"MS Reeves, you are late." He said with a cold voice.
Isabel's jaw clenched. "I've been in your lobby for two hours."
"Hmmm." He leaned back casually.
Was he serious? "I arrived at the scheduled time." Isabel said.
"And I wasn't available at the scheduled time." Sebastien said while looking up at her.
"Then reschedule the meeting." Isabel shot back with her fingers digging into her bag strap.
"Sit, please." He said coldly while pulling a faint smirk. Isabel took the seat opposite him with her spine straight refusing to look intimidated. He flipped through her portfolio and designs she had made.
"You have talent Ms.Reeves.I have a development project in mind that requires architectural innovation and a strong sense of aesthetic cohesion. I would like to bring your expertise on board and in return I can guarantee funding and exposure within the project framework which is something most investors rarely consider."
"There are also project plans,some preliminary renderings, and financing outline, so we can go through everything in detail." Sebastien laid out the blueprints on the large table and she leaned over to inspect them. The project was a mixed-use development with luxury residential spaces, boutique commercial areas and public art installations integrated into Landscape. The designs were bold but tasteful and the financial plan was thorough.
"From what I see," Isabel said slowly, tracing her fingers along the edge of one of the renderings, "the concept is ambitious but it's also respectful of space and human experience most developments like this prioritize over livability but these plans suggest you're considering the way people will inhabit and interact with the environment. Am I correct?"
Sebastian nodded while leaning slightly forward with his hands clasped "You're entirely correct and I anticipated that someone with your sensibilities would notice and frankly, Ms. Reeves, that's why we reached out specifically to you. Isabel Paused while studying him. She had expected arrogance, perhaps a hint of entitlement at the meeting at work. She had seen enough investors in her own career to know how they typically operated. The rest of her meeting passed in a blur of technical issues,sketches and brainstorming.
By the time Isabel rose up to leave the sun had already dipped lower in the sky,casting golden light across the office.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Blackwell, I hope we can begin this collaboration soon." Isabel said as she left the office.
Sebastian watched her carefully, the same woman who slammed into his chest at the club and insulted him and then told him he was annoying came up today pretending she didn't remember or maybe she didn't remember.
After Isabel left, she decided to go to their family house to see her parents.When she reached ,she couldn't help but give out a large sigh. Her family house was a large and elegant tudor, sitting in a quiet,tree-lined neighborhood. The front door was almost open and the faint smell of baking bread wafted towards her as she stepped inside.
"Mom?" Isabel called with her voice, light and cheerful despite the heavy thought swirling in her head.
"Darling!" Her mother's soft voice came from the kitchen. Isabel kicked off her heels and padded across the polished wood floors to the kitchen. Her mother Linda was just standing and humming a tone as she stirred something in the pot.
"Isabel, it's good to see you, sweetheart,"her mother said with a smile while reaching for a towel to wipe her hands before hugging her daughter. Isabel hugged her back feeling the tightness in her chest loosen for a moment.
"Mom, what are you making? It smells amazing," Isabel asked as he looked at the pot.
"Oh, it's just a little comfort food for your father?" her mother replied, glancing down at the pot with a proud grin. Isabel smiled and settled at the kitchen chair.
"So how did it go? Your meeting with the Blackwells." Her mother asked
Isabel let out a breath, leaning back to the chair and crossing his arms. "It went well but it was really a lot. I have to talk to Dad."
Her mother gave her one long and concerned look. "Your father is in his study, he's been wanting to hear from you."
Isabel nodded. "I'll go talk to him." She watched down the hallway and waved at the door before gently knocking.
"Dad, it's me."
"Come in," Daniel Reeves said. He looked up from a stack of documents, glasses perched on the edge of his nose. The fatigue in his eyes softened when he saw her.
"How was it dear?" He asked immediately with a calm but curious voice. Isabel sat down in the leather chair across from him. She took a deep breath and then another. "It was a bit rough." She admitted.
Her father frowned slightly. "I expected as much.Men like Sebastian always come in hard."
Isabel inhaled deeply and he finally said, "Dad … I accepted this proposal." Her father's brows rose slightly but not in Surprise more in confirmation.
"I thought you might…but why?"
"Because we need this Partnership and without it,the firm could fall and because even though he's infuriating, he has the resources, connections and influence we don't have."
Her father finally stood and walked around his seat, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. "You made the right decision, dear."
"Thanks Dad," Isabel said as she smiled, letting her nerves calm down. "We'll officially sign the contact tomorrow."
"That's good to hear."Her father said as he nodded.
Isabel left her father's study and went back to the kitchen.
"Mom, where's Izzy?" Her mother paused for a second and took a breath.
"She left her hours ago, probably at the dance studio,you know she spends half of her life there.
Isabel rolled her eyes affectionately. "Of course she does. Did she say anything before she left?"
"She said, Mom, I don't want Isa to bother me with big-sister lectures today."Her Mom said mimicking Izzy's voice.
Isabel snorted. "She's nineteen and dramatic but I'll bother her anyway."
"Mom, I should rest upstairs?" "Okay dear." Her mom said,patting her back."
Upstairs, Isabel closed her bedroom door and signed deeply into the familiar blue walls and lavender scent mixed with the evening sunlight slipping through her curtains made her weak.She peeled off her blouse and slacks and stepped into the bathroom as the warm water washed away the stress,pressure and memory of Sebastian Blackwell's intense gaze.
After her shower, she slipped into one of her oversized T-shirts,towel-dried her hair and lay across her bed. She reached for her phone out of habit and saw notifications from work; a reminder of tomorrow's tasks and a message from Steph.
For a moment,she considered responding but her eyes were already growing heavy. Just a few minutes of rest.She told herself but within minutes she drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.