My Time

Chapter 7

I'm not waiting for the meeting to end. Leaning against my chair, I stared intensely at Thiago from the back of the conference room.

The long table was filled with department heads and senior employees discussing reports and upcoming projects while Thiago sat at the front with his usual cold and unreadable expression.

He looked calm, professional, and completely in control. The exact image of a perfect CEO. If I didn't know him personally, I probably would've believed it too.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly until suddenly, the sound of a phone notification echoed inside the room.

Every single person looked at one person.

Thiago.

The atmosphere instantly became awkward. Some employees lowered their heads while others exchanged knowing glances. It was obvious this wasn't the first time this had happened.

"Ava must be messaging Mr. Xu again," one employee whispered quietly.

"Is he going to leave again?" another employee muttered under their breath.

"I heard some senior employees are preparing to resign," someone else added in an even lower voice. "Mr. Xu's attention hasn't been on the company lately. Even last month's financial report looked terrible."

Hearing that made my eyebrow twitch. So the company's downfall wasn't some distant future event anymore. It was already starting.

Honestly, the plotline in which Thiago eventually goes bankrupt was becoming painfully predictable by this point.

My i***t brother was literally walking straight into his doom while carrying flowers and chocolates for the female lead.

I looked back at him and noticed he was staring at his phone. His fingers hovered over the screen, clearly debating whether he should answer or ignore it.

For a brief moment, I thought maybe he'd learned something after I scolded him earlier.

Slowly, he placed the phone back on the table and continued speaking to the employees like nothing had happened.

A small smile formed on my lips. "It seems like he's not hopeless after all," I murmured quietly.

I was about to grab my phone when another sound echoed across the room.

A ringtone.

Thiago's phone.

Without hesitation, he grabbed it immediately and answered the call.

I deadpanned. "Okay, on second thought, he's hopeless and doomed."

I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation because of the distance between us, but I clearly heard Thiago's response.

"I'll be right there."

The second those words left his mouth, the entire room became tense again.

Thiago stood up from his seat, already grabbing his coat. "I have something to do," he said in his usual cold and authoritative voice. "Jamie, continue the meeting and just send me the MOM later."

Jamie looked stunned. Honestly, even I felt bad for her. Thiago walked away immediately without another explanation, causing whispers to erupt across the room again.

My blood instantly boiled.

The employees looked disappointed. Some looked tired. Others looked like they were already expecting this to happen. The atmosphere in the room turned heavy so fast that even I got irritated.

Sorry, Jamie.

But there's no way I'm going to sit here quietly while watching my brother ruin his company because of a girl.

"THIAGO DALIL XU!" My voice echoed loudly across the conference room.

Everyone froze.

"Stop right there, or I'll snap the hell out of your legs!"

The entire room went silent.

Thiago stopped walking immediately the second he heard my voice. He didn't turn around at first. He just stood there stiffly like a child who got caught doing something bad.

I stood up from my chair and stomped toward him angrily while everyone stared at me in complete shock. The whispers became louder the closer I got, but honestly? I didn't care anymore.

"Turn around."

Slowly, Thiago turned to face me. His head was lowered slightly before he carefully lifted his gaze toward mine.

The mighty CEO who terrified employees and business rivals alike now looked like a guilty puppy getting scolded by its owner.

"A hopeless romantic..." I muttered through gritted teeth before glaring at him properly. "Get back to the meeting!" The whispers instantly stopped after my shout echoed again.

"But Ava got hit by a car, I---"

"She got hit by a car, so what?" I cut him off sharply. "Are you a doctor?"

Silence.

Thiago blinked, then slowly shook his head.

"Then sit down." And just like that, the CEO silently walked back to his seat.

The entire room stared at him in disbelief.

Honestly? I was just as shocked.

Did... did he really listen that easily?

When I lifted my gaze toward the people around us. That's when reality hit me. Everyone was staring at me.

Oh s**t, I forgot there were actual people inside the room.

"A-Ah..." I awkwardly cleared my throat while forcing a smile onto my face. "Hi, everyone. I'm Aiza Mirian Collins... your CEO's older sister."

The employees immediately looked even more shocked.

I secretly pinched Thiago's side under the table while continuing my smile. "The things my brother has been doing recently..." I said slowly, "...haven't exactly been wise."

Thiago winced slightly from the pinch but stayed quiet.

"If he starts acting like this again," I continued, "feel free to contact me anytime. I'll personally come deal with him." Then I secretly kicked his foot under the table. Hard.

He inhaled sharply but still didn't dare complain.

"Anyway..." I coughed awkwardly. "Please excuse me."

Before anyone could respond, I quickly turned around and walked out of the conference room with whatever dignity I still had left.

The second the doors closed behind me, I immediately covered my face with both hands.

"Oh my god..."

Honestly, I wasn't good at speaking in front of many people. The moment everyone looked at me earlier, I nearly forgot how to breathe. I only survived because anger gave me confidence.

At least they didn't seem to hate me.

I let out a long sigh and awkwardly turned toward the water dispenser nearby. Maybe drinking cold water would calm me down,

I grabbed a paper cup and was about to fill it when suddenly...

"Aiza Mirian Collins?"

My entire body froze. Slowly, I turned around. A woman holding a microphone stood behind me with a bright and excited smile on her face. Behind her were several people carrying cameras, microphones, and recording equipment.

My soul nearly left my body.

A reporter.

No.

Multiple reporters.

Judging by the way the cameras were already pointed at me...

I was definitely about to become tomorrow's headline.

Shit.