Sebastian POV
"It doesn't look good, Sebastian," Tyler sighed "Our shares took a hit, and even though the damage is minimal but it could become worse moving forward. I must give it to Amelia Winchester, she's such an orator and knows how to sway the public,".
"Don't go through the corners, Tyler," I said quietly. My back was turned to him as I gazed outside my office window, thinking of possible ways to get Trevor to talk to me. Since our altercation two days ago, he has not been taking my calls or returning them. I knew he was angry, but he wasn't the kind of person to hold a grudge, especially with me. This was the longest we've gone without speaking to each other.
"Just lay it out to me," I turned to him. "What did the shareholders and the board say?"
"They want you to make a stand. Choose between your relationship with Sienna or resigning and acting independently of the company's name. They're worried that the effect may be long-term. Sky Corporation and Sky Group went several steps higher yesterday and the public stunt seemed to be favoring them. Plus…" Tyler trailed off "I heard Rex wants to terminate their contract with Grey Corps and go to Sky Corporation instead, everyone wants to take advantage of the public favour they seemed to be gaining,".
"Yeah!" I nodded absent-mindedly "What do you suggest I do?"
"Cut her off!" Tyler said quietly "I know both of you have history and maybe you're helping her because of that but you can't throw yourself under the bus for Sienna Winchester again. You could give her enough money and I'll make arrangements for her to go to a small island, far away from here and wait until things die down then if she intends on making a grand return, it's up to her,".
"How about a second option?" I asked again staring at my phone, hoping Trevor would call or text.
"There is no second option, Sebastian," Tyler sighed and came to where I was standing "I know you're dying to make things good with you and Trevor and family should always come first right? You've done enough for her already… with your permission, I'll make sure she leaves New York tonight, you make it right with your brother and make a public statement about your breakup… everything will be fine,".
"It's easy," I sighed "But I want to help her, Tyler. Find a way… there must be something I can do to pacify the board members and also the public. As for my brothers, I'll take care of them okay? So, I just need you and your team to come up with something,".
Tyler stared at me for a few minutes "Are you sure, Sebastian? Are you doing this because you still love her?"
"Jeez, No!" I laughed "I don't love Sienna anymore. I mean – there was a time I felt my heart would break into pieces at the thought of not loving her but now it's different. I just want to help her, that's all but I promise, if it gets tough, I'll leave. Okay?"
"Sure!" Tyler shrugged "By the way, someone from your management reached out to me a while ago, something about Amelia Winchester meeting with one of your reps. He said she proposed a meeting with you but he turned it down. I know it's nothing of importance but maybe that's her way of taking revenge since the rep told her he won't be able to organize a meetup with you and her,".
"Or…" my eyes flashed with amusement "She's trying to get my attention. You know what, I want you to reach out to Sky Corporation and request for a meeting with Philip Winchester. I need to know what we're going up against because I know he's the mastermind behind all of these, okay?"
"Sure!" Tyler nodded "Later then, I'm off," he said before he left the room.
I picked up my phone again, and dialled Trevor's number, sighing as it went straight to voicemail.
"Hey Trevor, I know you're still angry with me but if you give me a chance, I can explain. Please and… I promise, this is not the same,".
As soon as I finished sending the message, there was a small knock on the door before someone pushed it open. It was Sienna.
"Hi," she said with a small smile "Can I come in for a second?"
"I can spare you five minutes," I said flatly and moved to my desk, trying not to notice that she had been crying. There were still tear stains on her cheek and it was none of my business. "So, what's up?"
"I just wanted to come to thank you for everything you've done so far. The security, the team and everything. I'm truly grateful, honestly but … I saw in the news this morning that Blackway Industries shares went down a bit, the first in two years and I'm truly worried. It's enough that I am using your resources… I don't want anything to happen to your company. I will never be able to forgive myself,".
"But you did three years ago, so this shouldn't bother you,".
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted instantly. Tears gathered in Sienna's eyes as she lowered her gaze.
"I know you still hate me for three years ago, plus I can put up with these occasional jabs of the past but you know I couldn't have done what I did without a reason, Seb. I didn't just wake up one morning and decide not to marry you when I've wanted to do so since elementary school,".
"And yet you did!" I scoffed "I'm not interested in your excuse, Sienna and I will admit that I'm still angry over what happened but starting from this moment, I'll let it go. We're business partners now, so we should put everything behind us and try to finish up this business deal before the time lapses,".
"I understand," she nodded "I'd appreciate it if we could try for a more direct approach. The doctored videos and audios, the lies..., they're swaying the public and I fear that when we are ready to prove my worth, it'll be too late and no one will listen to me,".
"Right!" I nodded "So, what did you have in mind?"
"Well, for starters we could start with a court session. She mentioned yesterday that you kept blocking their ability to sue us but I think it'll be in our best interests," she said.
"What do you mean?"
"We should let them bare all their cards to the world. The easiest way is repeated court sessions and adjournments. By the time, they give out all their evidence, we would prove that they're fake and then bring in the witnesses you have in your possession. That way, they won't be able to deny it,".
"That is going to cost a lot Sienna. I have a business to run and …".
"I know that!" she stopped me mid-sentence "I heard about the job at Grey Corps, instead of paying me, you could take my salary and then I can do menial jobs for you… cook, clean, help you do inventory, help with office workd or anything you'd like me to do during the weekend, just to make up for it,".
"Or you could pay me when you get the company back," I offered.
"I've thought about that and it's good somehow but this is my little way of paying back for everything I did. It may mean nothing but…" she trailed off and swallowed hard "I want to take care of you, Sebastian. I want to make up for all those years and hope that you can find a place in your heart to forgive me,".
"Seems like you want us to get back together," I fired. "Listen Sienna, I am not interested in getting back with you. I don't love you anymore and I'm not doing this because there's still a part of me that likes you. No! don't mistake charity with love. To me, this is business and if there's anything you owe me at the end of all of these, I expect you pay me back,".
"Sebastian, please, I don't think you…".
"That's enough, Sienna," I rose to my feet "Just go and I'd appreciate if you don't come to me without an invitation. The reason I put a team together for you, is so you can have them at your disposal 24/7 and not me. I am a very busy man. Next time, if there's something you need to tell me, you can go through, Ted. Okay?"
"Fine!" she sighed "I'm sorry for getting in your way again. I'll just leave,".
I nodded and watched as she hurried to the door, about to leave, she turned and faced me.
"You know, you could have tried to reach out to me, Sebastian. I left a lot of clues in that text but you didn't. I waited for you, hoping you'd try to fight for what we had… so, this isn't just on me alone. Have a nice day,".