Part 5

Antony chose to fold his hands in front of his chest. Suddenly, he felt irritated but also empty at the same time.

Who is that girl? He asked himself, curious. His mischievous thoughts somehow surfaced spontaneously. It seemed he had to find out who she was. And he had to get the information. Not now, but later. A promise he made to himself. Because right now, there's still a lot of work to be done.

The elevator then stopped on the nineteenth floor. Antony walked out of the elevator, ignoring Anastasia calling his name. Let the woman handle her own affairs because Antony had already decided to terminate his contract with her, no matter if he had to pay a penalty. There was someone else he wanted to pursue right now, and it wasn't Anastasia.

Antony entered his own office, the largest and most luxurious room on the floor. Not because he had a penchant for luxury, but once again, it was all about maintaining his image as the CEO of the company. His secretary opened the door after informing him that Altezza, his cousin and COO, was already there waiting for him. The tall man was standing and chatting with Antony's personal assistant, Ruben. Both turned simultaneously upon seeing Antony's arrival, accompanied by Anastasia.

Altezza raised an eyebrow meaningfully, but Antony didn't care at all. He chose to keep walking and sat in his throne-like chair. Altezza took a seat on the leather sofa, followed by Anastasia, who sat facing him. Meanwhile, Ruben followed Antony and stood alert beside him, handing him documents containing a summary of the meeting they would have today. "Everyone is already gathered, Sir. Just waiting for your arrival to start it," Ruben said without preamble.

Yes, today there was a general meeting involving all the representatives from the company's branches. It was a routine meeting, actually, just reporting on the company's performance and employees every quarter. It could be done without his presence, but Antony had to attend it because it was part of his responsibility as the company owner.

Antony looked at Altezza, who nodded understandingly, recognizing that Antony needed time to read the summary. About ten minutes later, Antony closed his document and stood up. Altezza rose as well, leading the way out of Antony's office. Only after that did Antony and Ruben follow him from behind. They walked together toward the elevator that would take them to the fifteenth floor, where the meeting would take place.

Right as the elevator doors opened, Antony saw the girl in the black shirt chatting with his receptionist. When she turned around, he heard Altezza greeting her warmly, surprising Antony that his cousin apparently knew the girl he was interested in pursuing.

"You guys seem really close. Known each other for a long time?" He tried to ask with a flat tone. However, seeing his cousin's thin smile, he was sure Altezza had something else on his mind.

Stupid. He cursed in his mind. Altezza was playing with him. Since earlier. And why didn't he realize his cousin's behavior? Antony cursed silently.

"Not bad," he answered ambiguously. As if intentionally making Antony curious. And he was curious indeed. If there were no meetings waiting for them, he was sure Altezza would tease him even more.

The next three hours were tough. Several problems arose in various branches. And after finding solutions, the meeting was adjourned.

Shelly. That's the name Antony heard earlier when Altezza and Claire were talking. Antony glanced at the woman in her mid-40s who was discussing with their financial director, Roland.

The financial manager of the Kansas branch had been working for the company for quite some time. One of the few employees who had been there since Coskun Company was founded. And she was also one of his father's confidantes, just like Mr. Roland.

As far as Antony knew, the woman with the cynical face had been asked to move to the headquarters by Antony's father but refused because she preferred to stay with her small family in Kansas.

Yes, Coskun Company was initially founded in Kansas. But with the growth of their business and the expansion of their network, the headquarters were eventually moved to Manhattan. In the office they currently occupied. The office he currently led.

And the Kansas office became one of the main branches owned by Coskun Company, along with other branches in several major cities in America.

"Mr. Quirino," she greeted him warmly. Antony welcomed her handshake and shook it firmly. "I hope you're always in good health."

"Thank you," Antony replied. "I hope you and your family are always well," he added politely.

"Visit the Kansas branch occasionally. Honestly, I'm tired of having to see Sir Altezza's face all the time," she said loudly enough for Altezza, who was still standing faithfully beside him, to hear.

"Don't be like that, Mrs. Shelly. If he comes to the Kansas branch, I'll lose my charm there," Altezza replied with a sulky tone. Roland, Shelly, and a few others still present could only chuckle at his words. "Let me be the one who visits there often. He can just sit pretty and review the reports," he continued with a pleading look.

"Alright, alright. Here you're the boss, Sir," Shelly replied with a playful smile. "But with one condition."

"What is it?"

"Don't keep persuading Claire to be your personal driver. Honestly, I really need her," she gently warned. Antony heard Altezza's distinctive laughter in his ears.

"Alright, alright. No matter how hard I try, she always rejects my proposals, Mrs. Shelly," Altezza replied seriously, lifting both hands in a gesture of surrender.

"It's hard to find an employee who can match my character. I could let her go if I find a suitable replacement," Shelly continued.

Antony knew Shelly wasn't one to give compliments easily. If words of praise like that came from her, then that's how it was. And that made Claire even more intriguing in his mind.

"I excuse myself; my driver has been waiting for too long," she said, shaking hands with Altezza again and finally shaking hands with Antony. "I truly look forward to your visit, Sir," she said at the end of her statement. Antony just nodded in response.