Song: 'Girl on fire' by Alicia keys ft. Nicki Minaj
She's just a girl, and she's on fire
Hotter than a fantasy, longer like a highway
She's living in a world, and it's on fire
Feeling the catastrophe, but she knows she can fly away
Oh, she got both feet on the ground
And she's burning it down
Oh, she got her head in the clouds
And she's not backing down
This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire
This girl is on fire
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HANNAH'S P.O.V:
"You called for me, dad?" sticking only my head through his office door, I asked.
"Yes. Please, get in." I got inside closing the door behind me and sat in front of him.
Dad got back from London 13 days after my graduation and now it's been 4 days that I'm officially working with him. He apologized for not being there, without disclosing the reason and I didn't press either, I'm just glad he's here now. But ever since he's come back, he feels much more distant and quiet than before.
"Remember, I talked to you about a new project we're going to start," I nodded listening intently, "well, today we're going to finalize that deal at lunch and you're going to accompany me since you'll be working on it." I grinned excitedly about this new project at the beginning of my career.
"Really, dad!!! Oh My God, thank you, thank you, thank you sooo much," I got up from my seat and hugged him tightly. This is my chance to prove my worth. I will make you proud, dad.
It's only then dad told me every detail about this new big hotel project that we're going to start with another company. Actually, not just any company but Norman & Co to be précised which is one of the leading construction firms in America (as dad told me), I mean, I knew already as but not so much. This deal would give a great boost to our business.
The deal is already done; today's meeting is just a formality to sign the papers. Why? Because the CEO is my parent's old friend (who I never knew existed) and it's his last deal before retiring.
"I want you on your best behavior today, Hannah. Don't screw this up, don't make me regret this," although what he said was a little offensive but I let it slide because I'm just too happy to argue and mainly because of the seriousness in his voice and the fact that he's not entirely wrong.
I nodded my head, "don't worry dad, you won't"Â or at least I hope, fingers crossed, said my inner voice.
"Since you know everything now, I think we should leave," dad said getting up from his chair buttoning his suit jacket. Wait, what?
"What, now??... Like right right now? There's still time for lunch hour," I said looking at my wristwatch, I was confused as to why we have to leave an hour earlier at least. Dammit!! I haven't even done my research yet, my Google time. How am I supposed to impress them when I don't even know what I'm dealing with?
"Yes, now. We're going home first because you young lady,"Â he made emphasis on the word 'lady', 'needs to dress up appropriately' he said eyeing my ripped jeans and an oversized hoodie. I gave him a 'you-gotta-be-kidding' look.
"You're not serious, right dad? I mean what's wrong with these. You never said anything about my clothing before." I whined.
"I wish I did," he mumbled but I heard anyways "Not every place is your dad's office where you can wear whatever you want. They must like you, so dress up presentably. It's about time you start acting like a girl, at least dress like one," he's unbelievable.
"It's not like I'm going on a date," I said rolling my eyes.
"Hannah...."
"Okay, okay let's go," stomping my feet we left.
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Our car stopped outside a grand and luxurious, probably a 7-star hotel, where the meeting is held. The valet opened the door and I stepped out, putting my sunglasses on just for the feel of it. What was in front of me left me completely awestruck. A beautiful skyscraper stood proudly, intimidating the others around it. I can stand here all day admiring it.
One word only....... Mesmerizing.
Dad nudged me and we entered through the magnificent rotating glass door and I was blown away once again by the beauty of this hotel. To say if I was impressed with the exterior of the hotel then the interior was just to die for. it was like walking in a royal palace, everything is very grand but not gaudy, classic use of ceramics and wood, very interesting use of whites, browns, and gold; nothing that makes it look over the top but just perfect. The glass-like tiles used for the floor were so clean it might put mirrors to shame, you can see a clear reflection in it, the modern expensive furniture perfectly complimenting its surroundings enhancing the sense of admiration for the visitor.
It would be a fantasy for any designer to design this masterpiece and I was no exception. Suddenly I felt really out of place in my loose brown shirt and black jeans, maybe I should've listened to dad when he said I should wear a dress.
***FLASHBACK***
"I'm ready! Let's go, Dad," I said looking at my wristwatch. We should leave now or else we'll get late.
"What are you wearing?" Dad said looking at me as I'm wearing an animal theme costume or something.
'Umm... it's a suit, dad. You were the one who said to dress 'appropriately''
"No, you can't wear this, go and change."
"Are you kidding me... What now?" he's being super weird.
"Wear something else, maybe a lovely dress or anything girls wear for special occasions, something fancy," my eyes bulged out with shock, what has gotten into him.
"What is wrong with you, dad? For the last time, it's a 'BUSINESS MEETING'. I changed before because that made sense but this is completely uncalled for. Why in God's name I would wear something fancy." I almost shouted he's being completely unreasonable.
"Because it's not a business mee..." he shouted back but stopped midway as I raised my eyebrows.
Rubbing his forehead with the right hand he continued, "umm, what... What I mean is that it is a business meeting but I told you it's a lunch with a friend and meeting is just a formality" he said this so nervously that he sounds fishy like he's hiding something.
"Even then, dad, it has nothing to do with what I wear," I reasoned out.
"Do as I say, Hannah." He said with a finality which made me give in once again, "And hurry up please, we'll get late."
"Fine," I huffed and left. As I reached the top of the staircase, I turned around and said "but I'm still not wearing anything fancy to a 'business meeting' and that's final."
***END OF FLASHBACK***
"Welcome, Mr. Evans, Ms. Evans. Mr. Norman is waiting for you, this way please," a handsome guy said, probably the manager led us inside. Hmm, not bad but right now, my only focus is on the beauty that this hotel is.
I was texting my friends, telling them about this place and that we have to come here when I heard dad's voice, 'Rick, this is my daughter Hannah' it's only then I looked up and saw a good looking old man around my father's age looking at me lovingly, apparently we've already reached the destination aka the restaurant where the supposed meeting is held.
I greeted him, extending my hand professionally but to my surprise, he hugged me instead. And then much to my astonishment, he complimented me by saying that looks like mom and I should call him uncle. He must be really close to my parents. Maybe dad was right, this is actually not a business meeting.
"Anyways, meet my son Elijah." He motioned to someone standing behind him, it's when I noticed the most handsome guy my eyes have ever landed upon, and this time it's no joke. He's not just a pretty face, I mean that too but there's something about him, like an aura of power and dominance that's compelling. Just one look at him and you can tell this guy is a mystery that's not easy to solve, his light brown eyes so dark and emotionless that seems like looking deep into your soul.
Still, in case you guys think I'm having a crush on him then sorry to burst your bubble but I'm not. Hannah Evans does not fall in so easily.
We shook hands and sat down. Dad and Mr. Nor... I mean 'Uncle Rick' started talking about the recent economy; I tried listening but got bored. I looked towards the younger Norman but seemed like he's rather interested in old folks than talking to me.
That left me with only one option that is updating my friends. Ignoring the previous messages I sent a message which said 'HOTNESS ALERT' in all caps and asked them all if they know Elijah Norman and to my surprise they very much did. In fact, I realized it's only me who's living under the rock because this guy is a really big deal say which I deduced by my friends' reaction. After I told them all about why I'm meeting him and that I'll be working on my first official project with him they all went crazy to the point that Mila suggested I 'seduce him' and Nick telling me to 'be professional and stay away from unnecessary interaction'. I know right, can you believe them?
"Son, while we old folks discuss the business why don't you show Hannah our hotel, after all, you both will be working together on our next hotel project. And then we can have lunch," his father said and we left, on our way I actually felt excited not only because a gorgeous man was showing me around but also because I get to see this architectural masterpiece. Architecture and design is my passion if you haven't noticed already.
As we started looking around, a dead silence reigned between us, so to break the awkwardness I started a conversation, "thank you for showing around Mr. Norman, you really didn't have to I said genuinely which he chose to ignore and kept walking ahead. I might not know much about him but even I can tell just by looking at his profile that he's someone important, this hotel belonging to them proves it too, hence the attitude.
I asked questions about the interior and architecture to the best of my knowledge because it intrigued me and because a tiny part of me wanted to impress him (professional reasons of course) but by the feel of it, he doesn't seem impressed rather bothered answering one-liners if at all. He sounds almost rude at this point.
"Umm... we can go back if you want," I said professionally, "as I said before, you don't have to," it's not like I was the one to propose this idea, in fact, it was his dad.
He stopped walking in the middle of the hallway and turned around looking me dead in the eyes, "Yes, I don't have to but it's not like I have a choice," he said and started walking again. Now he's being a complete ass and that too for no reason.
"And just for the record, I don't like waiting for people, Ms. Evans, they wait for me," I heard him saying arrogantly which made me confused until it hit me what he was referring to. Alright, maybe he does have a reason.
"Oh, well I apologize for that, Sir but as far as I'm concerned it's not me to blame it on, it's my dad," I really don't know why I'm telling this to him, for some reason I feel like explaining it to him, 'apparently he thought I've not dressed 'appropriately'." Besides dad said that it's a friendly lunch, right? Maybe, this would lighten up the mood. It did not. He didn't answer that as well but said something under his breath along with the word gold but I didn't catch it.
As we walked further, I got more and more impressed with the design and architecture and less and less with the person who owns it, still being a very vocal person with my appreciations I complimented that whoever designed this building is a genius and the interior designer has done justice to it too.
Soon we reached a pool area that seems rather restricted for the VVIPs because only an old couple is sitting there. I don't know why he chose to sit there when there's still plenty of the hotel left to be shown but he did. And I reminded myself to stay calm and not mess this up even after he's being a jerk so dad won't kill me. Ah, the things I do for your approval, dad.
"Your hotel is really beautiful, Mr. Norman," I said truthfully but not to impress him, not anymore. He might be a pretty face but has a shitty personality.
"Would you like something to drink, wine or champagne perhaps?" Oh so suddenly he's got manners, huh. But who offers wine or champagne at a business meeting? This dude is really weird.
"Coffee would be fine, thank you," I said instead. Why? Because I need one to stay composed or I might screw this deal. Since I've lost all hopes to have a decent conversation with him or a conversation at all, I decide to stay quiet. But much to my surprise, suddenly he decided to talk.
"Why are you doing this?" what does that even mean? Not understanding, I said, "excuse me?"
"Why did you agreed to this?" Oh, I did not, if only I knew before. And besides, I didn't know I'll be interviewed.
So I answered, "The same reason as yours... Money."Â No, it's not but I don't think he would have liked any other like a passionate or philosophical one.
He looks slightly taken aback but I could be wrong, "I don't need money, certainly not this way" which way I wonder "I have plenty of that, in fact even more than I can count," he said so proudly as if the world revolves around him.
"Sure you don't," I said professionally, not ready to go down at all, "and maybe we need this more than you but it would benefit you as well. If this collaboration will give a boost to us, so will it generate profit for you too. So it's a win-win for all, besides who doesn't like making more money." And that's how you talk business, people. Take a bow, Hannah.
"And if I ask on a personal level, why you agreed to this?"
"Exposure, Mr. Norman," this part is not a lie nor is it the business talk "being associated with you would give me great exposure, an opportunity to get myself noticed in this world which might not happen otherwise or not so soon perhaps." Starting my career with such a known firm would only open more doors for me and then there will be no turning back from there. Dad would soon realize that I can take care of our business too, that if I can work with this arrogant man then I can deal with others too and I can stand on my own feet, and that he can rely on me just as he would've if he had a son. He never said it but I always felt it.
If only I knew what I'm saying would have consequences and would change my life forever.
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Long time, no see? I know.
But life has a way to turn things its own way
Still, I hope it's worth the wait and I haven't lost the few people who're following this story.
As with each chapter, the story unveils and we get to know more and more about the characters, do you think you can relate to them or some parts maybe??
If you do then, let me know in the comments.
Looking forward to your votes and comments!!!!!
YOUR'S FOREVER INSANE WRITER :*