Six years later
Phubert walked into the conference room with stephanie, who was holding some files in her hand. Her eyes scanned across the venue and she was amazed. This wasn't the first time she went on a meeting with Phubert, but this place was exceptional in all ways. The place was expensively beautiful. This was her first time seeing so many prominent people. She moves her eyes around the room, looking at all the people. When her eyes landed on the chairman seat, she frozen, was this really him. After so many years, she has met him again. "Please good afternoon." Phubert greeted. "Mr Arthur you are late." The chairman said, without lifted his head from the tablet he was holding. "I am sorry, Mr Gray. There was an accident on the road." "Okay, you may start." Mr.Gray said not in the mood to listen to any excuses. "Okay my assistant here, Stephanie, will be doing the presentation. At the mention of the name Stephanie, Mr Gray immediately rise his head to look at this woman , but stephanie was quick enough to turn to the other side for Mr. Gray not to see her. She whispered for Phubert to give her a handkerchief. Phubert didn't understand why she needed it but he still gave it to her. Stephanie still facing the exit, tied the hankie around her nose and mouth. Everyone included Phubert, wasn't pleased with what she did. What are you doing Steph?" Phubert but before Stephanie could answer him, Mr. Grace questioned, "what is going on." "I... I am allergic to perfumes." Stephanie's reason made his heart skipped a beat. This was the same reason he's lily, gave years ago when trying to hide from his mother when they were shopping, at the mall for him. "Please may we start now? "One of the investors said?" "Yes...Yes." Mr Gray said. Phubert took his seat as Stephanie started the presentation. Throughout the presentation, Mr. Gray tried to get a better glimpse of the girl's face, but Stephanie did a good job hidding her face from the man. Immediately after the presentation, Stephanie ran off, excusing herself to the washroom. Stephanie didn't go back to the conference room again. She went to the car park and sat in their car with the driver until Phubert came back. He told them the good news that Mr Gray had accepted their proposal and now they had one of the greatest people in the country as their investor.
It was when they reached to the company that Phubert asked why she behaved like that at the conference room. Stephanie knew Phubert's happiness will be cut shorts if he comes to know who Mr grey is so she lied and told Phubert that one of the investors perfume was too much for her, so she used the handkerchief to lessen it. Phubertshook his head and didn't think much of it. "I am thinking of organising a small party to celebrate our victory." Phubert said with evident joy. "Are you going to invite Mr Gray?" Was the first question that came out of Stephanie's mouth. Phubert was quite taken aback. "I don't think so. Even if I invite him, I don't think he is free enough or would want to attend parties like this." His words brought so much relieved to her. "Oh yeah, you are right. So, how do you want the party to like so that I will arrange everything."
By the evening, news of the upcoming parties spread through the company like wild fire. Since Mr. Gray had planted spies in and out of the company. The news also reached him. "Prepare the car. We are going to that party. His assistance was surprised his boss hated parties. He doesn't remember the last time Mr grey went to a party not to talk much of some small celebrations. The next day in the evening, the party was venue inside an averagely popular and luxurious hotel. Considering the celebration was small, it was meant for only that workers and families of Phubert, but his close friends were also invited to celebrate the moment with them. While Phubert was sitting with his family, his assistant came running to him. Boss boss, Mr Gray is here.." He informed breathlessly. "But how did he get to know about this?" It was a rhetorical question, but his sister still answered. "Daar...he is Andrew Gray for Christ sake." "Where is Stephanie?" Phubert asked his assistant. "I don't know boss." "You don't need to call Stephanie for this. I can go and welcome him." "Precious are you going to shut up? Phubert ordered. "Phubert done talk to your sister like that. Besides, she is right." Phubert's mother said. The man shook his head and left his family after telling his assistant Joel to find Stephanie. When Phubert got to the entrance, Mr. Gray and his assistant were there already. "I'm sorry for keeping you late and making you wait for a long time." Phubert apologized. "Hmm... it's okay." Mr Gray sounded . Phubert, wanted to take to the VIP hall, but the man refused. So while they were going to take theur seat Phubert tried to indulge them into a conversation. "Mr. Gray, welcome again." "Thank you." "I didn't expect to see you here." "Yes, because you didn't want me here. That was why you didn't invite me." Mister Gray said as they took their seats. "It's not like that. I just thought that you would be too busy to attend such party." "Yes, I came here for a reason." Phubert's lift an eyebrow. That's what the man said, and what are you here for if I may ask?" "Phubert, Joel said you are looking for..." Stephanie lost her voice when her eyes landed on Mr Gray. Mr Gray looked at her with so much intensity. "Ermm...Hiii...wel...welcome Mr Gray. I didn't know you will be here." She tried to sound normal. "You are surprised right? I was surprised too when he came." "Yeah, I am very surprised." Stephanie mumbled. "You should sit Mr. Gray said he has something to tell us." Phubert said. Does that involve me? I mean, you two are the bosses so if anything.. don't be like that. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have gained that contracts. You are the mastermind behind our victory." Mr Arthur is right. You need to be here. I am here to discuss the future Stephrew and Zoolab. How about I listen to the conversation later?" "Miss Lionel I want you here." Stephanie was not giving a choice but to sit with the two men. All the time they were having the discussion, Stephanie was avoiding Mr. Gray's gaze while Mr Gray was almost all the time looking at Stephanie. At the end of the conversation, Stephanie, excuse herself to the ladies room like the last time. As soon as Stephanie stood up, Mr Gray also stood up and said, I want to go to the man's room. You won't mind me coming with you right? At his voice. Stephanie face became paled. Her eyes began to plead with Phubert but the man didn't understand what she meant. "Miss Lionel is something wrong?" Mr Gray asked. "Ermm... no... no everything is fine. Please let's go." Stephanie said forcing a smile on her face in the end. Stephanie lead the way. When they got to a very quiet place, she was pulled to a conner by Mr Gray. The man trapped her in between the wall and his arm. He smashed his lips on hers. This kiss was so passionate, one that defined longing. Stephanie tried to pull away but Mr Gray encircled his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. He didn't want to pull away not now but the woman needed to catch her breath. "I've missed you so much lily." Mr. Gray after breaking the kiss. Hearing his words, Stephanie didn't know whether to be angry, asked him to stay away or just pretend she doesn't know him. But she thought if she pretend to not to know him, the man will eventually find out that she was lying so she pushed him away. "Please stay away from me. We are only related by work and nothing more. We are formal business partners and that will be the only reason why we will be in the same building just like tonight." Stephanie didn't wait for him to say anything and walked off.
That evening, Andrew couldn't sleep. The words Stephanie said kept ringing in his eyes like bells. He sat on the bed asking himself 'why' questions like, " Why did she speak like that? Why wasn't she happy to see him? Why didn't she want him to see her? And why was she trying so hard to avoid him?" He took his phone and called his assistant. At three rings, the man answered the call. "I want to know everything about Mr Arthur's with Ms Lionel and where she stays." Andrew instructed. "Okay sir." His assistant said before Andrew ended the call.