Our World

Chapter 4

Jade's POV:

Tuesday morning, the day of an important meeting. I've read the files twenty times in the last few days, but I'm still stressed. If we could seal the deal with Corporate Atlantics, my company could gain importance in no time. It would be great for our reputation and would definitely boost my career further.

Yes, my company. I became the CEO last year after 5 years as a manager. I work at a law firm called Pearson Hardman. If we sign this contract means we get to represent Corporate Atlantics in one of the biggest trials in history. I really need to be on my A-game.

Lisa pops her head around the door of my office. "Ms. Thirlwall, they're ready for you." I take a deep breath before pulling the files under my arm and making my way to the conference room.

When I enter the room, my breath hitches as my eyes land on him. I feel like the world is moving in slow motion as his eyes meet mine. He's here, and he's smirking at me. The nerve.

"Mr. Elliott." My voice sounds less determined than I want it to. I stretch out my hand as he walks closer to me. He shakes my hand, looking into my eyes, smirk still in place. What in the world is he doing here. I haven't seen Jed in over a year and I was perfectly happy like that. We used to date but broke up because we wanted different things in life. Maybe the fact that he couldn't stand Perrie had something to do with it too.

"Ms. Thirlwall, nice to see you again. Start whenever you're ready." Looking around the room, I see that there are only a few other people. I knew Jed worked at Corporate Atlantic but apparently, he got promoted since I saw him last. I figure the other man was another representative of his company and then there's just my assistant Lisa and me.

This was going to be a long meeting. And an even longer day. I feel his eyes on me the whole time I am setting up. When our eyes meet, I can see them filled with lust but also something else I couldn't quite decipher. Maybe admiration.

My presentation was well prepared, and I knew I could nail it. But every time my eyes met his, I stuttered or lost my focus. God, the other man must think I'm a rookie instead of the CEO. Lisa looked at me concerned, so I decided to not look at Jed anymore for the remainder of my display.

I finished my presentation fluently and we sat down to discuss the terms of our contract. They were really considering us as their representatives in court. We stood up shaking hands, and as Jed moved to leave the room, he stopped and turned around.

"We'll be in touch about the contract. You will have our answer by the end of this week." Four more days, I could handle waiting that long. "Oh and Jade, it was really nice seeing you again. We should really catch up, maybe over coffee?" He stretches out his hand with what I assume is his business card in it. He smiles sweetly as our hands touch, and his eyes look so warm I want to go with him immediately. No, Jade, get it together. The relationship didn't work for a reason.

Almost losing my self-control, I look down at his card and smile up at him. "I'll call you, Jed. Goodbye." He nods before leaving the room. What am I even doing? We didn't work last time, so why would we work now? What would've changed? I really want to call Perrie and talk to her about this, but there are a couple of reasons why I couldn't do that. For starters, she really genuinely hates Jed with all her heart and then there's the other thing... The fact that we don't talk about our problems with each other anymore. Even though she is doing better with the partying, she continues shutting me out completely.

This day could really be classed as a bad day, and I still have a lot of meetings in the afternoon. I decided to take a walk in the park during my lunch break to clear my head before getting back to work.