Chapter 9
1073 Words
My heart skipped a beat.
I knew something was up even though I couldn't place my finger on it.
The expression on Mr. Eric's face already told me to be careful with the too-good-to-be-true contract.
I sat up instantly, giving him my full attention.
Eric had been my lawyer since the beginning of my company and had been able to help me sort out all my legal issues without a hitch so I trusted him wholly.
He held up the document and read out loud, "Clause 14b: Client reserves the right to include Ms. Reed in promotional activities, including but not limited to press features, media campaigns, and public brand representation, as deemed necessary by Deluxe Conglomerates."
I stared at the document, following him as he read and waiting for him to read out the issue but he stopped there.
"Uh-uh?"
He shot me a quizzical look. "This clause... Are you comfortable with it?"
I stared intensely at it for a couple of minutes, proofreading it over and over again.
Media campaigns, public brand representation. They couldn't be so bad.
After all, I had already shown the public media my face at the award ceremony.
But the excitement about the opportunity to work in such a futuristic project was stronger.
"Do you see a problem with it?" I asked in return.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well, I don't. But I have a feeling it's intentional. 'As deemed necessary' just feels like a clause that has something attached to it."
I bit my lip in thought. He did have a point. But, forfeiting the contract because of that?
Humming, I replied, "I don't have a problem with it as long as I get to work on this project. Besides, I doubt they'd need me much."
Eric pressed his lips into a thin line. "Alright then. If that's the case, then you're good to go."
My heart leapt within me. Nate and my work were the only things with the ability to make me this happy.
After the briefings with Eric, I dismissed him, my mind working on the project already.
*
Three days later, I was shaking hands with the representatives of Deluxe after signing the contract.
"Thank you for trusting Reed Technologies with your project. Expect nothing lower than excellent!"
He broke into a wide grin. "Deluxe is glad to have her project in good hands."
And just like that, I was working on such a high profile project with the best of my team mates.
It looked like nothing could go wrong.
But could nothing really go wrong?
*
It had been two weeks since the project began and I had been having back to back meetings with my team.
I was in a meeting with the system analysts and the representative of Deluxe Homes and Resorts, discussing the business plan for the operating system when my phone rang.
This time, it was a call from Tracy.
All eyes turned to me and I silenced the call.
"I'm sorry for the interruption. You can continue," I stated, wondering why she was calling me.
There were two options.
It was either she was dying or it something to do with Nate.
For the past couple of years, Tracy had been my helping hand when it came to taking care of Nate when I had large projects.
My mind was in the call so much that I barely heard all that was being said anymore.
When the call came in again, I snapped.
"Excuse me, please. This must be urgent," I announced, my brows furrowed apologetically.
They were quick to nod and excuse me.
"Tracy, what's up?" I breathed once I got out of the boardroom.
A million possibilities zoomed across my mind.
She sighed. "Girl, Nate is a real piece of work. Did you know he has started fighting in school?"
My heart skipped a beat!
"I don't understand. Nate? Fight? How?"
My Nate was a gentle boy. I might not have always been available to train him but every time I was with him, I made sure he learnt manners.
The last thing I wanted was for him to grow into the nuisances that Erica and the rest of my bullies back in school were.
"I don't even understand. It seems pretty bad. His teachers are quite upset."
My heart skipped a beat. This sounded serious.
"But what exactly happened?" I asked, mentally preparing to leave the office.
Nate was more important than work.
"I know you're really busy now, Kara. It's fine. I'll try to handle it."
From her other end, I could hear a woman screaming harshly.
"Where is the irresponsible mother of that little tiger? Tell her to come here this instant!"
My heart skipped a beat and my eyes grew red.
I could hear Tracy trying to speak to her.
"Calm down, madam. There's nothing to make so much fuss about. I'm speaking to her on the phone—"
Tracy had barely finished speaking when there was a muffled sound on the speaker.
Then a posh voice pierced through the receiver.
"Hello. You had better come here this instant or I'm suing you for what your little nuisance did to my son!"
My teeth clenched together on their own accord. It took all my willpower not to lash out at the woman.
I'd deal with her later for calling my son such names.
"What exactly did my son do to yours?"
I headed towards the boardroom to tell them that I would be leaving.
The woman kept on screaming profanities, making me wonder what exactly transpired.
"I will be there in a bit. Now, if you don't mind, I have to leave."
"You better come here quick or I'm doing something drastic!"
There was some shuffling at the other end of the line and then Tracy came on again.
"I'm so sorry about that, babe. Nate is with me now. You don't have to worry about what that witch said. I can deal with her."
I shook my head even though she couldn't see me.
No way would I let someone insult my son and go free. "No, Tracy. I'm coming."
I had barely finished speaking when I bumped into someone.
In my anger, I was ready to chastise the person when a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.
"We meet again, Miss Kara."
I froze.
What on earth was he doing here?
- Writer
