Chapter 14: Chapter 14

- Arrival

Deila's pov

The phone call had brought a positive result.

My dad seemed to have acquaintances with Mr. Damien, the owner and founder of Ink and Quill, IQ—for short.

Not that it surprised me, the man had links all over, and that was the reason I didn't tell him when I applied for a job at Ink and Quill. I knew if I had told him he would've pulled strings for me to get the position, and I would've loathed that.

One of the reasons— among others— for my going to LA was my quest for independence. To survive on my own. But with the way my dad got what he wanted from Mr.Damien with just a phone call, I wouldn't be surprised if he had something to do with me getting a job at I Q as soon as I applied.

They were 15 other people aspiring for the position I got. I had applied late and I was the one they picked, of course, I didn't doubt myself then. I thought it was because of my first-class grades and the creative piece I cited at the interview. I just thought I was worth the job, but after the call my dad made, I was beginning to doubt that. There were a whole lot of doubts.

I sighed, plumping on my bed with only one thought in my head now, I as CEO of Babson's Empire. It was a lot to take in. I who was always scared of big commitments was to be CEO of a company that dominated Atlanta and the whole of the United States of America.

My friends were going to freak the hell out when I tell them.

"Speaking of which," I muttered sitting up in alarm. Eva and Lari ought to have arrived by now.

When my phone ran immediately I knew it had to be them.

"Ev-"

"B? Right now we are at the airport. Guess what!?" she clamored happily, cutting me off.

"What?"

"I just stepped foot in Atlanta and I already almost have a boyfriend!"

"Errr..." I trailed off, knowing she was unusually being as dramatic as Lari. "Tell that to someone else, Eva. I know you're smitten by Henry. You can't even see any other guy. So stop your pranks or drama and tell me if you want me to come to pick you up."

"Okay well... I and Lari just decided to stay longer. We fell in love with Atlanta at first sight. We don't know for sure though. And hell yes, come pick us up. You expect us to do what? Appear at your house?"

I giggled. How could she not know when she sounded so sure?

"First of all, quit your talking. This garrulous thing doesn't fit you." I regretted sounding too serious, but it was already out.

"Nah. First, you come to get us right now, before we finish the chocolate served at the airport, and then let me decide what fits me," she said sighing. I could imagine her rolling her eyes as she said that.

"Alright. Sorry for sounding like a... I'm coming right away, ma'am."

In the garage, I grabbed a key from the rows of keys without even bothering to see which only to see it was for my dad's newest baby when I pressed the unlock button. His 2020 Rolls Royce Phantom. I shrugged nonchalantly deciding to go with it anyways.

Well too late now, I'm way too tired to grab another key. I'm sure he won't mind, I thought.

I entered the car, settling comfortably in the lush seat before starting. It felt so good to drive again, there was that déjà vu as the car zoomed. I hadn't handled a steering wheel since I left for LA even though my job did pay well enough for me to have gotten a car. My desire to save for more important unforeseen expenses was greater, a car was the least of my worries. And my dad knew this. He was so going freak out at me handling his brand new Rolls Royce.

I arrived at the airport 20 minutes later, which I'd admit wasn't fast. Who would blame me, though? I was been overly careful not to leave even the tiniest scratch on the car. As soon as I parked the car and got down, I brought out my phone from my pocket to dial Eva's phone, but kept it back, deciding against it on sighting them from afar.

I was walking so fast, eager to hug my best friends again when I bumped into a hard chest. "Ouch!"

"Sorry miss, you probably should slow your pace, before you break a bone."

I looked up to see a blonde guy with a face as rude as his words. He immediately walked away. I glared at him thinking, "How rude was the arrogant jerk?"

I was still making promises of what I'd do to the blonde jerk if I ever saw him again when my breath was suddenly seized from a bone-crushing hug.

I managed to chuckle when I saw the red hair cascading. "Lari, us this suppose to be a hug?"

"Of course! Your heartless girlie! Can't you feel my thudding heart fucking glad to see you!?" She chuckled. "I missed you so vastly," she declared sniffing.

"Wait?" I paused "Are you crying?" I held my laughter, separating from her so I could see her tearless face.

"Gotcha!" She exclaimed like she just gave me the biggest prank. "Cry for you?" She giggled "Oh come on. I have a degree in theater art, forgot?"

"Yeah. And you still couldn't deliver a little prank," I hissed. "I don't see Eva, where's-"

"Right here. If only you'd look," she said in a sing-song. I looked behind me to see her grinning from ear to ear.

"Eva!" In a second I was already wrapped up in her embrace. "I still don't see you though," I lied breaking away from her and eliciting an eruption of laughter from us three.

"Come on now." I gestured for them to follow me. "Let's get you girls something to eat!"

"Yeah, I'm really hungry," Lari purred rubbing her tummy dramatically.

"You are such a foodie. You ate everything the hostesses had to offer and then munched on every chocolate at the airport," Eva remembered her with an eye roll.

Spreading my hands in a mock gesture, "Girls, let me welcome you to Atlanta GA!" I announced and they giggled.

We drove to Mac Donalds and were now seated at a table for four. We ordered potato fries, chopped chicken, burger, and salad.

Halfway into our food, we heard someone clear their throat and a voice followed, "Hey jewels."

I continued eating, brushing the cove for the normal hungry dudes. The mistake I made was not passing the 'ignore him' message to my friends.

"Hey dude," Lari replied and winked.

"Mind if I join you? There's a spare seat, and it doesn't look good empty." I saw his hand from the periphery of my eyes gesture to the empty seat beside me.

"Empty It looked very good to me, occupied with you, it would be the ugliest nongood looking chair in the world." That came into my head, but I didn't say it out loud.

I looked back to stare directly at him when I gave him a big fat 'NO', only to see it was the blonde jerk I bumped into at the airport.

"Oh; it's you?" I asked surprised. I didn't miss the surprised look on his face either.

"Hey, you." He sounded awkward.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah me. Arrogant jerk," I snared. "I promised myself to poke out your eyeballs the next time I see you."

He walked closer, towards the empty seat beside me. "I'm sorry about that. I was kinda pissed then." He had the guts to sit down.

"I don't remember anyone saying you could sit," Eva who's been quietly watching the exchange alongside Lari finally spoke up.

"Yeah," Lari and I agreed in unison.

He stood up hastily. "Listen, I'm sorry about earlier. I wasn't just in the right state of mind, please?"

The three of us shared a look and decided he could share our table. What's the worse that could happen? We were just being nice, after all, he said he was sorry. He ended up paying the bills as a way of apologizing to me, and just like that, I think we made a new pal— I definitely wouldn't say friend, that's a very expensive word for me.

As soon as we arrived home, Lari and Eva were welcomed warmly. Again I was reminded what a loving family I had, their arms were always open to everyone.

We were at the field unwinding when Mari hugged me from behind. "Dad wants to see you," she said for my hearing only.

Oh God, I bet it's about the car.

In my house, they say I'm my dads' favorite, but that doesn't mean he didn't scold me when it was called for. I rarely dis things that would make us clash, but when I did, it was always heavy. I still couldn't forget our first clash— it was when I decided to join a protest against racism in my finals. He was so proud of me, and at the same time very angry as I almost got arrested for shoving a placard in an officer's face.

The car situation, however, wasn't that big of a deal, but my dad loved cars and no one dares to touch his especially without his permission.

I went into the study with my head down. "Hey Dad," I said innocently, so ready to feign remorse. "Good afternoon, dad."

He started laughing all of a sudden. "You should see yourself, " he said eyeing me and trying to control his laughter. "You look like a remorseful child caught stealing from her mother's pot."

I giggled nervously, not sure if I should laugh with him. I couldn't believe he was finding it funny while I was more than worried about been crested to his bad books.

"It's okay, baby. Sit," he said gesturing to a chair across him. I did.

"I'm sorry, dad, " I apologized pouting.

He chuckled lightly shaking his head in mock disbelief. "That charm still works on me. You should've asked to take my newest ride, " he paused in a sigh. "But that wouldn't have taken the opportunity of seeing that face you pulled off the first time."

He shrugged. "Anyway, that's not the reason I called for you." I didn't know how he did that, playful one second and serious the next, leaving no chance for you to laugh at his jokes.

"Okay?"

"It's about your temporal position as CEO."

"What about it?" I asked unsurely. Maybe he's thought it over and has realized that I'm not fit for it. Phew! Thank God!

"I know I said after your sister's wedding, but, " he paused staring at me intently.

"But what?" I was eagerly hoping that he had found a more suitable person for the position.

"I need you to start tomorrow, " he deadpanned.

"What?" I asked in dismay. Someone wake me up from this CEO nightmare already.

"Yes. The wedding is in two days, but you see, I've got a meeting I need you to attend tomorrow."

"But Dad, I haven't even gotten the chance t-to-" I stuttered not knowing what to say. "Tomorrow is just too close and risky for the business, especially since it's a meeting," I reasoned.

"My PA will put you through. You don't have to worry about anything. You are capable, and that's the reason I'm trusting you with this. You have your head on the road, and you are a natural business mind. You'll do fine, trust me."

"And this meeting can't be rescheduled?"

"No, Mr.Martin doesn't agree to reschedule. He leaves formalities aside when it comes to business dealings. The reason I need someone as strong-willed as you for the meeting tomorrow."

"Oh, Mr.Martin? Then it's a meeting with TMG?"

"Yes. You don't have to be nervous. It's a bonus that you're familiar with them, " he said and I nodded in defeat.

Of course, I'm familiar with them, I just hope James won't be there.

"Listen, baby, hold your head up high, go there, and conquer for me."

I rolled my eyes inwardly at how cool he made it sound.

The next morning I woke up with dad's word echoing in my head 'Hold your head up high, go there and conquer'.

With optimism, I looked at my formally dressed self in the mirror and said, "That's what I'm just gonna do. Hold my head up high and conquer."