chapter 3 meeting him

Jasmine Everly's P O V 

"He is only an investor now, Jasmine! Only think about your work and nothing else!". 

I forced my foot and walk to the front, placed my laptop on the table, and connected the laptop to the projector without raising my head to look at him, even though I could feel his stare at me from the moment I walked into this room. 

"Don't bother! Don't bother! He is no one to you! Everything has ended between your guys!" the same words keep repeating in my head and I harden my face, not daring to let out any emotions for him to play with. 

Just like how he did before. 

I turned my head to look at Asher before starting the presentation. He looked nervous, but still gave me a reassuring smile. 

I smiled back at him, promising that I would do my best even though I didn't know if he would give us the contract. 

"Good Morning" I greeted other people in the room and not his intimidating one because it might make me so weak to the point, that I couldn't even stand on my feet. 

"What is your name?" His deep voice echoes in the room, making everyone turn to him, including mine.

My eyes widen as I meet his angry one, glaring back at me. I stumbled a little but pulled myself together in a second, realizing his question. 

My fingers curled into a fist, glaring back at him, thinking, "Did he really forget my name in these 6 years?!". 

I was about to snap at him but pulled myself and replied, "Jasmine Everly". 

"Don't you know the basic thing about introducing yourself before starting the presentation?!" He said in his cold voice, so cold that it sounds almost rude. 

My eyes turned to Asher and his eyes were moving back and forth from his to mine and when our eyes met. His eyes pleaded for me to continue and I took a breath to control myself because I know how hard we worked and how important this project is for Asher. 

"I am sorry if you got the bad impression, Mr. Donovan. I was about to introduce myself," I replied with a professional smile and looked at everyone, once again introducing myself properly before I started my presentation. 

He stayed silent the whole time I was explaining, and I didn't bother to turn to his side. Even though I was nervous at the start, I picked myself up and did as I prepared. 

"I don't like this design." His cold words vibrate against my skin, sending shivers down to my spine. 

His words from the past started to flash across my mind.

* "Why is your design so good, Jas?" *

I tried not to react because it was Asher's job now. I don't even wanna look at him. 

But those flash keeps increasing. 

* "After I take care of my dad's business, let's start our own designing brand and you will be the main designer" *. 

I raised my eyes to meet him as he stood up from the seat, leaving the shocked Asher in his seat.

"Which design you didn't like, Mr. Donovan? And can you tell me what kind of designs you prefer?" I asked without realizing it. His eyes widened as everyone's eyes turned to me. 

I gulped but stood firm in front of him, forcing my feet to stand and I faced him with confidence even though I was shivering deep inside. 

His lips twisted into a smirk as he sat back down and said, "Who is the designer for these dresses?". 

"I am," I replied, clenching my hand to calm myself down. 

"Good." His smirk didn't leave his lips as he stared at me. 

Then he turned to Asher and said, "Let me discuss my dissatisfaction and options about the design with the designer alone". 

My heartbeat stopped for a second, and my eyes widened at his words. 

What does he mean by alone? Why does he wanna be alone with me? Can't he say his so-called dissatisfaction and options in front of others?

Asher turned to me and nodded his head, and I gulped in nervousness. He gave me a smile to reassure me and I relaxed a little. 

Then everyone leaves the meeting room, leaving me alone with him. He got up from his seat and made sure the door was locked and he walked towards me with no reaction on his face. 

I took out my files filled with all the designs that I presented and some of my other designs, too. 

"Don't be weak! Just do your work and don't be shaken by him! He isn't worth it!" 

He sat on the 2nd chair, leaving one in the front and I was forced to sit next to him. So close to him. 

My nostrils filled with his scent, bringing back all those happy memories, and I smiled a little before I got back to reality. 

I mentally shook off all those thoughts and asked again, "What design you didn't like, Mr. Donovan?". 

"All the designs that you make." His deep voice vibrated in my ear as he got closer while replying.

I turned my face in shock and came face to face with him, so close. My body went stiff as I couldn't move. 

It took all of my willpower to turn back, calm myself down, and ask, "Why is that, Mr. Donovan?". 

"Maybe because I didn't like any designs that you just showed," He replied, leaning back on the seat as his eyes still looked at me.

"Then, here are some of the other designs that I did. Can you take a look?" I asked, placing my other designs in the files. He was confused, but took my files and started to look at them. 

It took him a while to check everything but his focused remained on the designs. Then he closed the files and raised his head to look at me, saying "The designs are fine, but you are the one who doesn't have the willpower to stay focused on one thing!". 

My eyes widened as I instantly got to know what he was talking about.