…“Ms. Olsen, this is too sudden. Is the MXG Group's President willing to see us?” Isla asked, the worry in her eyes increasing as she stared at Heidi whose gaze was fixed on the window of the train.It took three days of journeying, leaving the Island on the yacht, and spending the night at a nearby village, to finally be on their way to the Central City. Heidi's eyes left the window and stared at her phone.Still worried about Steve, added to the fact that she couldn't reach his contact, her mind was consumed with thoughts that she failed to hear Isla's question until she repeated it.“Ms. Olsen…” Isla tapped her gently.Heidi blew out a sigh. “Whether it is sudden or not, we're already here. I have sent him a proposal already, so I hope he won't refuse a meeting with us.”“Oh…” Isla nodded, looking unconvinced, though.“Come on, quit being pessimistic.” Heidi nudged her playfully. “We'll be alright.”“I doubt so, Ms. Olsen. This journey has worn both of us out, and considering you
“Oh…” Heidi looked away to hide her embarrassment. She really didn't want to speak about it. Since Isla was her only companion on the journey, it would be wrong to always keep her in the dark.“Lucas Harrison…” she grumbled. “That crazy man took photos of us and sent them to Steve.”“Huh? He did that?” Isla blinked. “That is going to spoil things for you and Mr. Anderson.”“It is strange that Steve doesn't mind, though.” Heidi shrugged.“Oh, really?” Isla tapped her chin, frowning. “That's very weird.”“I know, right?” Heidi relaxed back on the seat, letting her eyes close, the loud honking of the train not letting her catch a wink of sleep which she so desperately craved. …Back at Mystic Island.Lucas stared at his phone.This time, he was a hundred percent sure that Heidi wouldn't snub him.She wouldn't cut his call because- well, she no longer pushed him away.“Mr. Harrison…” Amanda sat across from him, peeling an apple, her fingers red. “I have peeled thirty apples already. Mr
…At The Central City.It was nighttime, and the pitter-patter of raindrops splashed against the verandah window.Inside the dimly lit hotel suite, Heidi sat on the bed dressed in pajamas, her eyes on the screen of her laptop.“Do you mean what you said?” She couldn't believe her ears, not knowing how to digest the news Steve had just told her.“Of course, I mean it.” He gave her a small smile. “It's quite astonishing that you're shocked, though.”Well, why wouldn't she be shocked? Having his tech company collaborate with the AG Group was something that had never crossed her mind.Heidi didn't dare to think or dream about it, because it was just too far-fetched. Then a thought came to her mind about why Steve might be doing this.Her eyelids dropped and she pressed her lips into a thin line. “This isn't to win me, right?”“No, it isn't.” His voice came from the speakers. “Heidi, there's a difference between work and personal life. Joining both companies will in no doubt benefit us al
She was imagining things, right?No, Heidi was definitely hallucinating. She pinched herself, shut her eyes, and opened them again, blinking, knowing he would disappear because he was only a part of her imagination.Lucas, however, was right before her, his lips holding a mischievous smile that spelled she was in trouble.“Hello, Heidi Olsen.” He acknowledged her.Heidi looked from her left to her right. It must be someone who looked exactly like Lucas Harrison, right?“Mr. Harrison, do you know each other?” Another man walked in.He wasn't lacking in height and his handsome physique resembled that of Lucas.Apart from that, there was also a sense of familiarity to him which Heidi couldn't point her fingers at.“Mm.” Lucas gave a curt nod. “Heidi and I know each other.”From the way he said it, it was as if there was an underlying meaning to his words.“Well, that's a coincidence.” The man's brows shot up, his eyes darting from Heidi to Lucas. “It just happens that Ms. Olsen is my gue
Heidi glared at him, pursing her lips. “Mr. Harrison, this is a meeting between the AG Group and MXG Group. Other parties aren't invited.”Killian looked at Lucas and both men chortled.“Please go on, Ms. Olsen,” Killian said. “I hope you forgive Mr. Harrison for interrupting.”Heidi could forgive him for interrupting, but not for giving her the biggest shock of her life by suddenly appearing here.She'd been doing a good job acting calm, she couldn't afford to lose her resolve.So she continued with the presentation, eventually taking Lucas's question into consideration. “By making waves, I mean the MXG Group can rise to the top of the trending topics if it suddenly reaches out a helping hand to the AG Group. The AG Group has already gained the mass's support and everyone sympathizes with it.”“So you mean the AG Group will help us make an appearance on the news again after so many years?” Killian asked, his eyes glinting.Heidi paused, holding her breath.“I think you're mistaken, M
Killian raised his hands defensively, laughing softly. “Easy, Buddy. I wasn't the one who told Tracy you're here. My assistant must have told her that.”Tracy's eyes turned gloomy, and she pouted. “Honey, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?” She sat beside him and held his arm. “I have been obedient for the past several weeks. I didn't leave this city for once as you instructed me, why don't you seem happy?”“Honey…” She placed his hand on her stomach. “Our baby is growing so fast. My bump has started showing, see?”Lucas retracted his hand instantly, shifting away from her. “Go home. It's unsafe outside.”“But you're here with me, Honey-”“I said go home.”Tracy stood up, her red teary eyes throwing him a pitiful look.She grabbed her handbag and stormed out of the place.“What a great show,” Killian cackled. “Lucas, your attitude towards her has changed completely. Isn't she your dear wallflower? What changed?”“You know what changed.”Killian sighed. “You've failed my hands.
It was that scary realization Heidi hadn't come to terms with yet.If Lucas Harrison was serious about her, what difference would it make? Many things had changed already. The past wasn't the present, and the future might even be more complicated.Heidi's palm wandered to her abdomen and she kept it there, staring out of the window in a trance.“Ms. Olsen, your phone is ringing.” It wasn't until Isla called out to her that Heidi heard the ringing sound of her phone. Seeing that it was a call from the MXG Group, she held her breath, her heart beating uncomfortably.“This is it, Ms. Olsen…” Isla sounded downcast. “Mr. Jonas's assistant might be calling to notify us about the outcome of the meeting.”Isla spoke the thing in her mind. Heidi didn't expect it to be so soon.It hadn't even been up to an hour since they left the MXG Group.After hesitating for some seconds, she brazed up herself and answered the call while Isla stared at her nervously.“Hello, am I speaking with Ms. Olsen?”
Inside The Private Room.A round table was in the middle, decorated with a wide variety of delicacies; fine wine, tiramisu, prime ribeye steak, lobster bisque, and all sorts of dessert.Lucas patiently tapped his finger on the desk, his eyes fixed on the door. “Is she going to come?”His question incited a laugh from Killian who raised his cup of wine. “Shouldn't you be more worried about these foods going to waste?”Lucas glared at him. “Can you be serious for once?”“Buddy, I'm serious.” Killian defended. “If she doesn't show up, these delicious foods will go to waste. Imagine the number of hungry people in the world.”Lucas glanced at his wristwatch. “If Heidi doesn't show up, your assistant will lose his job.”“It hasn't gotten to that, Buddy-”“You might lose something valuable as well.”“Come on!” Killian gave him a look of disbelief. “In that case, I'll personally go and fetch her. You appear to value her more than our brotherhood.”Killian hadn't gotten to his feet when the la