Soar With Me (✔️)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

Warren

Inett, my assistant designer, explains the concept while using her hands—it's a habit of hers. I found it odd at the beginning, but I've gotten used to it now.

"I suggest redirecting pipelines so they go from these bathrooms on the left and then out." I align my gaze with hers as I correct her.

"I'll change that. Is there anything else?" Inett is a slim blond who was the only capable intern in her group. She did make clumsy mistakes at the start but managed to learn from them instead of giving up like the others. Over the years, her malleability to my cold instructions has landed her a good position in my company.

"No." I stand up to leave when she stops me.

"Yes?" I turn to her. Her cheeks are flushed. 

"Mr. Archer I was wondering...can I get a few days' leave?"

My eyebrows dip in a frown. "Who'll complete the blueprint?" My voice cuts through the room with an edge as I remember the deadline.

"I'm almost done with it. It's no—"

"Almost. Talk to me again when it's complete."

I exit the conference room and take the elevator to my floor. I step out and Kenna is coming toward me with a red folder in hand. "Mr. Archer, Rowan Verlice is waiting for you at the restaurant. Here's the contract." Her fingers brush across my skin as she slips the folder into my hand.

Pure annoyance charges through me and I glare at her. "Ms. Jared, I'm sure I don't have to recite your job description to you."

Confusion mirrors her face. Kenna is beautiful in her own way. The way she dresses and carries herself like a successful confident woman evokes such a powerful side of her. And rich men desire such women, except me.

I only desire one woman who doesn't desire me in any way. How fucked up is karma?

"No sir."

"Then don't touch me again or else you won't have a job anymore." Her pink lips turn thin in response and it's the only assurance I need.

Striding to the elevator I get inside and count the seconds to soothe the itching in my chest.

Sometimes I hate how little tolerance I have for people. There are only a few I am immune to.

A minute later I am heading to the swanky restaurant Rowan has made a reservation. I am sure he's going to such lengths to make me bend to his request and take the contract but I can't. No matter how much he pursues me.

Rowan Verlice is the owner of the Red Cave hotel chain that offers an exquisite and lavish experience. With seventy-plus branches in famous cities of the world, his company is worth millions. Each hotel is designed precisely to meet the aesthetic and niche of the country's location and culture.

A week ago, Rowan Verlice came to my office with his assistant and advanced a contract worth millions. For me to specifically build a top-notch hotel in New York. The very few famous cities that are left on his list to conquer.

I wanted to take his offer, of course. But the stipulation of me personally taking control of the blueprints of the hotel and then overlooking every little detail of it inched me away from taking the offer.

I'm only a couple of million away from becoming a billionaire in Seattle. And this contract is the perfect shot for me to score the title and have my name headlined in the magazines and news. But something holds me back. Or someone to be precise.