Eleana soon composed herself and masked all of her emotions before turning her head away and sitting down. She knew that moment would arrive from the day she had decided to come back and face everything. But as she was experiencing the situation unexpectedly, everything felt surreal to her. She didn't understand why her heart was beating crazily against her rib cage after seeing the man who broke her completely. As those unwanted thoughts were making her head burst, she decided to block them and face everything the way she planned.
"What happened, Ayden? Why are you still standing there? Come and have your seat." Philip asked from his seat which made Ayden come out of his shocked state.
"Oh let me guess. He's also surprised to see our Elea darling back, right Ayden?" Kathleen asked with a chuckle, making Ayden look at her with a nod. Eleana heard everything but didn't bother to make any comments because anything related to him wasn't her concern.
"Yeah, I'm surprised," Ayden mumbled in a low voice before making his way inside in a swift motion and taking a seat directly opposite Eleana. He looked in her direction and held a small smile while looking in Kathleen's direction. She didn't bother to look at him and it was making him feel uncomfortable in some way.
"I didn't know you were coming back, why didn't you inform me? I could have sent the private jet and picked you up." Ayden asked after a few seconds of silence. Finally, Eleana turned her head to look at him. She stared at him for a few seconds before shrugging.
"I wanted to surprise uncle and aunt. Besides, I didn't feel it was necessary." She replied casually before taking the menu in her hand and scanning it.
"What did you order uncle? I'm famished." Eleana turned towards Philip and said with a pout making Philip chuckle.
"I have ordered all of your favourites, they will be coming soon, princess." Just as he finished saying his sentences, four waiters came inside with their food along with the manager.
"Here they are," Kathleen said with a smile. Soon the waiters started to serve the food while Philip, Kathleen and Eleana engaged in catching up with some chit chats. Eleana could feel Ayden's eyes on her from time to time as he served some food and kept having some bites while listening to their conversations.
"I'm going to launch my exclusive designs in a few days so my partners from KQ will be here next month to prepare the launch. We are launching in the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, France and Greece first then we will launch in other countries." Eleana informed Philip before taking a bite of her food.
"That's wonderful, darling! I'm so proud of you." Philip beamed with pride while looking at Eleana. She has grown so much in just a year. He couldn't believe she was the little girl he used to give piggyback rides too. She had turned into a smart businesswoman and a worldwide famous and talented designer.
"Thanks, uncle," Eleana replied with a smile.
"But you have to stay with me in the mansion for a few days before you move back to your penthouse. I have just got my daughter back after a whole year and I'm not letting her get away from my eyes at all." Kathleen ordered in a stern motherly voice making Eleana chuckle.
"As you wish." She agreed instantly with a smile.
"I will have the penthouse checked and cleaned then. No one lived there after you shifted to Paris." Ayden suddenly spoke up, making Eleana look in his direction. His eyes bored holes into hers with intense stares.
Eleana mentally laughed. But she didn't say anything. Ayden then took a few dishes and placed them on Eleana's plate.
"Eat them. You haven't touched much food." He mumbled. Eleana looked at the dishes placed on her plate blankly before putting away her fork and spoon.
"Thanks but I'm full." She announced while pushing away her plate and taking a napkin to wipe her lips. Ayden was a bit surprised because she never refused the food he picked for her before. She would smile at him, and mumble a small thanks with a smile before finishing them. It's been happening since they were children. He always picked food for her and she would eat them happily with a grin. But just now, she pushed away the food he picked for her and he didn't know what to feel. Philip and Kathleen also noticed it but they didn't dare to say anything because they already knew the reason. Before Ayden could say anything, Eleana spoke up again.
"And I was talking about moving into my own Penthouse which I bought six months ago, not yours. So you don't need to clean your penthouse for me. Save yourself the trouble." Eleana informed in a cold emotionless voice while looking directly at Ayden's eyes which were looking at her with some unknown emotion in them.
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After the dinner turned tense, it was over in awkward silence, soon Ayden excused himself and went out of the private room and didn't return. Eleana returned to the Campbell mansion with Philip and Kathleen and retired directly to her room saying she was very tired and wanted to have some rest.
The Day Eleana left the Campbell mansion to Visit the C&D corporation which was a merged company of Campbell and Davis. Philip and Cole Davis started the company and now it was under Ayden and Eleana's name. Eleana wanted to separate the company and break all the ties she had with Ayden Campbell. She wanted to start the company as her new project and that's why she needed to talk to a lawyer regarding the matter. She had already called her family Lawyer and he was waiting for her in her cabin.
Eleana reached in front of the 79-floored skyscraper. She got out of the car and handed the keys to the guard to park the car before making her way inside.
Everyone recognised her at a glance and stood up to respect her. They were shocked, surprised and at the same time very happy to see their young miss come back suddenly after she went overseas a year ago.
"Good morning, Mam." Her assistant Noel came forward and greeted her with a smile.
"Good Morning, Noel. How are you?" She greeted him politely while making their way inside the VIP private elevator.
"I'm fine? How are you?" Noel asked politely while they stood inside the private elevator after pressing the 75th floor. Her office was on the top floor as she liked to see the city through the glass window of her cabin.
"I'm fine. Is everything ready? Has Mr Gary already come?" She asked while typing away something on her phone.
"Yes. Everything is arranged as you instructed. Mr Gary and Mr Campbell both are here waiting for you." Noel informed her while handing her some files which Eleana took with thanks.
"Ayden Campbell?" She asked with a pause. She didn't call him here. Not yet. But it was his company too so obviously he would be here too.
"Yes, mam," Noel affirmed as the elevator reached the 75th floor and they both got out of it.
"Ok, bring me the legal contracts." She said and dismissed Noel before making her way inside her cabin where an old and young man was waiting for her.
"Good morning and I'm sorry to keep you waiting gentlemen." She greeted, as soon as she got inside. Both men who were discussing something turned their heads and nodded.
"Eleana! It's a pleasant surprise to meet you after a year." Robert Gary, her family lawyer and business Advisor came forward and gave her a warm hug. She smiled and hugged him back.
"It's nice to see you again Robert. How have you been?" She asked as they both took a seat on the sofa where Ayden was already seated like he owned the place.
"I have been doing good. Tell me how it was in Paris?" He asked with curiosity.
"It was the best place I could ever be in. Anyways, we will catch up later as we can't keep Mr Campbell here waiting, could we?" She said the last part while looking at Ayden with a fake smile who all the while was watching her silently.
"What is the matter?" Ayden asked calmly while looking at her. He looked much calmer and refined while dressed in a navy blue suit and a white dress shirt. His hair was perfectly gelled. Nothing about him was out of place. On the other hand, Eleana was dressed in beige formal pants, a baby pink sleeve top, and black high heels. She had done her makeup elegantly. Her shoulder-length hair was left open. Ayden glanced at her from top to bottom which didn't go unnoticed by her.
"I want the partition of this company," Eleana stated directly in a calm voice. Ayden looked at her in surprise
"What do you mean?" He asked while moving from his seat.
"Whatever you heard. I want the partition of our merged company. I no longer want to work in a partnership with you. So I want to end this partnership and separate." Eleana explained her plan in a calm, emotionless voice while looking directly into Ayden's eyes.
"Are you out of your mind, Eleana?" Ayden lost his cool and asked in a cold voice.
"I'm perfectly sane Mr Campbell, I can assure you that," Eleana replied with a fake smile while pushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. Mr Gary felt the temperature of the room drop drastically and started to feel uncomfortable among the two people who were busy giving each other heated glares.
"Mr Gary, would you please excuse us? I need to talk to Ms Davis in private." Ayden dismissed Mr Gary without looking at him as his eyes were looking coldly at the woman sitting before him.
She and her audacious demand!
"What are you doing Eleana?" Ayden asked, looking straight at Eleana who just shrugged carelessly at his words."Whatever you are seeing Mr Campbell." She answered while crossing her legs. Ayden looked at her irritatedly. "What's wrong with you?" He asked as he removed his blazer and threw it on the other side of the sofa. He then loosened his tie and then rolled both of the sleeves of his shirt. He was clearly annoyed and Eleana knew it. She knew him like the palm of her hand. "There's nothing wrong with me. I simply don't wish to continue our collaboration. I don't see anything wrong with that." Eleana replied with a straight face. She kept her face void of any emotion. "Really, Eleana? You don't see anything wrong with it?" He asked with a humourless chuckle. Eleana could see him clutching his teeth while keeping his hands in a fist, it was a sign that he was getting pissed off. "No." She answered curtly, making him glare at her."You go to Paris without informing me, you cut
The next day, the whole country got the news of Eleana Davis coming back to the country and showing up to the film producer Kolton Miles's party with Robin William as her date. The gossip and juicy headlines again surfaced and she again became the trending topic online. When Eleana went to the breakfast table for breakfast she came face to face with Ayden again. From the cold look she was getting from him, she was sure he also read the gossip."Elea, darling, do you want me to deal with these silly paparazzi and make this useless gossip disappear?" Philip suddenly asked, Eleana shook her head before finishing her bite."No uncle. Those are just silly gossip. Don't bother yourself with them." Eleana dismissed the idea with a chuckle. The truth was she didn't want to remove that gossip. Not yet. She wanted everyone to know that it was over with Ayden Campbell and she was over him. They weren't connected anymore. "Why darling, do you like the boy?" Suddenly Kathleen asked while looking
The next Saturday evening, Philip Campbell decided to throw a lavish party to celebrate Eleana's return and her new design launch. They picked the venue in one of their five-star hotels. Eleana walked through the crowd while holding Philip's hand. While walking into the ballroom she felt her breath getting caught in her throat because she was facing those people after more than a year. The huge space made her feel so small–or so plain. Crystal chandeliespiralledled down from the arching sky-blue ceiling, illuminating the glimmering golden walls and a floor so polished it looked like an iced-over lake. And it wasn’t just the ballroom–the women sparkled like a box of jewels, shades of emerald and ruby and amethyst swirling before her, their low chatter accompanying wafts of rose and hyacinth and jasmine. She looked down at the beautiful red floor-length chiffon gown she was wearing, it was strapless and had a sweetheart neckline. The dress flowed around her like water waves. It was weig
The next Monday Eleana got ready early to go to the office because she had to review some designs and sketches done by her artists. As she was walking through the hallway, the receptionist Bela greeted her with enthusiasm. "Good morning, Mam. Have a good day!" Her sweet voice reached Eleana's ears making her smile "Good morning, Bela. You too have a good day!" She greeted her back before making her way inside the private elevator. Pushing the 35th-floor button, she waited for her destination to arrive. She went directly to her manager's room after arriving on the floor. "Good morning, Mr Rivera. Please tell the head designer to get ready with the sketches and sample dresses. I will be there in five." Eleana informed him from the door, making him nod. "Good morning, mam. They are already waiting for you in the design room." He informed her politely. "Perfect, then let's go there first." She commanded with a smile. Mr Rivera hurriedly grabbed the files and followed Eleana to the
"You can't be serious, uncle! This is not possible!" Eleana uttered in horror. She was shocked to hear Philip's words. "I'm sorry darling, but it's true. After I handed over the company to Ayden, he became the sole owner of the company and this gave him the power to control both Campbell corporation and C & D Corporation. It was your idea to merge the two companies. Ayden the CEO of Campbell Corp. holds 65% of the shares, which makes him your boss." Philip explained sympathetically when Eleana proposed to separate the two companies. Eleana looked at Ayden with a glare who just smiled at her devilishly."He can't be my boss." She exclaimed in horror. How did this turn out like this? She was sure that bastard was behind all this."Too bad, Princess. I'm already your boss and I have arranged everything for you." Ayden replied with a smirk making Eleana's blood boil."I will leave you kids to sort this out. Excuse this old man." Philip said before excusing himself from the two."But unc
After that incident in Ayden's cabin, Eleana made sure to avoid any unnecessary contact with Ayden as much as possible. But it wasn't easy when she was forced to work as his assistant. She had to come and finish every work he ordered her to do. Swallowing her anger and pride, Eleana did everything he had asked her to. But fortunately, Ayden didn't get much time to bother her because of their new project. Eleana was also busy with her new collection launch meanwhile Ayden was also busy with his new real estate project which cut his time shorter. Eleana was working in her cabin when the intercom of the Cabin rang, making her annoyed. Eleana sighed angrily before getting up, unwilling to go to Ayden's Cabin. Without knocking on the door she entered the cabin. Ayden, who was looking through some files, looked up at her. He stared at her irritated face for a while before looking back at his files. Eleana frowned at his action but didn't say anything for a while. Instead, she kept patting
"Lucien!" Eleana called out in surprise, making the person look at her with a mysterious smile. He got up from his seat with a smile before making his way towards her. The man was around six feet two inches tall with a well-built physique which was hidden under his black business suit. He had a fair complexion, a pair of beautiful blue eyes and a head full of dirty blonde hair. He was a typical handsome French guy next door. Eleana couldn't believe her eyes as she didn't expect to meet him so soon here in Vancouver. "Hello, Ma Belle! Surprised to see me?" He greeted her and then asked in his usual flirtatious voice making Eleana chuckle. "Of course, I am very surprised. You didn't tell me you were coming here." She said the first part in a happy tone but her last sentence was accusing. Eleana opened her arms and took a step forward to hug Lucien. Lucien chuckled warmly before wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her cheeks and she did the same before they broke their hug. "I mis
Eleana was giving some of her workers instructions regarding designs when the door of the room burst open revealing a handsome Lucien who smiled seeing Eleana. Eleana too smiled back at him before excusing herself from the worker she was talking to. "Hello, Ma Belle." He again greeted her with the nickname making Eleana smile at him widely."Hello to you too. What are you doing here?" She asked while picking up her phone from the table near her. She checked her phone only to find three new texts from Ayden which she chose to ignore for a while."My meeting with Mr Campbell and the board members just ended a while ago so I came looking for you. I expected to be there but you didn't come." He explained in a soft gentle voice as they started to walk through the corridor. "I was supposed to be there but an emergency came here. I already had a meeting with the board members before and talked to you too already so I left everything on Ayden knowing he will manage everything fine without m