The Meeting: There are two of them

"Ms. McGrath, I don't have time for this, I'm on a brisk schedule," Matt said slightly tousling his hair. Clarice could seat and watch him do this all day.

"Is it wrong for one to check on a friend?"

"I do appreciate your concern, but I have to go."

A knock veered his attention to the door, Clarice waited to hear the voice of the newcomer. She intended to spend at least an hour on video chat with him without talking business though it's never happened before she needed to make an effort. She looks at his perfectly sculpted face as he spoke to the person who just walked in.

"Edward."

The middle-aged man who was now standing across his desk slightly bowed his head.

"The lawyers just arrived."

Matteo frowned, he didn't know they would be arriving this early. He looked at Edward for a while before asking, "Ms. Stacey?"

Edward shook his head, "no one has seen her."

"Trevor? Is he aware the lawyers had arrived?"

"Yes sir, he sent me to you, he wants to know if she's coming or not."

Edward could see the frustration written all over his boss's face. Matt had forgotten he was on a video chat with Clarice and the latter was waiting to listen to everything that was been discussed. She pitied him, she could see how stressed out he was because of the baker.

Matt stood up from his chair, then shot his laptop closed. Clarice screamed at herself. Matteo would never know she exist with that girl around. They used to be closer than this although it was strictly business, now he has no time for her at all. They'd only been talking for one minute before the interruption.

"Should I call her sir?" Edward asked

"No, if she doesn't make it, what happens next is no longer my responsibility." Edward nodded as he watched his boss exit the office.

Edward knows Matt doesn't mean any of what he just said. He knows how much the two cared for each other despite their differences, but going against his orders comes with consequences, unbearable consequences.

Jem spent all night thinking about what Matt told her. Part of her saw nothing wrong with marrying a man she already has feelings for. But her instinct says otherwise mainly because of the reason for their union and his infamous reputation.

She entered the largest building she's ever seen gawking at the place wondrously. She tried to estimate how much the company is worth but couldn't, there was no way she could guess what the building structures were made of.

"Wow," She mouthed to herself.

The place was also a bit complicated for her, she couldn't find the receptionist. She looked around hoping to guess the right path to take cause a lot of official people were walking to and fro but no one was going through any of the doors.

She stood at a spot trying to pick a door, it was a way better idea than calling Matt to come out and get her. Just then someone spoke to her from behind.

"Ms. Stacey"

Jem was startled to hear her name, she gasped turning around to see who called her. It was a woman, young and beautiful. Her deep brown eyes pierced into hers, it was like she could see right into her soul.

"Hi," Jem waved at the young woman.

Her lips spread into a smile, that lasted for only half a second. "Mr. Valdez asked me to get you."

"He knows I'm here?" Jem was curious, she never told him she'd be coming.

"Just come with me."

Without asking any more questions Jem followed the young woman. It appears she hasn't even entered the building yet. It looked way bigger from the inside and much more beautiful. Jem began to love the idea of working here.

Matteo opened the door leading to the conference room and went inside. He saw the lawyers already seated so was his brother. Edward entered and stood behind Matt, the moment he saw Trevor, he kept his head down.

"She's here," Matt said.

"I know, I already sent Kendra to get her."

Matt wasn't surprised, he just wished she hadn't come.

"Take a seat brother," Trevor gestured at a chair beside him.

Matt looked at the empty seat for a while, then at Edward who hasn't attempted to lift his head for one second. He then took a seat two seats away from his brother. That act made Trevor smile, Matt didn't care about what his brother thought, he is more worried about Jemima. What she's getting herself into all for her love and dedication to her parents. Edward stood behind his boss Matt and tried his best to avoid eye contact with Trevor who was staring at them both.

Not quite long after, Kendra walked in with Jem behind her. Kendra approached Trevor and stood behind him. Jem stood at a distance staring at Matt who was equally staring at her. She had so many questions to ask him, so many but if he would answer them. Matt couldn't look into the eyes of the person he cared most about yet hurts her still, he dropped his gaze to stare at the table. She didn't take her eyes off him, the moment he dropped his head to look down. The way his hair slowly fell on his face got her dreaming, he is just too perfect even for her. Why is she still having second thoughts even when she has no choice?

She sat across him trying to get a hold of herself. Yes, he is a beautiful man, but he is also her father's enemy and the one who is out to ruin her life.

At that same moment, something or someone else caught her attention. She noticed an equally handsome man sitting near Matt, gazing at her so intensely with his dark blue eyes. Jem's lips fell open, his face, his shiny dark hair. She's still trying to get used to the beauty of one man, now there are two.

Despite his beautiful face, Jem didn't like him very much, the way he stared at her like he already knows her. Or he finds her unfit to be here.

"Nice meeting you Ms. Stacey," Trevor said wearing a sarcastic smile. Jem forced a smile, she doesn't care to know who he is and why he is there. She stopped herself from staring at him.

"Can we commence this meeting?" asked one of the lawyers.

"Get on with it," Trevor ordered the lawyer.