CHAPTER 3

CHRISTINA

“The future lies in the person who holds the job.” My father used to always say before he went for a meeting and it was time for me to work according to his advice. I selected a light blue skirt along with a black skirt and black high heels. My hair was drawn into a tight ponytail. Before heading out I double checked to make sure I had all the obligatory documents. It was time for me to meet the long awaited CEO of Black Enterprises.

Theo looked charming as he stood patiently waiting for me. He had green eyes and blonde hair and was found alluring to many. But I found him as a brotherly figure to me even though we were engaged. Taking my wish into consideration they were going to break off our engagement before they met with that accident.

When he saw me he came over and held the door ajar for me as I stepped out.  “Good morning to my beautiful fiancée.” He says with a frank smile on his face. I roll my eyes at his cockiness.

The moment I enter the skyscraper I finally understand why the company is called Black Enterprises. The furniture is black. The walls are black. Even the dress code of the employees is black. EVERYTHING is black except a sign saying ‘ Black Enterprises’ which is hung over the front desk in gold. I walk up to the front desk and clear my throat to grab the attention of the receptionist. She looks up at me and gives me a wide smile.

“ How may I be of assistance to you ma’am?” she asks. I give her one of my I-have-very-important-business looks and speak up, “ I am here to have a meeting with the CEO.”

She goes up the elevator and comes back to inform me, “I apologize ma’am but the CEO is currently very busy.”

The blood inside me begins to boil. So, the CEO wants to play a game; well two can play at it. “ It’s alright.” I say to the receptionist giving her one of my warm smiles. “ I’ll wait right over here.” I say and walk back to where Theo is sitting.

Theo might have sensed something was wrong from my dark expression. “What happened ?” “Well the mighty CEO of Black Enterprises does not have the civility to spare few minutes of his Oh! So precious time on two other equally important CEO’s who have come to discuss a very important matter.” I say all in one breathe.

“ So what do we do now ?” He asks. “ We wait.”

At quarter past twelve the CEO finally asked to meet us. I got up and headed to the elevator along with Theo. As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, we are lead to a double-bounded door.

As soon as I step in I say with a sarcastic tone, “ Oh my! Isn’t the CEO of Black Enterprises very punctual.”

The person sitting in the chair seemed startled to hear my voice and turned his chair around to face us. The sarcasm vanished from my face as I gawked at him. The jet black hair, those lips and the grey eyes all could belong to the one and only THAT man. He made no reply to my remark and I figured it out that anyone would happily forget about the horrible shit I pulled this person through. I felt a deep stab of pain at this humiliating thought.

He got up from his chair with a deep breath and staring right at me said, “ I am genuinely sorry for the delay.”

He then stretches out his hand for me to shake. I take his hand and he says, “ I’m Stephen. Stephen Renolds. CEO of Black Enterprises.” He says with a sarcastic tone and I was positive about why he was using that note. ‘Game on Mr. Renolds’.

“Good Morning. I am Christina Wills . CEO of Wills Enterprises.” I say with a don’t-you-dare-mess-with-me tone.

He looks at me with mockery in his eyes. Damn those eyes ! Theo clears his throat and I remove my hand from Stephen’s grasp.

“And this is Theo James. CEO of The James Company.” I  introduce Theo. “Well nice to meet you Mr. James.” He says with still an amused smile on his face. “So shall we get down to business.” He says in a work-like tone ; all mockery vanished. I nod as I take a chair opposite to him.

“ Mr. Theo I and would like to collaborate with Black Enterprise.” I say laying down the deal. His brows furrow together in confusion. “ Interesting. But what’s with this bizarre request ? I’m sure you are aware of the rivalry between us .”

“The problem lies in the rivalry itself. This feud among us three has been going on for quiet sometime and I believe it is time to end this feud with a pact.” Theo answers.

“ And what do I gain from this collaboration ?” Stephen asks clearly intrigued. “You get 40% shares of Wills Enterprise and 10% shares of The James Company.” I answer without any hesitation. Theo and Stephen both look at me clearly caught offguard.

After a few seconds, Stephen seems to recover himself. “ Well I find it to be an excellent deal and would gladly sign it.” He says taking the agreement from me.

“Are you sure Christina ?” Theo asks clearly doubting my sanity. I could only managed to give him a tiny smile.

As we were heading out Stephen calls out to me, “ Miss Wills please wait. Can I talk to you for a minute ?” I tell  Theo to leave without me as I turn to face Stephen.

Unexpectedly, his expression softens and he asks me, “ How are you holding up Christina ?”

My heart swells as he says those words and my inner goddess gives me a thumbs up. So he does remember me !!! “I’m doing alright.” I say trying to hide the sudden burst of happiness in my tone.

“ But why do you want to collaborate with me after all I could have a hand in the death of your parents “ he says with his brows furrowed again.

The previous me would have believed him. But after I read my mother’s letter I knew for sure that can’t be the scenario. “You will get to know the truth soon Stephen. But I need a favour.”

“What favour?” he asks clearly getting more confused. Oh! How I loved to see this face !

“I want to meet your parents.” I say as a matter of fact. “Okay.” He says after considering for a minute. “They live in California so it is a 18 hour drive from here. I’ll take you on Saturday.” He says “Thankyou.” I reply breathing a sigh of relief.

“ But I have a condition of my own. You have to be my friend.” He says with a small smile. “Okay Mr. Renolds I’ll be your friend.” I say cocking my head to one side. “ Now if you’ll excuse me my dear friend, I have business to attend to .” I start towards the door and smile to myself

STEPHEN

“Wait.” I call after Cristina. I had to make it up to her after the way I behaved and I was positive she was really angry with me after everything.

Christina ignored me and continued to walk. I half walked and half jogged to catch up with her. “ Why didn’t you wait for me ?” I asked clearly irritated.

“Well Stephen let me tell you as a friend that Christina Wills waits for no one.” She says with great pleasure and glares at me when I scoff at her. “What do you want?” she asks getting irritated again.

“I want to tag along.” I answer in the most pitiful way I could think of. “Aren’t you busy O’ Mighty CEO.” She asks raising her eyebrows a look of sarcasm in her eyes.

“Never enough to hang out with you Fair Maiden.”  I comment kissing her hand.

She laughs and finally looks at me. “Okay let’s go.” We go to where her Range Rover is parked. I was surprised to find the whole backseat covered with children’s clothing. “Are you married?” I ask dreading the answer.

She laughs her pretty laugh which I love and answers, “No, they are for someone else.” My mind does a little happy dance at her answer.

“So where are we going?” I ask intrigued. “Are you always so restless?” she asks rolling her eyes.

“It’s not my fault. For all I know you might be kidnapping me and planning to earn some money by selling my pretty face.” I answer. “You have a really wide imagination.” She says smiling at me .

“Guilty as charged.” I answer back with a wide grin.

Before I knew it my angel pulls up in front of an orphanage. She gets out of her seat and grabs the bags from the backseat. “What am I here for then?” I ask as I take the bags from her hand. She gives me a playful shove and beckons me to follow her.

As soon as she enters a group and by a group I mean a really huge group comes running towards us screaming ‘sister, sister’ as they come towards us. Christina smiles at them and gives each one of them a peck on the cheek. I can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. After handing out the clothes to them we go to meet the owner.

One small girl comes running towards us. Christina’s eyes light up at the sight of her. “Annie!” she exclaims with arms wide open for her. Annie jumps into her arms and asks, “Who is this?”

Christina smiles at me and tells her, “He is a friend of mine and he came here specially to meet you Annie.”  “Really.” Annie asks with wide eyes. “Yup.” Christina answers back as we go meet the other kids.

At that point I notice that no matter how sad my angel is she always tries her best to keep the ones around her happy. Maybe that’s why I fell for her.

After saying our goodbyes we get in the car. “Well that was tiring. They can be quiet a handful.” I comment.

“Oh I didn’t know the great Mr.Renolds who runs a mighty tycoon can’t handle a handful of children.” “And in what way were they only a handful?” I retort with annoyance.

Christina laughs and flaunts one of her cute smiles. “Awww…. I’m sorry Stephen.” Damn that smile!

“So how long have you been going to the orphanage?” I ask nonchalantly. “Since I was four . My parents were really into charity and these kids have now become like a family to me so I feel at ease with them.” She answers.

After about twenty minutes of endless chatter we reach my company. Before I got off, I asked her, “Can I have your number?” “Why?” she questions.

I was quiet taken aback and did not know what to say, “Ummmm… cause..I..um..thought we were friends.” I managed to stammer. “Well I need to go now. Don’t forget this.” She says handing me my documents.

“Alright.” I say disappointed. She winks at me and drives away.

As soon as I reach the office I decide to go through the papers. A small piece of paper falls out as I empty the documents. As I pick it up to read it I notice something written.

986302-1-356 . Meet you on Saturday Stephen.

I shake my head as a smile escapes my lips. Oh what am I gonna do with you my angel.

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