CHAPTER 4 - Wrath And Rivalry
HARRISON POV
I slammed the blue file I had in my hand hard on the desk, the sharp sound echoing through the room. Marcus Evans. Just hearing his name makes me really angry. The man has been a thorn in my side for years, always trying to outsmart me but this time he crossed the line.
"What the heck!"
The deal with Babel Enterprises was ours, it was already a signed deal. Carter enterprises had everything in place, the proposal was alright, the relationships solid. And then, Marcus goes behind my back to slander my name and offers a counter deal that blindsides me.
Not only has he undercut us but he has convinced the board to delay their decision until he has another meeting with them.
Marcus had always been cunning but I didn't see this coming. I thought to myself clenching my fists, "I'll deal with him, he messed with the wrong person".
I stood up and walked to the window staring out at the skyline, lost in thought. How did he get to know about the deal in the first place? We'd kept all information confidential. So how did he know the offer I placed for him to prepare a counter offer? This is not a coincidence! I need answers and I need them fast.
I could feel the heat of anger running through my veins with my mind reeling with questions. Then the phone on my desk rang, snapping me out of my thoughts. I ignored it at first but it rang the second time and I couldn't ignore it anymore. With an irritated sigh, I reached to my desk and picked the call.
"What?" I said in frustration.
"Mr Carter, Ms. Harper is here to see you for the meeting regarding the rebranding project" the receptionist said in a calm but nervous tone.
The name, Ms. Harper sounded familiar. "Could it be….No it can't be her!"
"Okay, give me a minute. I'll be there shortly".
Few minutes later, I walked out of the office and as I approached the reception office, I couldn't believe who I saw standing there.
It was her - Juliette Harper.
Thought ran through my mind, "What is she doing here? Why is she here?"
I tried turning back but before I could move, our eyes met and I knew there was no turning back.
I watched Juliette walk into the conference room, her head held high and her eyes filled with a strong determination. She hadn't changed much. She is still beautiful and had this aura that commanded a room without trying. But there was something different about her. There was this hardness in her eyes, like she had built a wall around herself and those walls will not be easily broken. But I was determined to break through those walls, one way or the other.
I wasn't prepared to see her today. Fuck! I hadn't been prepared for years. I thought I had buried all the memories deep enough to never deal with it again. But the moment I saw her, everything came flooding back. Her beautiful smile, her laughter, our happy moments together. But one thing I also couldn't forget was the pain and betrayal she caused me.
I wasn't going to let her come back into my life without punishing her for everything she put me through. She may think she can just show up here and pretend like nothing happened. But I'm not the man she once knew.
I straightened my suit, trying to maintain my composure so I kept a straight face. On the outside was the powerful, cold CEO who had everything under control but on the inside, the wounds are still fresh and now seeing her in my office? This is fate's cruel joke. It took everything I had not to break in front of her.
Juliette sat across from me, and for a split second, I could only stare at her. I couldn't utter a single word. She looked nervous and surprised to me as well but she tried not to show it.
I broke the silence. "Quite a coincidence, isn't it?" my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I didn't know it was your company" she replied in a calm but shaky tone. "If I had.."
I cut her off, "You would've ran away again, right?" I leaned back at my chair keeping my tone casual even though I felt my chest tighten at the thought.
Her eyes flared with anger. Amazing. That was just what I wanted to see. I want her to be angry. Because no matter what she says or does, she can't deny her betrayal.
"I did not run away. You abandoned me at the altar, Harrison? What was I supposed to do? Pretend like everything is fine?"
My jaw clenched. She is innocent in this, no matter how hard she tries to hide it. I leaned forward, my eyes still locked on hers. "Let's see how far you can run now, Julie".
The sound of her name on my lips stirred something inside of me, but I quickly shut it down. I can't be weak now! This isn't the time for sentiments. This is about control and I have to show her who is in charge.
"Why do you keep doing this? What did I do? What secret are you talking about?" She asked curiously.
I stayed silent scanning her, knowing that she'd crack under the weight of her own guilt. Her naked photos with someone else were sent to me on our wedding day. "How could she do that to me?" I tried so hard to forget it but the images are stuck in my head and have twisted my heart into something unrecognizable.
"You think I don't know?" I finally said in a low voice, "About you little secret, you cheat!"
Her eyes widened and for a second, I thought she was finally going to say the truth and stop lying after all these years. "Cheat? What are you talking about? I have never…"
"Liar!" I cut her off before she will continue with her lies. I could feel the anger bubbling within me. "She is just going to stand here and deny it? After all these years?
I stood pacing round the room trying to remain calm, "You betrayed me. You were never the person I thought you were and it hurts to have been found late.
Juliette stood up with trembling hands. "I have never betrayed you, Harrison! 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!"
The name sent a shockwave through me, Evelyn.
Before I could respond, the door creaked open and there she was- Evelyn.
She walked in elegantly as always with a calculated poise.
"Well, well, well" Evelyn said with a smirk on her face. Her eyes scanning me and Juliette like a predator
sizing her prey. "Juliette Harper. It's been a long time".
Juliette's face became pale instantly. The tension in the room thickened with silent animosities.
Evelyn walked towards me, placed a kiss on my cheeks, her hand lingering in my arm longer than necessary. I knew what she was trying to do but I kept quiet and just watched the silent drama. Evelyn is always strategic, always playing her games smartly and for a moment I just let her.
"Shall we get started, darling?" She said in a mischievous tone.
I glanced at Juliette, who was trying to remain calm but failed to keep her composure. I could see the pain in her eyes even though she tried so hard to hide it.
"Juliette is the creative designer, we have been expecting for our rebranding" I said in a heavy tone though the implications weighed heavily between us.
Evelyn's eyes sparkled with amusement, "Ah, so it's strictly business, then?"
Juliette did not rise to the bait, "Yes, it's strictly business. Nothing personal!"
But Evelyn wasn't done playing with Juliette. She turned to me, You know Harrison, I don't think it's wise to mix personal matters with business. Especially when there is…. history involved".
I knew what she meant or was trying to say. She wants Me to cut Juliette off, to push away like I did before and honestly part of me wanted to do it. Part of me wanted to protect myself from the chaos Juliette always seemed to bring. But the other part of me couldn't just let her go no matter how hard I tried to.
"Let's begin the meeting", I said, cutting through the tension.
The meeting dragged on, but my mind was absent throughout. Every word Evelyn said to me and everytime Juliette spoke, my mind wandered back to the past, to the lies and the betrayals. To the love that once consumed me and shattered me.
I stared at Juliette for the last time, and for a moment I wondered if we were both trapped in the cycle of anger and hurt but deep down we were both still searching for answers to questions we never dared to ask.
I couldn't allow myself to dwell on it. Not now. Not when there was so much at stake. I wouldn't let my emotions cloud my sense of reasoning this time.
As the meeting ended, I couldn't help but think this was just the beginning. No matter how hard we tried to hide it, a storm is brewing and we are all heading straight into its eye.