There he was... In all his glory.

Cole looked different from last night since his attire was more casual. This morning though, the expensive suit he wore made me hesitant to even stand beside him. It was evident last night that he screamed power and money, but now, it was damn near hard to look past it. The navy blue color that surrounded him caused his his olive skin tone to pop more, possibly even glow, and the expensive watch and jewelry he wore only added to the wealthy persona.

His slicked back black hair was a bonus.

"Mr. Anderson, nice to meet and see you." I mumbled once his large frame walked through the elevator doors

He wasn't even looking at me, paying his phone all of his attention, but I could tell he was listening since he nodded. I rolled my eyes and started to play with my fingers, something I did whenever I got nervous. I felt all of my confidence start to slip away and I started to drown in a pool of uncertainty and anxiousness.

I was curious to see what his company had to offer, other than Cole himself.

When the elevator doors closed this time, without interruptions, I raised my thumb to hit the top button again, and we made our way to my office.

Instantly my finger nails dug themselves into my purse as my jaw clenched slightly. I didn't know why I was losing my cool so quickly since this was what I wanted, but being around him sent my body into a frenzy. Especially since he was blunty ignoring me and my presence.

I pulled out my phone in attempt to distract myself and scrolled through my emails and realized Rebecca agreed to my request. I should've checked when I first heard the notification so I could've prepared myself better. Too late now. I tried to calm my breathing as the elevator continued to lead us up to the top floor, and when it dinged, finally opening, I sighed in content.

I couldn't back down now.

I walked out of the elevator, my key in hand, and led the way to my office and gulped when I heard his loud footsteps behind me.

Damn even his walking ensued power.

I unlocked my office door, and sat at the conference table that was in the middle of the room. I placed all of my things on the table, trying not to make eye contact with him, and took the note pad out of the nearby drawer, along with a black pen.

When I finally sat at the table, I looked up at him and instantly our eyes met. The intensity from his gaze caused a shiver to roll down my spine, but I shook it away feverishly. The action reminded me of last night, but I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. I couldn't let him have that same affect on me again.

I clicked the pen awkwardly and cleared my throat, making him do the same.

"So, Mr. Anderson, is there anything you'd like to say before we begin?" I asked, focusing my attention to the note pad

When I didn't hear a response, I looked up confusingly to notice him blankly staring at me, and I bit my lip in nervousness. My eyes widened slightly as I started to think the worst and I gripped the pen in my hand a little tighter. His eyes shifted to my hand, watching my body language and I panicked even more.

Did he recognize me?

No, that couldn't have been it. Last night I was wearing a blonde shoulder length wig that Savannah forced me to wear. Right now, my normal black curly hair was out, stopping at the top of my breasts. Plus I didn't have any makeup on right now, which was the complete opposite from the gold shimmery sparkles that littered my face last night.

There was no way he could've noticed a resemblance.

"My apologies Ms. Robinson, I thought–" He began but when I looked back up to him, he shook his head, a dark chuckle escaping his full pink lips

Those lips... Stop Navehya, get a grip.

"Never mind, I'm not a morning person, I suppose I thought I was still dreaming." He finished with a boyish grin, causing me to blush and nod my head in understanding

"Right, well anyways, will there be anyone else attending this meeting?" I questioned again and he shook his head

"Alright then, we can get started. Firstly, why is it that you wanted a possible alliance with FR Inc.?" I asked and he simply looked at me confusingly

His reaction puzzled me a bit so I arched my eyebrow and he cleared his throat again before sending me another dark chuckle.

"I was not informed that this meeting was about an alliance on my behalf." He mumbled and I dropped my pen to look at him directly

"Excuse me?" I questioned and he turned away from me instantly

"I'll be right back." He muttered and stormed off before I could ask him another question

His voice was filled with irritation and annoyance, and when he closed the door, it slammed causing a rippling echo through my office. I gritted my teeth and his behavior and I couldn't help my mood from souring. How did he not know what this meeting was about when he was the one who planned it? It didn't make sense.

I pulled out my phone to reread all of the messages Rebecca sent me to convince myself that I wasn't going crazy. After rereading all of them, I realized that I was right. Rebecca mentioned an alliance through the likes of 'Mr. Anderson' and even mentioned his name throughout all of the emails.

If it wasn't him who told her to do it, then who was it?

—

"Savannah! You won't believe the shit that just happened!" I yelled once I opened the door to my house

After Cole stormed out of my office, I remained at the desk, contemplating my entire existence and intelligence since I didn't know rather to feel tricked or relieved. I could tell head-on that the tension and atmosphere would be thick, but I still wanted the meeting to go on. Call me crazy or stalkish, but I forced myself to call it using my resources.

Suddenly, Savannah came out of the room rushing towards me with a hammer and a robe on and I paused in my tracks.

Why the hell was she in my robe?

"Savannah, what the hell?" I asked before laughing hysterically

"You, you sounded scared, and I was in the bathroom taking a shit, so–" She trailed off finally assessing the situation and started laughing with me

We continued laughing and I eventually wiped a tear from my eye before finally sitting on the couch with her.

Wait–

"You literally put on my robe after taking a shit? Oh my God Savannah!" I screamed and her eyes widened

"Hey, technically it was your fault, but I wiped my ass, I'm not nasty. You know that. I'm surprised you didn't say anything about the hammer though." She retorted puzzedly and I shrugged my shoulders

"You have all kind of weapons in your room. I won't be surprised if you had a tank somewhere in there." I teased and she grinned, rolling her eyes

"Fair enough, anyways what happened though?" She questioned and all of a sudden my heart dropped again

"First of all, don't get mad that I didn't tell you but I received an email from Anderson Corporations about our companies temporarily combining or sharing the same stocks. I agreed and asked to get Cole alone, also Hakeem doesn't know." I rushed and her jaw dropped

"Surprise?" I questioned sweetly, raising my shoulders slightly

"Navehya, what in the literal hell." She said rather than questioned after some time

I gnawed the inside of my cheek and waited for her complete response.

"First of all, I'm a little confused why you didn't tell me about Cole coming to the company, but I'll leave that for another time. My real questions are why didn't you tell Hakeem and why did you want him alone? You practically despised his entire presence before we went to the club." She responded and immediately it was like realization finally kicked in

Shit.

"Something happened at the club didn't it?" She asked, her features stunned and expecting the truth

I pursed my lips in thought and when I shifted my gaze from her, she squealed and slapped my leg playfully.

"What happened? You didn't even tell me oh my fucking goodness." She pushed on and I tried to compose myself again

"Nothing really happened. He just touched my chin when we were at the club to look at him, and when we made it home, he touched my cheek. My face cheek Savannah." I countered and her eyebrows rose in response

"And where the hell was I when these activities took place?" She asked and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her sarcasm

"Either drunk or sleep." I retorted and she nodded, not claiming that she wasn't

Even she knew those were her two most favorite things in the world.

"Fair enough... Well, I'm glad you finally told me about these encounters, but I'm not entirely glad that you partook in them. Don't get me wrong I don't like Hakeem worth shit and I don't want to get in your love life, but I'm hesitant about both of them right now." She replied and I tilted my head, waiting for the second part of her commentary

Instantly, I saw the hesitation in her eyes and I just knew her next worfs wouldn't be the sweetest.

"You've worked your entire life working the way your father worked. The day we went shopping you were basically disgusted with Cole, and disliked if I even associated the both of your names in the same sentence. So I'm just confused on how it all disappeared in the matter of days. You're stubborn but confident in everything you do, which makes you level headed, but this, this was unexpected." She finished and I let her words settle for a second

She was right. I didn't even know myself why I asked for Cole to meet me alone. Or why I didn't tell Hakeem. Or why I agreed with Rebecca to even take part in the meeting in the first place. Three years ago, an email from Anderson Corporations wouldn't have even came through because I would've blocked them. I had always worked for my father, his wishes, and how he ran things in the company.

Maybe I wanted to do things by myself so I could show him my way of running things. Maybe I wanted to be in his presence after he left me the way he did last night, yearning and confused.

The possibilities were endless, but I knew all of them were true in some type of way.

"I know, I'm not quite sure why I did it either, I'm not going to let it happen again though. In the club or in the company." I finally answered, starting to play with my fingers

I meant it. I was going to at least get back on track with everything. Sure the change was needed last night with the new clothes, new hair, and new carefree attitude, but I was never the one to mix pleasure with business, and this morning I did just that. It could never happen again. Not when I knew my father wouldn't approve of it even in the slightest.

"Navehya..." I faintly heard Savannah call me and I shifted my gaze to her again

She sighed heavily and grabbed my hands in hers and I again started to gnaw the inside of my cheek.

We weren't over examining the issue, but we were seeing for what it was. She didn't want me to just drown myself in work. She wanted more things for me like how they used to be before my father died. She didn't have to remind me at all. I could see it whenever I did agree to go out in the city with her. That wasn't exactly what I wanted though.

I didn't want to let my walls fall since I knew this world was too cruel for someone who was overly sensitive like me. That was why I held onto my confident and persistent exterior for dear life. It was the only thing that did work for me. Everything else was up in the air, to Hakeem's or my father's leisure and control.

It was like every decision I made either benefited them, but never me. At first the thought comforted me since I knew I was helping them, but I was never acknowledged for it – that was when the thought didn't seem so comforting anymore.

"Hmm?" I answered after some time and I felt her hands squeeze mines gently

"You do know that you are the one in control of your life right? You've worked hard to appeal everyone in this damn country but yourself. If you wanted to start the meeting with Cole alone, that's okay. That was your choice, don't let anyone take those away from you." She insisted and I couldn't help but nod, a small smile forming across my lips

I loved her for her honesty and empathy. Even though she was the more chaotic and dramatic friend out of us, she was also the more level headed and attentive one to subjects I sometimes wouldn't expect. She could read anyone like a book, and half of the time she would point it out right on the spot. Most of the times, she would sit and watch until it would be the time to point it out.

I guess that's how we always balanced each other out.

"Thank you Savannah. I can't promise anything because I honestly don't know where that would lead me, but I do know that I can't mix my business with pleasure." I replied, leaving the rest of the conversation lingering amongst us

I wasn't sure where any of this was going to take me, but I did know that I'd stay true to my words and myself.

Smiling, Savannah got up from the couch and started heading back to her room when suddenly, the thought of Cole staring at me out of curiosity and astonishment crossed my mind. I instantly winced knowing the once "finished" conversation was about to go on for a few more hours.

"Oh and Savannah..." I drawled on and she peaked her head out of the doorway

"Yeah?" She asked, one eyebrow raised in suspicion

I blew out a breath and she straightened her picture on the frame, crossing her arms.

"He probably recognized me from last night too." I eventually mumbled and her gasp echoed around the entire room

"Fucking hell your life is starting to get more interesting than mines."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who do you think was the 'Mr. Anderson' who requested the alliance??

Also, it looks like Navehya finally told Savannah what happened at the club. Was her response what you expected or was she kind of over the top about it?

Also (also), now that the meeting is out the way, the more interesting parts can start coming into play. 👀

Anyways I hope you liked it.

Remember to vote and comment.

Stay blessed

-Imacrazyprincess❤