FIRST TIME WITH A COLD PRINCE

CHAPTER 13 - HOT TEA AND A THREAT

“What’s it Jeremy?” Corrine had her glasses on, eyes focused on the catalogue she held in her hand as she slowly flipped through the pages.

“You have a visitor?”

“I told you to cancel all my appointment for today I do not want to be disturbed” she spoke with her eyes still fixed on the catalogue.

“It’s your brother-in-law” Jeremy noted and she took her eyes to view him, curious and the least bit delighted.

“He’s in the guest lounge?” she asked closing the catalogue and placing it on her desk.

“Yes ma’am” he replied watching her as she pulled to her feet and made her way towards him.

“Should I have someone send you some tea?” he asked as she moved over to the door.

“Just one cup, I don’t give out free tea to unwanted guest” she noted stepping out and he gave a respectful bow.

Corrine took her eyes to the guest lounge, the entire wall of the room was made of glass so you could have a perfect view of the interior, however the room was soundproof. The room was well ventilated with a set of brown leather couches positioned at the center around a beautiful glass table. A shelf stood by the right of the room with some magazines lined up in it, Mr. Leonardo McCain stood by it, his eyes staring out at the window as he awaited her.

Taking in a deep breath, she proceeded into lounge, turning on the blinds immediately she stepped in. The sudden change in the lighting of the room caused Leonardo to turn around almost immediately.

“What on earth did I do to be cursed by your presence” she spoke walking over to sit in one of the couches.

“I don’t want to be here either Corrine” Leonardo frowned taking a seat opposite her.

“Then I guess we better hurry this up then” she noted. There was light knock at the door and a lady stepped in with a cup of tea. Moving towards were Corrine sat, she placed the cup down, taking a short bow before exiting the room.

Corrine picked up the cup in delight, inhaling the sweet aroma, she picked up the spoon on the saucer to stir it before taking a sip. Her eyes watching Leonardo as she did. “Well?”

“Like you to be petty”

“Oh I am sorry; did you want some tea?”

“It might as well be poison; tea is not why I am here” he frowned

“I would hope not” she smirked placing the cup down on the table.

“You no quite well why I am here?” Leonardo rolled his eyes.

“Oh, do enlighten me… I am no mind reader”

Leonardo frowned at her oblivious attitude.

“Father brought up a merg…”

“That shouldn’t bother you, I am not interested in a merger of any sort.” She stated dismissing the topic before he could get into it. Leonardo stared at her cautiously, he had thought she would dive into such opportunity to claim his company.

“Really?” he watched her closely “And about the shares…”

“That is totally out of the question” she frowned.

“The company belongs to the family, you and your son can’t just reap my father’s work for yourself” she scoffed at his statement. Her gaze piercing as she spoke.

“The company was barely just kicking off when it was handed over to my late husband. You took over three of the most successful companies – I am not complaining; you are the first born so it’s well within your right.” She clenched her fist trying to maintain her cool. “You didn’t even bother to assist him while he was struggling on his own” tears welled up in her eyes but she held them back, she wasn’t going to look weak and pathetic in front of him. “He died in an accident while trying to gain clients for the company, the one you had neglected – you have no right to ask for a share in it, you didn’t want one to begin with”

“He was an illegitimate child!” Leonardo spat, not ready to listen to her sob stories, it was well within his right to have a share from the company his father had built. Sadly, his father’s health hadn’t allowed him complete what he had started and James had helped him out, that didn’t mean he and his family had the right to take full ownership of the business. “You should be more glad at the fact that he was giving a company to manage in the first place, he had no right to anything to begin with. I agreed to father giving him that company out of my good heart”

“Good heart?” Corrine sprung to her feet. “If the company was of any value to you, you wouldn’t have let it go. You are just greedy and that’s what’s killing your current companies”

Leonardo was red with anger; his gaze could light a flame. “You ungrateful b***h, I decided to talk to you calmly about this but it seems you don’t want that.” He pulled to his feet staring deadly at her. “I’m done being nice Corrine, mark my words…That construction company you hold so dearly will be the least of your worries”

“Is that a threat?” Corrine furrowed her brows watching him but he gave her no reply, storming out of the lounge.

…

Leonardo burst into his office, his son sat in there waiting for him but he paid no attention to him. He made his way towards his desk tossing the files to the ground in a fit of rage.

Louis sat quietly, he knew better than to interrupt his father right now, either way he could tell that his discussion with his aunt hadn’t gone well as usual.

His father stood facing the window.

“Did you need something?” Leonardo asked finally acknowledging his presence.

“The board had some ideas on somethings we could move into apart from the regular jewelries we do” he replied placing a portfolio on the desk. Leonardo moved from the window to take seat by his desk. He picked up the portfolio examining the pages.

“I have already spoken to the production department to meet with the finance department to examine the cost and come up with a budget” Louis spoke; he chose his words cautiously.

“Fine. This should help boost the financial state of the company and the mall can help advertise the products” he noted shutting the portfolio and handing it over to his son. “How soon can we get these products out in the market”

“I’ll will talk with the production department about that”

“I am giving them two months” he said standing up to his feet. “And have the launch date for the new line postponed till further notice” Louis looked to his father confused, when exactly did he have in mind?

“Yes father” he couldn’t question him now; he’d have to wait for him to be in a better mood.

“Also, arrange a meeting with Lawson group as soon as possible and have someone clean this mess” he said referring to the files that was littered on the ground.

“You’re agreeing to the partnership?” Louis blurted

“I am heading out and would not like to be disturbed” Leonardo spoke paying no attention to his son’s words, he was out of the office in an instant. ‘Just watch Corrine, I’ll have you on your knees begging’