Negotiations

“Oh my God, I can’t believe Trevor Halland actually accepted my offer!” Alana muttered under her breath as she entered the building.

She had seen an email from Trevor first thing this morning and happiness was an understatement to describe how she felt.

After Alana had freshened up and changed into a navy feminine suit with her blonde hair straightened and left to fall over her shoulders, she drove her black Camry to the address Trevor had sent.

His company, ClearBlue Electronics, wasn't very hard to locate as it was the tallest building along the road. The lobby was filled with employees walking here and there, holding files or talking on the phone as they headed to their respective departments. 

Trevor’s company was so much bigger than hers but it reminded her a lot of when her company was still functioning and buzzing with life.

Lana's Skincare had been her life. Her everything. She devoted her time, efforts and resources solely to ensure the success of the company. It took her four good years to build something she was proud of and yet, it took Drake just four weeks to take it all down with his money and connections.

All her hard work just blown down the drain because of her scum of an ex. 

As Alana watched how Trevor’s company was thriving, her determination was even firmer now–she wasn’t going to let Drake ruin her. She was going to fight back and do whatever it took to revive her company.

“Miss Alana Monrael? I am William Lee. Mr. Halland had instructed me to escort you to his office as soon as you arrived.” William said.  “Please, follow me.” 

Alana walked behind the tall man as he used his ID card to open the security checkpoint gates before moving towards the elevator. He pressed the button to the top floor, and Alana prepared her mind to meet Trevor.

The elevator beeped before the doors opened. William gestured for her to step out first, and Alana walked out of the elevator to enter the floor.

“This way, Miss Monrael.” William moved down the hallway before they got to a door where the bold words were written on a golden plate.

CEO, Trevor Halland.

Alana gulped as William knocked softly before opening the door for her. She couldn’t help but stare with awe at the grand office. Then, she realized this was it.

This was the moment her fate would be defined. Maybe she did have a chance to fight against Drake.

“Good morning.” Alana stuttered out slowly as she saw the figure sitting behind the large desk.

Almost domineering, Trevor shut his laptop and stared at her pointedly. Alana gulped nervously when he got up from the chair and glided towards her, making not a single sound with his footsteps.

He was dressed in a three-piece gray suit with his black hair falling over his face. His smoldering green eyes pierced deeply into her soul and even though he stopped a few feet away from her, his presence was overwhelming.

Alana had no idea how she talked to such a terrifying man with so much confidence last night. She must have been out of her mind.

“Why are you so nervous? Are you sure you’re the same person I met last night?” Trevor’s voice was teasing and Alana could do nothing but blink up at him.

He was very tall and even in heels, she had to crane her neck up to meet his eyes.

She didn’t know he was capable of making such jokes and that part of him made her soften a little bit. Maybe he wasn’t a scary person as his appearance read.

“Alcohol has its ways of instilling a certain bravado in someone.” Alana admitted sheepishly, and she was shocked when Trevor smiled slightly.

He looked breathtaking when he smiled, and something bubbled in her stomach, knowing that she was the reason he smiled.

What was wrong with her?!

“So, are you trying to say you’re backing down from the deal now?” He raised an eyebrow, his face stoic again.

“W-What?!” Alana stammered, much to her dismay. “N-No, I didn’t say that.” She shook her head.

“Good. Have a seat, Alana.” Trevor gestured for her to sit, and as she walked further into the office, Alana was flabbergasted.

He said the deal, which meant that he had called her to agree to it, right? Or what was even going on here? She didn’t know why her senses weren’t active today. The hangover really had a way of ruining her thought processes.

Trevor sat at the head of the table while Alana stayed by the right armchair. She didn’t know whether to cross her legs or sit straight but she ended up crossing her legs.

Trevor stared at her, his green eyes filled with curiosity and Alana didn’t know he looked like he wanted to say something but was stopping himself.

“So, Alana, I want to help your company.” Trevor let out and Alana was too stunned to say a word.

“Y-You will?” Alana blinked up at Trevor, surprised to hear him say that he was going to help her.

Throughout her ride here, she had been positive that Trevor would agree to the deal she proposed but hearing it directly from him was the confirmation she needed.

“Yes.” Trevor nodded slowly. “I had thought about the offer since last night and I realized there’s nothing I would lose if I agreed to it. As you know, Drake Manchester is my rival and he has been very forward in showing his intent to ruin my company.”

“So, Drake has schemed against you too?” Alana was shocked to hear this.

“On several occasions. A lot of things happen behind the shadows and I have just been merciful enough to hold back from ruining him.” Trevor answered, resting his back on the chair as his sonorous voice rang in the room.

“But why?” Alana asked and Trevor raised an eyebrow. “What I mean is, why hadn’t you retaliate if he had caused damage to your company?”

“Well, I frankly don’t have time for his games but I was impressed with the way you approached me so I researched your company and found out the depths of ruin it currently is in.” 

“So, how much do you plan on investing in my company?” Alana asked Trevor, barely able to contain her excitement.

She could finally see everything in place. Her company coming back to life, the employees being paid for their struggles and even launching a new product.

She would become so successful that she would trample on Drake and make him regret trying to bring her down.

“I will not be investing in your company, Alana.” Trevor’s words washed down all her imaginations down the drain.