Love Isn't The Way.

Chapter 17

After loads and loads of running and thinking in the morning I finally decide that i need to get ack to my routine running.ever since Alec has returned i have stopped running and i am so not fit. I am exhausted by the time i come back that i am delighted when i notice the smell of someone cooking. Alec is cooking pancakes.yummy

'Good morning' i say as i seat myself on the table next to the counter of the kitchen.

'Morning, sleep well ? '

'Yeah' just had to clear my head from the weird wedding dream i had about you.

'Then why did you go for a run this morning' i smile smugly at that

'Why are you smiling?' He asked me completely confused.

'Well for a guy who used to know everything about me now doesn't even has a clue as to why i went for a run, looks like leaving the mafia wasn't as beneficial as you thought' I wink at him and leave the room in search of my phone. I am immediately informed that Jared Holster has finally agreed to reschedule our meeting but for today.If his company wasn't so important for mine, i would've actually offended him. That to publicly. I pick my outfit for the day and go for a shower. 20 minutes later I am set and ready to go. I am confused to see Alec still in the kitchen scribbling something or someone on his phone.

'Don't you have to go for work today? ' i pick the plate which has pancakes and dig in.

'Well with what happened yesterday with the media I thought it's better if I stay here for the day, I can do my meetings online if i have to' he says as he as he hands me my coffee. I still haven't forgotten about what happened after the media incident but I am not planning to ask him about it anytime soon.

'Thank you but it can be that I might be late today, that asshole CEO is giving me hell' I say and immediately regret it

'Which CEO?' Now i have this asshole to deal with.

'Jared Holster'

'And how is he giving you trouble?'

'Ok sherlock, a) don't interfere in my business and b) he is giving me trouble because of you as i had to cancel the meeting with him last Friday when you barged in my building, so don't do anything rash as he is kind of important for my company and when my work is done he will pay for his douche bag behavior' i start to leave before he argues any further.

'Wait, I won't interfere but that doesn't mean that you will deprive me of whats mine' he says, leans in and kisses me as though it'll be the last time he will ever kiss me.

I reach the office in record time and am immediately greeted by Joy and Sarah on either of my side.

'You have a busy day Zenda, you have 6 meetings. I have set them in order from the most important to the least important, good news is that the media is quiet for now and will not be problem for a while at least for us. I can't say the same about Alec or his business' Sarah giggles at that like a teenager.

' I don't care about other meetings i mean i do but right now my main concern is Jared holster, he wants to discuss business talk with you alone, he wants his COO to talk with me while he talks with you. That guys is going to be a pain in the ass, if he wasn't so crucial to our company right now i would seriously consider taking him down' joy is in full i'll kill you mode and I absolutely admire that.

' I agree with you and I was thinking the exact same thing this morning and Sarah please send me my coffee, ASAP' with that both of them leave and i make my way to my office.Come to think of it Jared Holster has been the talk in my building for almost a week now and I haven't  even seen  his face in a magazine or anything. After my deal is done with him I am going to really whup his ass. 

'Ok, Zen, Asshole is outside, don't screw this up, meaning don't get angry or 'offend' him, got it?' Joy comes in and tells me as though I didn't start this Business on my own and she did. She can really be a bitch sometimes. 

'Get out, I can deal with him' After all I have experience in dealing with Assholes. 

The door opens and walks in a big masculine figure, with easy confidence. Jared Holster. He is one handsome son of a bitch. He has green eyes and blond hair which is perfectly styled with gel I presume. He is wearing a crisp Grey suit which is making him look hot hot hot. Oh my god, why I am so nervous all of a sudden. 

'Good Morning Ms. Mellark' he says and brings his hand forward for a handshake. 

'Morning Mr. Holster and please call me Zenda' I shake his hand and it's like electricity is running through my body. He lingers his hand more than necessary on my hand which is doing nothing to erase tension in the room. Good thing that I can hide emotions pretty well.

'Please ,sit Mr. Holster.' I wave towards the seat in front of me and withdrew my hand. 

'Please call me Jared, I am so happy that we finally got the chance to meet despite us being so busy, don't you think?' He keeps his hand on his chin and leans back crossing his legs. 

'I totally agree but I think only one of us was busy... busy being an asshole' I smirk and lean back in my chair. I mentally pat myself on the back pleased with my comeback . After all he is talking to Zenda Mellark . 

'Oh, It's going to be nice doing business with you, for a change' he smirks and makes eye contact with me. 

'Oh you have no idea' Is it just me or the temperature of the room just increased. I try to maintain the cool businesswoman role but it's going to be hard with him. 

'Our COO's our probably discussing all the business and I believe that the best way to do business with someone is in a restaurant. It gives us common ground, don't you think?' Did he just ask me out. That bastard.

'What I think doesn't matter to you which you have proven in our last almost encounter, does it ?' Smugness is running through my body. He chuckles deeply. 

'You are one amazing lady' he states. 

'So,I have been told' we just stare at each other when I finally break contact with him and tell him my ideas for our business. 

After 45 minutes approx. we both have finally discussed all our ideas but haven't reached a conclusion which is Odd as I always close the deal in my one meeting. 

'So, what do you say, can we meet at a restaurant to finalise our deal ' he asks and I can guess he is being too hopeful. 

'I am kind of busy but I'll let you know after I discuss everything with my COO ,although I do like you idea of 50-50 investment , it might get beneficial for the both of as I am planning on expanding my business from the fashion point to some telecommunications or food industry maybe' I say as I really am interested in this business, he might be an asshole but he is a smart asshole.

'Well, to discuss all that I am afraid we don't have time now,looks like we will have to meet somewhere' he says and stands up making me stand up as well. 

'Fine,till we meet again, Jared. You can tell you secretary to contact mine and work something out ' I extend my hand which he takes and kisses it making me inwardly gasp. 

'Till we meet again, Zenda' My name on his tongue sounds so intimidating. My hand twitches from his touch. Oh, why do all the men that I engage with leave me with confused feelings.After he leaves is when I realise that I didn't even think of Alec the whole time he was with me. And also I was so to close to break one of our rules. I am so screwed. I will have to compose myself if i need to do business with him. Because from our encounter I can tell that he is the kind of person who gets under your skin. And if I want him to stay alive I will have to prevent it. He is just another hot guy who does great business. That's it. I'll have to tell Alec about the "business meeting" before he freaks out and does something rash. Ahhhh, why is my life so complicated.