Marry me

Chapter Thirty.

This was one long-ass chapter to write. Enjoy!

***

Unfortunately, the next week came faster than I had expected.

"It's no longer news that your company is collapsing, Mr. Grant. A merger will benefit us both. It might as well be your only option now," Mr. Trevelyan said as he leaned back into his seat. He didn't look bothered, not one bit. In fact, his expression was the most relaxed I had seen that whole day.

The poor man in front of us tried to hide his discomfort but failed miserably. His assistant had forsaken his food and was now nervously chewing his pen. "I did not come here for this meeting to hear you talk rubbish about my company. My team and I are working on making Grant Industries better than yours or anyone else's in the industry."

I snorted lowly. For a man of small stature, he surely had a big ego. I sipped more of my juice, watching the drama unfold. This was one of those times when I really loved my job.

Ivan cocked a brow. He should really consider joining a modeling agency. "And how well is that working for you, Grant?"

Red seeped into Grant's cheeks and I almost laughed. Mr. Trevelyan is literally making a full-grown man blush. "I-" Grant started, "It is working very well, Mr. Trevelyan- and for goodness' sake Howard, stop gnawing on your pen."

Ivan straightened, his suit straightening with him. If you squinted hard enough at his facial expression, you could see the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "You are clearly not serious about this deal. Take it or leave it, Grant."

He shifted in his seat. "What?"

My lovely boss smiled. But it wasn't your regular happy-go-lucky smile, it was the type of smile that could probably freeze over Florida if it wanted to. "Did I stutter?" he asked.

My eyebrows went so high I think they flew off my damn face.

Grant blinked. Then, he blinked again and continued blinking non-stop for a full thirty seconds. "I..." he trailed off.

My lovely boss took that as his cue to stand up and I followed suit. He headed towards the door without a word. I glanced at Grant and his assistant. "Have a great day, Mr. Grant," I said, trying to muster up some empathy for the poor man.

Just as Ivan was about to reach for the door handle, Grant suddenly cried out in anger? Frustration? Fear? Yeah, it was definitely fear. "This is wrong. You are monopolizing the industry."

I looked down. Dang, I finished all the juice. Where's the popcorn when you need it?

"We both don't have the luxury of time for unnecessary negotiations that are not going to take us anywhere. I don't have all day and neither do you. You either take the deal or you leave it," Mr. Trevelyan replied so coolly, I immediately thought, Someone give this man a pair of swag glasses.

Grant stood up, his secretary doing so. He looked defeated as he stretched his hand for a handshake. "Fine, Mr. Trevelyan. We have a deal." His deep, heavy sigh was inevitable.

Well, that's one way to begin a chapter.

Wait, what? 

While they shook hands, my eyes met those of the man's assistant and I had never related to anything as much as I related to the horrified look on his face.

You get used to it at some point, I tried to convey with my eyes.

I returned my attention to Ivan and saw that the ghostly smile on his face was gone as he stared intently at Grant's assistant.