Chapter 9

The following day, the news of the Golden Group of Companies terminating its collaboration with Best Fashion Company overnight went throughout the whole town, leaving everyone wondering.

Rose couldn't hold back her happiness as she heard the news. It was all she had prayed for.

So she quickly picked up her phone to call Cordelia. Although she had blacklisted her contact before, she now felt the urge to unban her and called her.

After she dialed her number, it rang, but there was no answer; however, she didn't stop calling. And finally, Cordelia picked up.

“Hey, you fool! What do you want?”

“You silly girl, what do you think I'll stoop so low as to ever need something from people like you and your family? You know that can never happen.”

Cordelia remained silent while Rose continued. “Oh, my darling friend. I heard what happened. They approved your proposal, but within a day, they terminated it because it seemed they had gotten to know your true identity. Ha ha ha.”

“Are you done talking?”

“What else did you want to hear…?” Rose couldn't finish what she had wanted to say when Cordelia, out of anger, disconnected the call.

Immediately, Michael walked in, and he saw Rose smiling, which also made him happy. He had never seen her as happy as she was at the moment he saw her.

However, he ignored her and walked past and he was going to the office to get some things sorted out. He had decided to dress that way to the office so no one would suspect him.

Just when he was on the verge of entering outside, Rose yelled at him, causing him to halt in his tracks.

“Where are you going this early?”

“I'm going somewhere.”

Rose was angry at his response and she angrily walked to where he was. “You dare not answer me like that next time!” She warned, pointing fingers at him. “I ask again, where are you going?”

“I'm sorry if my response annoyed you. I'm going out to look for a job so I can earn a little bit of money for the family instead of sitting at home doing nothing.”

Rose laughed out loud and she couldn't hold herself from laughing. “For the family? You're just funny. Did you even listen to yourself?”

“But I don't see anything wrong with what I just said.”

“Oh, just shut up your trash. You want to provide for the family when you can't even afford yourself nice outfits. Michael, just look at yourself.” Her eyes trailed from his head down to his toes.

“You're smiling for goodness' sake. Try and change your clothes, they have suffered. Please, you can now go wherever you want to but don't forget to come back early so you can prepare dinner, do you understand?”

“Yes.” Michael nodded, bowing his head not daring to look at her face, and walked away.

Rose rolled her eyes at him as she watched him stride.

“What a useless man he is. Others are earning millions and billions of dollars and even owning expensive companies, and he's talking about earning little bucks and he still expects me to clap for him. Nonsense.” She hissed and walked away.

********

After the call was disconnected, Cordelia forced herself up from the couch where she had sat, biting her lips.

Her face was evident of how angry she was. She tried to hold back herself but couldn't because she knew the level or height her company would have been in just a year coming.

“Cordelia, you need to calm down. You don't have to let this piss you off. I believe it's because the new CEO just got into office today that's why.” Paul said, trying to calm her down but it seemed like his efforts were to no avail.

“Oh, don't just tell me that…He just approved our proposal and not up to a day, he terminated it, who does that?”

“I know how painful it is but please just relax. I will speak to our manager tomorrow to see if he can secure a meeting for us with the CEO, and believe me, we are going to get that contract again.”

“Tomorrow you say? That can't be because I'm going to see him now. I can't stand to watch the humiliations of that stupid girl called Rose.”

“Now? That's too fast, Cordelia. Just….”

“Are you going with me or not?” Cordelia cut off his words before he could even finish them.

Paul scratched his head as he thought. It was his wife who needed him to accompany her, so he couldn't retort whether it was convenient for him or not, so he agreed, nodding.

“I'm going with you since you insist.”

“Alright then, let's go.” She strode outside and Paul stood up and trailed behind her.

They were already dressed up that morning to go to the office before the news of the termination of their already-signed contract came unexpectedly.

So they didn't take their baths, they both entered the car and soon, Paul roared the engine to life and sped out of the compound.

After driving for about an hour, they finally arrived at the company. There were staff all dressed in black and navy blue parading with books in their hands, and guards also parading, making sure nothing was going wrong.

Also, several company owners were there to submit their proposals while some had already submitted and were leaving.

However, they paid less attention to it and headed inside immediately.

Cordelia was wearing an expensive gown which cost $500 and also expensive heel shoes which didn't fail to announce her presence as soon as she and her husband entered.

“Good morning, ma, good morning, sir.” The receptionist greeted, her eyes trailing secretly from their heads down to their toes with admiration at the two figures before her.

“How may I help you ma?” She asked, directing the question to Cordelia, whose face was covered with makeup, making her more beautiful.

“We are here to see the CEO.”

“Okay. Just a minute.” The receptionist quickly put a call through and it connected immediately.

“Hello sir, someone wants to see you.”

“Who are they?”

The receptionist looked at Cordelia recalling her face, and Cordelia gave her a daggering look. And she quickly averted.

“I think it's the CEO of Best Fashion Company whose contract got terminated recently.”

“Oh, I see… Don't let them in. I'm busy. Tell them to go and come back some other day.”

“Sir?”

“You heard me clearly. Do as I say.” The call disconnected and the receptionist's face was filled with disappointment as it landed on both Cordelia and Paul.

“I'm sorry, ma, I'm sorry, sir, but you can't see the CEO today. He said he's busy and I suggest that you go home and come back next time.

And I'll advise you to try and secure a meeting with him when you're coming to see him again.”

“What are you implying?” Cordelia inquired as she furrowed her brows.

“All I'm saying is that you can't see the CEO today.”

“Why? Why can't I see him? Huh?” Cordelia's anger was aroused at the attitude of this new CEO, and she was about to create a scene when Paul quickly intervened and calmed her down.

She was a short-tempered woman and Paul had managed to study her over the years and had found out the ways and right words to always use to calm her down.

“Cordelia! Please don't create any scenes here. It may bring a bad reputation to our company and you know what that means. Just relax and let's go home, we may come back some other time as the receptionist has just said.

Let's go please.”

Cordelia thought about it for a while, but anger was still built up in her, so out of anger, she scurried into the elevator in a fit of anger.

Quickly, Paul joined her, pressing the green button, which took him down.