Whisper Destiny

Chapter 22

~ Natasha ~

It's been two weeks since I started working at Grayson Industries, a decision my father finally managed to persuade me into. I've never been fond of the corporate world. To me, it's a monotonous realm where people's lives revolve around endless meetings, paperwork, and rigid schedules. Flexibility is a foreign concept here.

But, to my surprise, I find myself to start liking it. My father assigned me to oversee the merger and acquisition of Franc D'Larc Hotel in France. The project is currently at a critical phase, with the contract nearing finalization. Despite joining the team at the tail end of the process, I've managed to catch up on all the details within these past two weeks and make some amendments to it to make it more solid proposal. As I've always believed, when I set my mind to do something, nothing can stop me.

I'm aware that some of the senior team members view me with skepticism. They might think I'm too young, or worse, that I'm only here because I'm a Grayson. But I've made it my mission to prove them wrong. After all, Grayson blood flows in my veins.

This project has also led to more frequent interactions between Catherine and me. Perhaps this is part of my father's strategy to bring us closer. I'm not particularly thrilled about the idea. However, Catherine hasn't made it awkward. In fact, she's been supportive and has treated me as an equal partner, for which I'm grateful.

In the short time we've worked together, I've come to respect Catherine's wisdom. Unlike some people who try to justify their relevance by dominating the conversation, she listens carefully and observes everything. When she does speak, her words have a profound impact, wowing everyone in the room. It's something I've taken note of for myself.

In the last few days, Catherine has been noticeably busy with her upcoming event. She's sent her team members and lawyers to represent her in our weekly meetings, which is fine by me. The less I see her, the better. While our relationship has improved, I still prefer to keep some distance. Our marriage is only a temporary arrangement, so I don't see the need to make an extra effort to be close to her outside of our business dealings.

Until today, I still can't believe I agreed to this marriage proposal orchestrated by my parents. Yet, Catherine's offer was too compelling to decline. I've reminded myself that our relationship is like a business partnership: we've signed a contract, and once the agreement ends, we'll go our separate ways.

A knock at my office door interrupted my thoughts. Harper, my assistant, entered with her usual efficiency. "Ms. Grayson, your mother is here for your next appointment," she announced. I sighed. Today, my mother and I had fitting appointments for our dresses for Catherine's event. Initially, I had no intention of attending, but my parents decided it would be the perfect platform to announce my engagement to Catherine. Catherine agreed, seeing it as a win-win arrangement to avoid a separate engagement ceremony, as my mother wish to do.

Before I could respond to Harper, my mother appeared in the doorway. "Hello, sweetheart. You look lovely today. Shall we?" she said briskly. "And Harper, we won't be returning to the office. We'll have dinner after the appointment."

"Mom, I have a lot of work to do," I tried to protest, knowing it was futile.

"As much as I appreciate your dedication to your work, I want to spend some quality time with you today," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. I grunted inwardly, fully aware that 'quality time' meant a discussion about the wedding. Reluctantly, I gathered my things and followed her out of the office.

When we arrived at Ortiz & Co., my mother moved straight to the elevator with a confidence that suggested she was familiar with the building. I couldn't tell how many times she'd been here, but this was certainly my first visit. The decor was a striking contrast to my own office, exuding a vibrant energy. The space seamlessly blended modern sophistication with elements of antique charm, creating an atmosphere that felt both creative and timeless.