From the corner of his eye, Lawrence watched the little woman his boss had decided to torture. Just like yesterday, she had downed four cups of coffee and two slices of chocolate cake. Now she was yawning again.
He felt bad for her and guessed that she probably wasn't able to have lunch given the time that she arrived the office so he ordered two separate lunches: one for her and one for himself.
His boss, the younger Sterling hadn't come to the office since morning. He had asked to make the woman wait to till he came by in the evening.
Lawrence wondered what Leia Sanders had done to offend his boss and whatever she did, it was probably on the night they went to the club. He had stayed in the car so he had no idea what had transpired between the two. All he knew was that after that night, Ethan Sterling had hurriedly bought the Evers property which he initially had no interest in.
Then as a means of punishment, a very petty one at that, Ethan Sterling had asked his secretary to book an appointment for her on Wednesday when he was absolutely free to see her on Tuesday.
When she came on Wednesday and the boss had been in his office all through. There was no such thing as an impromptu meeting with a foreign client. He hadn't set a foot out of his office since morning. He just wanted to make the poor woman wait.
After disappointing her on Wednesday and shifting the appointment to the Thursday, he didn't show up at all. He asked to make her wait till he came which even Lawrence had no clue.
The gray eyed burnette looked like she hadn't had sufficient sleep in the last forty eight hours. But it wasn't hard to figure out why since he knew that she went to school by day and then spends the night working at the club. Did she even get any time to rest at all yesterday?
But even with her sleepy eyes and dark circles, it was evident that the woman was beautiful. Her small pink lips widened slightly as she yawned, using the back of her hand to cover her mouth.
Lawrence yawned too and the woman smiled. She realized he had been looking at her.
* * *
Ethan swung his golf club in one swift move and watch the golf ball fly into the air and land on the sand patch, rolling towards the small hole in the ground.
He didn't really care much for this game, it was always his father who dragged him along to play.
"You know, I've never really understood how your mind works, son." His father, Clifford Sterling commented beside him, holding to his own golf club.
Ethan gave his father a questioning look.
"I thought you said you didn't see potential in the Evers' property."
Yes he had said that. But now he had a plan and the success of his plan depended on that property.
"Minds can be changed, Chairman." He stated calmly.
"I see." Clifford snorted. "You've been changing your mind an awful lot lately. Does it have anything to do with the anxiety of losing your position?"
Ethan's hands gripped a little too firmly and he swung the club fiercely, missing his target by a long shot.
Ethan turned deathly slowly with an evil glare to look at his father who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. The old man just enjoyed pushing his buttons. Was that proof that his father was finally going senile?
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Clifford shrugged looking innocent.
"No, you haven't. I'm sure you would love to see my vain cousin, Heather or that full grown idiot, Jefferson as the CEO, is that not?"
Clifford paused and the smile vanished from his face. His son was right. None of the other grandchildren would be able to take charge of the company like his son. Ethan was a rare talent and he was the most responsible
His only flaw was his emotional detachment, and even that was needed for the position he was holding.
"Nah, those brats are worthless. Which is why you need to up your game son. Get married." the older man waved the thought of his nephew and niece away. They would be the ruin of the company- of the entire Sterling family - if they get a chance at power.
* * *
Ethan arrived at the company building at 7:58pm, exactly the time he had wanted to come. He had confirmed from his secretary that the woman was still there, waiting for him to come.
It serves her right for thinking she could make him wait till Friday. No one made Ethan Sterling wait. The tables had turned. Now who was waiting?
He was greeted by his employees who were leaving the company building after the day's work. They could still recognize the authority he exuded despite the fact that he was wearing a polo shirt and slacks. He took the private elevator to the executive floor.
At the secretary's side of his office, he found Lawrence diligently working on his computer and the woman, Leia Sanders blissfully asleep on one of the sofas in the room.
"Good evening, Sir." Lawrence stood up immediately at the sight of his boss.
Ethan nodded to the greeting. Then Lawrence pointed to the sleeping Leia. "She had been waiting all day, just as you had wanted."
Lawrence almost didn't believe his eyes. Was that a smile on his boss' face?
Ethan glanced over at her once again. "Wake her up in ten minutes time and tell her to come in."
The secretary acknowledged the instruction as Ethan strolled into his office with one hand in his pants pocket.
Standing before the ceiling to floor glass window before him, he heaved a sigh as he watched the lights come alive in the city. This was his favorite place, his favorite time and his favorite view.
He heard a small knock on his door and he took a seat, before asking the person to come in. It was Leia Sanders. She had poked her head in before coming into the office fully.
"Good evening, Mr Sterling."