"Some traces of your past can never be forgotten especially if you can't let it go"
Ashton ignored every single employee at the entrance bowing their heads to greet him, including the bouquet of flowers that had been prepared just for him.
His main purpose today and for that meeting was to see Ariana, he didn't care about all that.
"Have all the board executives arrived?" He asked Tobe, as they made their was to the executive elevator.
"Yes sir, they're all waiting in the boardroom like you asked them to" Tobe replied.
" Your office and everything else you asked to change was fixed to your liking" he added.
"Mhm..." Ashton simply replied as they entered the elevator.
When the time for the meeting came, the presenters were done preparing their slides, as suggested by Mrs Vibbles, lead designer.
A few of them went up all the way to the 13th floor, where the meeting room was, but Ariana had to stay behind to complete another task her supervisor had given her after organizing the boardroom.
By the time Ashton arrived, the executivea had all took their seats, just waiting for him.
They stood up to welcome him, but he wore a cold expression.
"Good morning,"
"CEO Kaur"
"Goods morning" all of them greeted as he passed by all the way to his seat.
"Begin " he coldly said after he sat down, implying to one of the presenters in front waiting for his permission taking a look at the files before him.
"As proposed for the sky Core building, this is the draft our team came up with, we suggest that the foundation..." He cut him off.
"Stop!" His voice echoed in the room and everyone became silent.
Renny was already trembling.
"What kind of presentation is this? It hasn't even started but the foundation plan..... according to your slides is not satisfactory and of low quality. We've planned this for years yet one mistake will destroy everything" he said before he stood up.
"You're fired!" He added, as he was about to walk out,what was the point of coming.
Ariana he wanted to see wasn't there.
Does anyone else.... have .. anything to say.." one of the executives asked terrified.
This man was more scary in person than the rumors.
"I have something to say, sir. If you could only spare a few minutes of your time" Mrs Vibbles replied, standing up from her seat.
She'd just witnessed all that had happened and if she screwed up, she'd be the next to go.
She was scared, but tried so hard to hide it. She redistributed another file to everyone.
"You have 4 minutes" Ashton said, as he sat back down. Taking a closer look at the file, it had familiar initials, the ones that he knew so well and who they belonged to.
"Ariana"
Mrs Vibbles didn't even know where to start, just the way Ashton spoke, how domineering he was made everyone restless. She began her presentation for the proposed Sky Core building, explaining each and every detail, just the way Ariana had done it.
Ashton found it impressive, he actually imagined Ariana in front there presenting to him. All the board executives were impressed to.
"Do you like it Sir?" Mrs Vibbles asked, holding her breath, hoping for a good response and everyone turned to face him, he was rather quiet.
"Mr Kaur?"
"Sir?" Tobe asked.
"It's satisfactory" he replied and everyone in the room clapped congradulating her.
"Was it your work?" He abruptly asked, and again silence filled the room.
" No sir, actually a junior on my team made the drafts and sketches, plus the foundation was all on her" He knew who she was talking about.
"Wow! Such a talented Architect"
"Impressive and promising"
The executives praised her.
"I'll approve of the proposal after meeting her in person, send her to my office... meeting adjourned." With that, he stood up and walked out with Tobe.
" I need blue roses, bring them to my office" he said to Tobe, as he walked towards the elevator.
May I ask why you need... Blue roses?" Tobe tried to asked.
Honestly where was he going to get them right now, they were out of season but that didn't matter to Ashton.
He gave him one terrifying look that said everything.
"You know what, I'll go get the roses right away"he said and quick left.
~~ARIANA~~
"No mom, I don't need any blind dates" I said to my mom on the other side of the line, on the phone as I entered the elevator and pushed the 14th floor button.
"Come on, for how long will you be single after your terrible break up," she replied.
"Mom, just stop! I'm at work and on my was to meet my boss. I'll call you later" I said before I hung up.
My lift had reached the 14th floor. Mrs Vibbles had informed me the new CEO asked to see me to complete my presentation in person.
So odd, Lexie around on her desk and it was like no one was around either, it was awfully quiet.
I walked straight to the door and knocked.
" Come in" he said.....so strange, his voice was so familiar,I entered and his back was facing me.
"Ms Lissio, to your left is a gift....I hope you like it " he said with his back still facing me.
I turned to my left and it was a beautiful bouquet of blue roses, my favorite, just the way I like them but how did he know.
"Thank you..I like...it but how did you know I...." I was speechless as soon as he turned to face me, he was the last person I ever wanted to see.
"A...Ashton?" How could this be!
" It seems you can't even remember me" he said in a husky voice, as he walked towards me.
You...you are the new CEO?" I asked, moving back to avoid him but I hit a dead end, the door.
"Yes I am...." He replied before what he did next that left me completely dumbstruck..