Metamorphosis

"Got your back, Jack."

2:08 pm.

A meeting with Troy.

I lied to Oli. I told her that I haven't seen Troy yet. I don't want her to blurt out some nonsense for now. I think it'd be better if I keep this amorous attraction to myself.

I am having mixed emotions at this moment. Excitement and nervousness occupied me as I hurried to the conference hall. I need to make my dad proud, we need to get the deal. I also have to impress Troy. Once the deal has been made, we're go to spend more time together! Good Lord he's there already. When I entered the hall, I was greeted by my dad's monstrous glare and Troy's luscious brown eyes... "Ms. Milanos, please sit down."

"Right," I agreed as I pulled the knob of the gigantic door behind me. I took a seat beside my dad. My dad whispered to me, "You know Ms. Milanos, this inappropriate behavior of yours should end."

"Yes, dad, I mean, Mr. Milanos," I apologized. The setup my dad and I have right now is pretty weird huh? He's a formal and classy man and I understand that. However, I find it a little awkward for my dad addressing formally, I actually complained once or twice but he just gave me the same reply, "We are professionals." No wonder I became so attached to rebellion. I never had a quality time with my dad and I eventually got used to it.

"Where's your report?" My dad asked quietly. I decided to kid around by saying, "Oh shoot, I left it in the car!"

My dad's horrified reaction made me smile a bit but I ended up saying in a emotionless tone, "Kidding. Got your back, Jack."

And again, he glared at me for being 'uncivilized' by quoting someone from a show. He doesn't like me doing those kind of things. I felt nervous the moment as I plugged the flash drive in the laptop available. I made sure that no kind of technical difficulty will ruin this for me by checking the projector if it is working and the laptop as well. All of their eyes are on me and they look impatient. The board members of both parties (Tiu's and Milanos') could possibly give me a heart attack with how they are watching me. No. I need to regain my confidence, I have to impress Troy so he and I could go out for coffee. After the file's been loaded, I turned my back on them so I could just at least fix my clothes for a second and utter a prayer. Help me God, IpromiseI'llgiveaquarterofmylifesavingstocharity.

I faced them all and began my speech.

"As we all know, the Milanos group of companies is continuing to invade and prosper..." I took a momentary glance at the white screen behind me where all the information is projected. "For the past years..." I continued to speak and my gaze couldn't help but land on Troy. These little fantasies began to form in my head once again. Shit Zoey, this is not the right time to think of that! One slide left and I am open for questions, "So, I am pretty sure Mr. Tiu, your company will be in great hands." Yes, another flawless report.

Troy bit the tip of his pen then he abruptly placed it on the fancy wooden table in front of him, unimpressed probably. "I have a question, Ms. Milanos."

"Go on," I nervously smiled. Oh god, I hope this is not a trap. One time, I screwed a multimillion dollar deal because I wasn't able to answer the questions during the bid. I memorized all the information and data needed but I didn't study those because I secretly went out-of-town. I was lazy to do business stuff. My father was so damn infuriated when we lost it to his rival, Mr. Richards. I took the blame of course, and I was sent to take a retreat and he even paid a strict menopausal professor to privately teach me stuff about management. It was obnoxiously horrible and it happened.

"Ms. Milanos, what makes someone like you, capable of handling another responsibility, given that you are already having a hard time managing your own company?"

Troy's deep voice created a thin-veil on the insult he just gave me. I was mesmerized but disrespected at the same time. It's time to prove myself to dad and to him as well.

"Mr. Tiu, you do realize that we are your only hope." Fuck. I immediately glanced at my father who was beyond appalled with what I said.

"I'm sorry Ms. Milanos, but I am sire you are aware that this is a bid..." He stood up, chuckling. Okay, it's time for me to bring out the big gun.

"True, this is a bid. And only the Milanos is offering you the highest price. Oh and not only that, we have a very good reputation, I am pretty sure that your board is greatly impressed with our offer." I grinned at him and he's pissed.

"Ms. Milanos, that is all for now, we'll contact you with our response as soon as possible," A middle-aged woman spoke.

Great, it's done. But I am so not going to take Troy for coffee.

"Zoey, you and I will talk at home, I have another meeting to attend to." My dad immediately left pretty mad. Troy on the other hand is gathering the papers and placed them neatly in his briefcase. He sadly looked at me before he took his first step away from his seat. I was shot with they way his eyes laid upon me. "Troy!" I called him out of nowhere. I felt a little guilty for being too harsh on him, regardless of the way he acted towards me (he started it anyway). "What?" He said through his teeth. I went to him, "That was a heated discussion we had... Sorry about that, I got carried away," I apologized. Crap, I feel terrible for apologizing to him and embarrassing him at the same time.

Maybe he has a problem or something that's why he was rude. Maybe he's just overprotective of his company. I don't know, the least I could do is to understand him.

"Ms. Milanos, I see what you're trying to do here. I saw how your father reacted with your attitude towards me a while ago. And I believe his response scared you to death. Now, you're trying to convince me with your apologetic expressions so you could get your hands on my cards once again. Well guess what? I won't let you," he sarcastically said then smiled at me. My knees felt weak and I couldn't think straight because of his presence, oh, and my parents' possible move on sending me back to Professor Menopause's Happy Hour. I was frozen on where I stood and my eyes are still locked on his.

He checked his fancy watch, "See you at the corporate dinner, Ms. Milanos." Then he left.

Think Zoey, think! I can't fail now. I am one step closer to the wrath of my mother, the sermon of my father, the lectures of Professor Menopause, and failure. I tried being nice and understanding but it made this matter worse. I am going to suffer an awkward encounter with Troy. Damn, I need to have a plan. I walked out of the conference hall and asked for coffee from Tori, one of my assistants then headed inside my office. After a few minutes, she brought me my Iced Coffee. "Thanks," I said.

"Ma'am, you seem baffled," Tori inferred. God, is it obvious? Of course I am! Thanks to Troy. I sighed, "Tori, I would like to have this room by myself for now. Please the others that I should not be disturbed or else you will lose your job before this day ends."

I didn't see Tori's reaction, I only heard the door close. I took a sip of my coffee and continued to formulate a plan in my head.

Oh right, blackmail. What do I know about Troy? He's hot... Shit, I got it!

I saw him being intimate with another guy so the only way to make him hand over the good cards to me is to prove it. I ruled out the speculation of him being gay but it's my only weapon. But how? What if it's not true? He will know that I'm bluffing. However, there's a good chance that he is. I need to see his phone or wallet at least to extract some useful information. I have to do it tonight.

I'm going to challenge him.

_____________________

Sorry for the ultra-late update! We're occupied for the past few months and Andy and I are now studying at different colleges.

Vote and comment please!

Next chapter is within this week for sure. Haha.

-C