Chapter4
1237 Words
CHAPTER FOUR
The elevator doors slid open.
He didn’t look at me.
Adrian stepped out with long, purposeful strides, the phone still pressed to his ear, his expression carved from something colder than irritation. Whatever he had just heard must be bad.
“I’ll be there in ten,” he said quietly before ending the call.
And then he was gone.
Just like that.
When I stepped onto the executive floor, the atmosphere changed immediately.
It was quieter here.
I found my office at the end of the corridor as described.
I have a whole office! This is a dream come true.
I would not live small.
I pushed the door open. And for a second, I forgot how to breathe.
Floor to ceiling ,windows overlooking the city skyline. A sleek mahogany desk positioned perfectly toward the light. A leather chair that looked like it belonged to someone important.
A seating area. A private restroom.
This wasn’t just an office. It was paradise.
I stepped inside slowly, my heels echoing softly against polished floors. My fingertips brushed the desk surface.
Mine.
A quiet thrill spread through my chest.
I had always been like this , even as a child. If I wanted something, I studied it. Planned for it. Worked toward it. I didn’t wait for miracles.
I sat down and a smile settled on my face. It was so relaxing.
The desk phone rang.
The sharp sound sliced through my moment.
I picked it up. “Hello?”
“Come to the boardroom. Immediately.” A familiar voice said. Definitely Victoria.
No greeting. No pleasantries. That was just Victoria, always straight to the point.
“Is there something I should prepare…”
“The meeting is already starting,” she said calmly. “Don’t be late.”
The line went dead.
I stared at the receiver.
Board meeting?
On my first day?
Interesting.
I grabbed my phone and stepped out.
I turned a corner too quickly and collided with someone.
“Oh— I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” the woman replied smoothly.
She was elegant. Structured grey suit. Hair neatly tucked behind one ear. Intelligent eyes.
“You’re new,” she observed.
“Yes. Lola Beaumont.”
Her brows lifted slightly.
“Ah. So you’re the one.” She extended her hand. I looked at her questionably but didn’t ask. “I am Imani Clarke” she introduced.
Her handshake was firm.
“I’m actually looking for the boardroom,” I admitted. “The layout is… strategic.”
She gave a small smile. “It’s designed that way.”
As we walked, I lowered my voice. “Victoria sounded urgent. Is something wrong?”
Imani’s expression shifted.
“You haven’t heard?”
“Heard what?”
She hesitated.
“An investigative blog published an exposé this morning. They’re accusing Kingsley Holdings of manipulating environmental impact data on one of our overseas projects.”
I stopped walking.
“What?”
“They’re claiming we suppressed negative findings to secure government approval,” she continued. “There’s no verified proof yet. But the article is spreading.”
My mind moved quickly.
“Is it true?”
“Not from what I know,” she said carefully. “But perception is everything. If investors believe we’re involved in unethical practices, we could lose major contracts.”
“How bad could it get?”
She met my eyes.
“If this isn’t handled correctly? We could lose hundreds of millions in partnerships.”
That explained Adrian’s reaction.
“And the source?” I asked.
“Anonymous whistleblower.”
Of course.
We reached the double doors.
Imani stopped.
“This is where I leave you,” she said. “Only board members from here.”
“Thank you.”
She studied me for a second longer.
“You picked an interesting first day.”
Then she walked away.
I inhaled slowly.
And entered.
The boardroom was vast.
Long obsidian table. High-backed leather chairs. A digital screen displaying the article headline in bold letters.
“Kingsley Holdings Under Fire for Ethical Violations.”
The atmosphere was tense.
Victoria sat to the right.
Adrian to the left.
The head seat was vacant so I guesses His father wasn’t present.
I stepped forward and bowed slightly in greeting.
Victoria acknowledged me with a nod.
“This is Lola Beaumont,” she said to the room. “She would be joining us”
Polite murmurs. I smiled a little and sat down.
Adrian did not look at me.
Victoria continued, “As you’ve all seen, allegations have been made questioning our integrity. We need immediate damage control.”
Board members spoke one after the other.
But every suggestion didn’t sound like it would solve the problem.
“If we overreact,” one member said, “it may look like guilt.”
“If we stay silent,” another countered, “it looks worse.”
Silence followed.
Victoria’s gaze swept across the table.
“Solutions?” she asked evenly.
None came.
Adrian remained quiet.
Finally, Victoria straightened. “We reconvene tomorrow. I expect viable strategies.”
Chairs scraped as members began to leave.
Soon, only three of us remained.
Victoria looked at Adrian. “You remember Lola, you met at the gala”
“Yes, I remember” he simply nodded. I knew he has questions but turns out, he doesn’t like to talk much. Too much tho.
Then she looked at me.
“You’ll be involved in negotiations moving forward. Adrian is meeting one of our key investors today.”
A pause.
“You’ll accompany him.”
I nodded. “Understood.”
Her eyes lingered on me briefly.
“I expect professionalism ,” she said calmly. “From both of you.”
Then she left.
Adrian stood.
“Be ready in five minutes,” he said.
And walked out.
***
We waited for the elevator.
Neither of us spoke.
I knew for sure I didn’t like him. But he is not my problem. As far as he doesn’t get in my way.
When the doors opened, we stepped in.
There was silence until the elevator dropped.
The doors opened to the lobby and we stepped outside.
Reporters lingered at the edges of the property.
The car was parked at the curb.
We descended the steps.
All of a sudden, a delivery cart rolled too fast down the slight slope, its handler losing grip.
“Watch out!” someone shouted.
It happened quickly.
The cart veered toward me.
Before I could steady myself, a firm hand caught my waist and Pulled me back.
My body collided with his, My palm pressed against his chest.
His other hand braced at my lower back.
For a second, neither of us moved.
I became painfully aware of how close we were.
How his breath brushed my temple.
“You need to watch your step,” he said quietly. His arms still around my body.
But his voice lacked its usual edge.
“I was,” I murmured.
Our eyes met.
This close, his gaze wasn’t just cold, it was intense.
And then…
Click.
The sharp sound cut through everything.
Another click.
We both turned slightly.
Across the street, a photographer lowered his camera with satisfaction.
More cameras lifted.
Adrian’s expression changed instantly and His hands dropped from my waist.
Space returned between us.
“This,” he said calmly, “is unfortunate.”
Another camera flashed.
- Writer
