Chapter 2 The First

*CHARLOTTE**

"You have a meeting by 11:00 p.m. with the director of Oasis Company, and he wants it to be at his mansion", Ruth said.

"At his mansion?" I looked at her with a questioning look.

"Yes, she replied, and know that his chauffeur would be picking you up at the airport".

It was an early-morning flight. Ugh... I hated taking my flight every morning, but as an assistant secretary, I had no choice but to get this.

"Miss Olivia", Ruth, my assistant, called out gently to me; the car was outside.

I entered the car and headed to the airport. I got to the airport, but we were delayed for an hour due to the weather, and I knew I was going to be a bit late for the meeting with the arrogant billionaire who refused to hold a meeting at his office.

"Dear passenger, Flight 306 has experienced a minor delay due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. We assure you that in the next 30 minutes, we will be on the plane. If you have any questions, make sure you go to the desk," the pilot announced, leaving everybody to murmur and curse under their breath.

The next thirty minutes went by so fast, and we were on the plane and trying to take off.

"Ladies and gentlemen, We welcome you to Los Angeles. For your safety and the safety of those around you. Please remain seated with your seat belts fastened and keep the aisle(s) clear until we are parked."

I woke up from my sleep and I got down. Once I got to the terminal, my eyes were still searching for the chauffeur before I heard someone call my name.

"Miss Charlotte?" The chauffeur asked, and I answered.

"You are welcome", he said, helping me with my luggage.

As we got to the car, it seemed like he was on a call or something.

As I passed through the street, it brought back so many memories. I couldn't imagine coming back to a place where tears became a constant thing.

As I rolled the window of the car to see a better view of where I grew up, I let the wind sink my grief in. Coming back to Los Angeles was like taking a time pill.

I had left after my Mom died. I entered the train to start a new life and to clear my head with the hope of coming back to reveal the truth. I wasn't ready yet, but I did not know I was coming for the worst.

"Miss Charlotte," said to the chauffeur, " We have arrived." I left the car as the chauffeur tried to park.

Getting to the front of the mansion, my jaw dropped, looking at the three-story cream building with neatly trimmed bushes. The interior caught my eye, and I was still in awe.

"Good morning ma. You can have your seat. Mr. Brian will be here soon", said the maid.

"What would you like me to offer you?" She asked.

"Nothing", I responded. I wasn't planning to get too comfortable in a place I got late to.

After forever, he finally came to the board room in his mansion. His woodsy scent filled the room and I found myself standing up as I adored his physique with my mouth slightly open. He was a mixture of sin and danger.

"Why did you take so long?" He asked without looking up as he prepared his documents.

Such arrogance, I thought, Why would a man be like this? Anger took over me, a toxic means combined with fear and anger already bubbling inside my skin.

I looked at him as I responded pleadingly, "The plane got delayed. I'm sorry".

"Do you want to keep standing?" He questioned me without looking at me.

I hadn't realized I had been standing for a long time until he said it.

I thought I was angry at him, why did I find myself responding to him??

He sat down as his white shirt hugged his masculine chest and his broad shoulders. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal his toned arms, his buttons were opened, giving his chest a proper view. His black suit was made to perfection, to match his perfectly groomed beard. I saw why women drool over him in the magazine.

I submitted the proposal over the mail. I remember trying to press the send button while my hands were shaking out of anxiety.

The Oasis Company constructed thousands of buildings and worked with so many people. They had a huge project, and they needed interior designers who were competent and good enough to be able to establish this enormous project. The deal was a huge payoff.

I announced it in the office the moment I realized that they were looking for people, and I remembered my boss telling me I had to submit my proposal as soon as possible.

"Charlotte," my boss interrupted me before I could finish, "send in your proposal instead of talking here" I did as I was told.

I couldn't stop checking my mail because I wanted this for the company, and I was scared we were going to get rejected.

"Miss Charlotte," Olivia said after checking this mail for the 1000th time, "this is the last time we will be checking this mail", as I worked my hands on my mail.

Congratulations..... I read between the lines, screaming at my secretary.

"Book my flight now" I said, smiling mischievously at her.

"Your portfolio looks great",Mr. Brian said, looking through my document, this looks like a done deal.

"We will be calling you soon for the designs to be picked", he said.

"Thank you for working with us. It's a pleasure to be here", I said, trying to sound professional.

"Yeah.... He responded without taking his eyes off the document he had just signed.

I knew the money was going to be a huge thing for a company like that, but my boss instructed me to just give it a trial since we were having so many problems financially at the office after working with a company that did not bring any profit. We invested so much in the project, only to be disappointed.

He said to get something to eat before going to the hotel.

I wasn't hungry for some reason, and I realized I had been holding my breath for so long that I realized I was hungry.

"No, I'm not hungry", I lied.

He walked out of the boardroom before I responded.

I knew the Oasis company would handle my reservation and everything until I left there. So I knew my secretary was going to handle everything.

On getting to the hotel, I was certain this was the best hotel and the food was so good that I just couldn't stop eating.

I went around the city to see if I could get some things before I traveled back, but all I kept having were so many memories of how my mother always tried her best to make me happy.

"Mom, " I said with tears filling my eyes after she tried to make me understand why I wouldn't be going with my friends this holiday to Echo Park. I always dreamed of going there, and Mom made my life so easy that I never knew what she was going through.

"Baby, I hope you understand." She tapped me and brought me out of my thoughts.

"Let's get back to the hotel". I said this in between tears, allowing the bad memories to get the worst of my mood.

On getting to the hotel, I realized Brian had come to see me for some documents to confirm since I was leaving the next day.

"He needs to see you now!" said the receptionist, rolling her eyes at me like I took something important from her.

"I don't think I want to sign this contract!" He said it angrily with his voice, threateningly throwing the documents at me.

I was shaking, and my brows furrowed because I couldn't understand the whole situation that was going on.

" Is everything good?" I asked surprisingly, with a confused look.