บท 21: Chapter 21

How could she say no?

Now, he had no assistant to do his bidding. Generally, he never liked to work on Sundays, but some exceptions could not be avoided, just like today.

But usually, his other previous assistants never said no when asked to work overtime. They even volunteered to do extra work because that was how dedicated they were to doing their jobs.

Determination and persistence were the keys to success. It seemed he was right about her. She had none of those traits. Well, he had always known that she was different.

In the first place, he already assessed she was not qualified to do this job anyway. But due to technicality, he was stuck with her. If only Jennifer did not fumble with the files, he would have hired a more competent assistant.

One wrong move, he guaranteed she was out of his business and hopefully his family's life for good. Though he expected she had quit and given up by this time. But she was proving to be more challenging than he initially thought.

"What is eating at you now?" Eli asked as she sat beside him on the table as he waited for the new investors to arrive.

His irritation with his assistant must be all over his face. Until now, he could feel in his guts that he was fuming. Although, he was also puzzled why she affected him this much.

But he could only assume it was because of his grandfather's involvement. He could not understand what the obsession with this girl was. It was a riddle that he could not solve that was annoying him.

"Nothing," Liam carelessly snapped at her, still out of his element, making a couple who sat at the table close to them look in his direction.

He took the coffee from the table and carefully sipped on the hot black liquid, suddenly regretting losing his temper. A glass of scotch would have been better, but it was too early for a drink.

He wished to calm himself down before his guests arrived. But his mind kept reverting to that woman that made his week a living hell with her presence.

Why? Because she got on his nerves. Why? He had no idea.

"I hope that 'nothing attitude' would not ruin this negotiation." She stated a little concern about him. "Lately, I noticed that you have not been yourself."

She moved closer to him, leaning her elbows on the table to stare at him, resting her chin on her knuckles. "You know I am a good listener." Then, she extended her hand on the table, landing on his arm.

"I am sorry about this, but I am good." He told her, taking a deep breath. "I think the pressure of this new business is just getting to me." He could not think of another excuse.

Besides, he was not about to admit that a nobody like her was the cause of all of this. Maybe she had been a part of it, then his grandfather, who would not stop nagging at him.

That was it, his mind concluded. It was just most probably work-related stress.

"Then, let us go on a vacation. Just the two of us." She suggested. "I also needed a break. We can do it together."

He looked at her and appreciated what she was doing. But he knew this was not the time to relax, and she knew it too. Starting to remake and rebuild this company would take most of his time. He could not just leave.

"Your proposal is tempting, but you know I have to decline." Liam finally said. "But thanks still, Eli, for having my back."

He knew he could always count on her, whether in business or personal life. She was the only person of the opposite sex that he could trust. She was the only one who gave without expecting anything in return. She was a true friend.

He could not even rely on his parents for support or comfort, not his father, Prince Philip, who only recognized a bottle of good scotch and knew how to feel the thrill of losing.

For him, he was a first-class loser.

He could not even talk about his mother, Princess Josephine, who only valued the worth of something when it was attached to a hefty price tag. Call him what you wished to call him, but his mother was worse.

She was a full-time elitist, snob, and narcissist.

"If you ever change your mind, I am right here." Eli offered, quickly standing up to greet their guests who were about to join their table.

After a quarter of an hour, the meeting ran smoothly, thanks to Eli, who had been superb as always. He had returned to his mindset, focusing on his goal, forgetting about the things he deemed unimportant as work came first.

"That is a great recommendation." His new investor clapped him on his shoulder, giving him approval for his plans. "I think you got me with this one." Pointing to the contract that he offered them.

"Then, do we have a deal?" Liam asked, excited that his new project was pushing through as a new investor was willing to fund the enormous undertaking.

"We should celebrate this. I have my assistant arrange a new schedule. But, at the moment, I have to go because of another prior engagement." His investor and his company shook hands and left.

He was glad that the meeting was over. He could go back to his routine. He needed to expel all the stress that had been bothering him lately. And there was only one way he knew how.

"Do you want to celebrate at my place?" Eli asked as she sipped on her remaining coffee. "It is already finished."

As much as he was happy about the successful negotiation of the contract, he had something else in his mind. Hanging around in a four-corner apartment and ending up in bed was not what he needed today.

"Sorry, but I already made plans." He told her, but he knew she would understand. It was not as if they were in a committed relationship.

What they had was just for convenience. Nothing more.

"Ok. But I will be a phone call away if you ever change your mind." Eli smiled as they stood from the seat and walked out of the restaurant. "Where are you going anyway?" She asked casually.

"Just want to go for a drive." He told her, and she just nodded in understanding.

Soon, they were in their respective cars, driving in opposite directions.