Anna.

CHAPTER 20

Venice's eyes trailed her till her sillhoutet disappeared from the hallway.

Wow you like her don't you?

Shit no I don't.

When will you stop denying and give in to your feelings.

Never do you even understand what you are suggesting she is in my care I am just helping her sort through a mess.

Right "you are helping her " I can't wait to see when you realize you are fighting a lossing battle with your heart.

Never and she is not my type plus she is trouble with a capital T.

Ok if that's your say well I like her.

Venice stopped midair in shoving a spoon of cearel into his mouth at his comment and spoke volume through his stare.

Don't worry I don't like her in a romantic manner. I like her for you Marshall concluded.

Whatever I don't trust you and you won't hit on her as long as she lived here with me no one will.

Venice you don't own her if you don't want her allow some poor men a chance.

I know I don't own her I just think she isn't ready yet.

It's that's what stopping you from giving into your emotions.

What makes you think I have one he asked lips curling up sardonically.

You keep forgetting that I know you too well anyways it's very rare to find that someone special and if you do you will be a fool to let go of her.

You should have been a motivational speaker no scratch that a love consultant.

Am just saying I have never seen you this happy before in your life and hey will you tell me the kind of mess she is in.

He balled his hands into fists prepared for the fury he always felt whenever he remembered her previous life. He recollected the story for Marshall summed it up leaving the gory good details.

Shit that's really bad.

Yeah I know.

I trust you to undergo the procedure.

Yes everything is under control I have men searching for her traffickers and Lauren for her mom.

Marshall nodded in aggrement starring into space. I will be happy to help in anyway no one deserves to experience that.

Thanks man.

I now understand why you are so defensive and protective of her. And I totally forgot I have been trying to reach your phone several times at work but I wouldn't get to you just be connected to some acting manager or something. What's happening?

Oh I am working at legacy lately so I had to put someone in charge in my business. The company is in deep water so I had to step in and help.

Marshall noticed his que following his body language acted as though it was no big deal even though they both knew it was otherwise.

You be careful around that brother of yours he can't be happy you are back human emotions and all.

I know my eyes are open and there are news of sabot-

What that's serious and-

Calm down it's nothing to fret over I know is a serious matter but everything is under control.

I know you do and don't lose focus for a second I had better get going just came by to announce that I am in love Venice.

Really are you in love now?

Yeah it's okay if you don't believe me you will meet her one day. I will say goodbye to Anna now.

Hey don't put any ideas on her and hands off.

I wouldn't dare to poach sir.

***

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months and slowly but steadily the drunk night fiasco diminished in Anna's mind. She still tiptoes around him but thankfully she hasn't said anything to implicate herself at least not yet.

Presently she had something new to worry about her hands clammy hands and burning face didn't help matters.

Hey it's time let's go to the meeting.

She stared up at him and wondered why he had to look dangerously handsome in his dapper suit.

Emm go on I will follow through.

No you might get lost follow me now he ordered.

Do I really have to attend the meeting every important person will be present and am just a P. A surely my presence isn't required.

That's the more reason you are attending you might be useful to me my instincts are saying you are smart.

She bit her lips at his comment and wondered if she was becoming a massive burden to him.

The meeting commenced immediately everyone took their seats they were discussing on the feasibility of the new product launched in other countries and different opinion and suggestion were aired that her head was starting to actually hurt now she understood the meaning of brain storm.

Venice cleared his throat gently and looked across the faces of the people before him. I have heard everyone's point of view except one person. Anna tell us what you think?

Her heart thundered, rose and fell in quick strides she simply wanted to disappear from the surface of earth. How could he have done such a thing to her and did she see a smirk around his mouth off course he wanted her to royally embarrass herself.

Quietly standing up from her chair she hoped for a miracle.

Stop Venice son she doesn't have the right to speak in our midst and what does she know about business lucil said and a murmur rose in the room in support of her words.

This was the kind of miracle she had hoped for she simply wanted to die from shame. she looked around searching for the quickest possible exist.

I am disappointed in you mom and all of you everyone is damn equal no one is more important than the other. In legacy everyone's opinion matters Anna c'mon let's hear what you have to say.

She put on a poker expression steeled her spine and hopped her voice wouldn't break. I think the nature of the product should determine the country it is launched in take Africa for instance from the research they are in high demand for the product but the price of it is too high for them to purchase the product.

Are you saying we should reduce the price and still offer them full value we won't make profit that way Mike one of the member said to her.

But the price is ridiculously high and with the quantity of product that will be sold will assauge whatever loss you think we will accure.

There was pin drop silence after her statement then an applause erupted the whole conference room.

She looked up at them in amazement pleasantly pleased with herself.

Simon arrange for the change in everything that was discussed today and implement Anna 's idea with immediate effect.

Roger that Sir.

The meeting will end at this note and thanks guys for your time. They filled out of the room after hand shaking with Venice and surprisingly they shook hands with anna as well.

The last person to depart from the room was lucil she advanced towards him embracing him fondly. Som am sorry I just didn't think she will have any meaningful idea to share.

It's fine mom and am not the one you should apologize to but it's all behind us and I hope it won't be repeated.

Of course son anything for the business she said with a smile but with heart filled with hatred.

* A wise person once said inspiration does exist but it has to catch you working.