CHAPTER 3 - A Battlefield Of Emotions
JULIETTE POV
I stood frozen, my heart racing as I tried to comprehend the receptionist's words.
"Ms. Harper, your meeting with Mr Carter will begin in a few minutes".
I turned to the receptionist, "Sorry I think there is a misunderstanding. I am here to meet Mr Drey, the CEO".
Harrison gave a soft smile like he was mocking me but I didn't pay attention to him. I shifted my gaze back to the receptionist.
"Ms. Harper, Mr Carter is the CEO while Mr Drey is his personal assistant" she said with a professional smile as though she hasn't just shattered my world.
The realization hit me hard, Harrison isn't just here for some random reason. He is the CEO, the man I'd be working with henceforth. My mind went back to the name of the firm, Carter Enterprises. How did I not connect the dots? How did I not know I was walking straight into the lion's den?
My eyes turned to Harrison, this can't be happening! I had prepared myself for anything to come except this. Mr Harrison Carter, is not just some random CEO but my ex lover and a man I have been trying to avoid at all costs.
I felt like walking away but I couldn't. There is too much at stake.
Harrison's expression still remained serious and cold but I knew he was as shocked as I was. There was a sudden silence between us with our unresolved emotions pulling us towards a confrontation I wasn't ready for.
"Juliette Harper you have certainly come a long way!" His voice was laced with amusement, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
I felt the urge to roll my eyes at him and say cruel and harsh words to him but I forced a fake smile instead, "I could say the same for you too Mr Carter".
The receptionist walked towards us again, "Mr Carter, the conference room is ready. Do you want me to make a cup of coffee for you?"
"No, that won't be necessary. We're fine".
I grabbed my bag with my portfolio in it and walked behind him, my mind reeling with questions I couldn't find the answer to. "Why him? How could this be happening?"
As I stepped inside the conference room, I was followed closely by Harrison and I could smell his strong scent of an expensive cologne and something familiar that made my chest tighten. This is just business. Nothing more. I can handle it. I have to.
I put my things down on the desk and took a deep breath.
"So you're the CEO?" I said in a calm tone but a whirlwind of emotions ran through my mind.
Harrison sat down his eyes scanning me, "And you're the one in charge of the design project for our rebranding. Quite a coincidence, isn't it?"
I was speechless. I couldn't reply immediately. There waa nothing conincidental about this. Fate had a cruel sense of humor and we were its latest punchline.
"I didn't know it was your company" I stopped, then continued. "If I had…"
"You would've run away again?" He said in a cold and sharp voice.
I tried not flinch but I knew he would go there. He always knew where to hit to make it hurt the most.
"I did not run away" I shot back at him. "You left me at the altar, Harrison! What was I supposed to do? Act like everything was fine and just move on?"
He snapped back his words getting colder, "Let's see how far you can run now! Julie".
The name Julie reminded me of the old days when it had once been a term of endearment but hearing it now sounded like a slap to my face. The tension in the room increased and I could feel the sting of anger and pain bubbling in the air.
He shot back at me again, "You act like you're innocent when you're not!"
"What are you talking about? I shot back. "You're the one who…"
He cut me off, "I'm talking about your betrayal!".
I stared at him, completely confused. "Is he delusional? What is he talking about? My betrayal?"
Harrison leaned forward, his eyes piercing into mine. "You think I didn't know? About your little secret?"
I blinked, my mind reeling. "What secret? Has he found out about Lily?"
"What the hell are you talking about Harrison? You abandoned me on the day ...."
"You cheat! he said in a cold voice.
I felt a chill run down my spine, "That's not true! I have never cheated on you. You're just making up stories and you know it!"
Harrison's eyes darkened, "Liar!"
My eyes got teary but I fought them back. I will not let him see me break down. Not again. Not after everything.
"You're really unbelievable! You're not even a little apologetic after everything you put me through. The embarrassment, the pain, the betrayal".
I took a deep breath then continued, "You abandoned me at the altar on the day that was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, and only for me to catch you kissing Evelyn".
"And now you have the nerve to accuse me of cheating on you? Really!"
He let out a bitter and loud laugh that echoed through the room. "Oh don't act so innocent! How can you explain those compromising photos of you that was sent to me?"
"I…"
Before I could respond the door creaked open and a fair skinned, tall, elegant woman with long blonde hair and brown eyes walked in. Evelyn.
Her presence made me feel more uncomfortable and all the memories of her came flooding back instantly. The smug look on her face as she approached Harrison, kissing him on his cheek in front of me like I was nothing. Like I had never mattered.
"Juliette," Evelyn said in a bitter tone. I knew she didn't seem happy to see me. "It's been a while".
I took a deep breath then replied to her with a fake smile on my face. "Evelyn".
She glanced between Harrison and me, then turned to me and said, "I didn't expect to see you here. What brings you back to New York".
"I came here for business. Nothing more. And not that it is any of your concern".
"Business…" Evelyn said in a low voice her eyes boring into mine.
Harrison cut her off, "She is the creative designer we have been expecting for our rebranding".
Evelyn's eyes sparkled with mischief, "Oh it is my business Juliette. You see, I'm heavily involved in this company's operations now. Harrison and I have been working together for the past few years".
The implication of her words made my stomach twist, but I couldn't give her the satisfaction she wanted to see on my face. I wasn't that naive, weak girl she once knew. And I wasn't going to let her get under my skin easily.
"That's good. But I'm not here for personal matters. I'm strictly here for business".
Evelyn looked amused by my attempt of professionalism, "Sure, strictly business".
She turned to Harrison, her hands lightly brushing his arm like she was trying to get a response from me. "Shall we get started, darling?"
His gaze turned to me, then back to her, and for a brief second, I saw something flicker in his expression. Regret? Or Uncertainty? I couldn't place it. But before I could analyze it, he nodded and gestured for her to sit.
The meeting began, but my mind was barely present. The whole time, I could feel the weight of Harrison's gaze on me, and every time Evelyn spoke, it felt like a dagger twisting in my side. This wasn't just a meeting, it was a battlefield and I was stuck in the middle unsure of my outcome.
This was too much for me. Harrison's presence already made me uncomfortable and now I'm seeing Evelyn by his side. It was a nightmare I wasn't prepared for.