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THE PROPOSAL

She looked better than before, though her eyes said a different thing from her face. Her face is screaming; I am a hot ass, beautiful lady, but her eyes are just sad.

“You dropped this,” I said, finally tearing my glance away from her face.

“Oh, you didn't have to bring it to me. Thank you, but I don't need it anymore.” She said that and walked past me.

Is she seriously kidding me right now? I went around looking for her, only to get that as a reply.

“Wait a minute, if you wanted to dump your trash, why didn't you do it properly?” I asked, getting pissed by her attitude and behaviour.

“Excuse me," she said with the same annoying attitude.

“You should take this and dumb it the right way. Don't ever leave your trash in front of the elevator again; it's an inconvenience for other people using that elevator.” I replied to her.

“You shouldn't have bothered yourself about it. You know I made that food for someone. He doesn't deserve it, so why don't you eat the food instead? I hate to see all my hard work go to waste.”

“What?” I can't believe she asked me to eat the same food she just called trash.

“Don't worry, I didn't poison it, and thank you for coming after me to return this. I'm sorry I spoke to you rudely; I was just angry.” She said that and looked up at me.

And there went the tears clouding up her eyes as they threatened to fall, but she turned away from me immediately. I couldn't help being curious about the jerk who left her in that state.

I didn't know what to do or say. I reached out my hand to touch her shoulders but figured out it wouldn't be the best idea. We just met; I don't even know her name. If I touched her without her permission, I don't know what her reaction would be.

“Do you want to talk about it? You know you will feel better if you let it out. I'm a good listener, you know.”

“No, I don't want to talk about it. I just want to be alone,” she said, and she started walking down the street.

Well, I did my best, but it seems it was all a waste of my time. I hope she gets over it. Now, what do I do with this lunchbox? I wonder what's inside. I remember hearing her say she put lots of effort into making this.

So should I consider myself lucky to have gotten rejected food or not? I can't believe this. I wonder who she went to see at Mr. Sebastian’s company and came out this messed up. The buzzing from my phone snapped me out of my thoughts.

Staring at the caller ID, I couldn't help sighing in frustration. Why is he calling me at this time?

“Xender, where the heck are you?”

“Trying to set up a meeting with Mr. Sebastian; I thought I told you about this.”

“Well, you might need to start heading back now. I just got a message that your father is on his way to the company.”

“Are you kidding me?”

"No, I am not; start heading back immediately.”

“Why now? Fuck,” I cursed under my breath. I went back to get Rosa, only to find her standing outside. Why is she not inside the office?

“Rosa, what happened? Did you manage to fix the meeting with him?”

“I'm sorry, sir, but Mr. Sebastian has refused to see anyone.”

“He refused to see anyone after convincing me to sign a contract worth millions and making me invest in it."

“I'm sorry, sir.”

“Just get me back to the company." I angrily entered my car and slammed the door, like it was the cause of my problems.

“Sir, weren't you able to find the lady who owns that lunchbox?” Her question made me realise I was still holding on to the lunchbox. I quickly dropped it and glared at Rosa.

“Drive me back to the company now!"

"Yes, sir,” she said, and we started the car as we drove out, heading back to my company. My brain was messed up. Today is not one of my good days, and Mr. Sebastian will have my lawyers to contend with.

He wants to play this game the hard way, then let's see who wins. I couldn't help getting anxious as we drew closer to M & J Suit Up. I couldn't help feeling anxious. I loosened my tie around my neck, as I was already feeling uncomfortable with the whole idea of my dad visiting my company.

I just hope that's not what I'm thinking.

Alda’s POV

I walked along the side of the road for a while, although I wasn't sure where I was heading. I just needed to clear my mind. I wish I could just cancel today's meeting.

I'm not in the right mind to hold a meeting at the moment, but I can't cancel this meeting. I took my phone and dialled Albert’s number.

“Meet me at the office; I will be taking a taxi.”

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes, I just had a few things I needed to settle. I will see you later at the office.” I ended the call before he could ask any other questions.

Albert is a very good friend to my dad, and if he finds out what happened today, then there is no way he won't be telling my dad about it. And the last thing I need now is to put my parents in a tight position.

That's why I can't let him know what happened today, or my parents might go crazy, especially my dad. He never liked Seth to begin with; if he gets to know what Seth did, then he will withhold his company from supporting Seth’s.

"Ma'am, are we here?” The cab driver's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I paid and thanked him before heading inside.

“Good day, Miss Barnard,” Peter, my acting CEO, greeted. He was waiting for me at the door entrance to the meeting room. I didn't bother correcting him when he called me Miss Barnard.

Peter was fond of using that to address me. I would have tried correcting him if it were every other day, but it wasn't.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, but you have an unexpected visitor. He is waiting for you at your office.”

“An unexpected visitor? Do I know this visitor?”

“Yes, but he strictly informed me not to expose his identity. He just said you should meet me at the office.” I couldn't help wondering who this person is.

And to think that Peter allowed him into my office, then he must be someone he respects a lot. I think I already know who he is.

“What is my dad doing here?”

“Oh, you figured it out,” Peter said, giving out a small smile.

“I know you wouldn't let anyone inside my office, and my dad is the only man I know you respect a lot. Give me a few minutes. I will join the meeting, or better yet, you can start without me.

I trust you know what to do."

"Yes, Miss Barnard, I will fill you up with the details later on.”

"Okay.” I turned to leave, but I caught Peter staring at me with a worried expression on his face.

“Is there any problem?” I asked him.

"Nothing; you just don't look too good to me. Are you feeling sick?” His question embarrassed me. Was I really looking so bad?

"No, I'm fine, but why do you ask?”

“You don't look so cheerful today, and your face looks so flushed, like you have been crying all day.”

“So it was that noticeable,” I muttered to myself.

“Excuse me, ma'am, were you talking to me?”

"No, Peter, I will see you later." I quickly left and headed for the restroom. I can't meet my dad looking like this, or he will start suspecting that something is going on.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I saw how I messed up my makeup. Have I been crying without even noticing it?

I quickly washed my face and redid my makeup. I can't have my dad questioning me about what happened today. Just then, my phone started buzzing inside my bag.

Grabbing my phone I checked for the caller ID and was happy when I saw Anna’s name.

"Anna.” I called out her name as my emotions got the best of me. Tears were threatening to run down my face, but I just couldn't ruin my makeup again.

“What's going on? I just received your voicemail and nearly had a heart attack.”

“Let's talk over dinner. I'm in a very important meeting at the moment, so I can't talk right now.”

“Okay. But is everything alright with you?”

“Not really, but don't worry, I will call you once I'm through with the meeting.”

“Okay, I will see if I can get off work early today.”

“Thank you, Anna, for always being there for me.”

“You are welcome, sweetie; just know I always have your back.” That was her last word before she ended the call. I swallowed the grip on my throat and composed myself before heading out to meet my father.

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