Nolan
"I said what I said.. And it's true.. You're egoistic and give a 'don't care ' attitude.. Even Mr Ashford will agree if not fearing you.. 'Sir '... "
I stared at her rendered speechless along with others.. And that 'sir ' at the end was not with due respect but taunt..
"Isabella!! "
Ashford warned while she didn't break the eye contact.. Those eyes held something so similar to me.. It held the boldness I adored for myself and that confidence that made me this..
One more thing.. Open challenge.. It screamed at me with a challenge.. And that's what I am liking.. But all these characteristics will be good if used for me, not against me..
"My apologies Ms Davenport.. True that I was not sincere.. And I would like to comprehend that.. "
Her head tilted a bit waiting for the deal I wanted to put for her..
"Join my company.. "
I expected a surprised expression.. Because I, Nolan Goldmann, never in my life openly told anyone to join my company.. But to 'my' surprise, she let out a chuckle.. I raised an eyebrow for explanation..
"Why would I join yours when I can open my own? "
Shock.. is what I felt running down my whole body.. She can.. Of course she can and maybe will do it oneday cause she has that potential but right now I wanted her all to my self- my company. . She is the talent I was looking for..
"Are you rejecting me? "
The words came out automatically and she narrowed her eyes.. Wait? Why did I say that?
"Rejecting you? No.. I'm rejecting your offer.."
I felt dumb at asking that question.. I cleared my throat..
"Yeah that's what I meant.. I, myself offering-"
"And I, myself rejecting it.. Mr Goldmann.. That's not how you comprehens.. "
Is she trying to teach me how to do my work?
My eyes narrowed at her..
"Are you teaching me how I should do something or not? "
"No.. I'm just telling you facts.. I don't want join your company, let alone working under you.. "
Maybe with me then..
"Andrew? "
Talking to her more will lead to an argument with a side dish being me insulted by her.. And in front of so many people, I just don't wanna loose my cool.. I am a man after all..
I raised my hand and Andrew put an envelope on my hand.. I shoved it in her hand and before she could say, I spoke up..
"This is an appointment letter.. I'll give you one week to think about it and turning up in my company by yourself or else I'll seek my ways that will be not something you'll like.. "
I sounded so... so.... so desperate! Nolan? is that even you?
"Are you this desperate to have me? "
Maybe.. I don't know!
"If anything brings benefit for my company, I'm desperate for it.. Let be a deal or a tiny little human... like you.. "
Her face turned red in anger and I walked away.. If I keep standing there then I'll hear and earful and tons of curse.. I already reached my daily limit..
"Andrew? "
I stopped just before the car before turning to him..
"Remove this Ashford.. "
He nodded and opened the door for me to enter.. I sat inside and the driver started driving..
I opened the window a bit and let the cool breeze in.. I let out a deep breath and leaned back on the seat.. This year felt worth coming.. At least this time grandfather will be satisfied that I actually selected someone..
As I closed my eyes, her face flashed in front of me.. the moment when she raised her hand to grab my hair.. I don't know but the urge to feel her touch seemed to obvious.. Normally I would have flipped out if someone even looked at me in the eyes but she?
She is the first ever woman I stared at for so long.. She is the first woman after my mother that I want to keep for myself.. I don't know if I'm being a freak but I'm getting attached to her..
Not even a sea of whisky can intoxicate me as her stare on me..
Isabella
Bastard Bastard Bastard!!
What does he thinks of himself? He thinks that I'll go after him just because he offered me a job? I would rather sleep on street then work for him!
I twisted the envelope in my hand in anger.. The dean who was glaring at me spoke..
"I am suspending you Ms Davenport! "
I don't give a s**t!
Suddenly a man came in and whispered something in his ear that made his face full red.. He glared at me one last time before storming out.. The man turned to me and spoke..
"You're not suspended Ms. Davenport.. Please proceed on the day.. "
I looked at him confused about what happened but that shouldn't bother me anyhow now..
Time Skip
I walked inside house which didn't felt home.. Home is where you feel safe and wanted, where your interests are given priority but nothing happens here..
"You're late by an hour.. "
The man sitting on the couch of living room spoke while his eyes glued to the magazine.. that man is my father...
"I was busy taking few notes from a friend.. lost track of time"
Lie.. I was deliberately walking ever so slowly to reach here.
He looked up to me..
"Only time? You lost the track of life.. track of success.. "
There we go.. success success success! Personal interest 's meaning is lost in their dictionary..
"Dad -
His glare was enough for me to gulp down the uttered words..
" Father.. I know that you do not like what I'm doing but please don't start this everyday.. Business is not a flop thing.. "
His face of disappointment didn't disappeared..
"Do not come crying when you loose everything! "
I signed.. If this is what he fears then all he needs is to say.. My grandfather once had a very successful jewelry business but it faced a fall down after grandfather passed away.. Dad struggled alot to maintain what was left and it left a bitter taste of business to him.. But everything comes with loss and profit..
"This doesn't make sense.. That's not even called a business if not some ups and downs! "
"I see no 𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠! "
Again he started his comparison thing..
"For god sake don't start comparing me with them now! I don't understand what's the problem if only one of your children decides to do something other than doctor and lawyer! “.
My voice naturally went up..
" What did I tell you about raising your voice in front of Father Isa? "
I gulped hearing the voice... I looked behind to meet the cold blue eyes of my oldest brother Giovanni..
"Sorry.. "
I can say anything on anyone's face but dared not to do the same to him.. I feared him the most and only.. And technically this fear started when once he slapped me for not paying attention to him teaching me.. Before that I was carefree around him..
Flashback
I was ten only.. Mom and dad were busy working their ass off for us.. Gio and Diago were 20 by then and responsible enough that our parents left us with them.. Marlin and Sandro were 18 too.. I was the only kid around.. Though Marlin and Sandro were 8 years apart from me, they were my best playmates.. I loved Diago but I craved for Gio's love more.. probably because he was more distant to me..
Study time was the only time he spent with me as much as I wanted.. So I used to deliberately say that I didn't understand the simplest topic.. To my surprise he never complained and explained..
It was another day and this time I wanted to annoy him for his attention.. I didn't payed attention to him and kept on telling him that I didn't understand.. The other 3 understood my intention but he didn't and slapped me quiet hard..
From that day I never approached him or talked to him freely..
Present
I quickly walked to my room, avoiding his gaze..
Somewhere in King's Town
The butler poured down the wine and passed it to the old man who sat like a king in his chair..
"what's the update Andrew? "
Andrew who was sweating spoke..
"Young Master rejected everyone this time as well.. but.. "
"But? "
"He personally gave the letter to someone.. A lady in last semester.. "
The oldman grew interested in the words.. Andrew who witnessed everything spoke every details.. The old man smirked..
"I want to meet the lady who dared to do this to my grandson.. "
"Sure Elder master Goldmann.. "