CHAPTER THREE

MUNA

When I arrived at GS Capital in my black sports car, I was impressed at how beautiful and huge the building was. 

Of course, it definitely was expected of a venture capitalist like Gary Stephens, apparently, he was the CEO of GS Capital and at the moment, the man my father owed millions of dollars to.

I wondered exactly why I was doing this once again as I walked into the building. Was it to gain some sort of recognition from my Dad when he finally woke up?

Anyways, it doesn't even matter, if my father was going to be arrested, he'd probably die in prison because of his bad health. I couldn't possibly watch that happen, so I had to do something.

Reaching the reception, I asked for Mr Stephens and was directed to the fifteenth floor, which was the office of his secretary.

Getting into his secretary's office, I was made to wait while she announced my presence. The secretary was naturally blonde and beautiful, she had lots of makeup on and seemed nervous while speaking on the phone with her boss.

She hung up and asked me if I could come back some other time since I didn't have an appointment. I frowned in the intimidating manner that I had worked on creating over the years.

"What do you mean? Look this is a very important visit, it's a matter of life and death and that's why I'm here," I said in a deadly and serious tone.

I wondered if she could tell that I was Muna Rowland, the famous fashion blogger. I could tell the moment she finally figured that out as she looked at me from head to toe, taking in my dark shades, figure-hugging black dress, stylish handbag, nice hair and red heels, before saying, "alright, I'll try calling again."

"Thanks, Abigail," I smiled at her, reading her name from her name tag. She seemed pretty nice, but awfully nervous. 

When I remembered Mr Robert's description of the CEO, I figured why the lady seemed so nervous.

After speaking with her boss in a low tone, she cut the call and told me I could go up and meet him in an hour.

I sat, using the time to inform my best friends Tobi and Rainer about my Dad just having a heart attack and the situation of the company.

They quickly replied with sad and comforting emojis. I sat talking to them on the phone about everything that was happening with our galleries within that hour.

After the time was up, I made my way back to Abigail and asked, "can I see Mr Stephens now?"

"I'll just call him up once again," she smiled.

"Thank you, Abigail," I smiled.

The frown on her face let me know that she received another negative response. I looked at my watch before I made my way towards the lift, apologizing to a screaming Abigail behind me.

Walking up to elevator, I made my way to his floor. As I walked up to the door which had Office Of The CEO written on it, I was suddenly overcome with dread.

Pushing away my nervousness, I walked into the big office. The sight of a tall, lanky figure in an expensive black suit, sitting behind the huge mahogany desk instead of an elderly man had my heart dropping to my stomach.

What the heck was he doing here of all places? Grant Stevens, my worst nightmare was back in London? I thought he was working in some foreign country.

He had always been the biggest nerd ever, who wanted to steal all the spotlight from me. Why was he here today? Was he going to watch me beg the CEO to spare my father?

I'm sure that would be the icing on the cake for him. He had already ruined my reputation enough in the past.

How could he sit behind that huge desk with a stupid look of satisfaction on his face? He didn't even seem surprised to see me. Was this some sort of trap, after all?

I quickly recovered from my shock and tried to seem unaffected with a rude comment.

And that was how we exchanged words until Grant insinuated that all I did while studying in Nigeria was spend my Dad's money and rent out a luxurious apartment with Tobi.

Tobi and I had never dated, we have always been great friends since college. He and Rainer were partly Nigerian just like me, so it was pretty easy for us to become friends. 

So Grant believed the facade I let everyone believe about me? His tone clearly suggested that he believed that I was living a bratty lifestyle.

That wasn't surprising though, I guess he still believed what they said back then about me in high school. 

Well, I guess that was good then, after all that was the image I was trying to portray now, a bratty kid who loved her father's money. It was the only way for me to keep getting those funds.

I couldn't risk Dad finding out what I was using my allowance and that apartment in Lagos, Nigeria to do. His condition would only get worse. So it's best if everyone just assumed the worst of me.

"You know, I don't think I have the time, neither do I have the patience for this rubbish of yours. However I choose to live my life and whoever I date is my business alone. It has absolutely nothing to do with you," I informed him in a low tone.

"Really?" Grant smirked and I felt the urge to punch him squarely on the jaw, so that he could stop looking so smug. His green orbs and dark blonde hair made him look so effortlessly handsome.

"Oh please, you have no right to question me. Where is Mr Gary Stephens?"

"My father, you mean? Well, you see, he's in his villa resting because that's what a man of his age should be doing while being confident that his responsible son is in charge of all his company affairs. You on the other hand keep making your father worry," he stood and made his way to sit on his desk in front of me.

"Who knows you just might be the very reason why your Dad is in that condition. What do you think?" Grant laughed.

I stared at him, feeling the tears forming at the back of my eyes and it took everything within me to keep them from rolling down my cheeks.

How could I be so ignorant? Why didn't I realise that the last name Gary Stephens was similar to my worst enemy's Grant Stephens?

How could I walk into yet another trap from Grant like this? Now how was I going to plead my case?

I will drop dead first before allowing Grant the satisfaction of bringing me down. How could he say that to me? I guess he hated me just as much as I did him.

For a moment I questioned my presence in the huge office. It was obvious that Grant was now the CEO and therefore the fate of Rowland Galleries lay right in his stupid hands.

"You know that your insults are wasted on me. I hate you just as much as you hate me and at this point I couldn't possibly hate you more than I do right now," I informed him in unashamed fury.

"I don't remember insulting you. What does your feelings for me have to do with anything? I couldn't hate you? You're the queen of beauty after all. I wouldn't dare, who knows you just might put me in prison," he laughed, showing off his perfectly even and white teeth.

"It's obvious that there can be no reasoning with you, but then I'd say this before I leave. I hope you can extend the time frame for Rowland Galleries to pay back your company. We are facing little difficulties with our finances, but a few months or even six should be enough time for us to get back on our feet."

"Hmmn, I see. You need six months to get things under control. From what I understand, your father is hospitalised and in no condition to run the galleries. How then do you expect to get everything sorted?" He asked in a mocking tone.

"I intend on assuming the role of Director of Rowland Galleries, that is for as long as my father is unwell," I informed him and watched a mischievous grin appear on his handsome face.