CHAPTER 5: YAY OR NAY?

“And the tender goes to …. ” Rachel slipped back the card in the envelope and announced, “THE EMERSON GROUP !” amidst huge applause and bitter groans.

Rachel did not let her friendships or personal animosity get in the way of making the right decision and she would never stray from her moral compass for anything.

On the other side, Leo could not believe what he heard !

He could have sworn to the heavens above that he felt that he was hallucinating as he had lost all hope when he saw the mysterious Director.

“Did she say Em- …. ?”

“We won the bid, Sir !!” a delighted Daniel affirmed that the contract was indeed awarded to his firm- The Emerson Group. "The takeover bid of our company now looks unlikely to succeed ! You did it, boss !!" the excited but relieved secretary added as he congratulated his dazed boss on his achievement. 

"Err… thank you, Daniel ! It was everyone’s hard work that earned us this tender. It is a big, prestigious accomplishment for the whole company indeed !" the kind hearted CEO warmly said before he watched a tight lipped Rachel look down at the documents handed over to her by her secretary, Oliver and sign them all.

Why couldn’t she glance his way once ? Just once.

After the announcement of the tender winner, Rachel stood up to give a vote of thanks.

“I would like to thank everyone for sharing their precious time today and although your company didn’t win the contract this time but on the behalf of Bradford Group of Industries, I would like to assure you all that there will be more chances in the near future to work with us in our bid to diversify and expand our business," she said. "I believe that will be all for today and that brings us to the end of the meeting. Thank you everyone once again for taking part in this bidding process. It was a pleasure," a smiling Rachel concluded before turning around and letting her team guide her towards the exit.

“By the next meeting, we will have all the documents and legalities in progress with the Emerson Group," Oliver informed Daniel as he handed over Rachel’s signed papers.

“Sure. I will keep in touch,” Daniel replied with a nod.

Through the midst of congratulatory handshakes and a dense crowd of media reporters, Leo managed to make his way towards Rachel, who attended to the who’s who. 

Catching a glimpse of Leo’s approaching figure from the corner of her eye, she quickly excused herself from active conversation and hightailed towards the exit.

Like live wires, some things were better untouched and she for one, was not keen at venturing in that zone. She was in no mood to be confronted by her ex.

However, when she reached the door, a step shy from making a successful exit, a straight, muscular arm blocked her way.

Even with the sharp, silver suit clinging to his arm like second skin, she recognize those hands anywhere, just by their mere touch.  

Adjusting her breath and trying to calm her pounding heart, she lowered her head and tried to pass him but another arm encircled on her waist on reflex before he retracted it back as if burnt by fire. She almost whimpered. Almost. At the loss of his warmth at the spot where his fingers had touched that was throbbing with need and the familiarity of comfort now.

“I am sorry,” Leo whispered. “I didn’t mean to …. ”

“Stay away me from me, Mr. Emerson,” Rachel strongly worded her response before she gave in to his charms again. Why was fate tempting her again ? Or rather her son’s father. “If you have any business related queries then please get in touch with Oliver. We have nothing to talk about. Now if you would excuse me, I have important matters to deal,” she added, leaving no room for discussion.

“No,” he coldly said, the word chipped in ice. “We have to talk. Personally,” he added with narrowed eyes. “I am not going to let you run away agai- …. ”

And that is exactly what Rachel did but after a reporter walked towards her and caught her attention.

“Ma’am ! There you are !! We wanted to know why you chose a crumbling business empire like the Emerson Group over other stronger ones ? Is this your way of taking over the company ?”

Leo wanted to punch away all those nosy reporters and their brothers for two reasons. One, for their snide remarks in his presence and second, for interrupting something important. He had plucked his courage and approached the Boss in a filled room but they had ruined all his chances to follow her outside.

“First of all, the Bradford Group would never do something as underhanded as taking over other’s business in the inappropriate way that you just suggested and secondly, the Emerson Group came with the lowest figure, almost at one-third of the cost of that of the second lowest bidder ! The board was impressed and we have faith in the Emerson Group’s leadership. They will pull through these tough times for sure. Now, I have an important meeting to attend. I hope you all will stay back for refreshments. I will take my leave. Thank you for coming !”

Leo staggered back at Rachel’s strong response and fierce defence for his company !!

No one had done that in years !

However, before she went out of the door, Rachel said over her shoulder, only meant for Leo’s ears.

“I wish you luck for our cooperation, Mr. Emerson,” she professionally said, making the lover in Leo flinch at her cold tone. “I hope that we will not mix business with personal affairs especially when it comes to secret fiancées and marriages. Oliver and my team are at your disposal if you want to communicate anything with us,” she added and closed all channels of communication with him.

Leo grappled under her words before he sobered up and followed Rachel out of the room and into the reception lobby. He tried to catch hold of her but she had already marched off to her tinted black car with Oliver and other Bradford Group’s heads.

The driver maneuvered the car around other vehicles in the parkway and sped down the driveway, leaving a cloud of dust and Leo behind.

Bumping into her ex had ended up opening Pandora's box. Just when she thought that she was finally moving on, along came a ghost from the past to haunt her all over again. Perhaps she didn’t completely forget the past, but as long as there was a seed of emotion in her heart, she would immediately kill it before it sprouted.

“Why ? Why did these situations always have such a bad timing ? Especially when you have thought about the things you would tell your deceitful ex when you confront them, but when it actually happens, you look for the exit," Rachel thought while sitting in the car. 

If only things were that simple.