Chapter 11
Few weeks ago…
"Tristan, hey, wait up," Marie called out as she rushed to meet him.
It was time for the next meeting and she was glad she had spotted his blonde head quickly.
"Oh, Marie, hey," Tristan broke into a small smile as Marie's frame came into view. He was stunned by her beauty this morning. "How are you?"
Marie replied with a small smile while putting a hand through her long silky hair to pat down the strands that were sticking out.
It was still early in the morning and the sun had just come out. Marie held two plastic cups of coffee as she gently rushed towards him, getting in step with him.
"You look really good," he said to her.
She flashed him a small smile while handing the second cup over to him. "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself,"
He gave her a pleased look before replying. "Thank you. And before you ask, your loan is still being processed. You'll get a reply before this week is over."
She looked at him gratefully as they both stepped into the elevator. "Thank you, Tristan. You don't know how much this means to me."
Her eyes had become glossy and she looked away from him. He obviously noticed the change in her expression and decided not to ask.
The moment they stepped out of the elevator and into the conference room, they realised that they were the first people to arrive.
"First to arrive today, yeah?" Tristan flashed her a big smile. He fist pumped in the air before settling down in one of the free comfy seats.
Before Marie could reply and settle down herself, and adjacent door opened and Bellony's face popped into the room.
"Meeting is already on going in this room, please come in," she said, opening the door a little wider to reveal herself and the smaller conference room inside.
Marie turned to Tristan slightly, "Yeah, first to arrive from the bottom."
They both walked briskly into the adjoining room, thankfully, there was no empty seat beside Ammon.
Unfortunately, the empty seats were opposite him and Tristan made sure to draw out the seat that was directly opposite Ammon for Marie to sit on.
After they were settled, the meeting continued without a hitch.
Bellony was once again speaking. She looked really good in her purple suit and skirt which suited her short frame. She was really eloquent and was able to get anyone's attention.
"The CEO has decided that we work in pairs to bring up a catchy idea that will help us promote our product as well as boosting the sales consequently…"
There was a little commotion in the room as the staff started choosing who their partners would be.
Marie turned to Tristan and gave him a big smile. "I hope you don't have plans on partnering with anyone here because you're all mine."
As soon as those words left her mouth, a chill went up her spine. She could feel an angry gaze on her. She turned and her eyes connected with Ammon's hard stare.
Had he heard her? Even if he had heard her, why should it even bother him?
Tristan gulped hard beside her as the stare had turned to him. If looks could kill, Tristan would be six feets under.
Why was the boss giving him a terrifying look? Had he done anything wrong? Was it something he had done or said? He tried to put his mind in order but couldn't come up with anything.
"Don't be in a hurry for anything," Bellony chuckled as she went towards her laptop. "Everyone has already been partnered up. I took time in doing this. We need the best results possible and we need people that would challenge us to be the best."
She tapped on her laptop and the slide changed, showing a list of everyone in the meeting and who they were paired with.
Marie breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her name paired with Tristan's, but something caught her eyes. Ammon was also participating in this little challenge.
She wasn't the only one who noticed it as hushed whispers ensued and she could hear 'CEO' in the conversations.
Bellony gave a wide smile before she continued. "Yes, the CEO will be participating in this as well."
Marie turned to give Alyssa a smile, at least she had been paired with him. But she wasn't looking at Marie, Alyssa was staring lovingly at Ammon who seemed aloof at the moment.
Marie felt her gut twist in jealousy at the duo. There was an unimaginable pain in her heart as she watched Alyssa gaze at the man she had once been in love with.
Ammon suddenly dropped the pen he was holding on the table and everyone's attention snapped to him. They knew he was about to say something.
He raised his head and looked Bellony dead in the eye. "Did I ask you to pair me with anyone?" His voice was cold, and they could all feel the temperature of the room drop.
Bellony gasped in shock at the intensity of his look. "N-no s-sir… I just thought…" she was stammering, her words failed her as she couldn't think of any excuse to say.
"You thought what? That you could chose someone for me?" His voice was still hard and Alyssa sat up straight, in a bid to pacify him.
"Sir," Alyssa said softly. "I'm sure she meant no…"
"Did I ask for your opinion?" His voice came in sharper than before. Alyssa gulped and shook her head. "Then, keep quiet!"
Marie knew she should also be quiet, but something spurred her mouth to start moving.
"I'm sorry, sir, if I'm intruding," she started, with Ammon's eyes flitting towards her. "But, we need to move forward in the meeting. From your reaction, it seems you are displeased with the arrangements made. Please, if it doesn't favour you, tell us your stance. Like Alyssa said, Bellony means no harm."
There was a tense silence in the room after Marie talked, only the sound of the air conditioning could be heard throughout the room.
Tristan was shivering beside Marie, wondering why she just had to open her big mouth while the CEO was already angry.
"Okay," Ammon said simply, earning shocked gazes from everyone.
Okay? Just okay? No reprimand for that disrespect?
Marie was still holding her breath, she knew Ammon was not done talking.
"You've done well, Bellony," he said to her, then he turned to the woman with delicate features sitting directly opposite him. "As for a partner, I have already found who I want to work with."
Alyssa gave Marie a dirty look as she saw Ammon's continuous stare at Marie.
"Okay, sir. Who are you choosing as your partner? I'll edit it on the slide quickly." Bellony said hurriedly as she settled into her seat, drawing her laptop closer.
"Marie." He said calmly.
No one said anything nor made any move to. Marie didn't even raise her head to acknowledge her name being called.
Suddenly, a phone rang. Ammon's phone. He picked it up and stood up immediately.
"Meeting adjourned. Marie, meet me in my office during your lunch break." He said, and without giving her a chance to respond, he walked smartly out of the confe
rence room. "Alyssa, come."
Before Alyssa left, she gave Marie a funny look and Marie just smiled a little.