Bounded By Fate.

Felicia, there's something I and your father want to talk to you about, Mrs Kings said. Felicia sat upright her interest piqued, they had all just finished watching a movie, of course Amanda was hardly concentrating, she was typing away on her phone. Okay mum, what is it about, licia asked.

Now stop looking so scared, we're not about to ask you to get married, mr Kings teased.

Licia humorously heaved a sigh of relief and they all burst out laughing.

Over to you darling, Mr. Kings said to his wife.

Mrs. Kings rested on her husband's shoulder a smile still evident on her face. Amanda grinned, it always amazed her how this old couples still acted lovey dovey to each other.

Muuuuum.., Licia drawled. It was obvious her mum was purposefully keeping her in suspense. Mrs kings chuckled. 'As you know, I and your dad are supposed to close a deal in paris on monday but then we've decided to take a break and spend the entire week there. We'll be leaving you in charge of the company while we're gone, most especially, the contract with Jeffs enterprise. I trust you can handle that, her mum gazed at her.

Felicia was stunned, drawn to tears she choked in her sob ' oh mum, after all I did how can you still trust me'

Sweetheart, her dad drew closer and gave her a big warm hug. 'you've proven yourself to be more than worthy'She never expected a day like this would come and even if it did, not this soon. What did she ever do to deserve such loving parents. She had wrecked them completely and purposefully the last time they left her in charge and trust is something once lost could hardly be replaced so why are they giving it to her on a platter of gold. Well she is going to earn it this time."

Not you trying to steal my husband's attention from me, right under my nose is it", her mother teased.

"No ma", Licia was quick to release the supposed husband from the hug, and they chuckled, her mum sure knew how to lighten the mood.

'Mum, Dad, I promise you I won't ever let you down again', she said happiness filling her inside, her parents were letting her work in her field and this time she'll make them proud.' I promise to give my best to make sure the deal with Jeff's enterprise is a success'

"Jeffs enterprise", Amanda who had been acting oblivious to the trio interrupted.Jeffery Goodwill is the CEO, right? She looked to her aunt for affirmation.

Omg! I'm so happy for you Licia, Amanda said cheerily.' You'll be working with one of the most handsome bachelor's in the country', she whispered. Too bad, Mrs Kings heard.

' You interrupted a serious conversation to say that', her brows quirked up.

No, you probably heard wrong ma, Amanda grabbed her phone and scurried up the stairs.

What will I do with this girl, she gasped.She got the fierce spirit from you, what are you saying, mr Kings chuckled.

Licia, In all you do, I want you to know that we not only trust you, we believe in your potentials, her mum said.

Don't let your past hold you down, her dad added.

Thank you mum, thank you dad, licia beamed.

Four hours and some minutes later, after her parents had laid down a long list of rules such as * No staying out or going out after 9

* No partying inside or outside the premises and lots more rules.

Licia had laughed at their parental display. She for one, had too much on her plate to party or cross any of her parents rules, besides she was past all of that, experience was the best teacher.Her parents knew that, so the rules were majorly for Amanda.

Amanda had grumbled saying she was an adult and if she had not been posted so close to the mansion she would be at her own apartment, her grumbling didn't last long though after her father transferred a substantial amount to her account for weekend shopping, she had concurred acting like an obedient child.

Afterwards, they had prayed and her parents went to bed while Amanda sneaked into Licia's room. No, not to help find out the perfect outfit for tomorrow.

Instead stalking a certain Jeffery Goodwill. ' Mandie, will this be okay for tomorrow', Licia asked.

Yes, perfect, amanda said studying the simple short black gown licia stretched out.Okay, thanks.But is it good enough, Amanda said on second thoughts.

Isn't the gown too simple, I mean you'll be meeting a stinking rich and handsome bachelor tomorrow. How about that blue gown that accentuates your curves, she rambled.

Are you for real, right now, licia laughed seating up. Amanda, I'm going for a business deal not a dinner party and what I need from you is your prayers that things work out well and I make up for the loss I cost my parents instead of playing match maker.

Hey, Amanda climbed the bed and held her hands. ' you want a pity party but I'm not gonna pity you, she said and Licia chuckled. 'Because I trust you and ditto with your parents. What's happened in the past is in the past, you're going to break a leg, girl'. Amanda high-fived her and they laughed.

Nevertheless, a little romance is always a welcomed spice, Amanda said and Licia hit her with a pillow.

' not again, I should have known you're a lost case'

'See nah, the guy is handsome', she scrolled through his Instagram page to show licia but she was already off the bed arranging her stuffs.At least you'll need information about the guy you'll be working with for months, Amanda continued undeterred.

Top three youngest billionaires in Nigeria and he's the second, Amanda kept on ranting until she dozed off. Licia smiled seeing how Amanda was sprawled on the bed, after arranging her things, she went through some documents, read her bible then covered Amanda properly and slept next to her wondering why they had different rooms when they almost always sleep together.

Felicia Adesuwa Kings is the only child of sir Martin's and Maria Kings, Luke paused to straighten his glasses that had gone askew, his other hand holding the iPad firmly.

Only child is equivalent to spoilt child, Jeff said standing up. He looked through his louvered window all enthusiasm for the project to begin the next day gone. " She finished from harvard university which is one of the best in...''I know, Luke' Jeff cut him short ' I just wanted to know if they had a son who could take up the project instead, the rest are unnecessary information'. Okay sir but she got her phd at the age of..' Luke! Jeff warned his voice low but threatening enough.

Sorry sir, Luke said sheepishly. He had just wanted to point out all the good things about the young heiress so his boss would have nothing to worry about the upcoming project. He was sure with or without the Kings the project will be a success but obviously his boss didn't think so .

' You guys should go on, Jeff said going back to his seat. 'But they've been waiting', luke said feeling sad. The whole staffs looked forward to it, the rendezvous with the CEO in honor of their recent achievement. It was a rare occurrence for the CEO to promise to eat out with them.

' Yes I'm sorry, my mood is sour right now, and I won't want to go and start yelling at every single mistake when we're supposed to be having fun, Jeff stated. Truth was, he didn't owe his personal assistant any explanation but he knew better than to belittle anyone.

Alright Sir, Luke smiled.

" Tell everyone to take whatever they want, they deserve it for a job well done. Bill is still on me"

Okay sir, luke said making use of the exit.

Jeff flexed his knuckles. The project was a huge one and the partnership with the Kings an industrial one, he had hoped to gain more knowledge as the Kings are his senior in business and now he'll be working with his daughter. Mrs kings, when she called to confirm they had gotten the mail had immediately sensed that he was not happy with the change despite that he said it was fine. She had immediately assured him that her daughter was one of the best and her husband had said the same, precisely ' I won't let her handle such a delicate project if don't trust her to do a good job'.

It had eased him up a bit until now... he didn't know what to expect from a born with a silver spoon kind of girl.

Oh My god, that was the only word that kept recurring in her head as she walked into the conference room looking like the sophisticated lady the press had always portrayed her to be. Felicia Kings wasn't supposed to be surprised yet she was, Amanda had told her the renowned ceo of Jeffs enterprise was a sight to behold, but with the way Amanda had described him she thought she was exaggerating. Not anymore though, the only word that could describe him is a word more handsome than handsome. Just shush up fel, now isn't time for this she reprimanded herself. All the nonsense she was thinking was all thanks to Amanda's non-stop insinuations. She proceeded to the seat with her name tag . They seemed to be waiting for her, meaning she was late, thanks to that lousy driver. She'll have to apologize, it won't do to be late on her first meeting.

She noticed the admiring glances she got but of course it was in respect of her parents. It was as she took her seat that the CEO finally paid her attention but instead of the smile she was expecting to crown his handsome features, a frown marred it.

' Miss Kings, I do believe you were properly informed about the time for this meeting. You're 5mins and 52 seconds late and if you don't take that important then for the sake of we serious minded business men, you need too. For we know how much can be lost within such time, since we'll be working together for some time, I'll suggest you spend more time trying to keep to time than looking good for a conference meeting' Jeffery Goodwill stated obviously pissed.

'Now let the presentation begin', he continued like me he didn't just give her a good brushing down and they started presenting and staying their ideas for the new project.

Never had she been this humiliated all her life, for the first time she found herself wishing she was the talk before you think type, like Amanda.

Amanda would have given a good smart ass comeback but she was at loss for words, the guy hadn't even given her the chance to explain herself.

As the meeting progressed, she could hardly pay attention as her mind was in great distress. She had never met him before and she was sure ditto goes for him yet he had attacked her like someone nurturing a grudge and hit her like a snipper.

"Miss Kings, we'll like to know your point of view", Jeff said his hoarse voice interrupting her thoughts. She hadn't said a word since.

Perfect timing, she thought as she stood up and focused on him, noticing for the first time that she was the only lady in the room.

" Really, I feel honored", she said sarcastically. In my own point of view, I think you're arrogant, rude and egocentric, which makes me wonder how you ever built a million dollar company such as this". Felicia turned a blind eye to eye balls that were almost popping out and Mr Jeffery's clenched fist as she continued undeterred.

If M&M group of companies have to work with you which I know is paramount to the success of this project then I advise you to learn manners and not just jump to conclusions based on what you see and as far as I represent m&m companies, I demand an apology for the insult this morning, I believe you know how to reach me. Till then, good day misters.

With that she took her bag and walked out fully aware of the piercing gaze of none other than mr Ceo that burnt her back.

She practically flinched at the thunderous voice that echoed loud " Dismissed!"

She passed the confused receptionist a smile as she went though the exit of Jeffs enterprise, her pa on her tail.

Kate, I hope you don't mind going back alone with the driver, Felicia asked not looking at the driver who had parked in front for God knows she could pour out all her rag on him.

'No ma' kate replied and entered the official car.

Gosh! She feared for his workers, with a voice like that, he must be terror.

Thank God she didn't have to wait for long, she smiled as she sighted Joseph's car.

Glad, you came so quick, joe, she said to her childhood bestie who parked his latest nissan for her to enter.

You left me no choice licia, you literally ordered,'come get me now Joseph!', he teased.

She got in and he drove off. ' how was the meeting? he asked.

Fine, licia said curtly, and he got the hint that she wasn't in the talking mood, he wondered what went wrong.

Licia viewed the sides through the window and she wondered why she hadn't been to these parts before and that was why mr Adigun or whatever he had called himself had taken her to the wrong place all the while telling her " madam don't worry I know the place"

Thank God for gps else she'lld have been more late.

Too think, she had started out an hour prior to the meeting schedule just so she won't be late.

As she sighted her house, she knew she'd better brazen up, if Joseph understood and didn't bother her to pester, it won't be the same with Amanda. Geez, what a girlfriend

Astonishingly, Amanda didn't pester her with question, instead she bought pizza and drinks for their dinner. But as they snuggled up in the evening watching sugar rush, licia decided to talk after all a problem shared is half solved.

You didn't ask how the meeting went? She asked Amanda.

Finally, Amanda beamed. ' I've been waiting for you to talk, I almost died of curiosity'.

I thought as much, licia laughed.

So he's as hot in person, right? Amanda queried.

No, licia said blatantly.

She found it hard to consider him handsome after the toxic words that came from his mouth.

' He's ugly inside and out'

Amanda was confused, she brought out her phone and showed licia his picture, ' is it the same guy?' she asked.

Yes, licia said dryly and explained all that had transpired.

Amanda was seething by the end of the story. ' And I was fangirling for a jerk like that, pictures are truly deceiving, he was looking like an angel's

She smiled sweetly at licia, what pacifies me right now is the knowledge that you gave it to him back, I hope you told him the apology letter must not be less than a thousand words.

Licia laughed at Amanda's rantings. ' Seriously, who does he think he is, I'lld have told him to go to hell, Amanda continued.

#############

It is called conflict of interest, whatever was going on in his head.

He was never one to put personal issues before business but he was also never one to do business with a woman.

Women were sentimental, emotional, delusional creatures.

Why did God even create women, not like he was questioning God's authority but then adam won't have sinned if not for eve.

Even he, knew he was talking stupid. How will humans multiply without women, well that's it. They're supposed to be at home, cooking food and taking care of babies not doing business with him. And thus far, he had avoided them until her. Jeffery Goodwill brooded silently in the privacy of his office.

It's been two day's already yet penning down an apology letter seemed like an impossible task.

He really felt like delaying the project till the martins will be available but it will be childish, irrational and so not him. Two days gone by without much progress with the project was enough wasted time and all these wouldn't have happened if she had not come late on the very first day of the meeting. Who does that. Everyone knows how much he detests not sticking to time.

What if it was mr Kings who came late , will your reaction be the same, a voice queried in his head. It was unimaginable that he'll do such to either mr martins or his wife but there were reasons.

First, they were both way older than him also they were his seniors in business they both treated him like a son.

On the other hand, they'll never attend a meeting late and if they did it will undoubtedly be for a reason.

Did you ask for her reason? the answer was 'no'.

Arrgh, he groaned. For someone he was meeting for the first time and had high expectations of, she had come late looking pretty and gotten attention from all the board of directors, that's what got him riled up.

The major reason he didn't employ ladies, they were unnecessary distractions.

He was too pissed he might have overreacted but then she called him arrogant. She had the guts to insult him. Annoying as it was, they were even.

'Luke', he called and his assistant rushed in, looking a bit ruffled, it is a busy week.

He never liked using the land phone and that was why and that's why he made sure his assistants office was really close to his.

' You called for me sir' luke said.

'Yes, I want to send an apology note to miss Kings, I'll dictate'

Okay sir, luke said exaltantly.

They had all been hoping their boss will do the right thing.