###Chapter 71

Chapter 71



Rowan smiled and walked out of the study. He walked outside and toward his well parked car.
The car was opened by two men, who were looking at him with so much admiration and respect that someone might think they were in love with him but Rowan wasn't able to notice that as he was too focused on where he was going and he actually had no time to check to even realize that the men holding his car door were not his men... Not like he recognized all his men anyway.
"Good morning sir"they said uniformly with a little smile on their extremely cold faces.

"Drive me to the conference room" Rowan said with his voice full of authority and without bothering to take a look at the men.
"Yes sir"they closed the door behind him and and turned toward Ray who was still standing a bit far away from them.
They nodded at her and Ray gave them a cold stare but they understood what that meant and they nodded again before they entered the car and drove off.
***
Sapphire's P. O. V

I was sitting down in the conference room, addressing the members of the board without Rowan in attendance... Not like I was thinking about him anyway but a Part of me wished he was there with us.

I had decided to give him a run for his money, thinking that will teach him not to belittle me anymore but I feel somehow while doing this... why?

Back to the present
"What are your intentions for the board once you've gotten into position"the managing director asked and I forced a smile. [ it wasn't like I wanted to be a president. Why the political questions?]
It irritated me a lot but I needed to answer anyway or my effort since morning would be in total waste.
. "Well,I have a lot of things planned out"I said calmly and I looked straight into the managing director eyes, capturing him in my beautiful eyes that he found it difficult to even blink.

"Things like what"the secretary pressed on despite his beating heart which i could clearly hear.
[ No wonder he is a managing director. He has such a strong will...]

"I'll start by reshuffling the administration,the prominent sectors is breachable which shouldn't be"I said with my head high up. This was part of the things Old Lan stated out for me when we are still in the US and when we just started the discussion about this Conglomerate.

"Wow!" The assistant manager said clapping his hands. He looked really impressed but ... [ why do I feel like he was only faking it?].
I wished I could tell him off but how could I and why should I do that when he was the one replying me while others just ignored me like I was a nobody and it was obvious they wouldn't start the meeting before Rowan enter.

"Also,I also plan on expa...."I was about to tell them more about my plan when I was interrupted by some one.
I turned to see who the person was, even though the voice was familiar and I recognized it even before looking back but I still felt like I had to see his face. [ I feel somehow silly looking at him... why?].
"Hello everyone, sorry for coming late I had some important business to attend to" He said, looking really apologetic and he bowed a little... " I'm deeply sorry." he added before taking a seat opposite me.
No wonder he was loved by everyone... he had such a very good manner when speaking with partners and business share holders which greatly impressed me. [ but why is my heart aching so hard as I look at his face?]

"Ugh everything was going on smoothly why did he have to be here"I mumbled in anger.. but i knew it was a total lie. I really wanted him to be there and I was happy he was there. Which kept me wondering if I was losing my mind or I was getting sick.

"What could be more important than this conference, Mr Rowan? "I asked, getting on his nerves and he turned to look at me.

"I had something I had to do"he said emphasizing each word as he sent me a deadly glare.

I didn't let that get to me and I pressed on further
"I don't think you can rule because you need to learn punctuality first and wait! Were you busy visiting your women? I heard you love flirting a lot"I said glaring at him and secretly begging him to tell me it was a lie. My heart was beating faster and faster each second as I waited for his reply but he only stared at me...

He pocketed his hands and moved toward me, taking each step like he was counting it but his eyes never left mine as he was doing this and it was like he was sending me a million questions through those hypnotizing eyes of his . " Are you jealous? Do you like me? "he asked, looking directly into my eyes as if he was trying to capture my heart which was only weak to him and him alone.
I was completely rendered powerless and weak to his alluring eyes and I found it difficult to think at all... " I... i..." I found my lips moving on it own and it was ready to say the most embarrassing thing ever which really got me scared.

" Whats it? Is my charm that great?" Rowan asked teasingly and chuckled. He wasn't the type to play with someone's heart and he could already see the feelings in Sapphire's eyes.
I got back ny senses when I saw him laugh at me and I got really furious that he could get me that hard.

" Why? Why... Why would I like you?! Why?! Tell me! Get the stupid idea out of your head and just stay with your wife!" I shouted, flaring up and overreacting but i wasn't ready to control myself cuz I was really tired.. I felt really tired. I've never lost my temper this much before but Rowan kept bringing out the new me every time I see him.
. " Why are you acting as if I just hit your weak point? "he said swiftly and I was shocked.

"I..."I was caught off guard I never imagined he would use that against me. He really did hit my weak point and he always did every single time I meet him but how could I accept that in front of so many people?!

"You know what i think,, someone from your side released a scandal about me how are we going to be sure you weren't in collaboration? Old Lan couldn't have worked on his own or could he?""he asked, staring at me.
It was like there was a magnetic force on him as the entire board turned towards me, awaiting an answer.

I cursed under my breathe before turning to look at the officials who wouldn't look away even when our eyes met. "Well....I.." I was so short of words that I didn't have anything to justify old lan's action.

"Someone as desperate as that could send me a death threat. Don't you think? "he asked again but this time, he was looking at the members of the board and they noded in agreement. It was as if they were trained puppies but then... Death threat?

I was shocked because someone also came to warn me too but I didn't think much about it as it was something that happened often.

"Mr Rowan,such a wonderful point you made there,is someone threatening your life?"I asked and sent him a cunning glare. But the truth was that I really wanted to know if it was true because how could someone be sending death threat to both of us at the same time?

"Unfortunately, No. Miss sapphire"he said and relaxed his back on his chair but his eyes answered my question. He was threatened!.

"Mr Rowan, what are your plans when you get in the position"I asked adjusting my posture. I wanted to change the topic because I was starting to get scared. How could someone like Rowan get death threat?

"I've noticed that the sector can be easily breached,so I look forward to building a stronger and unbreachable community"he said like he was already expecting the question.

"Wow!, that's exactly what Miss Sapphire said too!"the secretary pointed out with a smile on his face!. But this time, the smile was real.

"Miss sapphire, why do you aspire for the position of the conglomerate" he asked tapping his hand on the desk.

"I want to make a difference"I said briefly and simply without any emotions on my face..

We asked questions for a long time and I had to crack my head to answer some. It was true that I've own over many competitors but it was the first time in my life that I would be fighting with someone like Rowan and it was really obvious because the difference between him and my old competitors were like heaven and earth!.
Hours later,, The board members already got what they wanted and the conference was over.
Everybody left the meeting room, leaving Rowan and I alone..

"How dare you use the incident against me,I never knew you were so desperate and low!" I said walking toward him in anger.

"Everything is fair in war and battle, Miss sapphire"he said as calm as ever. It was as if we were playing when I was so angry that I was literally burning with fury!.

"Well, I'm never giving up the position even if it costs me my life"I said fearlessly. " I'm going to battle it with you to the end! I promise you!" I said to him with determination in my bright eyes.

"You know, You really have some guts for a woman." He mumbled as if he wasn't talking to me. " No one as ever stood up to me but you did. How interesting!" he added, stood up and left without waiting for me to reply or even looking at me for once.


"Asshole"I muttered out after he left the room.
I picked up my files and left the room
"I was so going to make him pay".he never missed a chance at riling me up!.
*.
*.
*.
Rowan stood outside the conference Hal, speaking to Ray.
"Any suspicious movements from sapphire?" he asked walking toward his car which was surrounded by his body guards.

"No sir,her movements were quite normal" Ray replied, standing behind Rowan.

Rowan nodded " I was right then. She can never be behind this. " he mumbled to himself and let out a relieved breathe. He was about to enter the car when..
Gbam!
A gunshot was heard! and the body guards were all shocked and scared at the same time that they failed to protect Rowan even after Ray had implored them severally. They all turned to look at Rowan who stood rooted to the ground as the shock of the shot got him hard.
It was just a little bit above his head and it wouldn't have missed if he had not lowered his head at the right time. It was like his body moved on his own as if snatched a gun from one of the body guard and he shot into a distance.
Everyone was puzzled and wanted to ask what he was doing but they couldn't say a word anymore when they saw someone collapse on the ground and another jumped down, ready to run away!.
" Get him!" Ray shouted!.

Immediately, Ray spotted the peson, even before he shouted that some of the guards to catch him.he and two other guards had ran after him and they got him without much effort.

Meanwhile, Rowan entered and sat in the car pondering over what happened. He finally realised that his life was not safe. If he had hesitated to follow his instinct or if he was a seconds slower, he would have been dead by now!.