Abigail walked into her company with her head held high, her heels clunking against the marble tiles.
All the employees slightly bowed as she passed by on her way to the office.
Her secretary, Alice, was already waiting when she arrived.
"What's my schedule for today?" Abigail asked as she settled into her seat, and Alice immediately began reporting.
"You have a meeting with the board of directors at nine, a meeting with Mister. Williams, the heir of Brad's Group, for the collaboration at eleven, and a dinner date with Anderson at six," Alice reported. "But ma'am, there has been a change of plans in the schedule regarding the Brad Group."
"Continue," Abigail demanded, opening her laptop and turning it on.
"Originally set to take place here in L A, the meeting has been relocated to M city due to an urgent situation at their end. As a result, you'll need to fly out as soon as possible. Fortunately, I've already booked your flight in advance, so once the board meeting wraps up, you'll be all set to head straight to the airport. Everything is ready to go… just waiting on your word."
With a wave, Abigail dismissed her with a frown. Alice bowed, turned around and left.
"M City…" Alicia muttered, a faraway look taking form on her face. The name brought her memories she didn't want to relieve.
She shook her head, recovering. It was just to sign some documents, she would be back before she knew it.
Abigail sighed; it was going to be a long day.
She started off by signing the piles of documents on her table until her hands began to hurt.
By nine, she was in the meeting with the board members, wearing a look that said, "I already know what you're thinking," as they discussed how the company could bring in more shares.
"These old, thieving fools!" she cursed internally.
Looking them straight in the eyes, Abigail spoke in a menacing tone that sent shivers down their spines.
Her eyes icily swept across them before she spoke. "If you want the company to move forward, I'm sure I'm not the only one who should be bringing in deals and collaborations, right?" she asked with a voice that was hard and stern.
No one dared to open their mouths.
"Right, I thought so too," she said, standing up. "We'll continue this discussion in the next meeting." She exited the room.
"How can a woman be this menacing?" one of the board members asked, invisible sweat already forming on his face.
"Yeah, I almost flinched back when she asked that question. I had to hold myself and act like a man."
Abigail smirked. That effect—hell yeah, they should be walking on eggshells.
Weak and pathetic Abigail died the day she found out she was pregnant.
It dawned on her that she was not only responsible for her life but for three others but unfortunately, she lost one.
Now she was never going to be inferior or threatened by anything ever.
At ten fifty, she was already inside the headquarters of the highest conglomerate in M City, and she had to admit she was impressed.
All the interiors were made of glass, and the grand hall was twice as big as her company.
It screamed of money and… luxury.
She didn't have the luxury of time to appreciate the beautiful designs, as she was being led away from the grand hall by his secretary and into the elevator.
The secretary pressed the button for the highest floor, and the elevator began its ascent.
Abigail checked her watch; it was almost noon.
She had been briefed a little about his reputation—if you wanted to be on his good side, you don't make him wait. And here she was, already jumping onto his bad side.
The elevator finally stopped at the fiftieth floor, and they walked toward his office. Abigail was beginning to get nervous.
"What if we don't agree? What if he doesn't like my proposal?" she thought, her anxiety growing.
She needed this collaboration to work! With it, her company's brand would be highly elevated.
"Get a hold of your emotions, Abi," she mentally scolded herself. She had to get this contract no matter what it took.
The secretary handed her over to the personal assistant, who was already waiting.
Abigail nodded at the P A, who motioned for her to enter. She knocked on the door, and the voice that responded sent shivers down her spine.
"Come in," the voice said, but how did an invite sound so much like death? It was chillingly cold, and Abigail felt goosebumps crawling all over her skin.
She slowly but firmly pushed open the door and stepped inside, gently closing the door behind her.
Abigail glanced around the luxurious office, until her eyes landed on him, someone she made out to be the CEO.
She couldn't see his face. It was obscured behind the computer, just a glimpse of his forehead and a few rogue strands of hair slipping out.
But the atmosphere around him was tight, a forceful presence that pressed against the room, making it clear he wasn't someone to be challenged.
Even though he knew she was inside his office, he didn't spare her a glance, which subconsciously made Abigail upset.
She thought that not only does he sound intimidating, he's arrogant too, just like the rumors.
"It's common sense to sit after you've been asked to come in."
His words were vicious as an attack, but that was not what she heard. The only thing Abigail could hear was how deep and magnetic the voice was. It was enchanting.
But scratch that. Is he indirectly saying she is senseless? What the heck! Abigail fumed, but well, she could only fume internally. She badly needed this collaboration and one reckless action could mess it all up.
"If you don't have that common sense, I wonder how you're going to be of use to my company," his voice reverberated through the cold office, with emphasis on the word "my" as he slowly raised his head.
Abigail thought the rumors weren't complete as it did mention the side where he was also an arrogant jerk and a narcissist.
She wanted to refute his words, but when he finally raised his head from the computer screen, and her eyes met his icy cold ones, it felt like a thunderbolt had just struck her.
"This face! There's no way in hell that I would forget this face!" she thought, feeling as if she had been punched in the gut.
"It can't be you." She muttered in a barely audible voice.