Chapter Fourteen
Lawliss
Being back in the office feels surreal. I’ve been out of the office for over a month, which is not like me but after walking in on my ex-husband, I needed the break. I wouldn’t have come if there wasn’t a mountain of work piled up waiting for my approval.
The department has done well in my absence, except for when they made an intern work on compensating an injured client. She verbally agreed with the client and kept paying bills without keeping track. Luckily she used the app and it has all the records so drafting a letter to debunk that employee’s case will be easier.
I leave my office for the board meeting we have today. Walking to the conference room, my thoughts drift back to Eddie and the way my body betrays me whenever he’s near. It’s as if some spell has been cast on me, one I can’t shake. Staying grounded and telling him to stop when all I wanted was to indulge in the kiss was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Since then, I’ve been trying to avoid him. So far I’ve succeeded and it’s only been 3 days.
“Earth to Lawliss. What’s on your mind?” Lauren’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
“Lauren?” I turn to look at her; the morning air cool against my skin as I walk. “How was your night?” I yawn, trying to mask my distraction, though the ache in my shoulders betrays my exhaustion.
“Probably better than yours, considering you keep yawning.”
“Tell me about it.” I yawned again, covering my mouth with my hand. “I hope today’s meeting ends in record time.”
“I’m afraid not,” Elisa says, joining us from behind. “Many of our suppliers have changed hands, and the new ownership is implementing policies that complicate our access to key materials.”
“Just say it's impossible,” Lauren adds, shaking her head. “Every call I’ve made ends the same way: ‘no availability,’ ‘price hikes,’ or endless delays. It feels coordinated like someone’s pulling the strings.”
“Great. Just what I need to start the day,” I mutter, sighing as we approach the conference room. My sisters follow close behind as we step inside. Aria is already there, along with several board members, their expressions a mix of focus and tension.
The meeting begins, and I try to focus, but the discussion feels like an uphill climb. Every update seems to come with complications, from supply chain disruptions to market pressures. The tension in the room is palpable, and the weight of expectation starts to settle heavily on my shoulders.
“So,” Aria’s voice breaks through the noise, steady and direct. “Lawliss and Elisa will take the lead on negotiating with the new suppliers. Lauren, you and your team will work on calming public concerns and ensuring we maintain consumer trust.”
She pauses, looking around the table. “Everyone clear?”
There’s a chorus of nods and murmured agreements. Aria takes a breath, her tone firm but final. “Good. Let’s make it happen. Meeting adjourned.”
The members of the board trickle out of the office. We also clear our things and leave the conference room. Everyone goes their separate ways, with Elisa and I heading to one of our main suppliers that changed hands.
“When are you having a housewarming party?” Elisa asks as we walk toward the car park. Since I returned from my trip, I haven’t gone back to my old apartment, where I used to live with Derrick. I leased a new place and my family is yet to visit where I stay but with Eddie being the other tenant, I don’t know what to do.
“Elisa, Elisa, when will you not party? I’m surprised you get your work done so well. Please tell me your secret.” I reply to her.
“Work hard, play hard,” she says with a grin. “Just live by my motto, and you’re set for life.” I smirk and pause as I take in her latest car, a Koenigsegg Gemera.
“I guess we’re going there separately,” I remark and she laughs because she knows I prefer safety to luxury. I know hers is also safe but there’s no way she will drive according to my definition of safe driving.
“Come on. This is one of the rarest cars on the planet, with curves as striking—”
“Exactly why we’re not going together. If anyone asks, I don’t know you. Besides, it’ll be so late that you’d have to drop me off, which is far from your party hub for tonight.”
“Fine. You win,” she concedes with a dramatic sigh. “I’ll lead since I know the place.”
She gets into her car, and I get into mine. Her engine roars to life with a low, powerful hum, a stark contrast to the quiet purr of my sedan. She pulls out of the parking lot first, her car gliding effortlessly onto the road. I follow behind, keeping a safe distance as she weaves through traffic like it’s a sport.
Before I can switch the radio on, Lauren’s call comes through.
“Hey, Law, I have an update for you girls.”
“We’re not together at the moment. Elisa’s driving her car and vice versa.”
“Figured as much,” she chuckles. “Anyway, the company you’re heading to is owned by M Industries now.” I brake suddenly, nearly hitting the back of Elisa’s car as she slows to turn into the lot.
“What the hell?” I hear Elisa shout from outside. I glance up to see her glaring at me through her rearview mirror while she searches for a space.
“What’s happening?” I hear Lauren ask over the phone.
“Nothing. You were saying….” I trail off.
“Ah, yeah. That M Industries owns the company now.”
“Why?” I ask flustered.
“How would I know why a company in the engineering industry is dubbing into the textile here? I mean, it’s not out of the realm since over the years, they’ve ventured into many businesses all over the world.”
“Of course,” I mutter, massaging my head to prevent the headache from trying to present itself. Does this mean I can no longer avoid Eddie? Is he doing this because I’ve been avoiding him? No, that makes no sense. It’s not like I’m worth that much.
I shake my head. “We’re here now. Will talk to you later.” I say to Lauren, then up the call. I get out of my car to meet Elisa, who is already standing at the entrance of the company.
“Is that not your crush, Edmund’s friend?" Elisa says, spotting Josh at the foot of the stairs.
“I don’t have a crush on Edmund.”
“Sure you don’t,” she murmurs, walking toward the reception desk.
“ELISA!” I shout, causing heads to turn in our direction. I mouth an apology and glare at her.
“Hey, no need to be defensive.” She raises her hands in surrender but smirks anyway. “It’s just that I saw the way you looked at each other the last time.” I roll my eyes, but she doesn’t seem to care.
“It’s true,” she goes on. “What’s he doing here anyway?” she asks, not waiting for an answer as she walks up to the receptionist. I hesitate; Elisa notices and steps in to take charge, going to speak to the receptionist.
“I’m sorry, but you don’t have an appointment, so you can’t see him,” the receptionist says. Déjà vu hits me like a wave, and suddenly, I can’t breathe. My chest tightens, and everything blurs around me.
What the FUCK! I’m over this. I haven’t thought much of Derrick so what the hell is going on with my body?
“Is your sister okay?” I hear the receptionist ask, but I can’t register much else.
“Lawliss!” Elisa shouts, rushing to my side.
I curse under my breath the moment I see Eddie turn, his gaze locking onto me. In seconds, he’s beside me, steadying me before I can fall. He leads me to a chair, his hands firm yet careful.
“Are you okay?” Elisa asks, her worry evident. I glance at her briefly, but it’s the fear in Eddie’s eyes that confuses me.
Elisa steadies me as I rise shakily to my feet. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks again, but I wave her off. My pulse pounds, but I can’t let this get the better of me—not now, not in front of him.
“Do you need to go to the hospital?” he asks.
“No. I’m fine,” I manage, my voice unsteady.
“You scared the shit out of me. I’ve never seen you like this before,” Elisa says, her breathing erratic as if she’s run a marathon.
“Just some flashbacks, nothing more,” I reply vaguely, hoping she doesn’t push but of course, she snaps, “I’m going to kill that motherfucker,” rising from her seat, but I pull her back.
“We’re here to meet the new owner of the company, remember?” I remind her, my voice steady, though my pulse quickens.
Eddie’s expression sharpens at my words, his jaw tightening... Just as he opens his mouth to speak, Josh approaches, “Eddie, there’s a mix-up with the supply—” He stops mid-sentence, his gaze landing on us.
“Lawliss,” Josh nods in acknowledgment, his tone polite.
“Hi, Josh.” I smile at him.
“I guess you’re here to negotiate your supply orders,” he says, his words more resigned.
“How did you—” Elisa begins but trails off as though realization has dawned on her. Her eyes narrow, flicking between Eddie and Josh.
“Are M Industries the new owners of this company?” She asks, her voice laced with suspicion and Josh nods his gaze flickering briefly toward Eddie.
“Do you, by chance, hate us or have something against our family?” Elisa demands, leaning forward slightly as if daring him to deny it.
“NO! What are you talking about?” Eddie asks, acting as though he genuinely doesn’t know.
“What the hell are you up to?” I snap, causing every head in the lobby to turn in our direction. “Let’s talk inside,” he says, grabbing my hand and leading me to the elevator. Josh and Elisa follow behind. My mind is lost in the feel of his hand on me. I just watch his hands on mine and we enter the elevator. I remove my hands from him when I catch the hint of amusement in his eye.
“What’s funny?” I ask but he shakes his head. The air feels stuffy and I’m suddenly sent back to the elevator in Florida. My heart pounds, and I glance down at his hand on mine. It’s warm, steady, and sends an unwelcome shiver up my spine. When his lips twitch in amusement, I yank my hand away, my cheeks heating.
The elevator dings and we all step. We arrive at a spacious office floor.
The office is spacious. Sleek black furniture dominates a massive glass desk. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city skyline, cold and distant, much like the current Eddie himself. A faint scent of cider and mint lingers in the air.
We then enter the office and he takes his seat and Josh goes to stand beside him. Elisa came up to stand beside me.
“I like him,” my heart skips and my head whips to hers. “Who?”
“Relax. I’m not talking about your man but the one beside him.”
“He’s not my man.”
“Who do you think I’m saying is your man?" I open my mouth to answer but my throat clears, bringing our attention back to the present.
“So…” Eddie says, leaning back in his chair, his icy gaze boring into mine. The tension is suffocating, the air charged with emotions.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, my voice trembling but steady enough to carry my defiance. “What’s your endgame, Eddie? Buying out companies? Controlling supplies? Are you planning to crush us next?”
Eddie’s hands tighten into a clasp, his knuckles whitening slightly. He exhales slowly, his voice low and deliberate. “Try watching your parents die right in front of you,” he says, laced with raw pain. “Then tell me what you’d do with the pieces of your life.”
His words hit me like a physical blow, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. My mind reels. Eddie, with his sharp words and icy demeanor, suddenly feels human. It’s as though his sorrow seeps into the air, making it hard to breathe. I don’t know what to say. I can only stare, his rawness pulling at something I thought I’d buried long ago.
“What… what do you mean?”
Eddie leans forward, his elbows on the desk, his hands clasped as if he’s trying to hold himself together. “Figure it out, Lynx. You’re smart.”
The room falls into an uneasy silence, the weight of his revelation hanging heavy. Elisa shifts beside me, clearly uncomfortable, but I can’t take my eyes off Eddie. His pain is palpable like a storm barely contained beneath the surface.
“I think we should leave,” Elisa says finally, her voice uncertain. She turns to Eddie. “We’ll take this up another time.”
Eddie nods curtly, and Josh takes the cue, stepping forward to escort Elisa out of the office. “Let’s give them a moment,” Josh says, his tone polite but firm when he realizes I haven’t moved. Elisa hesitates but follows, throwing me a questioning glance over her shoulder.