Chapter 6
Sebastian
“Why is it that when you go on holiday and come back to England, it’s always raining?” Aria said as we stepped into Luxe Corp, shaking our brollies from the rain.
I placed my hand on the small of her back and guided her through the main reception, leaving the brollies for the receptionist to deal with, then over to my private lift. I had a meeting outside the office this morning, so she’d come with me.
I let out a chuckle. “It’s reminding you what you’ve missed out on.”
“That’s something I wouldn’t miss. At least this grey season will be over soon, and my favourite time of year will hit.”
Spring was her favourite season because everything started to brighten up—the flowers with their wonderful colours blooming, and the fresh smell they brought with them.
“I think it’s your favourite time because your birthday happens to fall in it.”
“I mean, that does help.”
As we waited, I ran my hand down, squeezing her arse.
She looked up at me, trying to hide her smile. “Better make sure HR doesn’t see that.”
I arched my brow at her. “HR does as I say. They get paid enough.”
She elbowed me playfully, and we stepped into the lift.
“What are you making for dinner?”
I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her back flush to my body, and took in that apple smell of hers. “Let’s just get a takeaway and lie on the sofa, watching your terrible films.”
“Oh, can we get it from the Moroccan restaurant. Do they even do deliveries?”
I knew her mind had wandered, thinking about the food from there. It was one of her favourite places.
“No, but I can have it arranged.”
“You mean you’re going to pay them extra?”
“Nyx, when are you going to realise that I’d move heaven and earth to get you what you want.” I kissed the top of her head.
“My films are not terrible, by the way. You get fully invested.”
“That’s because they’re so unrealistic, I have no other choice.”
“I see you secretly rooting for the couple all the time,” she teased as we stepped out of the lift.
“When they get together, it means the film is finally over.”
“Then you want to watch another one.”
Aria’s laughter soon died down when we entered my office. I glanced up, looking over at my desk.
Caspian Whitmore.
He stood there with his hands in the trouser pockets of his grey tailored suit. His dark brown hair was slicked back, and those blue eyes of his glared at me.
I forgot this fucker was starting today as the new COO. Talk about a mood killer.
Not that we needed one. I was more than capable of running Luxe Corp without. I’d proven myself multiple times with the revenue I’d brought in for the board. Yet, my father liked to play games and pretend he was still in charge.
“Sebastian Knight. The CEO himself.”
I watched as his eyes assessed the way Aria and I were standing, like he was trying to work something out.
“This must be your PA. We were never formally introduced before. Personal reasons, wasn’t it?”
Aria shifted from one foot to the other as she cleared her throat. “Yes, Mr Whitmore. However, I am fully back at work now.”
He took a step towards her and held his hand out. “Please, call me Caspian.” She hesitated before shaking his hand.
“Is there a reason why you’re in my office?” I questioned, my eyes burning into him.
“You’re meant to be showing me the ropes, if I remember rightly from that meeting with Mr Kingsley, but please do correct me if I’m wrong.”
Fuck this asshole. He was only put here because of my father.
“I don’t have time for this bullshit.” I turned to face Aria. “Go back to your desk for me.” She nodded and left the office.
I straightened the cuffs of my suit and ran my hand through my hair, brushing the loose bits back. Then I walked around to my desk and sat down in my chair.
“Are you sleeping with your PA, Sebastian?” he asked. “Because you know that would be against company policy if you haven’t declared it. I don’t remember seeing anything in the files.”
“What are you doing, going through my files?”
“I don’t think you’re quite grasping what my position is here.” His position was due to my dad. Nothing more. A way to worm his way back into Luxe Corp.
“I don’t care. You’re not wanted.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want.”
“And what is it that you want, Caspian?”
“To learn the company like I’m paid to do. So, why don’t we get a coffee and start going through everything?”
I sat there glaring at him for a moment. This was not what I wanted on my first day back.
He made his way over to the door and opened it wide.
“Aria, I’m really sorry to bother you, but would you mind grabbing Sebastian and me a coffee? We’re going to be in here a while. I’m sure you know how Sebastian takes it, but I’m a white coffee, one sugar guy.”
“Sure thing, Mr Whitmore,” I heard her reply.
He closed the door, making his way back over, and sat in the chair opposite me. “Now, shall we get started?”
I slumped back down in my chair, letting out a heavy breath as I rubbed my face. This guy was really going to test my patience today.
The company was running smoothly, and now he wanted to waltz in as if he cared about it.
He wasn’t family; he didn’t have a clue what I’d had to do to keep this business going for my granddad.
Luxe Corp had changed over time, including its name, which I’d changed after my father almost brought it to ruin single-handedly.
My family had built it from scratch. It had gone from private investments post-war to private equity.
He didn’t know the history of this place. He was just a pawn.
“I hear you’re working on a new fund proposal.”
“I am.”
“That’s what we’ll do today, then.”
I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table. “What do you mean, that’s what we’ll do today?”
The door swung open, and Aria cautiously stepped in, coffees in hand. I followed her every movement as she placed the coffee on the table. I could tell she felt uneasy being in here by the way her eyes never locked onto mine.
“Thank you, Aria.” Caspian smiled at her.
“You’re welcome, Mr Whitmore.”
“Can you do me another favour whilst you’re here?”
Her eyes met mine for a split second, then went back to his. “Of course.”
“As I’ll be working with Sebastian on the fund proposal, can you email me over all the documents and print a set out for us to work on right now?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to control myself from snapping at his demands on Aria. She was my PA, not his. She looked over at me, and I gave her a small nod.
“Yes, I can do that.” She smiled and hurried back out of the office.
I glared at him whilst he took a sip of his coffee. “Have you finished bossing my PA around now?”
He let out a silent laugh. “Funny story. As I’m waiting for them to hire one for me, she’ll be mine as well for now.”
My jaw ticked, and I had to dig my fingers into my thighs to try to calm this fire that was burning around in my stomach.
“What? I don’t think so,” I snapped.
“It’s non-negotiable. The powers that be have ordered it. Now, let’s get back to business. What sectors are you preparing for the proposal?”
I closed my eyes for a second, taking in a deep breath to gain composure. I had to keep it together with him. He seemed the type of guy who would use it against me to get me out of the company.
“I’m looking at tech companies. They’re—”
He cut me off. “Healthcare is a better option right now. The company is still recovering.”
“Luxe Corp is stable. It has been for four months now. I built it back up from healthcare because I knew it was reliable and a quick, a fast profit turnaround, but now we don’t need it.
It’s capped and restricted by its regulations.
There’s only so much you can make from that industry, and I’ve done it. ”
“Look.” He leaned forward in the chair. “I’ve seen the figures and what you did in six months. It’s impressive, but you don’t want to go too big too soon. It’s too risky.”
“The company needs to move forward, not stay stuck behind everyone else.”
It was time to shift everything I’d worked hard to control. I had a team of capable people who knew what they were doing, and I’d cleared out the employees who were loyal to Dad.
It was just a shame I couldn’t rearrange the board.
“Sebastian, I understand where you’re coming from, but the next year is critical for keeping us from falling again. I care about this place. I don’t want to see that happen.”
I scoffed. “You think I don’t? If that were the case, I’d have left it to my dad.”
“I don’t doubt you care, but I’m here to keep the place running in the best possible way.”
“Then I’d suggest cutting ties to my father and working with me, rather than against me.”
“It’s not that simple.”
I tilted my head and furrowed my brow at him. What the fuck was that supposed to mean?
My lips parted, but before I could say anything, Aria came back with the paperwork.