Chapter 2 The flight

ELARA

I had only allowed three hours between the time of my flight's arrival and the meeting, accounting for potential delays and traffic, because I had been so busy finishing up before I departed for New York.

But I knew I was doomed when my flight landed two and a half hours late because of a mechanical issue with the landing gear.

In the industry, Matthew Ashford, the former CEO of Ashford & Co., was a bit of a celebrity.

He acquired Ashford & Co., a real estate company, from his father, much like any other corporation with a hierarchical structure, but his strategy of branching out and subsequently assuming control of several economic sectors made him a remarkable success. Everyone was taken aback when he decided to retire early and hand the reins over to his son.

To discover what it was about this young man that caused the renowned Matthew Ashford to resign, I had been anticipating our encounter with his son, Dante, today.

I was already fifteen minutes late when I picked up my bags, called a cab, and made my way through the gridlock in New York to Ashford & Co.'s main office.

I prayed that Dante wouldn't think poorly of me.

The conference room was supposed to be on the eleventh floor, so I went there. It included a lot of woodwork and glass paneling and was well-lit. A woman in her early forties was carrying a few folders when I saw her.

"Excuse me, miss?" I said.

"How may I help you?" She pushed her eyeglasses up her nose bridge.

"I was looking for the meeting room..."

"You, you are the one presenting from Drake Enterprises?"

"Yes," I said with a nod.

"I wouldn't do this if I were you," she muttered, loud enough for me to hear.

"Huh?" I inquired.

Wasn't Dante going to be furious?

"Nothing... She said, "Please follow me," and ushered them into the meeting room.

This wasn't at all concerning...

When I carefully opened the door, eleven sets of eyes were fixed on me.

I fumbled an apology, "Um...I-I apologize for the delay, and I appreciate the fact that you all have waited so patiently."

I quickly glanced around the well-lit room, which was drenched in sunlight from the glass panels covering one wall. There was a massive table in the middle with a big screen behind it.

I approached the man at the head of the table, who, for the two years he had been his father's successor, had been a mystery to many.

I was only aware that he had been called a "ladies' man" and "the heartless playboy," but I was wise enough not to believe the tabloids, which dramatized any news they could find to boost their audience.

However, it wasn't too difficult to believe that the blue-eyed man with a powerful jaw, sitting in a grey two-piece suit with his dark hair gelled in place, could be popular with women.

I was startled out of my reverie by the impatient tapping of his fingers on the table.

"Good morning, everyone, I am Elara-" I said as I hurriedly put down my folder containing Vinera's contract.

Dante Ashford cut in, saying, "We know who you are...just skip the introduction and get to the point," instead.

His actions annoyed me, and I gritted my teeth.

Was this the man Matthew Ashford had selected to lead his business?

I inhaled deeply and tried to continue as gently as possible.

I now understand why appearances may be deceiving!

I scowled when he requested that I end my presentation after fifteen minutes.

Speaking to the others, he stood up and said, "As much as I would like to hear what she has to offer, I am required to be somewhere else now."

I stopped him as he tried to walk away, saying, "Mr. Ashford, I still have half an hour left with you. Everyone in the room was aware that I wasn't finished.

He narrowed his eyes and glanced at me before saying, "Well, I am!"

I tried not to show how annoyed I was when I said, "I don't understand..."

"What do you not comprehend? Your presentation almost bored me to death, or the bit when you were late for the meeting. Never in my life have I been so unimpressed.

Not impressed?

I could have described him in the same way.

He didn't even allow me to explain the project's concept, so how was he expecting me to impress him?

As he said, "Please leave your card at the table," I stood there in awe of this monstrous monster. Mr. Drake is interested in learning more about the caliber of workers his business is hiring.

And what would he say to my dad? To dismiss me?

Like!

I thought he was looking at his secretary, a gorgeous female with long red hair. He waved her away and left the room with the others, leaving me speechless and unable to comprehend what had just transpired.

Although there were others like him, I was hoping to meet a man deserving of respect rather than a vile jerk.

There was no way that ladies would fall in love with him, so I was now positive that the tabloids were lying.

I would rather strike him.

My cheeks began to flush, and I resolved to discipline him as soon as possible.

I couldn't allow someone to treat me that way, especially since this wasn't the last time I would have to deal with him. Otherwise, I would have ignored it.