The table in front of Cassandra was littered with photographs and material choices for the new lingerie lines she had asked the designers to set up for her. The women had their sketches and pictures being passed among themselves as Cassandra tried to pick out the best ones.

"Many of these designs are exceptional. They would fit the categories you have chosen very well, so I expect you to keep up the good work."

Many of the lingerie choices were the same style, so she asked them to redo some of their works, but the rest looked good. Julia walked in when they were thirty minutes into the meeting with a small file she placed in front of Cassandra. Curiously, she patted the folder and left the room quietly. It sat by Cassandra's side, waiting to be read while the meeting continued. They went through their plans for the launch of the products a few more times before the meeting ended, and they took their leave.

Julia came in just as Cassandra was picking the file up to read. "I thought it would be best I deliver that to you before you found out from other sources. It would seem that Harrison Clark is very competent in his position, the company is flourishing. It's not out of the woods yet, but many of our clients are bending towards him as well. His sales are growing, and profits are rolling in."

Cassandra flipped open the file and read every word on the page, her finger tracking every line. "I don't understand what he is doing that is getting him this number of clients." She slammed the file against the Julia sat up straighter. "I don't know what is going on here, Julia. This business had been down for a long time then he comes out of the blue and now is opening three stores in the same mall space as me."

"Then what are you going to do? Might I remind you that our clients are not leaving us? They are just mixing and matching both products."

"That is the problem here, don't you see that? If he had sold the company months ago, then I would be in a different position now. If the company gains profits and sales, then there is no way he would be convinced to sell it now. If I can't buy it, there is no doubt that in a little while, he and I are going to go toe to toe."

Julia picked the file, "Harrison Clark is here to stay, that's the most obvious thing from this file. He is putting all those years in college to good use, and it's working. That...that doesn't mean you should get your knickers in a twist. You are on top, him climbing doesn't directly mean he is going to challenge you."

Cassandra picked up her purse, throwing it over her shoulder and shoving the file into it. "I don't have any meetings until much later so take care of things here while I step out for a second."

"No," Julia stood from the seat just as she moved for the door, she put herself in Cassandra's path, arms stretched out to dissuade her from leaving. "Miss Hernández don't be smart with me. I know you are thinking of going over there and let me tell you now that it is a bad idea."

"I am not trying to be smart and I would judge what kind of idea it is. I simply want to speak with Mr Clark again. Try one more time to convince him that selling me the company might work. His company is climbing but it still has a lot of bumps to overcome, I am willing to meet him halfway, in a...deal."

"Cassandra," Julia's voice dropped an octave, her hands still outstretched even though she was now pressed against the door. "Even if you tell him you want to buy shares in his company, it would not be anything he would want to hear. This man is working himself hard to get his company up, nothing you say, I repeat, nothing would change his mind on that."

"Well, you never know until you try."

Cassandra took Julia's outstretched hand and gently pulled her out of the way. Julia watched her leave, their eyes locking just before the elevator doors closed, Cassandra could tell Julia was not on board with anything she had planned. Honestly, she didn't really have a plan, aside from proposing to buy the company, she had no backup in case he refused.

Dylan, her chauffer, rushed around the back to open the door, and Cassandra turned to him, "Bold and Lewd company please and make it quick."

Oddly, as Dylan drove, she thought back to Josephine's brazen words the day they had argued in her office. Josephine was adamant that she planned on using the business between their companies to get closer to Harrison and steal him away. Then, she had laughed, she would laugh equally as hard at that moment, but she couldn't pull herself from the memory. Josephine's presumptions were haunting, because, fearfully, Cassandra wondered too often if the crazy woman had a point.

Cassandra strutted into the building, not paying attention to the searching eyes and bending necks that turned when she walked in. her heels clacked over the tiled floor, like the ticking of a clock. She tried to reign in her composure. She was going to calmly seat and talk with him, hopefully by the end of the day, she would leave the office with a deal and a calm mind. If she was able to convince him to sell, he would have no reason to pop up in her life in the future. It was what was best forever one, but most especially for her.

"I would like to speak with Harrison Clark? I don't have a prior appointment but can you call and see if he would receive me all the same?"

The woman sputtered and up the phone to make a quick call. "H-He is in a meeting at the moment but his personal assistant can see if you want. You can take the elevator to the sixth floor."

Cassandra smiled and moved to the elevator. She met his personal assistant when she got out. The woman was smartly dressed. Her hair was neatly packed in a ponytail, every strand brushed and primmed to perfection. Her knee-length dress was iron pressed, with no single crinkle on the blue denim material. She also had composure about her, not seeming as flustered as the receptionist floors below them.

"Ms Hernandez," the woman stepped closer with a formal smile, hugging her tablet to her chest. "Mr Clark is in a meeting at the moment but he has agreed to meet you as soon as it is done."

"Thank you so much. Where can I wait for him?"

"In his office," the woman turned around to push open the thick glass doors, "My name is Maria Johnathan, at your service. It is a real honour to meet you. I have heard so much about you since I came to the city."

Cassandra laughed, taking a seat in front of the desk and crossing her legs casually. "Knowing what is said about me, I can only imagine the things you must have read."

Maria shrugged, slapping the tablet against her thigh. "This is earth, and as long as that is true, people would always have those against them and those that care for them. Famous or simple, the rule still applies. In my opinion, even with all I read, you are very admirable Miss Hernández."

"Thank you. You are well-spoken." She took in the files arranged on the table, equally spaced out. "I have the inkling that you are equally as efficient in your field as with your words. My assistant is the same, you two would get along well."

"I have heard of her too. Maybe soon, I would run into her as well." Maria looked over at the door, smacking her palm over her forehead. "I am sorry, I totally forgot about the coffee. Would you like a cup?"

"Yes, please. If it's no trouble."

Maria didn't take long to return to the office, a cup of coffee in tow and a polite smile to back it as she handed it over. "It's for Mr Clark but I am sure he won't mind you having it."

Cassandra thanked her again, lifting the cup to her lips and taking a generous sip while she took a good look at the office. "Miss Jonathan, I have a very unprofessional question to ask you. If you don't mind."

"Depends. Ask and I would see if it's something that I can answer."

"Since I walked in, you have had nothing but glorifying words for me. I can't help but wonder if you buy some of my products."

Maria grinned interlocking her fingers behind her back. "I am personally not a fan of lingerie, myself. The only one I have ever worn was from the Couples collection my boss first put out. My boyfriend thought it was a good idea since they had matching outfits. Aside from that, nothing else. I do love your products though, I have not used them personally but I have eyes, and I have seen how beautiful they look."

"Selling company secrets to the other side, Maria?"

Maria jumped at his strict tone, and Harrison held himself back from laughing at the deer-in-the-headlights look she had. Cassandra remained impassive, legs crossed, a cup of coffee, he believed was meant to be his, resting on her knee. As always, she was dressed with expensive simplicity. She wore a beautiful dirndl skirt that draped over her legs, bending at the knees and a bustier top to match its colour. Her chunky heels were matt black, matching the necklace and earrings she had on.

Everything he had ever seen her in fit her to a tee, she wore them like they were created solely for her. Confidence and beauty were a deadly pair and this woman had them in spades.

At the sound of his voice, she turned away from Maria to look at him. Coolly taking in his presence, staring at him from his head to the tips of his shoes. From her look, he could tell she wasn't there for a friendly chat.

She uncrossed her legs, pushing up to her feet to stand and face him. "I am glad you are finally here Mr Clark. I apologise for showing up without any announcement or appointment, I know you are a busy man."

He nodded and motioned for Maria to leave the room, "We are so going to talk about what I just walked in on later."

Maria nodded, said goodbye to Casandra and left the room. When he heard the click of the door, he asked Cassandra to take her seat but she declined immediately.

"I think I better say what I came here to say standing. It is not going to be a long talk, Mr Clark. I promise to make it as short as possible."

The muscle in his jaw began to tick, "I am guessing whatever you are about to say is not something I would be too comfortable hearing."

She leaned against his desk, crossing her legs at the ankles. Harrison had to be honest about something, looking at her from where he stood. Josephine's jealousy was beginning to make more sense to him. Cassandra was fatally beautiful. Harrison was certain Josephine believed that if they didn't clash over the business, he would be readily interested.

"Not really. I was actually here, initially to offer you, once again, the option of selling your company to me. Now though, after speaking with your assistant, I have changed my mind. You have done so well with it, and by all appearances, you continue to do so well with it. Rising in the ranks, growing and spreading faster than gossip, it's really admirable."

Harrison laughed, folding his arm across his chest. "So, you are here to compliment my company? Forgive me if I don't believe that is all you stayed here to say."

"Not really, I don't give out compliments. I am here now to apologize for placing you at the same level as the other companies. I underestimated you because of your background and that was really stupid of me. It is a mistake I plan on correcting."

Her words didn't settle in his mind at first, but when they did, it was like a splash of cold water crashing down on him. "Let me get this straight... you do want to destroy me but you plan on doing it in a different way unlike how you dealt with the other companies?"

"Yes. You should know that I don't allow anyone to come above me in my business. It took me years to get there and I am not letting a well-renowned playboy think he has a chance of stopping me."

His blood ran cold, "Is that the reputation that made you underestimate me?" Although he didn't feel like it, he laughed for a while before looking at her again, "I am a very jolly man and I don't look for trouble when it is not looking for me but you just came looking for me Cassandra."

"So I am trouble?"

"More or less. I never planned on competing with you but now I am really interested in showing you my best. I was only trying to make my company survive with the growing market and I was able to get to where you are without trying, how far do you think I would go when I am really competing with you?"

Cassandra pushed away from the desk, "You think you can compete with me? You are rising in the ranks, I wouldn't deny that, but cross me, and there is no measure to how fast I would tear you down. Don't forget that I have been a businesswoman longer than you. That is not a threat, by the way, it a promise backed by eight years of hard work."

Something in him snapped, "No, that's where you are a bit misguided. You were a businesswoman for six years and a tyrant for two. Why do all the business have to pay because your little heart got broken."

First, he saw confusion in her eyes before she finally realized what he meant and her eyes were filled with rage. Before she could react and slap him like he knew she planned to do, he pulled her close to him by taking hold of her elbow.

"I hate fights Miss Hernández especially with people I want to respect but don't think for a second that I would allow you to walk all over me just to boost your ego or the ego of your company. I respect you more than you can even begin to imagine even though we have only met once. Still, I refuse to be walked over and looked over, even by you. If it's a fight you really want, I will give you one, I will not spare you or your company."

She yanked her hand away from his grip and laughed, "Spare my company? You must be confused because it is your company that would need sparing. I plan on showing you that you are no match for me." To his surprise, she held his elbow and pulled him until their bodies met. She looked up at him with obvious spite, "I don't do it for ego Clark, I do it because I also don't like to be walked all over. From when I was younger and ever after I started my business, many people looked down on me because they thought I could never make it. They only saw a daddy's girl who would only ever get far on her father's money. I am going to show you, just like I showed them, how competent I am."

With that, she let go of his elbow and pushed him aside as she picked up her purse and breezed out of his office. He turned to watch her as she left and he had to seal his lips to prevent himself from calling after her.

Harrison growled and sank his teeth into his fist before pounding on his table. He couldn't understand how a woman so beautiful and accomplished, could be so bitter and vengeful. He regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth but pride and anger didn't allow him to apologise. He should never have allowed her to get under his skin, or allow her insults to affect him.

"I am guessing by your stance that I am either in trouble because of my mouth or Ms Hernández's visit did not please you at all."

With both hands braced against the edge of his desk, his head sagged a bit as weariness overcame him, "Maria, do me a favour and let me scold you later alright. I would make sure to give you a big lecture but not right now."

"Okay sir, I would be at my desk when you are ready to give me the lecture."

He sighed and took his seat thoughtfully, Cassandra said she had been looked down on in college but Josephine had told him the woman was a beauty queen. With another sigh, he clicked on the google icon on his computer and waited for it to load up. When it was done, he typed 'pictures of Cassandra Hernández in high school' and closed his eyes as he waited for the pictures to come up.

When he opened his eyes, he was faced with a picture of Cassandra from her years in high school and his blood went from cold to hot within ten seconds. Cassandra was dressed in a long gipsy skirt and sweatshirt with a bag slung over her right should and spectacles sitting on the bridge of her nose. Her face was dusted with freckles from her nose all the way to her cheeks. She was standing beside one of her teachers and the man had a big smile on his face.

Beauty queen, his ass. Josephine had lied to him straight to his face.

Staring at Cassandra's photo, he pulled out his phone and dialled Mark's number. If Josephine lied to him, there had to be a reason. If there was no sensible reason, she won't like what he had to say.