Chapter 3

After the gruesome lunch we had, Quinn joined me for my usual walk. As you probably figured out now, my means of transportation is my own two feet. I don’t own a car. I sold it a couple of years ago. I find tranquility in trekking.

“You could have held back, Kur. If Nile wasn’t my friend, we would’ve screwed up the deal. This is a multibillion event.”

And that’s obviously the reason why Quinn graced me with her company. To lecture me again.

“You’re exaggerating.” I stated with an eye roll.

“Multimillion. I mean what’s the diff, the family makes billions a year.”

I halt causing her to stop abruptly. I turn to her questioningly. “Did you just follow me so you could lecture me? Cause if you do, I’m going to call a cab so you could go to your fiancé and maybe continue planning your wedding.” She pouts. “Oh, no. don’t give me that face. It was your fault you sent me to that mother fucker.”

“Kur.” She warned.

“Look, I already complied with your request. I apologized, he apologized and we’re good.”

“After you punched his face!” She exclaimed.

“He damn well deserved it.” She sighs. “Go home, Quinn. Your heels won’t survive this walk.” I pointed at her four inched high heels which managed to make her barely reach my height. I was five eight. She was five three and a half.

She exhales heavily. “Fine. Remember, be good to him.”

“Same goes to his mouth.” I retorted.

That made Quinn chuckle, hugging me right after. “Please don’t be late tomorrow.” She said before unwrapping her arms from me. “Don’t provoke him, Kur. He’s worse than dad with his conventional ways.”

I smirk. “We’ll see.”

---

Surprisingly, the first week went by without problems. Nile and I only crossed paths a couple of times. It’s when we have meetings where we plan and finalize the general look, schedules, suppliers and other details both minor and major. This will be an international event, attracting investors and clients globally as one of its purposes. I found out that this is their first time organizing this kind of huge event. It turns out Nile was very invested in this. This was his stepping stone for his vision for the future of Veselov Industries.

I must admit that information made me nervous. Veselov is our biggest client to the present. We have handled a lot of huge clients- from small to famous film production, events, weddings, elite parties, advertising campaigns. I was always hands on on everything. If the CEO and I hadn’t had a beef with each other, I think this project would’ve made me doubt myself and probably for the first time in my job, question my confidence. But our squabble made me want to prove myself to him regardless of how I look or talk.

For a moment, I wondered why he still chose us after my bad impression on him. I doubt that it’s because we’re a reputable company. We made a lot of big and successful projects, yes. But I think this guy is too much of a jerk, too arrogant to still work with someone like me. Either way, who cares? The deal was on and that’s what matters.

He gave us a temporary office for us to work on. In case he needed something, he could easily reach out to us. It was also easier for him to monitor us. He had also chosen a team from one of his employees to work with us which was a plus. Since events usually need a large number of people to work.

I was mostly alone in the office, still contemplating ideas and strategies. My people started going out to canvas for supplies and some other errands I needed them to do. The asshole only gave us only four months. Events like this take a year to plan. He was fucking crazy. If it weren’t for the fat check he signed for us, I’m hands off of this. Because he irritates me, I plan to return the favor.

Every time I sense that he’s around, I act as if I was unconcerned and had nothing to do. And whenever I saw his ugly scowl, I knew it worked. He noticed my nonchalance.

So here I am having a chat with one of his employees in her cubicle as if we have all the time in the world. Her name was Emma. We were talking about her hobbies, her life, her little sidelines whenever she’s bored. She was talkative and I could see how she enjoyed talking about her life to me.

This was all ruined when a domineering shadow fell upon us. Emma immediately sat upright and continued typing to her computer with a concerned look on her face. Of course, I expected this to happen.

I turned my swiveling chair towards him, raising my head to see his glorious presence. The scowl was no surprise though but it seemed to get darker and darker whenever he saw me. I’m glad that I affect him so much. I’m impressed though, the bruise on his handsome face that I painted days ago was almost nonexistent. Wow. Rich people.

He was glowering with his arms crossed, eyebrows digging together, mouth in a firm line. “Is this what you’re doing with my employees? Wasting time as if you have no deadline.”

My lips lifted upwards in a smirk. He grunted, annoyed at my subtle response. “We need to talk.”

He is such a dominant creature. I thought as I shook my head, a smile emitting from my face.

After saying goodbye and thanking Emma, I followed Nile towards his office and perhaps prepare for an intense argument. As soon as I closed the door, his voice boomed with no hesitation.

“Answer me, Miss Kunoe. Clearly you’re not taking this work seriously.” He leaned against his desk and crossed his arms once again.

He was tall with a body that contains just a right amount of muscles which added to his charm. Despite leaning to his desk, he was still taller than me. I probably reached his chin right now and when he stands in full height, I was about in his shoulders or chest. That’s how huge he was.

I roll my eyes. “Please.”

“Do not provoke me. You are working for me, Miss Kunoe. As much as I despise your presence here, Quinn vouched for you. She said you are the best of the best in your work.”

There’s my answer.

I saunter towards him. When I stood a foot apart from him, I slammed the folder against his chest. His eyebrows raise in surprise.

“That contains the lists of people who to trust in planning & organizing the event. From major to minor staff, their tasks and whatnots- even to at least the catering management. I knew how you trust your employees so much so instead of randomly giving me people who I can work with, I asked them one by one so I’d know their capabilities and where to put them. It makes our job a lot easier and less time consuming. In short, everything is put into detail there.”

When they gave me the names of who could possibly join my team, I tried to search the said names. The people in the list have the lightest work in the company. Emma was one of them. And Emma apparently was a designer. Despite her typing job here. She was also very talented and she showed me a few of her works. From flowers, to interiors, gardens and mini events like birthdays from her families and relatives. I could see her love and skills in decorating. I needed someone like her. I needed her talent.

I wanted to find diamonds, not stones. Turns out, he owns a lot of them.