004

Chapter 4

DAHLIA

Throughout the entire ride to the Knights Cooperation, I kept having an internal war with myself.

“Was my marriage going to fall apart?” I couldn't stop worrying.

I met Desmond when he was at his lowest. I could never forget that eventful day. I was driving home from work after a late night shift, when I was suddenly flagged down by a yelling man, it was Desmond. His mum was in a critical condition and needed urgent medical care. I drove them to the hospital that day and even went as far as helping pay the medical bills, having figured out he had no money. After that day, Desmond and I became really close and in less than a month, he asked me out.

I brought his family out of the slums and gave them an apartment, started a business for his father, made sure his mum got the best medical care and even put his siblings who were dropped out, back into school. Then offered Desmond a place in my company.

Desmond and I got closer and closer after these and eventually got married. I could never forget the day he proposed, the promises he made, our loving life after marriage. How he'd hold me. How he gets very jealous at the sight of any male near me or how he'd pamper and feed me. The misunderstanding we had today, would be the first since we got married. Desmond always lets me have my way, he respects and loves me. In fact my husband worships and adores me.

Suddenly hearing that he might be cheating or perpetrating against me, made absolutely no sense. He wouldn't, after all I've done for him, after what we had been through together. I quickly shook that thought off my head, Desmond and I have done so far to suddenly end this way.

“He loves me so much. He would never hurt me,” I kept telling myself.

Getting to the Knights Corporations, I found my way to the reception.

“I'm from DAHL Company,” I quickly introduced myself.

“You're here to submit the business proposal?” She asked and I nodded.

I watched her go through her system, but then a few minutes later, she looked up at me.

“A lady from DAHL is already here. I believe she is with the CEO right now, “ the lady informed me.

I was stunned, and confused.

“Someone else?” I mumbled.

At first, I wanted to just turn around and leave. But then with everything that has been happening, I couldn't just walk away without knowing who took my place. And why I was suddenly replaced without my knowledge. I contemplated on calling Desmond, but then decided against it.

“Actually, I came with the other lady, but one of our files was forgotten, I had to go get it,” I lied, raising the proposal.

She stared at me for a few seconds, then called a man over instructing him to lead me to the meeting location.

I followed quietly and soon, he ushered me into a grand waiting area, then walked away.

Seeing different faces carrying different files and seated, made me realize I was in for an intense competition. Since Knights Corporations was the biggest in the entire country, a lot of smaller companies would kill to do business with them.

Taking a seat at a corner, I glanced through the people seated, looking to find the imposter, but I didn't recognize anyone.

Just then, a door was pushed open and a lady walked out.

“Rida groups,” she called out.

“Once DAHL representative comes out, you're next,” she instructed.

I took that as my cue.

“Excuse me,” I rose from my seat.

“I'm from DAHL. I haven't gone in yet, what DAHL representative are you talking about?” I asked.

The lady stared at me like I had lost my mind, but then I maintained a poker face and stared back at her.

“Excuse me,” she walked back in and soon returned with a familiar face, it was Sophia.

“Dahlia, you finally came!” Sophia casually smiled the moment she saw me.

“Excuse me, do I know you?” I feigned ignorance. I wasn't going to let some bitch ruin things for me.

“She is not from DAHL. She is an imposter,” I pointed accusing fingers at Sophia.

“Dahlia, what are you saying,” Sophia hurried over, but I took a step back.

“I'm the CEO's wife. I'm here with the actual proposal, whoever that woman is, she isn't from our company,” I stood my ground.

“What is going on here?!” A voice resonated and then an insanely handsome man walked out from a door I had failed to notice earlier.

I was quick to recognize him, Ronan Knight. I don't think there was a single person in Dralwood that didn't know him. The CEO of the biggest company in the entire country. His face can never be found missing on the news. This was my first time seeing him up close and I must say, cameras don't do a good job showcasing his insane features.

“That lady is an imposter. She definitely isn't from DAHL,” I spoke up before I could stop myself, everyone including myself was stunned at how easily I spoke.

Ronan Knight's eyes met mine. For a moment, I swear, I saw something flicker in his usually cold eyes. Excitement? Surprise? Recognition? I couldn't point it out. But it was definitely one of these.

“Dahlia Sterling,” he called my name, much to my surprise.

“Have we met before?” I asked, It was impossible for him to know my name.

“That's the name of the representative sent to us,” he added.

“Oh,” I mumbled to myself. How on earth did I even think he'd know my name.

“That would be me,” I shrugged, casting a pissed off Sophia a mocking glance.

“Why on earth did she even come here?”

“Come with me,” Ronan Knight said, then pointed at me.

“And for you,” he glanced at Sophia.

“See yourself out.”

Walking into his office, I took my seat and placed the file on his desk.

I patiently waited for him to ask for a presentation or something but then, he never uttered a word and just sat there staring at me.

In less than a minute, I became very uncomfortable.

“Here is the proposal,” I said, shifting uncomfortably and slowly pushing the papers towards him.

He momentarily took his eyes off me, picked up the papers, glanced at the pages, pushed the papers back to me, then scoffed.

“What nonsense is this? Is Knight Corporations a joke to you?” He looked up at me, the intensity of his gaze almost making me quiver. But then, knowing how well I studied the proposal and how much time I spent analyzing and improving it, made me confident.

I picked up the papers.

“I'll explain every phase of it, that's what I'm here for,” I replied, looking back at him.

He never said another word and sat there just watching me.

Sighing, I opened the papers. The content almost made me fall off my seat.

“I…I what is this?” I stammered, flipping the pages.

“Did you even go through your proposal before bringing it here?” Ronan Knight asked.

“I…I went through this myself last night, I…I,” I was confused and almost in tears.

The papers before me were nothing like what I worked on last night. The pages were scribbled like a toddler played with it and worse, most of the pages were completely blank.

“I wonder why DAHL bothered sending you here. The other two representatives they sent here brought really good proposals,” Ronan spoke, rising from his seat and walking over to me.

I was in shock, confused. His words added to my misery.

“What other representatives?” I asked out loud. Desmond never mentioned anything about sending any other person. I had just embarrassed Sophia and she was already gone, so who the hell is he talking about?

“Tony Wales. He represented DAHL's sister company, DMD. You met the other representative, Sophia Edwards….” He paused, then stood right in front of me.

I was stunned. What sister company is he talking about? There was only one DAHL, Desmond never discussed opening a sub or even pursuing this proposal with it.

“What the hell is going on?” I asked myself repeatedly, but then only one person had an answer to my questions, Desmond.

I was still lost in thoughts, when Ronan Knight spoke again.

“You have just two days, Dahlia Sterling. Bring me a better proposal…”