5. IZZY
Iwas fuming. This man was so infuriating.
“You can’t just insult me and then suddenly leave!” I spoke up without thinking. And when those words tumbled out, I felt the anger rising in my chest and wanting to be let out.
Nick paused in his tracks. I saw his body stiffen.
I couldn’t ignore the simmering anger and frustration coursing through my veins. His unabated questioning about my dedication to environmental causes, and his implication that I couldn’t balance sustainability with profit, had struck a nerve. I felt insulted, as though he was doubting my ability to make a difference and questioning the very core of my beliefs.
Slowly he turned around, his expression austere. “Miss Turner, I’m not trying to insult you or disrespect your beliefs. Is this your first time to do a business proposal? You’ll be surprised at the questions that potential investors will throw at you. That’s only natural before we actually shell out a huge amount of money, don’t you think? And besides, I’m a very busy person. I can’t spend the entire day listening to you or arguing with you.”
My temper flared as I retorted, “I don’t need your money if I have to work with someone who only cares about monetary profits at the expense of the planet. I’m so sorry if I wasted your precious time.”
Nick’s jaw tightened, and he leaned forward, his own anger evident in his eyes. “You think it’s that simple? You don’t understand what it’s like to be powerless, to have nothing and no one to rely on.” He paused for a moment, and I could sense that this was something that weighed heavily on him. He was trying to control the words coming out of his mouth, and I felt that there was something more to what he was saying. “Whatever I’ve accomplished now, I worked my ass off for it. Nothing was handed to me.”
My resolve wavered for a moment as he revealed a glimpse of his own vulnerabilities and fears. It was clear that his pursuit of wealth was driven by a deep-seated need to secure his place in the world, or maybe even something more profound.
What happened to him in the past? Where did he actually come from?
“Fine,” I answered, breathing heavily, my heart thumping fast and hard. “But wealth and power can be dangerous too. And if you were lucky enough to have been put in a position where you get to control businesses, properties, operations, and systems…then you have to be responsible and considerate enough as well. That means looking out for who and what can be affected negatively in the process.”
He was quiet for a long time, and it seemed like we were staring each other down. But then he took a deep breath and asked, “What happened to you, Izzy?”
I certainly noticed that he called me by my nickname, not by my last name or even my first name. I did not understand what it meant, but it added to the turmoil of emotions swirling within me.
“Someone like you who owned a huge company, was negligent with toxic waste materials. And it was my father, along with some others, who paid for it with his life…” My voice began to tremble as I recalled those painful years vividly in my mind. “I watched him suffer until the day he died. We tried to fight for it, but naturally, the incident was swept under the rug. Wealth and power at their best.”
Nick looked shocked. He shook his head in disbelief, and I saw pity flicker in his eyes. “I’m sorry to hear that. And I’m sorry if you felt insulted. That wasn’t my intention.”
It surprised me that this man was capable of apologizing. For a moment, I once again had a glimpse of his unguarded, gentler side. I felt drawn to him, to the shroud of mystery that surrounded him.
I certainly wasn’t prepared for the electric jolt that shot through my body when he suddenly took my hand and squeezed it. It was very brief, but the meaningful gesture made my heart leap. The physical contact brought me back to that fateful evening at Tanya’s party when both of us had given in to our carnal desires.
Nope, it wasn’t the alcohol. There was an instant attraction and an invisible attachment that seemed to draw us to each other.
“Listen, I…” I began to say at the same time that Nick opened his mouth to say something.
In an abrupt and dramatic fashion, a vivacious, redheaded woman barged into the room. Her sudden presence was impossible to ignore. With a playful pout on her lips and batting eyelashes, she wrapped her arms around Nick”s waist, casting an adoring look up at him.
“Nick, sweetie, where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you for ages!” she cooed, her tone dripping with flirtation.
I froze, feeling like an intruder in this unexpected and intimate scene. Did he actually have a girlfriend?
I do hope he was single during that party at the beach house!
Nick’s expression shifted from confusion to realization, and he gently disentangled himself from the woman’s embrace. “Hey, Sonya. I’m sorry, I lost track of time. But I am very busy, and I didn’t commit to joining you for lunch today.”
The redhead continued to pout, giving me an icy once-over as if I were an unwelcome guest. “Who’s your friend, Nick? Is she the reason you are so busy?” she asked, feigning curiosity but exuding a possessive air.
I could sense the tension growing again, this time laden with jealousy and uncertainty.
“Yes, because Miss Turner here just presented me with her business proposal.”
“Are you going to invest in her business?” The woman wanted to know. She shot me a look of suspicion and distrust.
“I don’t know yet,” Nick admitted. “I’ll have to review it further.”
“Thanks for your time,” I said curtly, wanting to get out of there quickly. I did not want to get caught up in his personal matters.
I hurriedly left before Nick could respond. Perhaps that would be the last time I’d see him.