Chapter 6

LEONA’S POV

Darren is back. He was impressed with the project proposal my manager submitted to him and asked for the list of newly hired marketing staff, preferably the brain of the project. And my name was at the top of the list. He called our supervisor by the intercom and asked about my file. I am so busted.

“Leona,” Sophie held my hand in nervousness. We both didn’t expect him to come back soon. Not until the next two weeks.

“I have to face him eventually. I guess it’s for the best?” I plastered a fake and invigorating smile.

“Okay, ah, call me. If he molested you, we’d immediately storm out of this company!”

“Molested?”

“Sorry, I don’t know what I’m talking about now, I’m terrified for you!”

“Don’t be. He wouldn’t dare to get near me here, or our cover will blow off.”

“Any plans?”

“Just continue working and avoid him at all cost. I will do what he asks me. Anyway, I don’t have any plans to stay in this company. Once Amanda declared my rights, I won’t be working here anymore.”

“Okay. Let’s do that. What do you think Darren will do now?”

“I’m clueless. He’s unpredictable. But braise yourself; who knows, he’ll give us a hard time working here or just me,” I grinned, hiding my nervousness.

Darren is actually predictable in so many ways, especially his temper. That is the first thing I had to endure being his fiancé the first day I met him. Not just that, his rudeness adds up to it. I am now counting my days in this company. Time to find another prospect for my career.

“Leona, want to grab some snacks? Or coffee? I’m starving, and with your fiancé around, he drains me down to my belly,” Sophie was clasping her stomach, whining at me.

“Yeah, sure. I’m almost done.”

I finished some reports and accompanied Sophie to the canteen. I was starving as well. Before we proceeded, I checked the area, left and right, to see if Darren was around.

“Okay, we’re good.”

“Did you check first if your fiancé is nearby?”

“Of course! I don’t want to get near him, remember? We should play safe, keep my distance and maintain my safe perimeter.”

“You look stupid. People will know one way or another. One day his parents will announce your engagement.”

“Until that time is to no avail, I will keep myself away from him,” I snob keeping my chin up. Contented to my plan.

Sophie presses the elevator going down. It took a few minutes before it opened. When I reached my pocket, I left my phone on my desk.

“Gosh, my phone. I’ll be right back,” I headed back to my desk and took my phone. When I came back, Sophie turned pale with her mouth gaping open.

“What's wrong with you?” I press the elevator going down again.

“I…saw…your fiancé,” she slowly said.

“Where?” I was about to retreat to our office, but Sophie grabbed my arm.

“He was in the elevator. Whee! He is so handsome! I’ve never seen such a lovely face!” Sophie giggles.

“Hold on a second. Darren was in the elevator?”

“Yes! He looks up and looks back again to his phone.”

“Oh, thank goodness I wasn’t here! You go to the canteen and buy me some sandwich and coffee,” I took my wallet and handed her some cash.

“You’re not coming with me?”

“I am not taking any chances of seeing him today!” I quickly walk out before Sophie can argue with me. If she saw Darren, there’s a big chance he may be in the canteen or who knows where in this building. I am not ready to face him yet, especially since he is mad at me right now.

DARREN’S POV

Where the heck is that woman? I need to talk to her. I demand an explanation. She is one of the shareholders in my company, and what on earth is she doing here as an employee? Clearly, she didn’t even bother to check my profile. That woman is a pain in the ass!

“Darren,” I heard my best friend Brent call me. His family is a shareholder in my company, just like my stupid fiancé.

“What’s up?”

“Dude, you just came back from your business trip, and I heard you close the deal, so let’s go out later and celebrate.”

“I have other plans,” in my mind, I will find that Leona and discuss her stupidity.

“Where to?”

“Ah, my fiancé? Remind me of that foolishness.”

“Ooh, so you and she are getting serious now, huh? Date night?”

“Not in a million years. I need to clear some things with her.”

“Can I come?”

“No! I can handle this.”

I am not proud of him to meet my fiancé, and I don’t have any plans of introducing her to Brent or any of my friends. Plus, he is somehow a dick, so he would probably tease me after or joke about it.

“Dude, you can’t hide her forever. Later on, we will have to meet her, so you should introduce her earlier, and let’s see if she can pass our standards.”

“You know that is what I’m worried about.”

“Nah, you’re going to get married soon, and the….”

“Please stop! That will never happen. Mark my word,” I cut him off and went back to my office. I lost my appetite for talking about my impending marriage.

“Dude!” Brent called, but I didn’t look back. He had already ruined my appetite, so I should keep my distance before I lose my temper. Everybody knows I have a short temper, and Brent knows precisely how to push my button and back away. Such a jerk.

I called my secretary in my office to grab my lunch in the canteen. I need to prepare for my meeting later with the project proposal for our new client. But before the presentation, I ask my marketing team to present it to me first. I want to know how convincing they can delivering the presentation.

“That’s it?” I ask my marketing staff.

“Uh, yes, sir? Do you have anything to say?” Meriam, the marketing manager, knows I am not pleased with the presentation.

“I am not convinced. Unbelievable! I gave this project for a month, and this is how you will present it?”

“But sir, this is what the presentation is all about. We just….”

“I know! Make some effort to make it sound normal, with full mastery of the whole presentation. Your team did not bother to study it!”

“I guess we should let the new marketing staff do the presentation. Perhaps she can bring justice to her work.”

“No! What happens if she blow this off? All our hard work will go to trash!”

“Technically, she did the presentation herself. I’m sure she won’t let it down.”

“Still, my answer is no. Work on your presentation and you,” I point my finger to my staff who will present the proposal in front, “Act normal. You’re too nervous. Work on your hand gestures and your pronunciation. I cannot hear you!”

“Yes, sir.”

I left them in the conference room and went back to my office. A big no for me to include Leona in this project even if she made the proposal. No. I am not giving her the chance to feel comfortable in my company. She has to leave.

****

“This is the most popular perfume brand ever! We are lucky enough to be their top choice to do their advertisement! How hard it is to present the proposal?!” I throw the papers on the desk. It was a flop. But still, we are lucky enough to be given a second chance.

“Sir, I think it is best if we let the newbie present it herself since she made that proposal. Or do you want another proposal from our staff?”

“I said no! Work on the presentation!” I slam the door behind me. Meriam got some points, but if I let Leona in the project, I’ll spend more time with her until the project is finished. Sometimes I hate how smart she is.

I rested on my swiveling chair and thought for a moment. If I want to save this project, Leona has to be in.

“Ah!” I retrieve my phone from my pocket and dial her number.

“Congratulations! You need to present your proposal to our client. I expect you to close this deal since you made the presentation,” before she could say anything, I already hung up and called Meriam. I guess she is now part of my team. Darn it!

LEONA’S POV

Stress gets into my nerve. This fiancé's thought is draining me. Darren called, and I will present the project proposal I prepared. Shoot! I decided to go to the rooftop to clear my mind. But it was too late for me to back out when I got there.

“Leona! I’m glad you’re here.”

Darren is there too. At least we have something in common when we are stressed. A time alone.

“Let me make it clear to you. I let you join my team because I need this client. They are putting up big money in my company. If you screw this up, I swear I’ll make your life miserable, do you understand?”

I froze. I didn’t expect to see him.

“Did you hear me?”

“Yeah, I did! Loud and clear.”

“Good,” he move closer to me and lean forward to whisper in my ear, “Zip your mouth. I don’t want anyone in my company knows you’re my fiancé. And please, take a shower. Your scent irritates me.”

And with that, Darren left me speechless.

“Ah! That boorish guy!”