Her fears were finally coming to reality. Her dad didn't mean what he just said, did he?
However, when the young man stood with smiles all over his face, Natasha knew she was done for.
She left the board room feeling utterly stupid. It was a terrible thing that her Father had deemed her incompetent but to Mr Barnett that wasn't enough either.
He chose to "humiliate" her further by selecting Williams.
"Williams of all people!" She screamed banging her table in anger.
As she sat on the couch, tears trickled down her cheeks. Soon she was sniffling and hugging herself, refusing to be consoled.
"Maybe I'm incapable of handling difficult situations" She whispered, recalling the way her father said it.
"Williams, you'll be on a test for 6 months. There'll be no defined CEO during this period. I want to observe how you'll handle the fashion and clothing line, film, our real estate and the grand opening of Alpha foods. If after 6 months, I'm pleased, then I'll announce you as the official CEO of Alpha"
At first, it was as though time stood still and she was frozen, unable to move. She couldn't believe her ears neither did she immediately grasp the severity of the statement. The other board members present quickly regained themselves, adjusting immediately to the situation.
They clapped and cheered him on to greatness. Williams had a surprised look on his face but she knew it was a cover-up for what he really felt on the inside. She could see through his actions.
"What will I be doing while he is in charge?" She had asked after her father's verdict.
"Help him, assist him. Perharps you both might be a perfect fit." Mr Barnett replied and winked.
She knew what he was referring to. It didn't help matters that the other men present laughed as though it was humorous.
Perharps it was, but to her for a different reason. There was no way on earth, she and Williams will be a match made from Heaven. It was absolutely inconceivable.
She reined herself in and decided to be quiet for the minutes left. When they finally served the Brunch of Cinnamon rolls, Poached eggs, Waffles and Grilled Octopus, she simply didn't feel like eating. She picked at her food for a while before finally selecting an apple from the fruit basket and politely walked away.
She didn't care if her father was looking at her. She didn't care if anyone deemed her foolish. She wanted to be away, away from them all.
Ruth rushed towards her as she hurried to her office. With a raised hand, she had stopped the faithful lady from expressing her worry.
A knock rasped at her door.
"Come in" She replied after powdering her face.
It was Williams and Troy. Troy was his assistant. After acknowledging her, he gave a vivid description of where he wanted his table and chair to be placed, as well as other furniture. She observed him unbelievably. She found it incredible that she would share office with him for the next half year.
As soon as Troy left, he walked over to her.
"It's will be a pleasure working with you, my dear" He stated extending his hands for a handshake.
"Suit yourself" She replied pretending not to notice his gestures.
"Don't treat me rudely, I might be your boss at the end of the probation" He said with a cheesy grin.
"Wait till then" She plastered a smile and headed out, leaving him dumfounded.
Williams looked at her as she sauntered out. She was fierce but there was nothing wrong with that. He liked them feisty.
He whistled, turned 360 degrees and walked out humming a song. His dreams were finally coming to pass.
Natasha emerged from the elevator with Ruth following closely behind as the guards rushed after them.
"Where are we going ma'am?" Ruth asked slowly. Every atom of her boss vibrated with anger and she didn't know what to say. She hoped Natasha won't do anything stupid or irrational to satisfy her indignation.
"Miller's" Natasha said to Smart. Ruth exhaled in relief.
As they drove in silence, Natasha burned with rage. They arrived at the restaurant quickly as it wasn't far from the town. The manager immediately escorted her to the usual spot.
Kingsley was busy serving a customer and smiling in his usual way when he saw her. A closer look at her features and he knew something was wrong. He quickly finished the serving and removed his apron.
She was sitting calmly waiting for him when he arrived. She liked the serenity of the environment. It was peaceful and provided comfort to her soul. She sipped a little more from her cup of tea as he sat down.
"How are you?" He asked, attentive to her facial expressions. She stood up, hugging him in response.
"Are you okay? What happened?" He queried wrapping his arms around her. Pecking her forehead, his mind searched for possible ideas on what might have gone wrong.
"Did Evolve...?"
"Please don't talk..." She sniffled.
"I'm sorry" He replied caressing her shoulders.
"Thank you" She replied removing herself gently from his grip after some minutes.
He held her right hand, adjusting her hair with the other.
"What happened?"He asked gently.
"Mr Barnett chose Williams to be on 6 months test for the CEO position."
"What?! Why?"
"I don't know..." she replied folding her arms. She took a glance at the lavender adorning the environment.
"For some reasons, Dad thinks Williams can handle the position better" She continued, as she plucked one out of it's branch. She toyed with it.
People said Lavender symbolized feminity, gracefulness, creativity, purity, love and devotion. It was her favorite flower and that was why she chose this place for their get together.
Still, Lavender also symbolized impracticality and indecisiveness. Maybe the same reason she lacked firmness, why she never got herself together, despite all the efforts. She admired the flower for a while.
"Just like me, graceful but...vacillating" She stated tossing it to the ground. Closing eyes in anger, she destroyed any beauty left with the tip of her heels.
Kingsley reached out to hold her.
"What will you be doing now that Williams is on test?"
"Exactly the same question I asked my father..." Natasha replied pulling herself from his grip. She made herself comfortable on the oval wooden chair instead.
"What did he say?" Kingsley mirrored her actions.
"He said I should assist him, help him. My dad still thinks Williams and I are a perfect fit..." She stated smiling sadly.
"He might not be wrong..." Kingsley replied bobbing his head.
"What are you saying?" She asked with raised brows.
"He could be right..." He replied this time helplessly.
"Are you...?" She searched his face for clarification.
"No I am not breaking up..." He held up his hands and continued.
"I... was just thinking...What if Williams is really a good guy? He will able to give you the kind of life you deserve"
"Kingsley?" She questioned, surprised.
"I'm sorry..."
"I don't understand...Why are you thinking this way?" She asked, doubts filling her mind.
"I'm sorry... it's fine. So what are you going to do?"
"Quit being wise. Do you feel insecure?" Her eyes were becoming misty again.
"Not really...Just once in a while. I think I'm not capable of giving you the good life" He blurted out truthfully.
"What life?...Kingsley, I just want love, peace... security, commitment" She replied.
"Yes, I will do that." He replied with a smile, reaching out to hold her hands.
"Are you sure?" She asked puffy eyed.
"Of course, pay no attention to my words. I was just bluffing earlier" He replied grinning.
Natasha knew he wasn't kidding. The smile didn't reach his eyes. But she decided to let it slide. She wasn't about to ruin this almost perfect meeting.
"How's mummy?" She asked instead.
"I'll be checking on her in few hours" He replied.
"Should I come too?" Natasha was hopeful. Anything that would distract her at this moment was given.
However...
"You should return back to work. I'll extend your greetings to her and give you details of whatever Doctor Langsten says" Kingsley replied standing up.
"Where are you going?" She asked crestfallen.
"Food" He replied with a wink.
"What'll you like to eat? Discuss with the Master Chef, Your Majesty" He continued mimicking the all too familiar royal style.
She giggled.
"Anything is good. I'm actually hungry"
"Coming right away, my lady" He skedaddled into the main food court.
After lunch, she returned back to the office. Williams wasn't around and she was glad for at least one more day of privacy.
It was evening when Kingsley called again. She was at home watching her favorite show when her phone rang out.
"How's mama?" She asked immediately. He laughed richly and that was when she knew all was well. She smiled in relief.
"Dr Langsten said we all got worked up for nothing that it was just stress. No biggie!"
"Where is she now?" She asked.
"Home. Paulina and I just prepared dinner" He stated. One could detect the excitement in his tone.
"I want to eat."
"If you can appear this very minute, good for you. A few more seconds and the pot is empty" He replied with laughter.
She giggled.
"Thank you" She said.
"For emptying the pot?" He asked
"What are you saying?" She laughed.
"Thank you for being there..." She stated with sincerity.
"I love you, Natasha" He replied, his voice ladened with emotion.
"Kingsley do you think I'm useless?" She asked all of a sudden.