Ex Lovers

Unnecessary Attempts

"All I need is for you to increase your involvement with the company so that when your father does agree to the partnership with me, I can convince him to replace Jake with you as his heir. If you have more experience and he knows that you're capable, it'll be easier to convince him. Because of our marriage, your father will know it's better off financially if you take over the company. Once that's done, Jake won't have a place in the company and when you fully take over, you can give me the rights and it will be mine. Jake will lose the most important thing in his life, just as I did. I will destroy everything both of them worked hard to build."

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I walked into the building, feeling the breeze of the air conditioner in my hair, which was a change from the heat that radiated outside. As I continued towards the elevator, I tried to smoothen my black suit skirt with my free hand to prevent it from riding up. Once I got inside the elevator, I pressed the 12th-floor button and waited whilst I watched the numbers above the door rise until it got closer to my destination. Finally, the door pinged and opened, exposing me to everyone on the floor.

I headed straight towards my father's office at the further end of the floor as I simultaneously tried to avoid the stares and whisperings about me being in an unusual habitat. Of course, everyone wondered what they assumed to be the spoilt daughter of the CEO was doing at the company. Like many others, my father's employees had no idea what my life was like. To them, I didn't want to take over the company because I was married to a rich husband so I didn't need a career. 

In reality, my father never even considered me as an heiress for his company and my rich husband was in love with his ex-fiancé. I tried my hardest to put away the memories of that night, which was difficult because it was still fresh since it had only been a week. 

"Mrs Porter, can I help you with anything?" My father's assistant, Anastasia spoke, diverting my focus on the present time. 

"Um yes. Could you let my father know I'm here?" I replied, to which she responded with a nod and smile before walking towards his office. 

Of course, I had to seek permission through my father's assistance before meeting with him. A few seconds later, Anastasia came out and motioned for me to enter the office, to which I complied. I walked in to see him behind his unnecessarily big desk flipping through piles of paper. Not wanting to disturb him, I closed the door behind me and walked closer towards him. Before I could mutter a word or sit, he spoke without even looking up. 

"What do you want Elena?" 

Unsurprised by his cold tone, I took a seat directly in front of him, which wouldn't even matter because I wasn't important enough for him to divert his attention elsewhere besides his business.

"I finished the files your assistant allocated me. I was wondering if I could do more work? Like taking an entire client?" I replied hesitantly. After a couple of seconds, he glanced up from his papers and briefly made eye contact.

"Talk to Jake. Although I'm sure he'll tell you what I'm telling you. We have enough competent employees to take care of our clientele," he declared before looking back down at his paperwork, indirectly telling me to leave him alone but I wasn't ready. 

"Father, I really think I could contribute to the company and-" I was desperate to showcase my willingness to work for him, not only to further the potential partnership with Hayden's company but to also show him I was capable of more than he assumed. However, he didn't even let me finish my protest.

"Elena, you're wasting my time. There is no place here for you and no work easy enough for you to handle. I have enough employees. In addition to them, Jake knows what he's doing. If you desperately want something to pass the time with, go to your brother. I have a meeting to prepare for so leave." His words, although familiar, still hurt. I realised there was no bother trying to be the perfect child for him. That's because that position was already filled.