Chapter: 77: Important Client
Elena
It's been one week since my hunt for an apartment started, and I still hadn't gotten anything to my taste. Having to still be under the same roof as Cassandra ruined my mood every morning. And the work I had to do at the office was starting to stress me out.
The company's next project was to branch out into theme parks. My father envisioned it as the next big step for Kingston Enterprise. We needed investment and the right company to take charge of the construction of the park, which resulted in the deal he was still negotiating with the Grey's Construct Group.
Grey Enterprises was the next big company after Harrington Enterprises, everyone knew they had been rivals since the dawn of ages, both businesses trying to outdo the other. I was shocked, to say the least, when I found out my Father was able to get the Grey's attention.
A knock came in. "Elena!" I heard Ethan's voice.
"Come in," I responded, getting up from my chair.
"You're going to be late for your meeting."
"I know, I know. I just wanted to round up the work I had," I said packing up my system.
My meeting with Grey's CEO was scheduled for today. I couldn't let anything go wrong with my presentation for the meeting.
Everything had to be complete and perfect.
"I'll leave the rest to you," I said to Ethan before I left, looking at the remaining documents on my desk.
He looked at me from head to toe, his eyebrows scrunching up. "Are you leaving in that?"
I had a plain corporate skirt and top on. "What's wrong with my outfit?"
"Girllll, No. You're going to close a big deal," he said. Pointing at my outfit with his finger, he added. "You have to look the part. Luckily for you, I have just what you need."
My eyes widened, finally seeing the shopping bag he had been holding. "I don't think it'll be too much to call you my fairy godmother."
He handed me the bag, and I wasted no time in changing outfits. It was a burgundy office dress paired with minimalistic gold jewelry and a matching black purse and heels.
"I love it," I said, coming out and twirling.
"Of course," he said smugly. "You'd better go if you don't want to get there late."
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The ride to the restaurant was smooth, but my heart raced the closer I got. I might have been looking the part, but that didn't assure my success.
The restaurant was one of the more upscale spots in the city—modern, sleek, and private. I entered the lobby, scanning for the private dining area when my eyes landed on a figure I instantly recognized.
Cornell.
Why was he here?
He turned, noticing my presence. A smile appeared on his face.
"Elena." his eyes lit up as he stepped closer.
"Cornell," I said distastefully.
"You don't look happy to see me?"
"Wow, you figured that out, genius," I said, my words screaming with sarcasm.
"You have every right to be mad—but can't you give me the opportunity to explain?" He said calmly.
"No. I don't want to hear it." I eyed him before continuing on my way.
He reached out, lightly grabbing my arm. "Elena, please. What if it's fate—and the universe is bringing us togeth—"
I yanked my hand free, glaring at him. "Fate," I scoffed, cutting him off. I came back closer to him, grabbing his tie. "Where was fate when you left me? Where was the universe when you broke my heart? Where were they both when I cried myself to sleep? Huh."
"I'm sor—" he stammered.
"Save it." I looked into his grey orbs. " The world would have to come to an end before I'll have anything to do with you."
His eyes flashed with sadness, but I didn't care. I turned on my heels to leave when his voice called out pleading. "Elena." I turned to look at him, and he stepped closer.
"Don't follow me," I snapped. Not wanting to hear any more from him, I walked off.
His presence dampened my mood, and I couldn't let that ruin my meeting. Forcing myself to forget what just happened, I located the reserved dining area where the waiter led me to a corner table with an elegant setup. I took a calming breath and sat, preparing myself for whoever this mysterious CEO of Grey Enterprises would be.
But just as I finished organizing my files and rehearsing my introduction in my head, footsteps approached.
I looked up—and my heart nearly dropped.
Cornell.
He pulled out the chair opposite me and sat down, way too casually. The air around him seemed different. The disappointed look he had on when I turned my back on him had been replaced with a smug nonchalance.
"What do you think you're doing?" I drew closer to him, keeping my voice low so as not to cause a scene. "I said not to follow me." My face twisted in annoyance.
He gave me that infuriating half-smile. "I'm here for my meeting."
I blinked, completely thrown off. "What meeting?"
He leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with amusement. "With you. Elena Kingston, CEO, Kingston Enterprise."
He raised the document he had placed on the table, looking at it. "I believe you're here to tell me why I should go through with your company's Theme Park project," he continued, now his eyes locked with mine. "I'm Cornell Grey. CEO of Grey Enterprises."
My mouth went dry.
No.
No. No. No.
This had to be a joke.
But judging by the smugness on his face and the way he casually opened the leather file on the table, it wasn't. But—when did Cornell become a Grey? I've always known him as Cornell Hayes.
"Your eyes are going to pop out of their sockets if you keep looking at me like that."
Blinking, I adjusted my sitting position. "When did you change your name?" The question flew out of my lips.
"I don't think that should be your concern—," he paused before continuing. "Miss Kingston."
His eyes held nothing, I felt like I had been placed on a chopping block. 'Get it together Elena, it's just work.'
I couldn't afford to lose my composure—not when this deal was on the line. I took a deep breath, straightened my back, and steeled myself.
"Shall we begin?" he asked, as if it were a stranger he was talking to.
"su—sure." I launched into the proposal, my fingers barely shaking as I explained the scope of the project, the long-term returns, and why Grey Enterprises was the perfect partner for this venture.
Cornell listened, eyes sharp and unreadable. His gaze never faltered, dissecting my every word as if he were waiting for me to trip over myself.
When I finished, there was silence—a long, nerve-racking pause. I coughed into my fist to break the awkwardness that hung in the air.
"What do you think?" I didn't wait for him to answer. "I promise you won't regret working with us."
A wide grin appeared on his face as his eyes circled the room before resting on me. And with that, his grin faded, replaced with a stern expression. "Hmm. The world must be coming to an end—right, Miss Kingston?"