Chapter 3: The First Clash

#### **Chapter 3: The First Clash**

Gabriel leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass as he surveyed the room. They were back in the Villarreal boardroom, the place where business deals were won and lost, where fortunes were made, and where tempers often flared. He’d been in countless meetings like this before, but today was different. Today, something had shifted in the air, and he knew exactly why.

Keisha Joli.

He glanced over at his best friend, Jarren, who sat at the head of the table, exuding his usual air of confidence and control. But Gabriel knew Jarren too well—there was a crack in that cool exterior, and Keisha was the one who had caused it.

Jarren had always been the calm one, the one who never let emotions get in the way of business. But ever since Keisha had come into the picture, Gabriel had noticed a change. Jarren’s jaw tightened when she spoke, his eyes narrowed just a little more than usual, and his responses were sharper, less measured.

For someone like Jarren, who prided himself on being untouchable, Keisha was like a thorn in his side. And Gabriel found it amusing as hell.

As the meeting room began to fill with executives and managers, Gabriel’s gaze shifted to the door. Keisha entered, her presence commanding attention despite her more understated appearance. She wasn’t flashy, but there was something about the way she carried herself—an unspoken confidence, a quiet defiance that seemed to challenge anyone who dared underestimate her.

Gabriel smirked to himself. _This is going to be interesting._

He watched as Keisha took her seat at the far end of the table, not even sparing Jarren a glance. Most people would have at least acknowledged him, given his position as CEO, but not Keisha. She acted like Jarren was just another person in the room, and Gabriel could tell it bothered him.

_"Good afternoon, everyone,"_ Jarren began, his voice smooth and authoritative as usual. _"Let’s get started. We’re here to discuss the next steps in the Villarreal-Sierra project."_

The formalities began, with the usual back-and-forth between executives, charts being passed around, numbers being discussed. But Gabriel wasn’t paying attention to any of that. His focus was entirely on Jarren and Keisha, waiting for the inevitable clash that always seemed to happen whenever the two were in the same room.

It didn’t take long.

_"I’ve reviewed the proposed timeline,"_ Keisha said, her tone calm but firm. _"And quite frankly, it’s not realistic. The expectations for the project are being set too high without considering the current limitations."_

Jarren’s gaze flicked to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. _"We’ve already accounted for potential setbacks, Miss Joli. The timeline is aggressive, but it’s achievable."_

Keisha didn’t back down. _"With all due respect, Mr. Villarreal, aggressive isn’t always better. Pushing for unrealistic deadlines is a recipe for mistakes, and mistakes in this project could cost millions."_

Gabriel stifled a grin. _Here we go._

He watched as Jarren’s expression tightened, the irritation barely concealed behind his professional facade. _"I appreciate your concern, Miss Joli, but this isn’t your first major project. Villarreal Corporation has handled larger deals under tighter deadlines. We know what we’re doing."_

_"I’m not questioning your company’s capabilities,"_ Keisha shot back, her eyes locking onto Jarren’s with a fire that made Gabriel sit up a little straighter. _"But there’s a difference between knowing what you’re doing and being reckless. This project isn’t just about your company’s bottom line—it affects everyone involved, and we need to be careful not to sacrifice quality for speed."_

The tension in the room was palpable, and Gabriel could see the other executives exchanging nervous glances. But Keisha didn’t seem fazed. She held her ground, not intimidated by Jarren’s authority or the power he wielded in the room.

_"She’s got guts,"_ Gabriel thought, taking a sip of his drink. Most people wouldn’t dare talk to Jarren like that, especially not in front of a room full of colleagues. But Keisha? She seemed to thrive on it.

Jarren leaned forward slightly, his voice low and controlled. _"I’m aware of the stakes, Miss Joli. But I trust my team’s judgment, and the timeline will remain as is unless there’s a compelling reason to change it."_

_"The compelling reason is right in front of you,"_ Keisha countered, not missing a beat. _"I’ve outlined the risks in my report, which I assume you’ve reviewed. Or perhaps your team overlooked it?"_

A few heads turned at that comment, and Gabriel had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing out loud. Keisha wasn’t just standing her ground—she was actively poking the bear.

For a moment, Jarren didn’t respond. He simply stared at her, his expression unreadable. Gabriel could practically see the wheels turning in his friend’s head, trying to figure out how to respond without losing face. Jarren wasn’t used to being challenged like this, especially in front of an audience.

Finally, Jarren spoke, his voice measured but with an edge that hadn’t been there before. _"I’ve reviewed your report, Miss Joli, and while I understand your concerns, I believe they’ve been sufficiently addressed. We’re not changing the timeline."_

_"Of course not,"_ Keisha said, her tone sarcastic but controlled. _"After all, it’s easier to stick with your decision than admit you might be wrong."_

Gabriel raised an eyebrow at that. _Ouch._ This was turning into a full-on verbal sparring match, and neither side was backing down. He glanced around the room, noticing the uncomfortable expressions on some of the other executives’ faces. They weren’t used to seeing anyone talk to Jarren like this, especially not a business partner.

Jarren’s eyes flashed, and for a brief moment, Gabriel thought his friend might lose his cool. But instead, Jarren leaned back in his chair, his expression smooth once again.

_"I admire your passion, Miss Joli,"_ Jarren said, his voice steady. _"But passion without perspective is dangerous. We’re moving forward as planned."_

Keisha’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she simply nodded, though Gabriel could see the frustration in her eyes. She wasn’t used to losing, and neither was Jarren. That was the problem—they were too alike in that way, both stubborn, both determined to be right.

As the meeting continued, the tension lingered in the air, but the conversation shifted to other topics. Gabriel leaned back in his chair, watching Keisha out of the corner of his eye. There was something about her that intrigued him, something that went beyond the obvious tension between her and Jarren.

After the meeting, as the room cleared out, Gabriel noticed Keisha gathering her things, her expression tight with frustration. Without thinking, he walked over to her.

_"Tough crowd today, huh?"_ he said, flashing his usual easygoing smile.

Keisha glanced up at him, clearly not in the mood for small talk. _"Something like that."_

_"For what it’s worth, I thought you made some good points,"_ Gabriel said, leaning against the table. _"Most people wouldn’t have the guts to challenge Jarren like that."_

Keisha let out a small, humorless laugh. _"I’m not most people."_

_"No,"_ Gabriel agreed, studying her for a moment. _"You’re not."_

There was a brief silence between them, and Gabriel could sense that Keisha was still irritated by how the meeting had gone. But beneath that frustration, he could also see something else—determination. She wasn’t going to let this go, and Gabriel had a feeling that the clash between her and Jarren was only just beginning.

_"Look, Jarren’s a tough guy to crack,"_ Gabriel said after a moment. _"But he respects people who stand their ground. Just... don’t take it personally, okay? He’s got a lot on his shoulders."_

Keisha glanced at him, her expression softening just slightly. _"I’m not taking it personally. I just want the project to succeed, and rushing it isn’t the way to do that."_

Gabriel nodded. _"Fair enough. Just thought I’d give you a heads-up—Jarren doesn’t like losing, and neither do you. This could get messy."_

Keisha gave him a small, knowing smile. _"I’m not afraid of messy."_

Gabriel chuckled, shaking his head. _"No, I didn’t think you were."_

As Keisha turned to leave, Gabriel watched her go, his mind racing with thoughts. He knew this was more than just a business rivalry. There was something deeper brewing between her and Jarren, something that neither of them was willing to admit yet. And Gabriel, always the observer, couldn’t help but be intrigued by where it would all lead.

One thing was certain—this clash was far from over.

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