from this, nor could I explain the situation to Mrs. Cole.

"Ahvi?" A voice pulled me out of my thoughts, I titled my head up to see both Nael and Mrs. Cole staring at me as if I grew another head out from my neck.

"Is there a problem?" I asked.

"Yes," Mrs. Cole pressed her lips in a thin line. "You're abstract minded, did I perhaps call you to work on a bad day?" I could sense the anger in her tone. She had high hopes is Ace this meeting and assist her in this, but she wouldn't understand.

"I'm sorry," I said while playing with my fingers. "I'm just busy and stressed out."

She let out a sigh, one that was filled with tiredness and frustration.

"It's alright, Mrs. Cole. I think I've seen good reasons to work with your company," My eyes snapped to Nael, who at the same time eyes fell on me. His lips curled into a smirk. "Your assistant seems capable of doing some work though."

I blinked rapidly. "What?"

Mrs. Cole seemed taken aback as she adjusted in her seat. "I do not understand."

"You want her to handle matters for you, right?"

"Yes," Mrs. Cole nodded, confusion evident in her tone.

"Pardon me for suddenly dropping this on you. But this business will be discreet, as you can see, I came to this meeting on my way. My assistant is currently busy, taking care of things for me in another country. I'd need someone to work on this project on my end too, can you assist in handling both jobs from me and Mrs. Cole?"

"I- I honestly don't think I ca-"

"Absolutely!" Mrs. Cole clapped her hands, I turned to face her with wide eyes. She then signaled for me to shut up, before quickly turning to Nael with a wide smile, a smile so wide I feared her lips would rip.

"Ahvi is one of the smartest and strongest people I've worked with, she would excel in both duties with ease."

Nael then turned to me. "I'm sorry I had to bump this all on you. I know this is unprofessional, but kindly understand." I scoffed mentally, his voice sounded so perfect, but his eyes told me that he was doing this on purpose.

Unprofessional my ass.

"Of course.." I said with a strained voice. "This is a huge opportunity for me, isn't it?"

"Wonderful!" Mrs. Cole clapped harder than before, her smile now wider. "Let's finalize everything and Ahvi, you'll resume tomorrow. Your job is to monitor the project."

"Of course." I said, my heart dropped to my stomach. Just when I thought I could avoid him, now he has me wrapped around his finger. From the corner of my eye, I could see him stealing a glance at me from time to time.

Finally, we had concluded everything. I stood up and left the office, clutching the file in my hand tightly. I headed to my office, dragging my bag on the table as I leaned on the desk.

Just then, a notification on my phone pulled me from my thoughts. I reached into my bag and brought out my phone, a smile tugged on my lips when I saw the ID. It was Luan.

'Hey babe, how're you? I know you left home in a sore mood so hurry up and come have lunch with Milo and I, then we will hang out for your birthday. Love, Luan.'

My heart did a stupid flip as I finished reading his text. Oh Luan, it was almost as if he could sense my unease. I let out a deep breath as I typed back to him.

'Work was stressful, but I think I'm done. I only had to do one thing today. Thank you, I love you too. See you soon.'

I sighed and dropped my phone into my bag, after checking my files for any leftover job I hadn't done and found none, I stepped out. Only to be met face to face with Nael.

"We need to talk," I said to him, grabbing his arm as I led us into a dark corner. "What's this about?"

"What is what about?" He asked innocently, yet his expression was unreadable.

"This job. I don't want it."

He let out a long sigh, and leaned against the opposite wall. "Then tell your boss."

I looked down at my hands, chewing on my bottom lip nervously. "I can't.. If I was to act funny, she would know something was up and-"

"Something was up?" He cuts in.

I raised my head to look at him, swallowing the lump in my throat. I continued. "I'm sorry, I just meant it's uncomfortable working with you. There are many other employees, please, do me a favor and pick someone else for this project." With a small bow I turned to leave, but a hand stopped me by grabbing my elbow.

"Don't quit." He said, gently squeezing my elbow. I turned to face him, which was a mistake I shouldn't have made. The moment our eyes met, the hatred and disdain I had bottled up against him throughout the years dissolved.

One thing I knew for sure. This encounter was going to be a rocky one.