Rachel's POV
As we walked back from our lunch break with Jasmine, I felt a bit better from the chaotic workload revolving around my office.
"I'm so glad you agreed to join me for lunch," Jasmine said, smiling at me. "I needed a break from staring at spreadsheets."
"Same here," I replied, laughing. "I'm not sure how much more of Workload I can keep up with."
"I can imagine. Ever since Mr. Smithson got engaged, his fiancée has been a pain in the neck, Jasmine growled.
I felt my heart drop at the mention of Victoria; I forced a casual look to avoid giving myself off; that was a part of me I was not ready to discuss.
"Why is that?" I asked, wanting her to go on.
"She's too demanding for my liking, irritating as she could ever be. I wonder what Mr. Smithson sees in her," she adds, her nose crinkling in disgust.
Just then, we turned a corner and collided with none other than Andrew himself.
"Oh, sorry about that," I said, taking a step back.
Shit!
The mere sight of him reminds me of the pain he had caused me.
Andrew's gaze narrowed. "Jasmine, excuse us."
Jasmine nodded and quickly scurried off, leaving me alone with Andrew.
"What's this I hear about you questioning my uncle's demands?" Andrew asked, his tone dripping with condescension.
I stood up straight. "I'm just trying to do my job to the best of my ability," I respond, trying to hide my emotions, but no matter how much I try to hide it, I miss him; I want him back.
I want our lives to return to the way they were. When he loved me, he cherished and adored me.
Andrew sneered. "You think you're some kind of expert just because you work for my uncle?"
I felt a surge of anger. "I'm just trying to do what's best for the company. Plus, I didn't hire myself; he saw my capabilities and hired me, so I shouldn't be the one you are questioning, but rather him."
Andrew took a step closer to me. "Let me make one thing clear: just because you work for my uncle doesn't mean you're not beneath me. You work for me too, Rachel. And whatever we shared in the past remains in the past. I don't believe you are here for work. So whatever plan you may have, I suggest you discard it. It's never going to happen; the two of us aren't going to be together. The sooner you understand that, the better," he spits with pure irritation.
My heart winced feeling the sharpness of his tune. I felt a shiver run down my spine. Something was menacing in his tone that I just couldn't overlook.
"I understand," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, my eyes already beginning to sting with tears.
Andrew's gaze lingered on me. "Good. And it won't be long before I will have you fired if you try to mess things up for me or my fiancée.
He turned to leave, but not before casting a dismissive glance in my direction.
I watched him go, feeling every inch of my heart break all over again.
I hate that I still love this man.
I hate that I still want him back.
I hate that he has to see me this way.
I hate it! Everything! The situation I am being put in.
As I made my way back to the office, I sucked back my unshed tears, trying so hard to mask my emotions.
But I was breaking internally.
Jasmine caught up with me. "Hey, what did Mr. Smithson want?"
I hesitated. "Just reminding me of my place."
Jasmine's expression turned sympathetic. "Don't let him get to you; he could be an arsehole sometimes."
I forced a smile. "I'll try."
I sat back down at my desk, if only she knew the history behind us.
The rest of the day went by like a blur, and it was finally time to leave.
I assembled my things, and walking out, just in time, Darius walked out of his office with his suitcase.
"Ready?" He asks, to which I nod.
"Uncle" Andrew's voice halted our steps.
I didn't miss the way Darius's jawline hardened at the sight of Andrew. It didn't take much to know that Darius wasn't fond of his nephew.
"There is a business gala going to happen tomorrow, and I would like for you to come; it would elevate our business deals and merge of our companies," Andrew says more like suggests.
"My decision to merge with your company is still under consideration... I need not remind you. Darius says his tone is firm and authoritative.
He nodded, "Right, but—"
Darius cuts him off, "Forward me the invites; I'll check on my schedule."
"Alright. I will have my assistant deliver it to you as soon as possible, Andrew states.
I felt tense standing in between the duo; the tension was palpable.
"If that will be all, then I must leave," Darius announced.
Andrew sent me a glare to which I shrugged, turning on my shoe and walking behind Darius like a lost puppy.
The ride home was quiet. I am not sure why Darius took it upon himself to drive me home all the time, but the gesture was kind of him.
"We'll be attending the gala together," Darius says, cutting off the silence.
I turned my stare back at him, taken aback. "What? No, I protest.
"I wasn't asking you; you don't have a choice." His tone hardened, daring me to say otherwise.
I laughed humorously at his audacity, "I do have a choice, and I am not going, I declared turning away and folding my hands to my chest.
He didn't respond.
The rest of the drive went by like a blur.
His engine comes to a halt at the entrance of the house, "I'll pick you up by 8," he says before driving off.
Wtf!