Chapter 35-Audrey in a coffee shop
Maya's POV...
My hands on the steering tightened and I gripped it harder as I ended the call with my lawyer.
'They have proof of ownership to all assets and at this point, there's nothing we can do' his words rang in my ears.
"Uhhh" I groaned in frustration. I started hitting the steering wheel trying to let out my anger.
How did I get so carried away that I didn't see this coming?
I had barely settled into my role after inheriting the family business when everything began to fall apart.
The company, built by my great-grandfather, had stood strong for generations.
We specialized in the import and export of high-end gadgets, acting as the bridge between local companies and top international industries.
For decades, we dominated the market. We were the only company of our kind, respected and recognized worldwide.
Then 3D Tech appeared.
They entered the industry aggressively, expanding at an alarming speed, as if they had been planning this for years. One by one, investors and stakeholders began to turn their backs on us.
My lawyer advised against fighting a losing battle. Instead, he suggested we join forces with them... merge our assets, sign a peace treaty, and protect what remained of our legacy.
We agreed. But they never wanted peace.
Slowly, they laid claim to most of our assets. Lawsuits followed, court appearance after court appearance. Now, they are always one step ahead, fabricating evidence to prove ownership of what was rightfully ours.
And all of this had to happen at the worst possible time, just as the company became mine.
The ringing sound of my phone drew me out of my train of thoughts.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw the caller ID. With shaky hands, I connected the call.
"Hello dad," I answered anxiously. I parked by the roadside, near a coffee shop.
"What was the outcome of the lawsuit?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"Um...dad..." I cleared my throat. "What happened was..."
"The assets were transferred," he said. The way he said it made me wonder if it was a question or statement.
"Yes dad. They must have fabricated proof and claimed that the assets belonged to them" my heart was thumping in my chest. "But don't worry dad, I'll fix..."
"Why are you such a failure?"
There was silence. A long one.
My fear finally happened. The fear of him thinking that I couldn't handle the family business.
"I'm so sorry dad" I bowed my head in defeat as though he could see me. "It took me by surprise. After the last case in court, it ended in our favour. I didn't know they started meeting with stakeholders and..."
"You know I hate long talks," he cut in.
"Yes dad,"
"But I hate failure the most," he added almost immediately.
"I'm sorry dad,"
"I'm giving you twenty-one days. Just twenty-one days, to prove yourself," he said.
"Thank you so much dad" relief washed over me. "I promise you that I'll get everything back. I'll reclaim everything that was ours,"
"Don't make me regret handing everything over to you," he said in a deadly mutter, the threat evident in his voice.
The relief I had felt earlier washed away. I knew what he meant, one more mistake, then I'll be gone.
"You won't," I said with determination.
The call ended immediately. It lasted only two minutes, but it seemed like eternity.
I needed to prove to my dad that I was capable. It was time to step up my game.
An article about Audrey Willows popped up on my phone. I glared at her pretty face. She was also part of the reason I didn't focus on work.
I sighed and lowered my phone.
Wait a minute...
I thought my eyes were playing games with me. Just as I lowered my phone, I saw Audrey Willows entering the coffee shop.
She wore a disguise but I could tell it was her. I will recognise that model walk she had, anywhere.
She was putting on a cap that covered almost all her face, a black hoodie and black pants with black sneakers. Her movement was suspicious.
I scoffed. "She's trying to hide so that people will not recognise her, but her outfit and movements alone is suspicious"
I smiled with the corner of my lips. "Might as well drop by in the coffee shop and pay a dear visit to her"
I opened my bag and took out my camera glasses and put them on. Slinging my bag on my arm, I walked out of my car, into the coffee shop.
Audrey's POV...
I sighted her as soon as I walked in. The girl who was at the counter of the hotel that night Jonathan and I got drugged.
I had already made arrangements with her earlier. I had asked her for the security coverage of all that happened that night. We agreed to meet in this coffee shop. I didn't have a choice, even though I don't visit such places.
"I'm so sorry I'm late" I apologised and took a seat next to her. "Did I waste much of your time?"
She shook her head and reached for her bag. She brought out a small makeup pouch and handed it over to me.
"I got you that lipgloss you like," she said. "It's inside the pouch. Try it when you get home,"
I took the pouch from her and smiled inwardly. She was so good at hiding the fact that she had just handed me a chip and also gave me information where it was.
"Thank you so much," I smiled. "I'll definitely try it,"
She leaned closer to me and reached for the glasses and acted like she was placing them properly.
I leaned in as well.
"It only covers what happened from 5:30pm to a few minutes to ten o'clock. I don't know exactly. There was a power outage then," she whispered. "I hope that's helpful?"
I nodded and folded her collar. Nothing seemed suspicious at all.
"It is. Thank you so much," I whispered back and we both moved back and rested on our seats.
Jonathan and I signed the contract that night at around nine o'clock. The wine was probably drugged before then, so this chip was helpful.
"What do you want to take?" I asked pleasantly.
"Just coffee," she smiled.
I nodded and called the barista over and gave our order.
We sat there in silence waiting for our order. Not that we were interested in taking anything, but so everything will be less suspicious.
The barista was already coming over with our order. He had a tray in hand which contained our order.
Just as he was about to lower the tray, he slipped and everything fell on me. The two cups emptied their content on me.
I stood up abruptly and some of the liquid on my body spilled on the floor. Luckily, I was dressed heavily. Everywhere was covered, so the hot coffee didn't hurt me.
"I'm so sorry ma," the barista quickly apologised. "I slipped and I..."
"Oh my God," I heard a voice. "I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there. My bad"
I turned around and my shoulders fell. Maya was standing right there, leaning on the next table.
I had to let it go, probably she doesn't recognise me. It could be just an accident.
"Here," she brought a tissue and started wiping my clothes. She tried removing my cap in an attempt to wipe the coffee but I held it firmly and moved away.
"It's fine," I said.
"No," she said. "I feel bad that I was the cause of your near accident," this time, she tried removing my glasses.
I removed her hand immediately. "I said it's fine," I said firmly.
I turned to the girl sitting with me. "I'll be back," I said and dashed away towards the bathroom.
I entered the bathroom and moved towards the counter. I removed my cap and glasses
and stared at my reflection in the mirror.
I wet my hands with water and wiped it on the hoodie, wiping the coffee off it.
Just then, the door opened and clicked shut. From the mirror I saw her.
"I knew it was you," Maya said. "Your mere disguise can't hide you from me,"
So she did that intentionally. She intentionally caused the barista to slip so that the coffee would spill on me and then she'll try to unveil my disguise.
I smiled dramatically and put my hands on my waist as I turned around. "I guess I'm too popular for my own good. You even recognise me regardless of my outfit. I'm too important that even weasels recognise me,"
Her eyes widened when I said that. She locked the bathroom door and came closer to me by the counter.
"You think Jonathan loves you" she scoffed. "He's just doing with you the same thing he did with Linda"
I frowned. Who was Linda?
It seems like she saw my confusion.
"Linda's his first love and they've been in contact... even till now. She's the one he loves and not you"
I gasped. My chest tightened when she said that.
"Really?" I asked as I placed a hand lightly on my chest. "He doesn't love me?"
"He never did and never will," she added and raised her phone In front of me and there, I saw a picture of Jonathan sitting on a chair and a woman was seated on his lap.