Chapter 16
Matthew's POV
I pushed the door open walking in full strides to my car. I thought this would have worked out but obviously it was a mistake coming here.
I got in started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, trying to process what just happened.
Traffic swallowed the sound of the thoughts in my head as I merged with the road.
Why didn't she just tell me she had a boyfriend?
Would've saved us both the time.
I had many other options but I thought she would be the easiest to convince considering the state she's in financially.
But maybe I was wrong.
I exhaled taking my mind of it and focusing on the road instead
I reached to the dashboard to change the radio station to that of the news when my phone rang.
I glanced at the screen momentarily my eyes fixed back on the road as I picked the call.
"What is it?" I asked gruffly
"Uhm, sir you have a meeting" he stuttered
I exhaled "When"
"In ten minutes sir."
Shit
I was on the other side of town.
I checked to see if any reminders for the meeting had been sent earlier and there were.
An hour ago.
"I'll be there soon." I said harshly before I ended the call.
My knuckles turned white from how hard I was holding the steering wheel, I drove as fast as I could, swerving past cars, thankfully I didn't drive my SUV today.
I adjusted my tie, rubbing my fingers through my hair as I drove as fast as I could.
Eventually the office building came into view about thirty minutes later.
I thought I could make it in time but that wasn't possible.
I sat there dreading having to explain to the board why I was late.
All this would be over soon
Straightening my suit, I stretched out my briefcase, my wrist watch catching the sun. to Kieran who was eagerly waiting for me at the door.
As much as he annoyed me he rarely ever made any mistakes so I kept him.
The office building towering over us, the tall glass windows reflecting the familiar city behind us. Walking into the building I took in the scent of the place my father spent years using his blood and sweat to build.
Before he died he would bring me here when I was a teenager and show me around taking me to each room.
He would tell me every single time he brought me here that one day this would all be mine. Those were the only happy times I really remember spending with him.
Every single time I would dream of the day I would finally be able to work side by side with him and how he would finally be proud of me but I couldn't live that dream.
My jaw tightening as I ran my fingers through my hair, pulling off invisible threads off my suit
The ping of the elevator brought me back as Kieran went ahead of me, his scrawny little body struggling to lift the brief case.
I walked to the conference room and stopped at the door, adjusting my cufflinks before running my fingers through my hair. I pulled the door open swiftly.
In short, contolled strides I walked into the conference room, the sound of my shoes steady against the polished floor.
Ignoring the tension in the room I walked straight to my seat, as I glanced across the faces of everyone in the room.
Every head turned in my direction.
And they all looked mad.
"I supposed time management was not part of the things you learnt at Harvard" the question was from one of the members of the board.
A very old woman with very pale and wrinkly skin.
I almost laughed but settled for a grin instead. "Good one" I paused "But I had more urgent matters to attend to"
Murmurs moved across the table.
Disapproval always came quickly from rooms like this. Rooms filled with money hungry old people.
"We hope" she continued "You won't have something pressing to do everytime we have a meeting"
I leaned back in my chair, meeting her gaze.
"It won't happen again" I said firmly, ending the conversation.
"Now" I said reshuffling the folder in front of me "What did I miss" turning to the person standing in front of a board at the front of the room.