"Savannah! I promise you you won't believe what just happened!" I yelled into the phone as I walked back into my office

As I maneuvered through the crowded hallways with my drink I brought from the cafe, I couldn't help but feel a variety of emotions. I still didn't know how to respond to the email, so I didn't, but I've reread it at least three times trying to comprehend why Mr. Anderson would want to negotiate with us.

He hasn't been in our media since he was been busy with his companies in the UK, so for him to randomly message us was shocking. He hasn't even made it here yet, but it seemed like his request was the major thing he was focused on. Why was an alliance with an enemy that urgent?

The pieces weren't connecting to me, but I would be lying if I said it didn't intrigue me to find out more.

"Navehya what are you on about now?" She asked tiredly through the phone

I hurried to get back to my office since I knew if I even whispered something about Cole in this building, everyone would ask a million questions and possibly even look at me disgustingly since they knew the history between our fathers.

It was why FR Inc. had been doing so well over the years, we had the best employees who were educated about past events and who were dedicated to never letting it happen again.

"Girl remember when you said Cole Anderson might come back to the United States soon! He comes in the next three days, can you believe it?!" I mumbled into the phone so no one could hear and she squealed loudly in response

"Oh my God, you're telling me that hunk of a man is finally coming here? I've been waiting for years for him to land here. Shit I gotta go buy new thon- I mean dresses. I'll see you later girl, thanks for telling me!" She rambled then hung up which made me laugh

I sat down in my chair, crossing my right leg over the left, and turned to look towards the huge glass window that gave me a wonderful view of the city. Instantly, my gaze levitated to the billboard posting that had a picture of Cole in a maroon suit jacket on with his black hair gelled back and my breath hitched. Next, I caught sight of the information about his company and expected arrival, and another wave of anxiety crept to me.

I was sure that Hakeem knew by now, but it still didn't make sense why I couldn't tell him about Cole's arrival here.

"Navehya!" I heard my brother call my name loudly, breaking me out of my tormental thoughts completely

As he continued to loudly knock on my door, I huffed and rolled my eyes and eventually walked to open it, crossing my arms.

"Yes Hakeem?" I asked snobbishly and he scoffed in return

"Have you seen that new billboard posting about Cole Anderson coming back to the States?" He questioned and I debated whether I should act oblivious or tell the truth

The posting was in front of my window for fuck's sake, so there was actually no point in lying.

"Of course I've seen it. Look out the window. Fucking idiot." I remarked dully and he rolled his eyes in annoyance

If I didn't want him to get suspicious about me knowing anything, I had to play the part too.

"Well yes, I see that now. Anyways why do you think he's coming here? He hasn't been in the US for almost three years." He muttered almost to himself

I shrugged my shoulders trying to act normal and made my way back to my desk.

"You do know that he's a multi-millionare just like we are right? With companies all over the world right? He could be checking in with one of them that's posted here?" I suggested and he pondered my consideration for the moment

"I suppose you're right. I just don't want him coming near anything. It's been decades that we've been in competition, I don't want the man getting any ideas."

"Hmm, well I'm sure for that exact reason that he won't." I insisted trying to make him leave

Usually I wasn't the the one to keep a secret, but I could already tell that once he figured out the truth, he would be angry with me for not telling him.

Good thing I didn't get paid for supplying him intell.

"Mhm, well that was all. I'll be leaving now to let you get back to–"

"Yes yes dear brother same speech different day, get the hell out!" I replied raising my tone slightly and pushed him out of the door

"Navehya, that is no way how to speak to me." He responded with a pout

"Awwn, boo hoo." I answered smiling sweetly then slammed the door in his face

"Oh you better be glad you didn't give me the key to this room or I swear your shit would've been out by now!" He yelled through the door which made me flip him off through the window

He gasped loudly to where I could hear him and put his hand over his chest in shock and I stifled a laugh.

Even though he got on my ever lasting nerves with his controlling and idiotic behavior, we were still siblings, so I didn't truly believe I'll ever hate him. Completely that is.

After a couple more minutes of him yelling at me through the door and me mocking him, he finally walked away with an attitude, which allowed me to walk back to the giant glass window that made me feel powerful and in control of all of New York.

Then, my eyes went back to the billboard posting, and suddenly...
I didn't feel as in control anymore.

—

It was finally 7 pm and time for me to leave the office. I was supposed to leave around 6, but I ended up receiving more emails and contracts that I had to fax and print out for tomorrow. I knew that wasn't technically not my job, but since my brother was the owner of the company, that forced me to be his personal assistant. So I was forced to answer his emails and rearranged his meetings and schedule whenever he needed me to.

I usually didn't hate the job since it's something I've grown into a habit of these past few years, but when I occasionally remembered who I'm doing the job for, well that made me want to quit on the spot.

But I couldn't. Unfortunately.

As I grab all my things, I walked out of my office and headed to the elevator where I could go down to the lobby. I sighed in content as the elevator quickly sent me there and waved to Angela as I walked out, who was also getting ready to leave.

She waved back to me which made me smile and I grabbed my phone to message Harry that I was ready to leave, and like earlier this afternoon, he was already there waiting for me.

"We meet again miss." He teased and opened the car door for me

"I see that we have." I replied playfully and hopped in to fasten my seatbelt

It was absurd how all of these people worked for me, but we didn't have a boss/employee relationship with one another. If anything I'd call them an associate or even a friend, but personally, I didn't like mixing familiarity with business, so the thought really never crossed my mind.

"To your home Ms. Robinson?" Harry questioned while looking at me through the rearview mirror

I nodded feeling sleepy and looked back towards the window. As we were passing through the neighborhood, I saw the streets filled with orange lights and people who were genuinely having a good time, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for myself.

Yes I had friends but I also had responsibilities and duties that I had to do by and before certain times.

I just couldn't party like these people.

I just couldn't be free like these people.

Forcefully, I shook my head from the intruding thoughts and opened my phone again to answer some emails that were recently sent to me. After a couple of minutes or so, Harry informed me that we've made it to my house so I send him a gracious smile while getting out of the car.

As I got out and walked to my doorstep, I turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open, then looked behind me to wave Harry off. He always watched me walk in my house to make sure nothing happened to me –another small but meaningful gesture I appreciated from someone.

Once I pushed the door all the way open and closed, I saw Savannah come out of her room with the silk black robe I bought her a few weeks ago and her signature bunny slippers.

Honestly I was convinced she couldn't go anywhere without them.

With opened arms, she walked up to me and I walked up to her the same way. She laughed softly and squeezed me tightly and I squeezed her back with the same force.

Even though Hakeem didn't pull any bullshit today, my work days were usually filled with stress and running so when I got home, I was always exhausted. Saying that a nap sounded amazing right now would be an understatement.

When we finally pulled back, we both looked at each other expecting the other one to speak first.

"Well bitch are we going to go shopping for the hunk or are we going to stay here staring each other like some fucking mannequins?!"

I laughed at her enthusiasm but her comment brought multiple red flags into my brain.

"Whoa whoa whoa, I am not going shopping for Cole. A man? Never. I'm going shopping for new business suits. Along with Cole, we have other suitable bidders who'd also want an alliance and have been even before Hakeem took over." I replied and her lips pursed as if trying to find a retaliation

A major difference between Savannah and I was that she enjoyed the attention from men and nearly basked in it for confidence. Nothing was entirely wrong with that, but I just wasn't the same. Sometimes I envied how she could put on a face full of makeup and wear an attractive dress that accentuated her body, but I couldn't bring myself to do the same.

A long time ago I accepted the fact that she was the more outgoing one and I was the more shy one since in front of people, I could barely speak a word. Ironic I know. It wasn't because I was scared of them or anxious though. It was mostly because a few years ago Manhattan was in the center of kidnappings and the thought of losing anyone affected me deeply.

With that being said, I buried myself in work and while Savannah went out with her friends, I forced to convince myself that what I was doing was the right thing.

"Okay, but this is Cole Anderson. I'm sure you could change your perspective for one night Navehya." She insisted breaking me out of my thoughts and I craned my neck to look at her

"There is no way in holy hell will I shop for a man or change my perspective for that matter. You've seen my dating history and you know it wasn't the prettiest. Not even that, engaging with Cole is like poking a bear Savannah. Our fathers have been enemies for decades. Why would we play Romeo and Juliet?" I counter sarcastically, causing her to roll her eyes

"Look, I get where you're coming from. I just don't like how you bury yourself in work and then dislike when life turns out the way it does. It would be nice to share some things with someone else. Someone else who isn't me or your workers." She retorted and I could hear the sincerity in her voice

I knew she only wanted the best for me, but I've had this mindset of money and travel for a while now. Just because Cole was coming back to the States in a few days didn't mean something was going to happen between us.

I couldn't let anything happen.

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

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-Imacrazyprincess❤