Chapter 8
1279 Words
Ch 8
Madeline POV
□□□
I shift in my sit, lowering myself as I whisper to Vance.
“I'm not feeling good.
Can I just stay out?”
My voice comes out soft, as the men in the room get on their step to go greet Xander.
Dammit.
I should have asked his name, so I would have known.
Maybe if was a little smart…
But I didn't guess we would run in the same line, well, meet each other the very next day.
Out of everyone, did I really have to go to him?
Try my hands at theft?
And get caught?
Get bullied by him?
I can sense the tension here.
Vance despises him.
Howie?
Yes ,my father too.
He was the man which left Howie fuming in anger.
So, I'm sure the air around us is thicker than it seems.
But I have no idea what it is all about.
What if, he tells my dad about what happened last night?
Like to tease the skull?
The thought itself scares me, and I immediately turn the name plate around.
So, the blank white side is visible to the crowd.
Please don't spoil things for me, I pray.
“What's wrong?
Are you okay?”
Vance questions, with a concerned tone.
Maybe sensing me comfortable.
“It's nothing.
You go ahead.
I'll wait outside for you?”
I suggest, thankful that Xander hasn't noticed the corner of the room yet.
Because he is crowded by the surrounding people.
Everybody shaking his hand.
All the old, rich men smiling vividly at him.
“No way,
You got to be the one who will place the bet.
And you will have to sign against it.
Mr. Bailey has put your name.
So, I'm sorry you are stuck here, with me.
Even though I want to give you a rain check”
Vance shrugs, as he speaks out.
“Who's that man?”
I ask him, not trying to come out too obvious that I know him from somewhere.
Or show any interest
But just curious.
For various reasons like I ended up getting caught in his arms
After a long night, at the parking he let me go.
But with an obvious grin.
And…now?
“Who?
Harrington?
Huh, don't even ask.
He is one douchebag.
Everybody in our company hates him.
Like he is the reason for our failure.
Wherever we try to expand and seek success.
He will be there.
Winning.
Like a hunter's trap,
I don't know how he does it.
He is the CEO of our rival company, Harrington Industries.
He was recently ranked as the richest man in the hotel chain industry.
And not to forget the things, he is known for”
Vance speaks out, with a small grudge behind his voice.
And hearing every word out of his mouth, makes me want to bury myself alive
Why did I have to try stealing?
And especially from him.
I should have guessed, what the man would be like, seeing his rich tuxedo.
But I didn't give it any importance.
Except the fact that how costly his bracelet was.
And now here I am.
“Bonjour à tous”
(Hello everyone)
The voice breaks out in the room.
And I remember the deepness.
The playful edge behind the silky tone.
That charming smile
Hunting eyes.
But I don't dare to look up.
As I keep my eyes on the table.
My hands shivering so bad that I know I will throw up the minute I leave this room.
“My apologies for my late arrival.
My man here, Ramsey let me drink a little too much.
Not reminding me that it was way past my bedtime”
He teases the crowd, innocently.
A deep laughter erupts which sounds so familiar, and the crowd joins him.
I lift my lashes, as I hear footsteps around.
And he comes just opposite of the table.
“Why don't you go take my seat, Mr. Moody?
I mean, you will look good in the front.
Leave the corner to people like me”
He asks gently and without a word, the gentleman named Moody clears the seat.
With a happy face.
I swallow hard, sulking in my seat.
Vance just shifts in his chair
As Xander settles right opposite to us.
And I'm thankful for the table's width.
“Let's get started”
He announces, but only after crossing his legs.
Bringing his hands folded, as he pulls his phone out.
And his screen opens.
Video game.
I can hear the small sounds, vibrating!
“Is he serious?”
Vance scoffs, as the bidding starts.
“Just ignore him.
Focus on the work”
I murmur, as we receive the envelope.
Pulling out the marker, I write down the amount.
Three point seven billion dollar deal.
Three billion will be the expenses and the rest will be for our efforts.
I do exactly as my father instructed me too.
I show it to Vance, and he gives me a nod of approval.
Relived, I sign it.
MADELINE BAILEY.
And sigh, relieved
“Ladies and Gentlemen.
We have five more minutes before the bid closes officially.
The winner will be announced within an hour”
Mr. Malik announces.
An excitement in his voice.
“And whoever the Gentlemen or women, it is.
We will be extremely happy and privileged to work together.
I hope this collaboration will only enhance our reputations and build us better”
He adds, before he takes his seat back.
And out of curiosity, I look at him.
I know, I shouldn't.
But it's just the way he is.
So informal.
He is wearing a black suit, with a printed shirt.
A chain around his neck, which is visible clearly as the first few buttons of his shirt is undone.
And I notice his ring, which intrigues me again.
He swipes his fingers on the screen and smiles like he won the game.
When he is done, he pulls out the envelope.
Scribbling something quickly and signs it off.
Passing it to his secretary, who is seated next to him, and he looks up.
His brown eyes look brighter at day.
And I look away.
But I know he saw me looking at him
Yet I act like I don't recognize.
Like I don't know him.
I don't know him, yes.
I got to believe that lie, myself.
And I got to make sure things stay that way.
“Hopefully, we get this deal.
Your father will be so happy” Vance smiles at me, as the final submission is done.
“I'll go call your father, quickly”
He adds, as he leaves the room.
And I grab my bag, before I sneak out.
Making sure, he doesn't see me.
Leave
Why did I do this?
It's like I should never try anything for the first time.
My first times are bad for me.
My past should have clarified it for me.
The sleepless nights, the scars around my stomach.
The emptiness in me should have warned me.
But I guess I don't learn.
Some people just don't learn.
I tried to steal because I was so desperate to know about my mother that I needed that money.
But I got caught.
And not just get caught red-handed by someone.
But he is the one.
The one who is our rival.
One who everybody despises.
The powerful one the crowd cheers on.
And he knows.
He knows it's me.
I can feel it.
Like I have a pair of my eyes staring at me.
Following me.
But I don't dare to turn around.
- Writer
