Henry and the other workers at Jaxia were having a grueling day. Overnight meetings had left them exhausted, and they still had to provide feedback that afternoon. The tension was palpable, and the air was thick with anxiety.
Adrian, the CEO, scrutinized the reports before him, his eyes narrowing as he searched for any imperfections. "These aren't well done. Redo them and bring them to me within two hours," he instructed a pale-faced employee, her dark circles a testament to her sleep deprivation.
One of the employees approached Henry, Adrian's assistant. "Henry, why is the CEO like that?" they asked, too intimidated to address Adrian directly.
Before Henry could respond, an employee rushed in, breathless. "You're all standing here! The CEO just issued an order. We're having departmental meetings now!" The urgency in his voice sent a shiver down their spines.
Panic surged through the employees as they hastened to the "Cold Room" for the head of departments meeting. The room's freezing air conditioning, which Adrian believed fostered better thinking, was infamous. Some joked that it was designed to keep employees on edge.
Inside, Adrian's expression remained cold, as always, except on rare occasions. Pin-drop silence was the unspoken rule; even clearing one's throat could result in dismissal. The room's sterile atmosphere made it difficult for anyone to relax.
As department heads waited anxiously for Adrian's arrival, no one dared to be late, given his notorious temper. Rumors circulated about his explosive outbursts, and no one wanted to be on the receiving end.
The doors swung open, and Adrian entered majestically, his long strides commanding attention. The room fell silent as they stood to greet him, waiting for his permission to sit.
Henry stood beside Adrian, his expression sympathetic toward the employees. He knew what they were going through.
"Let's begin," Adrian's cold voice pierced the air, sending shivers down their spines.
The meeting progressed smoothly until Adrian's mind began to wander. Thoughts of Jasmine Walker and Micheal Quinn being together flooded his thoughts, fueling jealousy. His eyes scanned the room, searching for a distraction.
He clenched his teeth and fists, slamming them onto the table. Heads turned, anticipating the worst.
The head of the financial department presenting at that moment felt fear surge in his heart, thinking Adrian was displeased with his presentation.
He couldn't afford to lose his job,he still had a sick daughter who needed surgery.
He could see the pity and fear in the eyes of his colleagues for him.
"How dare she!" Adrian exclaimed, his brows knitting.
The department heads exchanged confused glances. Who was this mysterious "she"? Was it a colleague, a rival CEO, or someone from his personal life?
Abruptly, Adrian stood, his chair scraping the floor, and stormed out of the meeting. The room remained silent, unsure how to react.
Within minutes, the company's WhatsApp group buzzed with gossip. Who had sparked Adrian's ire? Was it a personal or professional feud?
Henry, usually informed, was equally perplexed. He shook his head, wondering what had triggered Adrian's outburst.
Adrian sped to Xixi in his Rolls Royce, determined to uncover answers. His mind raced with questions. What had Jasmine done to him? No matter how hard he tried,it seemed she was permanently stuck In his brain.
Jasmine Walker, en route to lunch, noticed the Rolls Royce. Was Adrian behind the wheel? She quickened her pace, hoping to avoid him.
As the car parked beside her, Adrian emerged, anger etched on his face.
"Jasmine Walker," he called, his tone laced with irritation as he tried to drag her in.
Just then, Micheal Quinn appeared.
"Kidnapping someone? How low for an important figure in Cloud City," Micheal said, hands in pockets.
Jasmine's confusion deepened. Adrian and Micheal knew each other? What was their history?why the unfriendly tone?
"Kidnapping?!" Adrian frowned.
"You were about to drag her in, weren't you?" Micheal pressed.
Adrian's anger boiled over.
"I'm not going to interfere in your affairs, but these are work hours, Mr. Wood. Xixi operates by rules and regulations, just like Jaxia," Micheal said.
Jasmine seized the opportunity to exit.
"I'll go in now Mr. Adrian" she said, avoiding eye contact.
Adrian's frown deepened at the formal address.
Micheal quipped, "So you're the one who broke her heart?"
Adrian's response was icy.
"Mind your business "
"Honestly,it's good that you two aren't together. We both know you can't provide a secured future for her"
Micheal's thoughts drifted to his lost sister, Amelia.
"I'm not discussing Amelia now," Adrian said, feeling a headache coming.
"I still haven't forgotten or forgiven you Adrian Wood " he said as they locked gazes.
Adrian sighed,he knew staying any longer would only lead to exchanging punches with Michael.
"What happened with Amelia wasn't my fault" he said.
"Am I supposed to believe you Adrian?" He asked.
Adrian knew a fight was going to erupt soon,given Micheal's current tone.
"I'll leave now".he simply turned around, entered his car and zoomed off.
Micheal stared with a frown as he watched the Rolls Royce speed off.
"Micheal, what's going on between you and Adrian?" Jasmine asked once Micheal was in the building.
Micheal's expression turned somber.
"We have history, Jasmine. Complicated history."
Jasmine's curiosity piqued but she sensed that he didn't want to talk about it.
"Want to grab lunch?"
Jasmine smiled.
"Yes."
Together, they walked into Xixi's cafeteria, leaving the drama with Adrian behind.
Meanwhile, in Adrian's Rolls Royce:
Adrian's anger simmered.
His trip down here had been a waste.
He didn't get to talk with Jasmine and there was Micheal, bringing up buried matters.
He couldn't help but wonder What was the relationship between Micheal Quinn and Jasmine Walker.
The thought of them being together always got him angry.
He hadn't been able to get Jasmine out of his head after all his efforts.
He had even tried to touch other women but it always felt like he was cheating on Jasmine.
He dialed a number.
"Get me information on Micheal Quinn and Jasmine Walker's relationship."
The voice on the other end hesitated.
"Sir, that's not advisable."
Adrian's tone turned icy.
"Do it."
The line went dead.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.