“Reschedule the meeting for 4.00 P.M. and inform all the board members to present their new plans. Instruct the head of the technical department to arrange a special presentation today. It should be perfect and no more mistakes.” He instructed his P. A with an authoritative voice.
The man noted down each and every instruction coming out of his boss with utmost care. He knew there was no place for the word ‘mistakes’ in their CEO’s dictionary.
“You can go now.” He said to his PA, and the man bowed his head a bit with respect and walked out of the CEO’s office.
Sighing, Zachery turned in his chair to see the perfect view of the city.
All the sky-touching buildings, crowded roads, and busy people could clearly see through the wide glass.
Leaning his head on the headrest, he relaxed a bit.
It was a busy day for him, as usual.
He wanted to ensure everything going according to his plans. That’s why he has established strict guidelines for every employee, and he didn’t tolerate any single flow from them.
That was the reason for his success.
Otherwise, how he would be here?
At this age, and in this little time. He has taken his business empire far higher than his grandfather and father ever imagined.
But he was not satisfied.
He wanted more.
More power, and more wealth. He will do everything to keep his business at a top level.
It was his life’s motto and only goal.
Never be the second!
“Mr. Knight.”
His little trance was broken by an interruption.
When he turned, he saw a woman standing in front of him to gain his attention.
It was his junior personal assistant.
“Sir. Miss Grey is here,” she informed.
He straightens himself suddenly at the mere mention of that name.
“Let her in” he instructed straight away, and the woman nodded her head and left.
He stands up from his chair and waited to meet his friend.
His first love.
The door opened, and a sophisticated woman entered his office with a wide smile on her face. He returned the smile while informing his P. A to prepare tea for them through the intercom.
He gestured for his friend to sit on the couch, and he sat in front of her seat.
With a smile, he looked at the beautiful woman observantly.
With a black frock that came to her mid-thigh, four inches of stilettos, and neatly done high pony-tailed blonde hair, she looked stunning and classy as always.
With her green sharp eyes, heart-shaped lovely face, and those kissable lips, she could have got any man on his knees.
Smiling brightly at Zachery, she started the conversation.
“So... After almost one year... Ah,” she said, raising her well-shaped eyebrows.
“Exactly one and a half years,” he corrected her while relaxing in his chair.
“You were counting time? If you were that free, you should have come to Paris at least once,” she replied in the same teasing voice.
“I thought you were having fun with your boyfriend. Why should I come to spoil your quality time?” He told with his signature smirk and her smile faded.
“Hey, I’m just joking Ray.” He told instantly, and she nodded with a sad smile
“What’s that asshole done this time?” he asked with a frown, and she shook her head a little.
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“Nothing, just ignoring me, as always. When has he ever cared about me? I’m just one of his exes. He was the same Aarav we know,” she told with a sad voice, and he clenched his fist to control his anger. He could just get enraged by the mere mention of that bastard’s name.
Aarav Alexander.
The man who has defeated him twice in a row.
The man who stole the life he should have lived.
The man who stole the girl who should have been his.
That name was enough to ruin his day.
“Do you still into him? Even after everything?” he asked with a distanced voice.
Rainey looked away with a sad expression and remained silent. But that silence gave the answer he wanted, and it made his blood boil.
She was still thinking of the man who gave nothing but pain and humiliation.
Why is she still crying over the man who just used her?
If this girl had given him one signal, indicating that they could take this friendship to another level, he would have made her his a long time ago.
Rainy was the most popular girl in his college. Not just a beauty, but beauty with talent and intelligence.
She was someone he preferred to keep next to him.
A wise and well-matching partner, who could proudly present as his.
He didn’t know what he felt for her.
It could be just attraction, friendship, or love. But in a rational way, she was the most suitable person for him.
She was his friend since they were born.
She comes from a well-known wealthy and respectable family.
She has been with him all the hard times he faced.
But he couldn’t make her his.
First, that was because of the Aarav. Because that man had come in between him and Ray, ruining all.
But now, because he couldn’t spoil their friendship.
Especially, he will never going to degrade himself in front of a woman. Even though it was Rainey; he is not the one to beg for love. No way. It should be the other way around.
Disturbing their sour mood, his P. A appeared with refreshment.
Putting the tray in front of them, she excused herself.
“Eat something. You look skinny,” Zachery said teasingly to change the topic while placing the teacup near Rainy. With a sigh, she took the teacup in her hand. A ghost of a smile played on her full lips.
“It’s my profession, Mister. That’s why I’m one of the country’s top models,” she said playfully, looking at him through her long eyelashes.
“Just saying what I see” he raised his hand in surrender.
But it was one thing he didn’t like about Rainey.
Her diet plan was not something he could approve of or understand.
Whenever they go to dinner or lunch, she preferred to eat like a bird.
He really couldn’t understand why someone would even think about starving themselves for their profession.
Especially someone like Rainey, who was born with a silver spoon.
But he knows she is super passionate about her profession. It was her ultimate dream, even as a little girl. He knows it better because they were friends since elementary classes.
She never used her background to achieve her dream.
She was here solely because of her talent and effort.
That was one reason he respected her deeply.
“Stop digging about me. Tell me about you. Still super busy. Right?” She asked as she drank one sip from the teacup.
“You are going to get bored if I talk about my business affairs. It was just the same as usual. Handling a bunch of idiots and doing a few negotiations. That’s it.” He told while surging his shoulder and Rainey’s eyebrows raised up.
“Typical Zachary Knight, who is full of himself” She smiled as she shook her head with disbelief.
“Why? It is the truth anyway. So, Ray just tells me the real reason behind your majestic presence,” he said with a knowing smirk.
“Always straight to the point! Is that why you are so good in this field, Mr. Perfect?” She asked in a playful tone.
He was right. She had something on her mind.
“Perfect or not, I can confirm one thing: I’m better than your lover. Sorry... Ex-lover, I guess,” he smirked and raised his hands a bit when he saw Rainey narrow her eyes at him.
Rainey took a long breath and continued her conversation.
“I’m partly here because of him,” Rainey told him while looking at her expensive stilettos and he frowned at her.
“There is a party at our agency this weekend. Most businessmen and celebrities are invited there.” She continued her talk with a nervous voice.
“Yes, I know. They had invited me as well. But I had to decline it because I have a meeting with some important client,” he said with a frown.
“Is it so?” She asked with a disappointed look.
“Just tell me without going in the round. What is it?” He asked her in a bit annoying voice.
She was always like this.
She always goes around when talking.
Rainey looked up and straighten a bit. “Okay. I want you to come with me to that party,” she said straightly, and Zachery looked at her while raising his eyebrows.
“Do you mind if I asked the reason?” he asked slyly. He had some ideas about it. But he wanted the confirmation.
Rainy bit her lip and looked away from Zachery.
“He is coming. Aarav,” she told after a few minutes of break, and Zachery got his confirmation.
“I can’t appear more pathetic in front of him, Zach. He is so...” she said with a clogged throat.
“Okay, I’m coming,” Zachery told with a determined voice and Rainey looked back at him with pure shock.
“Didn’t you have an important meeting?” she asked with confusion and at the same time with relief.
“Not more important than you,” he told with a charming smile, and she smiled at him with a relaxed expression.
“I can’t let that jerk walk all over you,” he said, and his face held disgust as he thought about the low life.
“But it’s okay. I can understand if it is a really important meeting for you,” Rainey told him with a small voice. But deep down, she wanted him to go with her.
And he also knows it very well. He was good at reading people.
“You are my first priority,” he said while looking at her.
But he knows that was not the truth.
It was a good chance to have fun.
He never left a single chance to walk over that man.
Then will he miss a golden ticket like this?
Never!
He smirked slyly inside his mind. He knows from the moment Aarav’s name got involved here, he will go to attend the party.
With or without her.
His presence was much necessary to annoy the shit out of that douchebag.
Taking Rainey with him will be a jackpot.
He gets to kill two birds in one go.
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