Chapter 10

SILVANA

I sighed loudly as I looked out of the window. I was in a restaurant waiting for James. We agreed to meet here when I called him, but I've been here for more than twenty minutes, and still no sight of him. Did he bail out on me?

I bit my lip as I tried to calm down. I think I'm overreacting, it's just twenty minutes. Five more minutes passed and I was already considering the thought of leaving, cause maybe he really did bail out on me, when the restaurant door opened and he walked in.

I sighed out in relief as I waved my hand at him, cause he didn't see me, and he seemed to be searching for me. He smiled when he saw me and immediately walked to me.

"Sorry for the lateness. I was in a meeting when you called, and the traffic did well to fuck me up." He said as he sat down on the chair opposite me.

"It's fine." I smiled lightly, not like I had the chance to complain. I am the one who needs help.

"Are you okay? Your voice didn't seem well when you called." He asked, with worry laced in his voice which surprised me. Why is he worried when we are nothing to each other?

Either way, I smiled and replied to him. "I'm fine."

He looked at me with an uncertain look for some seconds before nodding. "So why did you call?"

"Err..." I didn't know how to start after my overconfidence yesterday, but I had to tell him.

"I need your help." I spoke up. "Being business partners...is it still available?"

He didn't reply, only stared at me. I was already thinking he was gonna refuse when he suddenly smiled.

"Of course, as long as it's you."

My brows furrowed at that. "As long as it is me?"

"I really want to do business with the Hardins, nothing more." He replied with a shrug, and I nodded but then...he wants to do business with the Hardins? Didn't he watch the news?

"I watched the news." He said as if he read my mind.

"Oh...then I think you know that this is more like investing, you won't get much profit at first since we are practically bankrupt, but I assure you, you won't regret doing business with us." I rushed in one breath.

"I know I won't." He smiled and I exhaled.

We talked more about it and agreed to meet tomorrow at the company before we decided to leave.

"Do you need a ride?" He asked as we walked out of the restaurant.

"I brought my car." I replied, and he nodded.

"Thanks for today, see you tomorrow." I smiled, and walked to my car.

I could see him staring at me as I drove away, but that wasn't it. My lips were chalked up in smiles as I drove back to the company. I put on the music and sang along to it.

It didn't take long before I got to the company since the restaurant is just some distance away. Just as I walked into my office, the door burst open.

I gasped in shock as I turned to the door to see Mr Gregory.

"What happened?" I actually told him about meeting James before I left, so he is surely expecting feedback. I just smirked widely and he groaned.

"Please.."

"Fine. He agreed to invest."

"Yes! He shouted and grabbed my hand. "This is good news."

"I know, right?" I laughed out loud while he also joined me in.

When we finally stopped he showed me his phone.

"These are the calls from the shareholders, they have been calling nonstop. Thank goodness we have a solution now." He sighed out and I smiled.

A knock sounded on teg door and we turned to it. The door opened after I asked whoever it was to come in. It was the lady from yesterday who brought the account files to me.

"Do you need anything?" I asked as she shut the door behind her.

"Err...the shareholders are here."

I and Mr Gregory looked at each other before turning back to the lady.

"Let's go." I told her and we all walked out of the office.

I and Gregory went to the conference room while the girl went her own way. On getting there, I couldn't miss the anxious look on the shareholders faces.

They began demanding answers immediately. I put them to calm before telling them about the expected deal with James. This calmed the anxious look on their faces, but there was still a problem which I expected...it was Xander.

"Xander invested in a deal without the board's consent, and it fell through. What do you have to say about it." One of the women who looked in her fifties asked.

"About that, I'm so sorry, and he has taken responsibility for doing it." I responded.

"How?" This time, it was a man.

"I fired him." I replied, and they all nodded.

"It's nice that we've found a solution, but if this happens once again, we are pulling out." The woman who talked first said and the rest of the shareholders supported her.

"It won't happen again. I will do my best." I replied.

"You better do it." She said and they began filing out of the room one by one.

"Ah." I sighed loudly when they all went out.

"You did a good job." I looked at Mr Greg who was standing a few feets away with a proud smile.

"I'm sure your parents are proud of you wherever they are now."

"You think?" I cocked my head.

"I know so." He nodded and I smiled.

"Thank you."

"Shall we?" He pointed at the door, and I nodded before walking out of the room, he walked out after me.

As I walked back to my office, I was relieved that everything worked out, but it felt like a heavy load was placed on my shoulders. I have this company to lead and I need to lead it well. It just feels like my last chance, and I couldn't be more thankful to James, because he made this chance possible.