He regretted and felt guilty keeping her in his company as he realized how badly those rumors and gossip can influence her but wasn't able to terminate the contract to avoid misunderstanding.
Now that she had the best opportunity to get out of this company she missed it. Alex regretfully signed, "It was my fault not to tell her the truth. I just randomly asked her to write about the faded love without telling her reason. The titles were indeed not clear and it was completely out of her genre yet she tried. I must fix this for the sake of her dream."I thought the topic would make her challenge herself.
After a pause, he met his eyes with the CEO and said, "I'm extremely sorry for messing with your time but writers aren't supposed to write whatever they like coming under pressure. They need time and space. I humbly request you to grant me a bit more time please."
Huh?? Are you still insisting? What if I say no? The CEO raised his brow folding his arms.
Please just one mo...
Enough!!! You're the president of such prestige company yet you don't respect time. The CEO banged the table and stand up from his place not letting Alex finish his words. The meeting is over. Everyone dismissed.
After everyone left the room Zinnia approached the CEO ...big brother you don't have to be so tough. You know you scared me to death she said carelessly hugging his big brother.
Pushing her back he replied, Zinnia would you mind waiting for us outside for a moment, please?
Sure big brother, she replied and went outside.
Immediately after Zinnia went out Alex get up and went straight for the CEO's collar.
DYLAN...YOU JERK!!!
How dare you shout at me like that? What if I'm your little brother I'm still the president of this company.
And I'm the CEO. Just let it go, Alex. He pulled Alex's hand from his collar and jumped on a table to sit.
I heard a few rumors about your friend and I thought it wouldn't be good for you to ruin your reputation with some girls you know! And seems like she isn't worthy enough of your praise. Where's her work? Did she give up?
Dylan ....you...
Okay fine. Alex calmed himself and gently spoke, "Listen you might lecture the president as much as you like. I won't complain from now on but give her a chance and trust me you'll like her work. And talent is what you look right. Don't listen to those baseless rumors. And listen to me, your cousin for once just once. If not I won't force you anymore. She will be fine getting stuck with me I guess.
Okay!Okay!!
But I already dismissed the meeting and disapproved of your opinion. I can't have another meeting to approve it. So just send off her work directly to me. I'll consider it. Just for my little brother's sake.
Dylan reached his hands to pull Alex's cheeks but he backed off with a slight smirk as he saw Alex being wary of him.
Alex acted like nothing happened when he walked out of the office. Dylan was already cold and he walked out composed. Zinnia walked behind him like a puppy following its master until they reached his car.
Zinnia you don't have to ruin your study time for such small meetings. Focus on your studies Alex will handle the rest. Dylan said standing in front of his car.
I know I just missed home and when I heard the meeting was with you I couldn't stop myself from coming. Please let it go this time, will you? Zinnia said sweetly.
As you wish. Now I'll take a leave. Take care bye. Dylan get inside his car and Zinnia stood there waving her hands in the car's direction.
She then saw the message and called Aiyana. She explained the mess that happened in the meeting.
Aiyana felt guilty for what she did. Though it wasn't completely her fault. She thought it might be for some lousy newspaper or just for reference as she wasn't told about the reason beforehand.
It wasn't that she felt sad cause she wouldn't be able to join her dream company but that her friend Alex had to go through such humiliation. But whatever she thought Dylan was just teasing his baby brother while staying professional.
She spend the whole night changing sides as her guilt didn't let her sleep in peace. The next morning she went straight to Alex's cabin.No matter how guilty she feels she still barged inside his office with a loud bang on his door.
For a sec Alex's soul left his body. His hands shivering as he get up from his chair and looked at her with a questionable expression.
You wanna kill me? Alex asked curiously. Any specific reason for a goddess to show herself in the office without notice or a call?
He sit back on his chair and continue checking the papers that were in front of him.
Do...don't you have any....an...
Spit it out already, Alex said annoyingly.
DON'T YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY TO ME?
Aiyana shouted without realizing how loud she was being.
What are you talking about? Alex asked as he stared at her.
In the poem, she lowered her voice and avoids eye contact. And about the meeting.
How did you....Alex again got up from his chair, turned his back on her, putting his hand on his head. ZI...NNNIII...AAAA
He didn't want to stress Aiyana so he told her nothing about her bad poem and meeting.
He turned towards her and banged the desk. So what ...I don't think I've anything to say as your good friend has already conveyed the messages to you.Right!!!
Alex wasn't mad at Aiyana and he never thought of blaming her. But the way she entered his room annoyed him. Moreover, he didn't want to tell Aiyana about yesterday's incident but of course, his little sister has to be a messenger which added the fuel to the fire. So he decided to seize this opportunity to play with her a little.
Alex, I know you're mad so just scold me. Don't ignore me like that she said like she was threatening him instead of apologizing.
Why should I? Do I even matter to you? He banged his desk and turned again to hide his curled lips. He never thought he will talk to Aiyana like this. It was cracking him up as he was the one always getting scolded.
What do you mean by such a ridiculous question? You know how much you mean to me. Why are you getting so obnoxious? Am not I being with you despite your every flaw and clingy nature proof of how much you meant to me? When you know I don't like being around people and I strongly despise clingy people. Aiyana was already filled with guilt and seeing Alex talk back to her like that made her eyes blur with tears as she as well never expect him to talk back to her with such irrelevant questions. Though he had a couple more fights with her in the past they weren't so rude and cold.
It wasn't that Alex was being cold here. He was just playing with her but she felt very disconnected as she barely came to the office and Alex was always busy. It was kinda hard for them to be together like past and she felt left out as she always locked herself in her home.
Whenever Alex called her she felt happy but it was just for work purposes and gradually it became a habit.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stand there stiffly. Silence filled the room and Alex felt a cold breeze inside the office that chilled his spine. Yet he continued mockingly.
So ...I'm still your boss in the office. Don't you know how to talk with your boss? Oh, right you don't even take me as one.I'm unworthy, right?
Aiyana not replying to him after he said such things were hard to digest. He turned slowly expecting Aiyana to burst on him like past but was shocked.
Aiyana I'm sorry I didn't mean to...He started panicking as he saw her friend crying. His heart breaks seeing the sight. She was looking devastated as she stood there blankly staring at the floor.
Aiyana...Alex approached her and hugged her tightly."I'm sorry. I was just joking".Nothing happened in the meeting. Zinnia doesn't know everything. The CEO told me he'll give you another chance to prove your worth. I know you don't like this place and you didn't want to work here from the beginning. I forced you. I'm sorry.
Aiyana thought due to Alex's busy schedule he kind of forget her and only remembered her whenever he needs. But knowing that he cared for her and did all this for her she couldn't hold back anymore.
She hugged him back tightly and cried her heart out. After a while, she opened her eyes. She realized she fell asleep while crying in Alex's arms. They were on the floor both hugging each other.