Face to face at the conference room

A broken heart is the worst. It’s like having broken ribs. Nobody can see it, but it hurts every time you breathe

Stefano

“Bianca Bennett” She added. I was completely speechless! A lump formed in my throat, but I kept telling myself that the name just sounded familiar. After all, there are countless Bianca Bennetts in the world, so it could be someone else, not her.

“Bianca Bennett? Who is she? I mean when is she coming herself to present the design properly?” I asked trying to maintain by neutral expression.

“She’s around, she’s waiting for the green light” Ms. Rennes said as I swallowed and my palm became itchy. Oh God what the hell is wrong with me!!! It can’t be her.

“You see Mr. Alcantara, this young woman is an upcoming fashion designer, she may not be experienced but she’s really a talented designer and I bet you her designs will be a boom in the global world and…”

“Bring her in” I said cutting Mr. Molotov off from his fairy speech without looking up from my tab as everyone chuckled softly.

I felt the big Mahogany door opening as all eyes seem to dilate at the human but mine was still glued at my tab.

I could hear some giggles like oh my... She’s a goddess… see her beautiful hair, she’s so beautiful …bla bla bla

“She’s here Sir” Ms. Rennes said

... I shut down my tab and looked up before my eyes locked with a ocean blue looking eyes.

The one I least expected as my adrenaline boiled.

Fuck! Why is she here? Is she the one Cassie was talking about all this while?

I mean how did she even manage her way inside my company? I remained silent trying to maintain my composure as I sat straight resting my head on my back leather seat.

“G-Good morning Mr. Alcantara and everyone seated, I’m Bianca Bennett, the designer of the dress” she said bowing down repeatedly and avoiding my gaze as everyone applauded for her well obviously except me and the way she pronounced my name woke up something in me and I hate it.

Bianca

After the long and endless conversations with the girls back at New York to my defeat, here I am standing at the Lobby of the HAY GROUP, my legs got struck at a spot with thousands of people roaming in the company.

As much as I love to stay away from this magnificent building, something is still drawing me in. let’s not even talk about the beauty I mean this company should be the most beautiful I’ve ever stepped into not just in Italy but in my life and who wouldn’t want to work here?

I’m sure the marbled floors alone can buy Rome in all. Sparkling with Clear chandelier pearls hanging around the ceiling. At a point I couldn’t help but wonder if this is really a Company or a Casino. I mean everything is amazingly beautiful.

The architecture of this place must be the best on this planet earth with a golden brain.

A security with a tagged name Maurio and beautiful crystal-like watch engraved in shape A approached me.

“Excuse me Miss. May I help you?” He said in an Italian accent, I smiled as I glanced briefly at his watch again I mean don’t get me wrong it looked familiar…

“Sure! I’m Bianca Bennett and I’m supposed to have a meeting with the CEO by 10 am sharp this morning” I said bringing out my ID card.

He collected and glanced through it briefly before making a sign to the other security who seems to be a female.

She came nearer and instructed me to raise my hand and I did, that was how I got a proper look of her too with a tagged name Celesta and the same Crystal watch inscribed A and that was when it clicked to me, I saw those same watches back at Four Points with the securities working there. I mean no way all the workers working for HAY group would be using that expensive looking watch.

After she freed me, I finally got the boldness to ask her the question bulging on my mind.

“Excuse me Celesta, concerning this beautiful watch I’m seeing around, I mean do all the workers here have it on?” I asked her curiously and she nodded with a bright smile.

“Yeah, everyone as long as you’re under the HAY Corporation aside from being a watch, it’s also a guide for everybody.” She said

“Guide?” I said with a confused expression

“Yeah, this watch is connected to the GPS of the company so it makes it possible for them to locate you wherever you maybe and ease communication also as long as it’s on you.” She said still holding her pretty smile.

I didn’t know my mouth was opened all along I mean I didn’t expect this exceptional technology here.

“Wow Stefano is another level of wealth” I muttered as I didn’t know it was loud enough for her to hear me

“You know the CEO? I mean were you friends because no one dares to utter his name in the company here” She asked me amused.

I wanted to answer yes, his Ex she should say not friend as I shook my head at the thought

“No not at all” I answered with a smile, she didn’t look convinced but eventually shoved it off.

“Where are you headed if I may ask?” She said still in her smile and thank God she even asked.

“Uhmm the Conference Room” I answered .

“Conference?” She asked with a raised eyebrow and I nodded

“Which of them I mean? Is it the one for private sectors, group meetings, or the CEO’S board room?” She asked as I blinked my eyes in confusion.

I should have known that this gigantic building would have more than a conference room.

“Uhmm…it should be the CEO’s board room” I said forcing a smile as she arched her eyebrow at me with ‘are you sure’ look then I nodded with a smile .

“Oh it’s on the 99th floor” She said as my eyes almost popped out in shock. What the hell!!! 99 what??

“What? You mean I’ll ride that elevator to the 99th floor?” I asked more like a statement with a paranoid expression then she smiled .

“Yes, and you’ll take the elevator at the right side enlightened in crystal A not the encrypted ALCAN because that’s for the CEO only” She said as I tried to suck in the information but I was still literally confused.

“But… I mean why can’t I use the nearest elevator instead of walking down to that right side because it’s frustratingly far” I pouted then she chuckled.

“This can’t take you to the 99th floor, it’s final stop is 60th floor” She said then I mouthed ‘ohhh’

“This going to be stressful mehn” I muttered then she smiled

“Don’t worry that elevator is faster so you won’t feel it” She said maintaining her beam smile.

I nodded not like I have a choice before I made my way down to the silent corridor.

After the long wait in the elevator, stepping out another security or no maybe a secretary because of her sophisticated appearance with a brown-raven hair was there to welcome me with that same customized watch and a tagged name Giovanna.

“Good morning ma’am, you must be Ms. Bennett. I’m Giovanna Rennes, Secretary to the CEO of the HAY Corporation” she said with a very bright smile offering her hand for a shake as I smiled back and did the same.

I said it, I knew her class was different looking at her loving smart dress.

I was about to move but something caught my attention... I took a second look at the Shirt she put on …

Ohmy… that’s my design. I wanted to scream but I think she read people’s thought really fast.

“In case you’re wondering, that’s your design I mean I’m a big fan of your work even though you just started, permit me to say you’re one in a kind and your designs surpassed the experienced designers” she said still maintaining her pretty smile as I was left speechless because first, I didn’t know my designs got to Italy not to talk of Rome.

“Ohmy... I'm flattered” I smiled “I don’t even know what to say but thanks for checking and using my designs, it means a lot Ms. Rennes” I said to her as she frowned.

“it’s Giovanna or Gio in short” she said as I nodded my head with a smile understanding her frown. I think I’ll like this girl.

“Also thanks for being part in our project and I’m practically sure that the global world will soon start to crawl before the LUB designs” she said still maintaining her pretty smile as I smiled back. She offered me a seat at the arena.

“Excuse me I’ll be right back” She said as she hurried with her heels inside a very big gigantic room and that must be the boardroom.

I began to shiver at the thought of entering that place not to mention facing him again. After 10 minutes, she was back.

“Okay you can come in now” She said... I felt a lump in my throat. I rubbed my palms severely before dropping it by my side. I think Giovanna noticed my nervousness

“Calm down, yeah Mr. Alcantara is cold but he doesn’t eat...” she said with a wink trying to make me laugh only if she knew about my past with Stefano then she’ll even advise me not to go in there.

I just smiled as she opened the Big Mahogany door revealing nothing less than 30 business men and women on seat settling their eyes on me, making me feel more insecure.

Immediately the big door closed I shivered not just at the cold air conditioner that welcomed me but my eyes meeting with an handsome devil who’s eyes didn’t leave his Tablet.

“She’s here sir” Giovanna said as I had mixed feelings inside at the sudden break of silence.

He dropped his Tablet as his hazel golden eyes dogged into mine really hard.

You know that irate stare even without uttering a word I know he still abhorred so much bitterness and hatred for me... I deserved it so I looked away first.