"I apologize sir, but i am simply conveying my boss's position and it would be expected that a CEO of your caliber should know to be cordial and professional at all times." Louisa states slowly and firmly, clasping her hands tightly around her handbag in front of her. Her face is devoid of any emotion and she appears unflinshed about Kingsley's outburst.
This infuriates Kingsley the more. He had expected to see her recoil and probably cover her face in embarrassment. But here she is, undaunted and even lecturing him…the audacity.
With his penetrating eyes fixed on her, he strolls towards her in slow steps, expecting her to cower and move back but Louisa stands her ground without moving a muscle, hoping desperately that she doesn't look as terrified as she feels.
"You dare lecture me in my building? You're a fine one one to talk about manner and professionalism. I hope you're not impersonating someone by being here?"
Louisa bit her lower lip nervously. That is one thing she is guilty of, but that was five years ago. "No, I am not," she replies flatly but quickly adds. "If you would be kind enough to give me an audience, I have with me written documents as evidence to prove that I am the best person for the job."
Still standing right before her, he takes in a deep breath and keeps gazing intently at her.
Seeing that he isn't in a hurry to speak or throw her out, Louisa takes the opportunity
to plead her case. "Mr Kingsley Wills, I know that you have the worst impression about me and I understand. I know I deserve it but Mist is not about you or I. I am sure you do not want to invest $10million on a project only to put the wrong person in charge. You can make a personal investigation about my expertise and also go through my portfolio. I can assure you that I am the best person for this project."
Eyeing her suspiciously, Kingsley turns away and returns to his seat, obviously overcoming his sudden outburst. He watches silently, contemplating her words.
Afters a few minutes, he clears his throat and declares, "I'll be watching you like a hawk. One mistake and you're out."
Louisa gives a small smile, trying to conceal how happy she really feels. "Thank you Mr Kingsley, you have made the right call and I won't disappoint you."
Kingsley looks away from her, not knowing what to say to her again. He fiddles with his phone in order to avoid looking at her.
Just as the atmosphere starts getting awkward, Louisa excuses herself, thanking Kingsley once again.
****************************
After the day's work, Kingsley retires to bed feeling exhausted. But one good thing about his exhaustion is that he'd be able to sleep well. If he retires to bed without being tired, he never gets any sleep.
However, tonight seems different as he continues tossing around the king sized bed, his thoughts refusing to rest and let him get some sleep.
He tries to figure out what the problem could be and he eventually admits to himself that he had held on to his hate for too long, that it is now affecting his health.
Ever since the night he'd met Louisa again,he has not had a peaceful rest. He just can not get a hang of that woman's attitude.
Mostly, she appears innocent, down to earth and intelligent. But then, why did she do that shit to him five years ago?
Even after so long, he can't seem to let go of the matter and he keeps going over it again and again.
FIVE YEARS AGO
Kingsley Wills had just graduated and is supposed to join his family's company; Wills Corporation in Australia, so as to familiarize himself with the company's operations before assuming a leadership position.
However, he had other important things to sort out first before joining the company at all.
First, he had to see his childhood love, Martha. Oh sweet Martha, it's been sixteen years already but her memory never left him. He had promised to go back to fetch her,no matter how long it takes–alas, it took him sixteen years but it is what it is.
Second, he had a major surgery on the way, in order to permanently be rid of his generic heart disease-cardiomyopathy.
He had been born with it and abandoned by his biological parents at an orphanage in New York because of financial constraints.
At the orphanage, he was the strange boy with a rare disease. He moved around with a Holter monitor battery glued to his chest in order to monitor his weak heart.
None of the other kids played or associated with him, except Martha. Whenever they poked fun at him, it was Martha who was there for him played with him, and encouraged him.
When Chief Wills came to the orphanage from Australia to adopt him at the age of twelve, Martha was the only one sad to see him leave and the feeling was mutual.
Kingsley thus promised her that he would come back to New York to find her, no matter how long it would take him. They both went in search of a unique item to identify each other with, just in case and got two beautiful handbands, the type of which is not random.
Kingsley had been keeping the handband since and he felt sure that Martha did the same.
Now, he'd go back to New York first and get Martha at all costs before coming back home to face the hurdle of his surgery. After all, he would need someone he dearly loves to be by his side and hold his hand.
And there is no one other than Martha that he'd like to stay beside him.
After sixteen long years. Kingsley could not wait to meet his dear Martha. What would she look like after sixteen years? Definitely no longer the shy, chubby kid she was?
Wait, what if they couldn't identity each other? Well, that's is what their unique handbands are for, right?
Kingsley played with the handband he had kept and treasured for sixteen years. He felt sure that Martha would have done the same and kept her handband safe throughout the years.
Kingsley started making preparations to leave Australia to new York at once, booking his flights tickets, making arrangements for hotel accommodation, and the likes.
On his arrival, he immediately got in touch with his old shelter, the orphanage and requested Martha's contact.