Strictly Business (ON HOLD)

Chapter 1

**Emma Roberts as Alexis Dainley

Alexis POV

"Where is she?!" 

A powerful voice trembled throughout the walls of the private building. All of the witnesses merely bowed their heads in respect and fear of me, their raging boss.

My eyes narrowed as I sorted out the people in my office, trying to pinpoint my receptionist, but I soon found she was absent. I felt annoyed as she was committing one of my pet peeves, unexcused tardiness or nonattendance. 

I sighed and flicked my hand, signaling my employees to get back to work. After a few minutes of observing the bustling office, the sound of heels rang down the halls; everyone stared with anticipation towards the glass doors waiting for them to slide open.

My mouth opened to begin to reprimand my worker, but the words never came out as I realized it was only Aryel, one of my closest friends. The female employees sighed with disappointment when their want for some fresh gossip wasn't fulfilled, and the men simply looked at me. Meanwhile, Aryel glanced up from her phone with her eyebrow furrowed with confusion; I shook my head in response.

As came closer to my direction, I explained the situation, and she smirked back at me.

"You are too hard on your employees."

My eyebrow raised, and I responded, "Yes, but this is Kelsie we are talking about." The girl's name came out as a hiss, and I continued to retort back but stopped short and turned to face the front towards the elevator.

"Kelsie Sultvander. I advise that if, in the very near future, you ever decide to be an hour late to work again, then once you arrive at this office, you should find the confidence you had when you made that choice and look me straight in the eye when you whine your excuses. As I can see, you are too much of a coward to come and face your boss right now so if you cannot be brave enough next time, be punctual. Everyone else, back to work, and as for Kelsie, I would like a private word with you."

I turned and froze for a split second, once realizing that Aryel was still here. I sent an apologizing look towards her way, and as I walked past her, she whispered, "You go, girl. Although, I don't think she understood half of what you said, considering how unintelligent she is."

I wiped the smirk off of my face and plastered a solemn look in its place as I opened the door to my private office.

"Today, Kelsie." I didn't bother turning around, but even still, I could clearly hear the exaggerated sigh she let out as she scurried anyways towards me.

"Have a seat." I waited a couple seconds before continuing on. "So, what was it this time? Did your shoe get stuck on the street because of some gum like last time?"

She sighed. "No. I was actually speaking to my attorney to finalize the divorce papers with my husband, well, ex-husband." I expressed my hesitation to believe this story that actually seemed reasonable for once, and she continued by pulling out the business card of her lawyer and showing me the number. "I'm not lying; call them if you would like."

She sat there awkwardly as I inspected the card and left after I finally dismissed her from my presence.

Christian White. Huh, I wonder if he ever did decide to make those life-changing vows at the altar just as I once did.

Of course, I had enough power and authority to find out more information about him, but that made me uncomfortable because that would mean I was disrespecting his privacy and abusing my title in society.

My fingers danced across the keypad of the phone sitting on my desk as they entered in the number provided just below the printed name.

After a couple rings, a deep male voice echoed through the speakers, and my heart seemed to freeze with recognition and ache.

Wait, why would my heart ache? I have had no contact with him for the past four years so there is no need for me to feel anything around him.

"Yes, this is Alexis Dainley from Dainley's Inc. Can I please speak to Christian White?"

Of course, I knew that he was already on the phone, but for some reason, my mind just wanted to prolong the conversation with this man whom I could almost call a stranger now.

There was a slight pause before White responded, and then he finally spoke.

"Yes, this is him. What can I do for you today, Mrs. Dainley?"

"Ah, well, I'm calling to confirm that a woman by the name of Kelsie Sultvander stopped by for an appointment for you earlier today. Is this correct?"

"Yes, that is true." I felt a small cramp in my chest as I recognized the familiar curt answer he gave.

"Ok, thank you so much for your time and effort, Mr. White."

"No problem. It was my pleasure, and please enjoy your evening, Mrs. Dainley."

When I heard the dial tone, a million thoughts seemed to run through my mind.

It sounds like he has changed a lot. Well, that is not surprising, considering the time that passed since we last saw each other. However, even the details such as the way we address each other changed. Of course, there was the fact that I was calling on business and not for a chit chat. But even still. . .

I couldn't do this. This was too overwhelming for me, and I felt as if I was losing control of myself. Taking deep breaths, I reprimanded myself for letting such a small conversation with an acquaintance I once was close with get the best of me.

"Alexis," Aryel's voice suddenly exploded in my quiet office, "you have a client waiting to speak to you."

"Thank you, Aryel. Please tell him or her that I will be out shortly to greet them."

Getting out of my chair, I opened the cabinet to straighten my blazer and dust off my pants.

"Come on, woman. You cannot be so sensitive, at least not right now. You are Alexis Dainley, owner of the successful Dainley's Inc. that is partnered with several other companies, and you are currently working on a prototype that will help the poverty-stricken people in Africa. You got this." I muttered quietly to myself, reminded me that I am strong enough to take on whatever lies ahead and can accomplish almost anything if I have the right mindset.

As I walked through the doorway of the room, I also walked past the recent event and left it behind where it should be: in the past.

** Again, long time no read for you guys out there, but hope you really do enjoy this once I get the plot rolling. Warning// I am going to skip a couple months or weeks (haven't decided yet) ahead in the next chapter so keep your eyes open. Thank you!

Love, Daila