Chapter 5 Coffee mix.

Alexander's pov.

Driving pass the gate, I stop before the flower path. Cooling the engine of the car.

Nothing has changed since the last time I was here.

How long has it been? Three-four years ago.

Three years and nine months to be accurate.

I press on the ball button, slightly glancing at the surveillance camera positioned at a corner up top.

The door opens, and it's the butler.

"Good evening Mr Alexander." He gives way for me to walk in and I nod I response.

"Where are they?"

"They are having dinner in the dining room Mr Alexander."

I head towards the dinning room, and I can hear grandma's voice as I approach.

Her eyes cut to me as I walk in, a smile spreading on her lips. "Alex!! See old man. It's your grandson."

"Good evening Grandpa, good evening grandma." I say watching as she excitedly beacons for me to get closer with her arms.

"Come, come. You haven't eaten dinner yet. Yes?"

Knowing I won't be able to refute, I move to take the seat next to her.

"See how big and tall you have grown." She smiles fully, eyes curve with wrinkles at the edges. "Old man, my grandson is the most handsome isn't he?"

Grandpa let's out a light cough, he has been observing me ever since I walk in. "You only come to visit after a week?"

"I have been busy with the company." I reply plainly.

"What about your parents, have you met them yet?" He asks.

"I will make time for that later." I am sure they won't care either way.

"Come, come. No more talking. Eat and we can all talk later." Grandma nags sternly, calling in the butler to get a plate serving for me.

After eating, Grandpa called me to his office.

"I heard you have been doing a clean up since you arrived."

"Hmm." I reply taking a seat opposite him.

"Your uncle left the side branch. Doing such a big scale clean up has left many unsatisfied and they are starting to shift to his side."

"I heard." I already got notified before.

"Is that all you have to say? He has already been contacting some shareholders and is planning on taking over."

"Is there any need to worry. After all I have your support." I state sincerely only to see his face blacken.

"You....who said you had my support?" He snorts, dissatisfaction written all over his face.

"Then do you want to support uncle instead?" I ask. "If the company is to fall into his hands it will be a miracle that it will survive three years before collapsing. Then grandpa can throw a celebratory party."

He and I both knows this. Uncle wasn't made business. The side branch he has been managing in chicago is barely staying afloat.

The man has an ego too big for his neck.

"You brat." Grandpa glares at me, pointing at the door. "Out, out, go meet you grandma. I can't be bothered to talk to you anymore."

"If so then. I wish grandpa good health." I say, before heading out to accompany grandma who is settled in the living room and watching a show.

"What did you and your grandpa talk about?" She moved to make space for me on the couch and I sit next to her.

"Nothing. Just some small company matters." I say softly.

"That's right. I went to the Perez's family old lady's birthday sometime ago. And they have a very pretty granddaughter. You and here are about the same age. She is very intelligent and even works as a business administrator in her father's company."

I lower my gaze, knowing what will come next.

"I thought about it and talked with her old lady. She is single and so are you. We thought that it would be nice for you to meet up sometimes and if you get along-"

"Grandma I am busy and won't have time for a relationship now." I say

"No matter how busy you are, you should still carve out some time and try to find someone. Grandma isn't pushy and old fashioned, any one is find as far her family has a good reputation."

Marriage.

I have never thought about marriage.

Maybe it's because my experience with it wasn't the best. Almost traumatic.

"I will think about it." I say not really promising anything, but she immediately gets excited.

"Good. Why don't you meet up with old woman Vivian's granddaughter first? I am sure you will like her. She is very nice."

"Okay."

*************

VICTORIA'S POV

I am sitting on my chair, trying to figure out the best way to deal with the IT report on my desk when my telephone rings.

Picking it up I hear Mr Stone say.

"Come to my office."

And the line disconnects.

Jeez i can't get used to this at all.

Can't he be, a bit, less colder?

Like 'Miss victoria please report to my office.'

Or maybe 'your beautiful presence is need in my office Miss Victoria.'

Something like that!

I scratch the side of my head trying to figure out what I did wrong this time.

I made sure to report his schedule in the morning, place the files that he needs to go through 'perfectly' on the left side of the desk. The contracts that needs his signature at the right. Made sure to relay the massages of those who called.... nothing was left out.

After racking my brain during the short work from my desk to his door, I let out a stressed sigh.

I really don't know what I did wrong this time.

Placing a quite knock on the door, I walk in.

"Mr Stone you called for me."

He looks up from his laptop, tapping his hand on a blue file sitting on top a pile of other files.

Isn't that the....

"It has an error."

"An error?" I scrunch my brows in confusion.

It is the business report from the years before which I made out of the goodwill in my heart.

"The year for the opening of the Glaze Plaza in Chicago is wrong. The date you wrote is two months ahead and the net profit for the first year is also wrong." He states

That can't be.

"Pardon me, but I went through the project report myself Mr Stone, and that is exactly the date written in it." I say not backing down.

I made sure to cross check everything, I couldn't have made a mistake.

Without a word, he picks another file and places it in front of me.

I pick it up, opening right to the page which was already marked. It didn't take more that eighteen seconds for me to read through it.

Shit!! I did make a mistake!!

"The Glaze Plaza is one of our biggest project and is opened in twenty four countries in the world. The plaza in chicago was opened on may 2017 with a net profit of approximately $9 million. The plaza in mexico on july 2017 with the net profit falling a little below $8 million."

So I mixed the two up somehow.

How I wish the ground can just open up and let me in. Still I have to admit my fault. "I apologize Mr Stone. I take full responsibility for the oversight, and I assure it won't happen again."

"I will take your words for it. Such mistakes should not be made twice."

I can't believe I still get scolded for doing a free task. While complaining in my head, I give a nod.

Understanding that such mistakes can really jeopardize important deals.

"I will-" *grumble* *grumble*

I press my lips into a thin line as his gaze fulls on my drumming stomach.

Just kill me.

"You haven't eaten?" He asks with a frown.

"I am not hungry." I answer without thinking, giving myself a mental face slap. "I mean, i will go get lunch later."

He looks at me and doesn't say anything else.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" I ask, merely out of politeness.

And also, it is kinda awkward.

"Hmmm....coffee."

"Be right back."

Thinking that the canteen might not have any food remaining since it's already late, I make an extra cup for myself.

One black coffee which is for Mr Stone.

And one slightly creamy for myself.

After dropping his at his desk, I settle on my chair to continue with work.

Reaching for my cup, I take a sip from the coffee, the unfamiliar taste squeezing the life out of my taste buds.

What the fuck? Ark...aaakkk.

I take a snif only to realize that I might have switched Mr stones coffee and mine.

Glancing at his office I contemplate if I should go in and say something or just shut it.

Well not saying anything do sounds like a good idea.

Taking another sip from the coffee, I cringe, pushing it far away where my hands won't be able to reach.

Too bitter. It's just too bitter.

*************