CHAPTER 28

I stared at him in bewilderment.

“Stop staring at me and eat”. He whispered with gnashed teeth.

“You are unbelievable,” I whispered and regretted it immediately because he heard me.

“What did you say?” He leaned in again and asked with furrowed brows.

“Oh, nothing.” I stammered in reply.

“Good.” He muttered and leaned forward to join the meeting again.

I heaved a deep sigh, picked up the cutlery, and took a piece of the snack. It had gone cold by then and had lost that hot, crunchy vibe. I continued munching on it and used the wine served along with it to take it down. When I was done with the snack, I sank back into my chair with a filled stomach.

After a few minutes of sitting mutely beside Adrian, I observed the meeting room begin to resurrect because it was getting interactive. People were giving their opinions and points of view on different issues and topics. Soon, the menial side talks graduated to heated discussions and blunt exchanges. The board did not withhold anything, pouring out their hearts with reckless abandon one after the other with their boastful words and tones laced with pride.

Everybody tried to surge forward and position themselves at the front each aiming to dominate the discussion. I glanced at Adrian. He was unshaken and concerned about what was going on, but I knew one thing for sure: a lot was going on in his mind. He had something to say, but he was waiting for the perfect time to strike. I knew he was used to the system; the way he faced their arrogance with firm confidence was suspicious. But I couldn't overlook the level of harshness and self-centered mindset all of them possessed. This was more than business; they made it look like a game of power and I felt like a small weed in a forest of trees.

Out of the blue, one of the men at the head of the table banged on the table, making a deafening sound, and everywhere was as silent as a graveyard. It took me so much to hold back the laughter that was mounting inside of me; I mean, from the look on their faces, they didn't see that coming.

“Thank you, everyone, for your contributions. You all know that we are representatives of the government. We will relate all these complaints to the appropriate authorities and ensure that everything is duly attended to.”

After the speech, the men at the head of the table began to pack up, ready to leave, but Adrian stopped them. He raised his right hand in the air, cleared his throat, and said.

“I didn't speak when everyone was making a hell of a noise, so I would like to make my contributions now.”

I gasped at his steeze. The men had no other choice than to exercise more patience and listen to him speak.

When Adrian was finally given the go-ahead, all eyes in the room were fixed on him and indirectly on me because I was by his side; I began developing cold feet. He just sank back into his chair with an elusive expression. He allowed the silence to linger, making them grow eager as he savored the moment without uttering a word. Then, in a relaxed, mellowed voice he started talking. He began by hitting the nail on the head, making everyone sit up straighter and become more engrossed. His words were not empty or loud; they were heavy and gently hitting their ear canals and leaving a lasting effect.

With ease, Adrian untangled their arguments, highlighting solutions that were oblivious to them and providing flawless solutions that left behind no doubt in their hearts. A wave of admiration and stunned muteness took over the bitterness that had once overshadowed the room. When he was done, the arrogant people who once sat around the table were resolved at heart and couldn't help but nod in agreement; as if that was not enough, they released a thunderous round of applause. The real genius had emerged, and nobody could object to it, and I unwillingly felt a mute flash of pride with a touch of surprise.

He was brilliant, no doubt, and I could not argue the fact, but it only irritated me more. That same confidence he flaunted here was the reason he always felt on top of the world: domineering, controlling, and always acting like he was the king of the world. While everyone nodded and clapped in agreement and see, I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth trying to wrap my head around and grasp the admiration they all seemed to have for him. But instead, the only thing I could see was a man who treated me like a tool and more like one of his possessions. But here he was playing the superhero in public, If only they knew it was a mere camouflage.

One of the men at the head of the table, who hadn't said a word since the commencement of the meeting, finally spoke.

“Billionaire Adrian, I must say that you are a true grandson of the Sterling family. Your grandmother of blessed memory, may her gentle soul rest in perfect peace. She groomed you so well, and you took after her completely. I am amazed at this showcase of wisdom and rare maturity keep up the good work.”

Another thunderous round of applause came from everyone at the table but I wasn't clapping just like Adrian.

“What is wrong with you?” He leaned close to me and asked.

“Nothing.” I blurred in reply.

“Then why are you not clapping?” He asked visibly annoyed.

“What! I thought they were clapping for the both of us.” I asked, feigning confusion.

“Don't be silly, join them.” He muttered and leaned forward to give the board members a couple of handshakes.

I quietly brought my two palms together to clap but I didn't make any sound. I put them down when I got annoyed. I glared at Adrian and I could tell that he was feeling on top of the world. He loved to be the superhero.