Rivals

Chapter 8

~Jessica~

I parked my car in the parking lot of my office. I stepped in my personal elevator which led me straight to my office. I would've used the public elevator but I had an important meeting with a very important client of mine.

I stepped into my office and called my personal assistant. Zara Lewis was a short and petite girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. "Send in the client please." I said urgently.

She nodded. "Right away, ma'am." she replied and went out of the room. My office was spacious with a high ceiling and a private glass to glass wall on one side from where you could see the view outside. The walls were light blue with darker hues and there was a huge mahogany desk in the middle of the room with a telephone on it and a vase of roses along with a computer.

I sat behind my desk in the revolving chair and straightened my blazer. The others two chairs across from me were brown leather chairs. My mom was one of the interior designers of my company. She had decorated my office.

Zara entered the room shortly followed by Aito Takahashi. He was a tall man with small eyes and a hard jaw. He was the owner of a chain of restaraunts called 'Takahashi Foods'. The name isn't fancy but the food is. He had recently opened a branch in London. I stood up and smiled. "Welcome to America, Mr.Takahashi."

"Its a pleasure to meet you again, Ms.Williamson.' he replied, shaking my hand.

"Please have a seat." We seated ourselves. "Would you like to have something?"

"No I'm good. I came here to discuss about the branch of my restaurant."

"Yes about that. I picked out a few locations for the restaurant. If you want to take a look at them..."

"Thank you but I've already picked the location. There is a project for a new mall here, right? So I brought the top floor and it will be my restaurant."

The new mall project belonged to the Jacksons. Now I guess I had to accept that project. It would a loss for all of us if I declined. "Ok. That project is a joint project. It involves me and Mr.Jackson. Its good one way. It'll be easier for me."

"Well good then. Are you sure it will be fine with you to handle all of this?"

"Yes yes. It will be fine but you just have to give me a little time."

"Yeah sure no problem. So shall we get down to business?"

"Yes absolutely."

I quickly parked my car in the basement of my building and stepped in the elevator. I rang the bell once and almost immediately Toby opened it. He was in his pyajamas. He smiled. "You're late."

"I know. I couldn't have turned down Mr.Takahashi. He is an important client." I said and slumped on my sofa. "Where's mum?"

"Mum's right here." Mum said sitting on the sofa next to me. 

"Where's dad?"

"Dad's in the kitchen making dinner. Toby is supposed to be helping."

I chuckled. "So this egghead is going to make dinner?" I said gesturing towards Toby.

"Hey I can cook. By the way I have to be in the kitchen. Bye." Toby said and walked towards the kitchen. I chuckled and shook my head.

"Mum can I ask you something?"

"Yeah sure hon. Anything."

"Will you do the interior designing for Takahashi Foods restaurant?"

"Yeah sure. What happened to Richard?" She asked wriggling her eyebrows.

I shook my head. "Its nothing like that. We're just coworkers. Besides I'm too busy to earn money. I want to make you guys proud."

"Honey we are proud. Very proud. We want you to live your life as well. So sometimes you have to have fun as well."

"I know. After this project, a trip to Hawai with family and friends. Deal?"

"Deal. Also bring Richard."

"Mum." 

"Okay okay." She said holding up her hands in surrender. I nodded. She smiled slyly and hugged me.

"Now go freshen up. Dinners going to be ready soon." She instructed.

I nodded and went to my room. I changed into a pair of t-shirt and shorts and went to the dining hall. Dad and Toby had made shepherd's pie and chocolate cup cake. I had to admit it was really good. I ended up having two cupcakes. It was delicious.

I walked through my shoe closet. It was so difficult to choose which one. I loved shoes and was very particular about them. I came across a pair of matte dark blue pumps. Perfect. I paired it with a dark blue body-hugging dress which reached my knees. I put on my favourite wrist watch and tied my hair in a French knot.

I drove Toby to his school and parked my car in my personal parking spot in my office. Zara brought me coffee and I rang for Gia Rodriguez, my Secretary. But Zara informed that she would not be coming and had given Zara my schedule. "So any important meetings or appointments today?"

"Actually someone is here to meet with you. He wouldn't say his name and said that you would recognise him. So should I send him in?"

I frowned. This was strange but nevertheless, I replied. "Yes. Send him in." She nodded and walked out of the room. I sat down behind my desk and straightened my dress. The door opened and I stood up, ready to greet him. But the sight of him made my blood boil with anger and hatred. Noah Jackson, you little son of a bitch.