Beneath the Chairman's Facade

Chapter 6

Curses and admonitions were thrown at Natasha as she tried to hastily make her way through the airport's crowd.

"WAIT! WAIT!" She screamed herself hoarse but it seemed the only people that heard her was the airport's security, for they were all looking at her funny. Dennedy Hacker already had one foot in the car. She flew the last few steps but fell short, literally falling! The tip of her fingers had touched his arm and his bicep muscles rippling in response had surprised her to no small extent. The man had to have a package hidden underneath his demure suit jacket. Tottering, she closed her eyes in acceptance. Her face would smash gracelessly against the ground any second.

But the collision never came. Instead, there was a strong hand carved around her lower belly. She instantly reddened, flying away from his touch. The bun on her head loosened causing her curls to droop over her face. She realized she was still panting from her run as she observed Dennedy Hacker up close for the first time since five years.

He somewhat dwarfed her. His no nonsense aura engulfed hers. His eyes were shaded but Natasha vividly remembered the warm creamy brown colour which never quite matched the consistent coldness of his tone. This was the man that had masterminded and spearheaded Evan's arrest. The man that had cruelly accused her of being part of Evan's scheme. He had made sure that she had no peace the first few weeks after her newlywed's arrest. Natasha knew he would hate to see her. She had only felt safe working in the company for his father and as far as Dennedy never caught a whiff of her. That and she hadn't gotten a better job offer anywhere. Natasha was grateful for the mask shielding the half of her face. So far, Dennedy had not seemed to recognize her.

"Are you okay, Miss?" One of Dennedy's entourage, the one standing closest to him asked. Natasha numbly nodded not bothering to correct him that she was a Missus. "Chairman, here is the file PA Hayes wanted to give to you if you hadn't booked an earlier flight."

Dennedy took the offered fancy file but he was still staring at Natasha. Natasha wondered what was in the file. Dennedy gave her a nod of acknowledgement. He seemed oddly amicable, less than he was five years ago. Had he perhaps changed, did meditation in a monastery or something? And waiting a whole two hours at the airport after his employees failed him? Where the hell did he develop that kind of patience? In fact, why did she even care? This was the safest place and time to tell him she was the one he had been waiting for and if she was truly lucky, he would be too tired from his flight to be mad.

"Um Sir, my name is Natasha Miller and I'm supposed to take you to the company, ahem." Dennedy's companion wrinkled his brows at this assertion.

"Miss…"

"Mrs."

"Oh well, Mrs Miller. Could you please take off your mask?" Dennedy's companion requested.

Natasha suddenly faked a violent bout of coughs. She shook her head. "A cold. I wouldn't want you to contract it."

"You should have stayed at home, you are sick and you need rest. Didn't CEO Jarvis know of your inconvenience?"

"No no no," Natasha shook her head profusely. "This cold, I woke up with it and I'm at fault. The CEO was confident in my competence."

"Hmmph, competence," Dennedy scoffed. He sounded more amused than annoyed. "Very well, for your trouble, I will ride with you. Where's your car?"

The blush that was initially gone rushed back with raging fury. It would have been better if she had let him go! She remembered she had rented no car. Her gaze strayed towards the cab which was still waiting for her. The driver was glowering directly at her.

"We going or not?" The driver shot out blithely causing Natasha to wince. Natasha had been foolish. Dennedy Hacker was too dignified to ride in such a beat down cab when he was the ultimate funds generator.

"Are you kidding me?" Dennedy's companion mouthed. Dennedy raised a palm to halt him.

"For the driver's pains, James. Ride with him."

The companion, James, scowled. "I can just pay him."

"Yeah do whatever you want you're not welcome here anymore. I shall ride with Mrs Miller. Mrs Miller, after you."

"uh, I'm not sure…"

"Oh no, I insist." She imagined his probing eyes beneath the shades. He would regret this act of kindness when he eventually figured out who she was. He'd wash the seats, sell the car, burn it even! Natasha entered.

Dennedy sat down opposite her. The doors were shut and the car ride began.

"Your phone."

"Sorry?"

"Your phone is ringing."

It was Jarvis. Natasha hesitated.

"You don't need to answer it," Dennedy said amidst taking off his sunglasses. Natasha drew in a faint breath. He had not failed her imaginations. His lips seemed fuller, his jawline sharper, his eyes were simply entrancing. The slight stubble on his shin and the dark shadows under his eyes gave him a weird and intoxicating s****l appeal. Wait, what? Why was he making her think about s*x? Thankfully, he could not see how red she was due to the mask she was wearing.

"So, Natasha Miller. I knew someone who had that exact name, just about your age and height. I try to think of her fondly. Life works in funny ways, doesn't it?"

"I completely agree," Natasha said, wilfully ignoring his first observation about her name.

"I'd get that you would want to fire me for business unpunctuality but I first want to say…"

"Howabout we discuss that back at the office?" Dennedy cut in with a dismissive tone that suggested he wasn't interested in being countered.

Damn! She had already prepared a hassled speech in her mind to deliver. One that could help her resign with some shreds of dignity. Dennedy was soon focused on the file his companion James, had given him. There was a wrinkle on his forehead as he viewed the file page after page. His eyes darkened. Natasha's heart sank. With how quickly his mood has just soured, she and a couple others at the company were surely doomed. She felt a headache brewing in her temple. The file was still in Dennedy's hands. His knuckles had turned white. And he was glaring at her.

"Did… did I do something else wrong?"

"Take of your mask," he coldly ordered.