18. Robert

Chapter eighteen

Robert

"What now?" I mutter.

I press the button on the intercom, dreading what the other line might say. Static follows, and then I hear my assistant Rebecca's voice.

"Robert! There you are."

"Good afternoon to you too, Rebecca. What do you need—"

"We have a problem."

"With what? Is it one of our partners?"

"No, I've been trying to get hold of you for ten minutes! There's someone here to see you," she says.

"Who?" I ask, checking my calendar. I don't have any appointments today. The current deals have gone through, and I don't have contracts to discuss with anyone else for a little while.

The line falls silent. I take a deep breath, already frustrated by this.

"I don't have all day, Rebecca. Spit it out or—"

"She won't give me her name," she almost whispers. "I'll send her up to you, or maybe you two can meet in a meeting room. She insists that she has to see you. And she's not taking no for an answer. She's not very pleasant."

Who in the world could possibly want to see me at a time like this? I know Mom and Dad haven't tried to shove anyone down my throat recently, despite their apparent disdain for Sara, even if Mom originally told me she'd support me. I mull it over, trying to figure out who it is.

Lost, I sigh. "Fine. Send her to the fifth-floor meeting room. I'll be down there in a moment."

The line clicks, and I rub my temples. This had better not be some kind of prank. I head down to the fifth floor, expecting it to be one of my parents trying to mess with me, but when I open the door, a familiar head of blonde hair greets me.

No. This can't be.

I stand there, frozen in place. I can't move. I don't know if I want to move. The hazel eyes look up, and a smile forms.

"Long time no see, Robert?"

"Maria, what the hell are you doing here?" I can barely hold back a sense of rage.

She gets out of her seat and approaches me. Her perfume reeks of roses. She smiles, grabbing my arm.

"It's been a long time. I came to see you because I wanted to talk."

"We have nothing to talk about. You made your bed the second you left me at the altar seven years ago."

She frowns, her red lips becoming a pout. "Robert, it's complicated and—" I pull my arm away, telling her: "There's nothing more to say, Maria."

I turn around, pissed as can be, and walk out the door. I'm about to close it when Maria speaks.

"There's something I need to talk to you about, Robert."

I look back at her. "I shouldn't even be humoring you."

"Yeah, you say that, and yet, here you are, turning your head like the little puppy you are the moment I talk to you."

"What do you need? This better be important."

She reaches for something in her bag and hands it to me. I look at the papers, brows furrowing as I stare at this.

"The hell is this?"

"It's a contract from my boss. I actually work with Andrew Williams. You know, one of your trading partners. Listen, I know this isn't ideal, Robert, but he wanted me to go over the contents with you."

I purse my lips. This is a legitimate offer. Andrew and I planned to touch on this later on. I clench the papers a little bit tighter and sigh.

"What does he want?"

"Just for you to listen. Nothing that deep, Robert."

I give the paper back and fold my arms. "Well, let's talk shop."

Maria looks up at the clock and then smiles. "Wouldn't it be better to talk somewhere a little more impersonal?"

"Why does that matter?"

"You know how it is. It's neutral ground, and of course, once we talk, we can come to an agreement together. Don't you see the importance?"

I grimace at her words. Maria has a lot of nerve showing up here. But Andrew Williams is a longtime colleague of mine. I sigh and then shake my head.

"Fine, whatever."

"I know it's been a while, Robert. But I have my reasons for coming."

"I'm sure you do."

"It's just for a while. Once we're done, I'll be out of your hair."

"I'm sure you will," I mutter. I doubt it, but I'm not going to fight. Andrew Williams is a huge contractor in our business, and I need to talk with him about future deals, even if it means associating with the one person I never wanted to see again.

We walk out, and Maria looks to her right and points in that direction. "Let's go there. I know of a great café where we can discuss the details."

"Wait, a café?"

"Yes! You want to sit down and talk, right?"

About business, sure. I'd prefer to do it in my office, but given the nature of the situation, I doubt that'll happen. Maria was and is nothing but trouble and I am pretty sure this is not going to end well.

"Yeah, sure. Let's get this over with."

Maria reaches for my arm and clings to it. I pull it away, disgusted.

"What are you doing?"

"I just wanted things to be like old times. You miss that too, don't you?"

"I miss it like I miss a tooth ache," is my retort.

I storm away, hoping that Maria finally takes the hint. However, she follows. As we approach the café, I stop to look at the interior.

Great, this is the café where Sara works. I always drove here but didn't realize how close my office is to her work until now. I stop a block before and shake my head.

"Sorry, I don't want to go here."

"Why not?"

"I have my reasons."

"Why don't you want to go in there with me?"

"No, it's not that! I just don't like that place."

"Come on, Robert, it's just for an hour."

"We can talk somewhere else. Besides, why are you even here in the first place? Sure, you say it's Andrew, but there's more to it, isn't there?" I remember her ways, her ability to make me agree to her whims. But back then it was out of love. Now it's simply to get this over with.

Maria doesn't say anything. She pushes a strand of blonde hair away and shrugs nonchalantly.

"I have my reasons. Now, come on, this is the perfect place for us to talk!"

She grabs my hand, dragging me in. I try to fight this but can't. Maria's grip is too strong, and I don't want to hurt her. Even though I dislike her, the last thing I want is to cause a scene.

We get inside, and as the door rings, I stand frozen in place. Five people stand in front of me, obscuring us.

"Welcome in!"

That's Sara's voice. I grit my teeth, looking around. Maria's hand tightens against mine.

"Is something the matter, Robert?"

I swipe my hand away in hopes that nobody sees this. This is the last thing I need, that's for sure.

"Nothing, it's fine—"

"Robert?"

I turn, seeing Sara's green eyes look at me. I stand frozen in place, looking around at what to do.

"Oh, Sara," I almost groan.

"What are you doing here? Is this a work colleague?"

Maria's arm grabs mine tightly and holds it there.

I stand there, tongue-tied, unsure of what to say. This is the last thing I need. I look around in hopes that something, anything, will come around to help this situation.

The sooner I get away, the better.

Sara stands there, masking her emotions with a smile, but behind it, I see anger and betrayal.

I messed up, and right now, I don't know what to do.