The Four of Us

Chapter 4- Conglomerate

'Corporation made of different sectors or a sedimentary rock' 

Marissa's POV

Damn it! Why did Anna keep dragging me into her business? I hated Matthew's guts. He was everything I detested in a person, arrogant, narrow minded, controlling and most of all manipulative. He had Anna wrapped around his finger and it pissed me for. I knew Anna deserved but then him, but she couldn't see it. On numerous occasions I had gathered evidence proving Matthew had not been entirely faithful to her but each time he whispered sweet nothings into Anna's ears and the issue was swept underneath the rug. When was she going to realise, he is not worth it? I think as I slam my room door behind me, startling the Pomeranian on my bed.

"Sorry Lexi." I say as I plop onto the bed next to her.

The vibrating of my phone in my back jeans pockets distracts my attention from the furry friend I had been tickling. I swipe the screen and see a message from Vance. Being the baby of the house even though I was older than Tino, had created a certain perception of me in the family. My tiny size didn't help my case, being the shortest in the family, it helped reinforce the idea that I was this innocent child. Nobody would think a focused, career woman such as myself would get herself a man. He was my little secret. I hadn't told anyone besides Katarina and a close friend, Tamia about him. Kat was the conscience I never knew I needed.

Vance had charmed my socks of the day we met when I had visited Hawaii with dad to scout out the geographical setting that would become the foundations of our new business. He was a charming real estate agent who knew his way around a woman's heart. I never paid attention to the opposite gender. I had separated my life into achieving specific goals. I had a plan, graduate high school at the top of my class, get my masters in geology and finally get a job at a well reputed company. My life had been on track thus far, I had recently obtained my masters, but fate intervened. My dad hit a gold mine when Rita, a family friend had found about an oil reserve. I had joined the family business as a consulting geologist, at my dad's business. I had become the epitome of daddy's little girl. Anything I wanted, all it took was the batting of my eyelashes here and there. A new jaguar had been one my recent gifts from my dad. I had managed to successfully detect where the oil was, but we had run into a slight bump which I was hoping to fix soon. The land we had purchased contains only a section of the oil reserve. Drilling would be impossible with such little surface area to work with.

There again my mind goes drifting back to work when Vance had messaged. I couldn't help it! I was a proud workaholic. There was nothing more satisfying than getting work done in a timeously and orderly fashion. I prided myself on my excellent work ethic. Shoving the thoughts of work out my head, I focus on the text on screen.

'Look outside.' Immediately I draw my attention away from my phone as I pace down to the window. Beneath I saw Vance, standing hands in his pockets. His arm muscles bulging in the tight t-shirt he was wearing. I drank in his features as he gestured for me to open the window.

He was average height which made him a giant next to me. A head of chocolate brown hair compliments his chocolatey brown eyes which were a bit small. Sometimes even with his eyes opened they had looked like they were completely shut. A straight cut jaw and a stubble rounded out his face. I gaze at his fit physique admiring his love for the martial arts.

The events of our first meeting. Echoing in the depths of my mind. He had sold us the land where drilling was going to start soon. He was all charm even though he was somewhat of a goofball. We bonded over our mutual love for the outdoors and fitness. He had invited me for a session at the gym where he had honed his martial arts skills. The rest was history, we had decided it was best to long distance until I moved to Hawaii. All the puzzle pieces had shifted into place spectacularly. I was not complaining. I had a job I loved and I man I think I loved. It was too soon for love I thought. I think I appreciated the companionship but that was it. What was love, really? I thought to myself as I peered at the Vance who was now climbing the lattice outside Anna's room. What was he thinking I thought? I dash out my room an make my way to Anna's room. I slide my fingers over the window and move it upwards in a swift movement.