Until You're My Poison

Chapter 3

Nikki

I'm woken up by my buzzing phone. My head feels a little heavy so it must be early. I pick it and Just what I needed it's my father. What on earth is he calling this early for? I check the clock on the wall it's six seventeen a.m.

"It's fucking six a.m. ," I say sleepily trying to keep my eyes open.

"Nicola, why weren't you answering your phone?" his angry voice almost pierces my eardrum.

"I don't know maybe because it's freaking six o'clock in the morning? What do you want?" I ask equally as angry.

"I just wanted to make sure you remember the meeting today?" He phrases it more like a question. I don't know what he's talking about.

"What meeting?" I ask sounding as disinterested as I can. He huffs on the other side of the phone.

"The board meeting where you present your project to the board? And to Stephen... Amelle." he says in utter frustration.

"Who?" I ask still confused and sleepy. I remember that name, I just can't quite place it.

 "The investor! Nicola for goodness sake the meeting that starts in forty minutes?" I know he's pissed off behind that patience he's trying to fake, but I don't care for his annoyance and that Stephen whatever.

"Do I have to be there? It's your company. Besides, I'm not interested in the project or Grayson's advancements anymore," The fact that I've not been there in the past six months should prove it. I want to add that I'm dropping out of college but I decide against it.

"Have you been drinking?"he asks his patience wearing thin.

"No sober as hell!" I say now wearing a smirk at the thought of his expression right now.

"We will talk about this when you get here." He says not leaving it up for discussion. However, I still don't want to go.

"But I just woke up, and it's a thirty minutes drive from my apartment, and my car is low on gas." I whine hoping my excuses are enough to make him give up.

"My driver went to pick Stephen up from the airport, but I'll send someone to your place to pick you up. Be ready in ten minutes. This is about your future!" He raises his voice this time.

"But I ..." I try to protest but he's already hang up. Great!

Grant's POV

I walk out of my mum's house. I have been living here for a year since they don't even live here anymore. If they moved back in I would move out immediately that's for sure. I work for my own money so that I'll not have to take theirs. My dad's in specific. But the house is vacant and it's conveniently near NYU and work; besides, I pay the bills. I walk out and get inside my car. My mum gave it to me as a birthday present as long as it wasn't from my dad I will use it.

My phone starts buzzing immediately I turn on the ignition. I check the screen to find the call is from Grayson, my boss. He's a nice guy and my mum's friend. He gave me a job as an engineer at G.R.A.T consolidated (Grayson's advancements in technology consolidated) when I was just twenty-four. I'm just finishing my master's in engineering at New York University. But I still get a better salary than most engineers there.

We talk a lot and I know I only got the job because of his friendship with my mum but I have proven I deserve the job.

"Hey Grant I hope you're not at work yet. Can I ask for a favor?" He requests.

"Sure! What do you need?" I put the phone on speaker and place it on the passenger seat.

"I need you to pick someone for me on your way here. My daughter," I almost go into shock. Of all people? What the hell? I feel like asking him which daughter just to be sure, but I know he only has one.

"Grant? Is that okay with you?"
Oh! Of course, I'm okay with picking up your daughter, whom I insulted with her personal issues and then almost kissed last night!

"Of course, just text me the address," I sigh. This could not possibly end well.

"She can be a little difficult, but just don't pay attention to her Uhm...words?" oh you mean her mean insensitive words? I roll my eyes. "And don't forget you're helping her present the project since you finished most of it by yourself anyway."

"Okay," I hang up.

Why did I even talk to her? I was better off just letting her ignore me. But of course, my pride wouldn't let me be ignored by a girl. I hadn't been able to get my mind off her since she left me with a hard-on I wouldn't accept was from her at the bar. Of course, I took it out on some poor girl in the bar. Her name was Amy or something. She let me fuck her in the bathroom but all I could think about was Nicola Grayson. I start driving when I receive the address.

Nikki

I drag myself to the bathroom and take a quick shower and brush my teeth. I know it's an official meeting but I wear black skinny jeans and a white t-shirt and black heels. After all who is going to fire me, my father? I laugh an evil laugh in my mind. I wear perfume and tie my white hair into a ponytail. "Dyeing your hair white won't change the fact that it's really black" I remember Grant's words from yesterday. That asshole, at least I won't have to see him again.

I wear a little make-up, I choose to wear red lipstick as opposed to my usual lipstick color; black or purple, every word grant said about me wearing makeup flashes back in my head. I don't wear makeup to mask anything. I wear it because I want to. Or do you? My subconscious mocks. I roll my eyes at her and look at my clock again. It's already 06:28 AM. I pick a black leather jacket from my closet and my phone then my backpack. I wear more perfume and walk out.

While I wait for the elevator to reach the ground floor I reminisce on how Grant's eyes looked into mine like he could see right through me. I remember how close I was to him how I almost kissed him? My subconscious finishes for me.

I don't even realize I'm smiling when my thoughts are interrupted by the click of the elevator the doors open and I walk out. I wonder if my ride is here. I walk outside and contemplate on whether or not to drive myself. My car is not low on gas anyway. I look around and then start walking to the garage.

"There you are," a playful voice says from behind me.

That voice, I know that voice of course I do. Fuck! I turn backward and meet Grant's smiling face. Really? Something in my stomach stirs at the sight of him.  My subconscious mocks. I try my best to look annoyed.

"I'm running late for a meeting so whatever shit you have to say today, you can email it, and I'll be happy to toss it in the trash." I spit without even thinking.

His smile grows even wider," So you do have a sense of humor!"

I shoot him a weak glare

"Anyway, your dad sent me here to pick you up," he says scrutinizing me from head to toe. "You look good." His eyes are now glued to my face.