Always Yours

Chapter 4

Boop. Goop. Boop. Goop. I could hear every single beat of my heart as it beats through my body. It could be heard clearly in the silence, the tension so thick that a knife could cut through it. It took every bit of confidence remaining in me to take a step forward. I continue walking till I'm about 2 steps away from his table. I open my mouth trying fo find words to say but I give up and close it. During all my internal fight, he continues looking at me like a predator to a prey and no, not in a lustful manner but in a calculating manner. He's watching my actions, my nervousness and at that point I feel like I'm made of glass and he could see through every bit of me.

"You can have a sit, Miss Birlem" He finally breaks the long silence. For a second, my surname didn't sound appealing to me as always. I wanted to hear my name from his mouth. I wanted to know if he still had the same effect on me when it rolls off his tongue. I take a deep breath trying to clear my head as I take a sit.

"I heard you need an assistance from my company. May I know what it is?" It's at times like this I admire Ryan's ability to be calm in every situation. He knows how to hide whatever emotion he's feeling.

"Um...yes. I um..." I cough hoping that helps my brain to reboot. "Birlem&Co company is at the point of going bankrupt. Most shareholders have withdrawn their shares in the company and more employees has resigned. I've seeked assistance from different companies but none of them got back to me..."

"What is the cause of the bankruptcy? Mismanagement of funds? Bad decisions?" He interrupts while looking through a document which I'm convinced contains all about my company. I ignore the fact that he indirectly questioned my ability to lead.

"The CEO, Mr Birlem has been facing some critical health challenges and we've been trying to do everything in our power to bring him back to sound health"

"Therefore endangering your company. Do you think the risk is worth it though? If he doesn't make it then you lose two things. The CEO and your company" He finally drops the paper and looks at me. I break eye contact not wanting to be distracted and settled for looking at the back of a picture frame.

"He's my father, Mr Harlton"

"Emotions shouldn't be mixed with business, Miss Birlem" I look back at him shocked of what he said. This isn't the Ryan I know. At that moment I picked up my pride which was on the floor.

"Are you going to help me or not?"

A manly chuckle escaped him causing the butterflies in my tummy to go wild

"For someone who is need of assistance, you're quite commanding"

My nails dig into my palm, convincing myself that it's all for daddy

"I could easily reject this alliance, seeing as there's little to no benefit I could receive from your company" my heart stops in my throat "However, I could bring forth the benefits myself. I have few conditions you need to follow if I'm going to go through with this" he pauses looking at me, silently asking me if I'm following

"Go on" I squeak. His mouth extends a little forming a smirk but it's gone before I can clarify

"First of all, from what I'm seeing here, there's a lot of work that needs to be done and a lot of work means a lot of money. Seeing that I'm going to spend a lot of money rebuilding your company, it's only fair that I get my share when the profit starts coming in. 60:40"

"What?! That's insane Ryan!" Everywhere becomes silent. Calling his name had an effect on the both of us. It's been years since I said that name out loud and for a little moment, I see that wall he has built shake. Just for a little moment.

"It's a take it or leave it situation, Miss Birlem" He hands over a document to name and my mouth parts in shock as I see different conditions listed in the paper. "Once you sign that, we'll begin our work"

I swallow down the invisible bump in my throat, trying so hard not to spill into tears

"Can I have some time to think about it?" I croak out. I don't bother looking at him, not wanting him to see how weak I am but maybe if I had looked up, I'd have seen the way he continuously tapped his hand on the table, itching to touch me.

"Sure"

I murmur a thank you and tried not to stumble as I walked out of his office. I heave a deep sigh after closing the door, finally letting a tear slip.