"It's high time you get married, I'm not getting younger, I need to see my grandchildren before I die." Jordan gave him a growling look.
"Look, Father, I have an important meeting tomorrow, I need to prepare for it." I wore a frown on my face as I stared at the monitor.
"That's all you do meetings and business trips, when will you take a lady out on a date? Well, I've arranged that for you. You and Alisha will both go out on the date, I've booked the hotel and paid for everything needed for the date. It will be great for both of you to get to know each other better." He choked on a smile.
"Why will I do that, I don't have time for a date, especially not someone like Alisha, her mere sight disgusts me," I added not looking at my Dad.
Disappointed by his response. "You have no choice, she will meet you at the office tomorrow., you better behave yourself and that's final.
"Please, Sebastian," she begged, "just listen to me."
"I don't believe you," I said coldly. "Even if you did love me, it wouldn't matter to me. I'm not interested in you or any woman. Just leave me alone."
She felt as if she'd been punched in the gut.
"But -" she started.
"Just go," I snapped. "I've wasted enough time on this already."
Her eyes filled with hurt, but she didn't leave.
She closed the gap between us and tried to kiss me but before she could, I pushed her away and took her hands in mine, holding her uncomfortably close, and whispered into her ear.
"If not your father is one of our biggest investors, and my Dad has specifically told me to let you in any time you come. I would have ordered my security men to throw you."
"Leave my office I don't want to embarrass you further," I added.
Even though she was devastated, she forced a smile onto her face. She knew it would infuriate me, and she wanted me to know that I couldn't break her.
"But your Dad told me to go out on a date with you, and besides I love you, Sebastian," she said with a smug smile playing on her lips.
I looked at her with contempt. "I did not tell him I want to go out on a date, that's between you and him. I don't care, I have important things to do."
She felt a sting of shame, but she didn't show it. She laughed even though it felt like a knife was twisting in her heart.
"Sebastian, your words can't water down what I feel for you," she said. "Why have you closed your heart to love? Why have you been so cold, and why do you pretend that you can't fall in love or love someone?"
"That's because I can't," I said, forcing the door open, I pushed her out and slammed it, without even looking at her face. I sat down at my computer, my fingers flying over the keyboard.
"This is what I love," I mumbled to myself. "This is what I live for."
The dinner table was set in its usual manner. I noticed my Dad looking at me, and I knew what that look meant.
"Dad," I broke the ice. "I'm not interested in Alisha or any woman," I said, my voice exasperated. "I've told her that, but she just doesn't want to get it."
Jordan looked at him, his eyes full of disappointment. "Sebastian, you know it's not good to be this closed off," he said. "You need to open up, or you're going to end up alone." Jordan continues.
"You were rude to her, and that's not the right way to treat a lady, you owe her an apology."
I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, I don't care, She asked for it. I'm only indulging her because you forced me to. I'm not interested in her."
"Her father is one of our biggest investors, just imagine what we can benefit by allying with them."
"I'm not marrying her dad," I snapped.
"How long do you want to live like this?" Mr. Jordan asked, concern in his eyes. "Why don't you want to move on? The past is in the past."
I stood up, not wanting to continue this conversation. "I'm done," I said, trying to sound polite. "I have an important presentation tomorrow, and I need to go through it again. Please excuse me." I walked out to my room.
Mr. Jordan dropped his cutlery instantly, worry etched on his face. His son had been stubbornly refusing to consider marriage, and he couldn't understand why. He had thought his son would have recovered from the heartbreak of losing his first love by now, but it seemed as though it had scarred him even more deeply than he had realized.
He had tried everything he could think of to encourage his son to move on, but nothing seemed to work. He didn't know what else to do.
I stepped out of my sleek car, my tailored suit perfectly in place. I strode confidently into the boardroom, my briefcase in hand. I was greeted immediately after I stepped in, but I ignored the gestures.
"Are you all ready for the meeting?
"Yes, sir," they all responded.
"Okay, can I see each of your presentations, hope you all paid attention to every small detail just as I've asked you to."
I continued, "I expect you to triple-check your work, making sure that everything is perfect. I don't want anything to be out of place. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," they responded.
Satisfied with their answers, I nodded and sat down at the head of the table, preparing to review their presentations. I was determined to make this meeting a success, and I would accept nothing less than perfection.
It wasn't long before the investors walked into the room, their eyes sharp and their expressions unreadable. I instantly knew that they would be tough to win over, but I refused to let it show.
I stood up and greeted them with a smile. "Shall we begin?" I said as I moved straight to the projector, where my presentation was already displayed.
I spoke extensively, highlighting many ways in which the company would grow and succeed. I also emphasized the financial benefits of investing in our firm, making a compelling case that left no doubt in the investors' minds that this was a smart investment.
The papers were signed, sealing the deal. We shook hands, and the investors left, taking their wealth of knowledge and experience with them. The team at the company breathed a collective sigh of relief, knowing that they had pulled off a major coup. It was a huge success for the company, and they celebrated.
The air in the bar was thick with the scent of liquor and tobacco. It was dimly lit, with a warm, cozy glow from the lamp above the bar. The smell of stale beer hung in the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses.
Derrick and I sat at the bar, each of us with a shot glass in front of us. "Look," Derrick broke the silence, "that lady in the hot red dress has been looking in your direction for quite some time now."
He tapped me on the shoulder, but I didn't want to talk about it.
"I just closed that deal," I interrupted, not wanting to prolong the discussion. I knew where it was heading, and I didn't want to go there.
"Wow!" Derrick exclaimed. "The multimillion-dollar deal?"
"Yes," I replied. "It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it in the end."
We clinked our glasses together in a toast to my success. Then, Derrick's eyes wandered back to the woman in the red dress. I knew he was curious about her, and I couldn't blame him. She was stunning.
"Man!, she's beautiful, Derricks's eyes glow as he spoke. "Go and talk to her, loosen up a bit, would you?" He added.
"Hello, Dad," I said, picking up the phone. "What's up?"
"I need you to come home right now," my dad said, his voice serious. "It's urgent."
I paused, my thoughts racing. "Like, right now?" I asked. "I'm a bit busy. Can't it wait?"
"No, it can't," he replied. "I need you here." I sighed, knowing I had to go. "Alright, I'll be there soon," I said, hanging up the phone. "That was my dad," I need to go. See you later.