Chapter 9

Leneora POV

My hands trembled slightly as I stared at the piles of papers Mr. Trent had given me to work on. And I wasn't certain if I could finish it within the few days he mentioned he would be away. As I placed it right on my table and took a deep sigh, my heart was filled with his thoughts; I couldn't even focus or do anything. I lean back on my chair and realize something was off about him; it wasn't about his scream; he looked different and very stressed. Like he had so much he had been battling with. I wish I could help; however, my presence disgusted him; he wouldn't even inform me of anything. 

I tried to remove his thoughts from my heart momentarily because I didn't understand why my heart wouldn't stop thinking about him. 

I inhaled deeply and started flipping through the papers. I needed to start as soon as possible to give him some certain assurance that I was capable. As I checked through the papers, I realized that they were mostly routine, things I was already familiar with and that I knew how to handle. I was relieved and started departing the files to make it easier for me to work on when suddenly my eyes caught on something. It was a sheet of paper, it was distinct from the rest, not something to be worked on. I quickly scanned my eyes through it to see the content. It was a formal invitation to secure a multimillion-dollar contract for Knight Industries. My heart beat in succession as I read through it. The contract was today! 

My chest immediately bubbled with panic; I was unsure of what to do next. Mr. Trent didn't look like he was in good shape to attend any meetings. His dressing and his overall look and expression didn't signify someone who had prepared for this. I couldn't fathom why he would forget he was securing a multimillion-dollar contract today. The contract is important; if he loses it, it might affect the entire future of Knight Industries. 

“I had to tell him,” I said to myself, holding the document firmly in my hand. 

I stood up from my chair, and I walked towards Mr. Trent's office. My footstep was quick, and with the flat shoe I wore, one could barely hear my steps on the marble floor. As I approached the door, I could hear voices. Mr. Trent was still engrossed in the conversation he was having with his friend; his tone was low but serious. I immediately halted my step and paused for a moment; I was unsure if I should interrupt; however, the contract couldn't wait and time was tickling. 

I sigh deeply. I realized the door wasn't totally locked. I pushed it gently, and it made no sound to indicate someone had pushed it and entered. The room was dimly lit, and the sunlight outside could barely reach through the tall windows. Mr. Trent was seated at his desk; his face was still stressed and unhappy, and both were so engrossed in their conversation that they could notice I had entered. 

“Caspian, I really need to find out who made such an attempted murderer on my father. I will fish the culprit out and make him pay for it!” He swore; now I understand the reason for the attitude, for his look and bitter expression, and immediately I felt pity for him. I wanted to ask him to know more in detail about what had happened and if his father was saved. However, I knew I would be done for. 

“It's really getting serious! I heard a girl attack you yesterday at the meeting that you were about to be poisoned! Stopping you from taking some drinks! Is it that she knew what you don't know? I couldn't believe everything happened on the same day! Something is off!” His friend added. 

Now that I understand the length of Trent's pain, I wanted to go back gently as I walked in; however, the contract was important as well; I couldn't afford Knight Industries missing such a huge contract.

Without hesitation, I cleared my throat to speak.

“I'm so sorry to interrupt,” I started. I didn't realize that my voice was high as the sound filled the room, breaking into the middle of their conversation. Both men stopped talking immediately, their eyes snapping at me. Trent’s expression was harder, and his jaw clenched in anger.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded; his voice was cold and sharp. His eyes exuding fire. “Have you been eavesdropping on our conversation?”

“No, sir, I haven't; I just came in." I stammered, my voice trembling as I shaked my head quickly. “I just... I needed to show you something very important.”

He couldn't allow me to finish speaking before he flared up; his voice was high, and he cut me off before I could explain. “I don’t care what you have to show me right now! Are you blind, or is it that you can't see I’m in the middle of something? Get out of here right away!”

I totally filled Harrashed with the harshness of his words, and I could feel the sting of frustration boiling inside of me. My hands held firmly to the paper, and when I took a glance at it, I could see my knuckles became white from the pressure. It wasn't how I planned it to go, and I never wanted to push him further when he was already so overwhelmed.

His friend, who stared at us, watching the exchange in silence, eventually spoke; his eyes were filled with sympathy towards me. 

“Trent, probably you should hear her out and listen to the important thing that she explained she has to tell you!” 

“I said get out of here right away!” Trent screamed hard at me; his voice echoed deeply through the walls of the room. He totally ignored his friend's suggestion as well; I understood he was serious about his excruciating pains. His friend went mute and didn't bother to push further. 

I stood frozen for moments. I can't force things; I can't argue or insist! He wasn't in his right state of mind, and I couldn't press further. I turned slowly towards the door, and I gently worked out of the office to avoid further embarrassment.

But as I reached my desk, the weight of the situation hit me again. This wasn’t just about him. It was about the company. If he missed this meeting, if he lost this contract, the consequences would be severe. I couldn’t just let that happen. 

I sat down at my desk, staring blankly at the paper in my hands. My mind raced with possibilities, each one feeling more impossible than the last. What should I do? If Mr. Trent wouldn’t listen to me, then maybe I had to take matters into my own hands. But what did that mean? Could I go to the meeting myself? Could I represent Knight Industries on his behalf?

No, that was out of the question. I didn’t have the authority or experience. And even if I tried, they wouldn’t take me seriously. I needed him to go. I needed him to see how important this was.

My eyes darted back to the office door, my stomach knotting with nerves. I couldn’t give up, not yet. Gathering what little courage I had left, I stood up and marched back toward his office, my hands trembling as I gripped the doorknob.

I opened the door again, this time more forcefully. Both men looked at me in surprise, and I could see Mr. Trent’s face darken with irritation. But before he could speak, I held up the paper.