Stepping out of the conference room,Liam Grey still felt the weight of the stressful meeting lingering on his shoulders. As the CEO of Apex initiatives,he is always on desk.
As he walked towards his office,his assistant, Beverly greeted him with smile. "Mr Grey, your next meeting —"
Cancel the rest of my meetings for today and get me a cup of coffee, Liam said in his voice.
"Yes sir"
Just before stepping into his office,Liam suddenly stopped and turned towards Beverly "see that the Jackson report has been compiled and submitted before the end of today"
Beverly nodded efficiently. "Okay sir "
Liam nodded curly and stepped into his office. His eyes scanning the room before walking over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing over the city.
Just then a knock came in and Beverly entered with his cup of coffee, settling it on his table. "Anything else Mr Grey "
"Nothing for now" Liam replied while striding to his desk.
With a nod, Beverly left, closing the door behind her. Liam took a sip of coffee,the bitterness a brief respite from the day's tensions.
Liam took a deep breath. With his eyes drifting outside the window again,he set the cup down.
His phone buzzed, jolting him from reverie,a text from his mother flashed on the screen. "Liam we need to talk".
Liam's expression turned dark
Picking up his phone,he typed out a response "what's this about mother?"
Almost immediately, another text.
"We'll discuss it in person. Don't be late".
Liam clenched is jaw. He set his phone down,his gaze drifting back to the city view but his thoughts were no longer on the scenery.
Liam's eyes clouded over as memories of Ivy flooded his mind. They were college sweethearts. Beneath the surface, Philip, Liam's friend and Ivy's classmates had been seething with jealousy. He resented Liam for being charming and wealthy.
Philip being a Playboy has always wanted a thing with Ivy. His fixation on her grew,fueled by his own insecurities. He began manipulating Ivy, while playing on her vulnerabilities. Ivy torn between her love for Liam and Philip's flattery eventually gave in.
Feeling betrayed. Liam, heartbroken ended his relationship with Ivy. The next day, Ivy took her own life, unable to cope with the loss of Liam's love and her own guilt .
Snapping back to reality,he took a deep breath, pushing aside the memories. Liam stood up from his desk, grabbed his briefcase and headed out of the office informing Beverly that he would be heading home early.
As Liam Grey stepped out of the elevator,the employees at the first floor, including the bubbly Sarah and the over zealous Jane couldn't help but notice him. Their eyes gleaming with excitement,they glanced at each other.
"Oh my God, it's Liam Grey!" Jane whispered
Sarah nodded,her eyes fixed on his handsome face
Liam, seemingly oblivious to the attention,walked out of the building.
It's safe to say all the employees at Apex initiatives as a crush on their CEO,Liam Grey. His well chiseled features has the females drooling. The males, while some admire him,the rest are just happy to be working at the company.
As Liam walked out of the building,his driver pulled in a sleek black sedan. Liam slid into the backseat.
Meanwhile, Sarah and Jane couldn't stop talking about their CEO's handsome appearance.
"I'm so jealous of Beverly,she gets to see him up close everyday". Sarah couldn't help but mutter
Jane nodded,her eyes shining with excitement.
Liam's driver navigated through the traffic.
As the sedan moved through the city streets, Liam's thoughts drifted back to the text from his mother.
Meanwhile Ruby and Ava parted ways after finishing their coffee. Ava headed home while Ruby walked in the opposite direction. Her thought consumed by the pending bills, she didn't notice the traffic light had turned green and stepped on the highway....
Grrrrr! Liam's driver slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding Ruby. Liam's mind jolted back as he looked up,his eyes fixed on Ruby's shocked expression.
Liam's driver honked the car, startling Ruby who stood still after realizing how close she had come to being hit.
Stretching out his neck from the car,"Are you okay?" Liam's driver asked
Ruby nodded, albeit shaken. "Y-yes I'm fine. Sorry".
Liam's expression softened while watching Ruby's reaction. He leaned forward,his voice calm. "Be more careful,Abel"
Abel, Liam's driver replied "Yes sir"
Ruby's eyes met Liam's briefly. She hadn't noticed the other person in the car.
Abel waited for a moment for Ruby to walk off,then slowly drove the sedan forward. Ruby looking back, watched as the car drove away, wondering who the passenger was. She took a deep breath and continued walking home.
Liam settled back into his seat,his thoughts returning to his mother's text. What could she want to discuss?
The sounds of honking horn and chatter filled the air as the sedan moved through the city.
As Liam arrived home,the sedan glided through the driveway. The mansion's entrance stood tall,a testament of the family's wealth and history.
As he stepped out of the car,the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass enveloped him.
He entered the mansion,the interior was tastefully decorated, reflecting his mother's taste.
Liam made his way to the living room,seated on the sofa was his mother, Evelyn Grey. She looked up as he entered.
"My dear Liam,we need to talk" she said,her voice warm.
"What's this about mother?"
Eyes locked onto his, Evelyn continued "Your future. Your father had arranged a marriage and it's time you pull through with it".
Liam's expression hardened. "I'm not interested in getting married"
Evelyn's gaze didn't waver." This is different, Liam. The alliance would benefit the family's business. You need to forget the past and focus on the future."
Liam's jaw clenched,his voice low."you meant forget Ivy?,I've moved on but I'm not ready for marriage especially not an arranged one".
Evelyn's expression remained resolute. "Liam your father made a deal with the Richmond's. Sophia Richmond is a lovely girl. I'm sure you would get along ".
Oh please, Liam scoffed. I don't know the father you are talking about. If you meant Julian Grey your estranged husband, then I don't think that involves me,if he made a deal he should sort it out himself.
Evelyn's voice takes on a sharp edge. "How dare you,Liam! Your father may not be actively involved but he is still your father and his decisions affect this family". You are being selfish.
Liam's expression remained unfazed."selfish? I certainly do not expect more from you"
Evelyn's face reddened, her eyes flashed with anger. "I'm your mother and I deserve respect, Liam"
Liam's voice remained calm but still cold. "Why should i blindly go through with this deal?" I'm not interested mother .
Liam turned around and walked away leaving his mother's anger and frustration hanging in the air
"You'll regret this Liam !"She shouted after him but he didn't look back ..m