𝟷𝟷. "... 𝙳𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝙸'𝚖 𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍"

I took off my shades as I stepped out of the car and I looked up at the building. RedCo. A wave of memory washed over me as I stared at it.

It's been a while.

And it's been a shocking turn of events, I now worked here. A small smile made way to my lips and walked towards the building, while fixing my blazer lightly.

So RedCo has been going through some major rise and fall through the years, we all remember the scandal that fell on our beloved CEO, well, it also affected the company which caused it to reach the brink of bankruptcy.

But unfortunately, a saviour came and put everything back in place and here I was, to undo it all once again. It shouldn't be that difficult.

I stepped into the lobby, my eyes already fixated on the elevator. I knew my way around, I didn't need assistance.

Someone appeared in front of me, blocking my path immediately and I halted. I took a step back, taking her in, she was in a blue uniform, a polite smile on her lips.

Oh, don't tell me she is the—

"Good morning miss... " she greeted and I glanced at her name tag, Emily. "... You were heading straight...to the... " she stammered as she pointed back, "...the elevator. I'm the receptionist"

My gaze on hers was unrelenting as I remained quiet. "Is there anything I could do to help, Miss?"

"You don't recognize me?" I asked and I gaze slowly faltered and she opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. "You really don't know me?"

"I... I'm not good with...with faces"

"A receptionist who isn't good with faces" I muttered before letting out a breath and looking up at her once again. "I'm Pearl Vega"

Realization hit her immediately and she scrambled for words, "I'm so sorry, we were expecting you, I... I'm so sorry-"

"I know my way around" I said, cornering her but she appeared in front of me again. "Mr Miller is... He's in a meeting, he wouldn't be taking anyone in right now" she said and I stopped, shooting her an incredulous look.

Moments later.

Here I sat in the hallway, staring at the door to 'Mr Miller's' office. Oh, the receptionist is gonna hear from me once I settle in here, she had the guts to make me wait in the hallway.

My heels tapped on the marble floor as I waited, it's been 10 minutes, my patience was on a thin line and I was soon gonna snap.

The door at the end opened and group of men flooded out all in their black suits and suitcase, my eyes fixated at the particular figure at the center of it all, his stride purposeful as he answered the men and still kept his eyes on where he was headed—his office.

I got up at once, fixing my hair. It was show time.

I pushed out a bright smile once they got to where I stood, I spoke up. "Mr Miller, I... " they immediately walked past, the men's chatter overriding my words and...he didn't look my way and they just walked past.

I stood there, my mouth still open as I watched them walked away. He stopped at his office at once and said few words to them, before walking in, the doors shutting close and they all dissipated.

I slowly sank back into the seat, something is seriously wrong. I didn't get my way.

"Miss Vega..." I looked up at once to another lady, she was in the blue uniform too, a polite smile on her lips. I was getting sick of those.

"... Mr Miller will see you now" she said and in a huff, I grabbed my bag and headed to the door. I sucked in a breath, pushing all my anger down before opening it.

My eyes immediately shot to the figure sitting behind the desk, the room was well ventilated with three windows open with the curtains drawn up. Everything was neatly arranged, it was very inviting.

He looked up at me, my eyes locking with his blue ones, I walked in fully, shutting the door behind me, that smile now on my lips.

"Mr Miller... " I said, stopping at his table, he still held on a gaze with me but didn't say anything, his features unreadable.

"... Nice to meet you" I beamed, first impression was everything, and confidence was like the clothes I wore. "Miss Vega... " he answered, sitting up.

"Take a seat" he gestured and I shot him a smile before doing so. Aziel Miller has made quite the wave in the business world since he took over few years ago, I've heard decent things about him, I just wondered... If he was a hard one to crack.

He shared few similar features with his brother, but he looked more... CEO like, if you know what I mean.

The room went quiet after that, his eyes were now fixated on the documents he was going through when I first walked in. Moving my hair from my face, I still stared at him wondering when he would look up again, it's been...seconds since he last did.

He then cleared his throat and laid down the file before looking up. Finally. "Tell me about yourself, Miss Vega"

A smile formed on my lips and I leaned back on the seat, "I'm sure you already know, Caius isn't the time to limit information"

His gaze didn't falter and he didn't budge at my words, "Everyone knows you back at the office in Italy but I don't. You're now an official member of this federation and I'll like a formal introduction" he replied, his tone final.

My smile widened, "Why don't you begin?" I requested and his brows twitched, that one threw him aback but he didn't show it much. "I'm Aziel Miller, the CEO of the company, I'm the head and all orders passes through me and now you work here, you work for me and only take others from me"

Mmm.

"I'm Pearl Vega, I got a promotion from Italy to this firm and now I work in the International relations department" I returned in the same tone and his face still didn't break.

"How many languages do you speak?"

"As many as you want" I replied and he paused and looked up at me. A second of silence passed before he then said, "Give me your introduction in French, Spanish and Portuguese"

"Je suis Pearl Vega, j'ai été promue d'Italie à cette entreprise et je travaille maintenant dans le département des relations internationales.

Soy Pearl Vega, me ascendieron de Italia a esta empresa y ahora trabajo en el departamento de relaciones internacionales.

Sou Pearl Vega, fui promovida da Itália para esta empresa e agora trabalho no departamento de relações internacionais"

I finished and he stared, still not giving anything out. "Your portfolio does commend you, you've done great works in Italy, we are hoping you do more here"

"Depends on how I'm treated" I teased. "Every employee is treated equally with respect and understanding" he clarified and I looked away and chuckled.

"Seems like we are done here, Miss Vega" he said, picking up the telephone beside, I just watched as he called his assistant, his eyes locking with mine for few seconds but he looked away everytime.

He was... Something. Something I will like to...break and read.

He placed down the phone and looked up at me, while fixing his tie, not letting the business man mask slip off for a second. "My assistant, Reagan will show you to your office shortly. In the mean time, settle in" he said and I nodded.

In seconds, the so called Reagan appeared again, the same woman who led me in. I got up from the seat, glancing at him once again, he was back to the documents.

This will be fun.

➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣

I've missed staring into the LA skyline, it was grounding and it has thrown me several years back. I let out one last breath and turned when I heard a knock on the door.

Something about my office got me satisfied at least, the view from the window and the space, not that big but definitely bigger than my last one in Italy.

"Come in" I called out and the door opened and Reagan walked in again, that smile still plastered on her lips. "Miss Vega, Mr Miller will need you at his office"

I smiled and nodded before she walked out. I'm not surprised, it's not been 10 minutes since I got here. I took my seat back, taking my time to apply on my lipstick and I fixing my hair before I headed out to answer the call.

I walked through the office, all eyes shooting to me as I glided through. The international relations department was an open office but I got my personal office, I guess Mr Miller has already began treating me well.

I got out to the hallway and there he was getting out of his office, I followed closely behind not saying a word, I was taking him in fully, his tall physique and build and his hair full of black.

A little smile formed on my lips before he stopped and turned to me, "Miss Vega. Right on time, walk with me" he said and I appeared beside him.

"We are having a meeting with some executives from Russia and your expertise will be needed" he informed. "Lead the way"

The double doors got pulled up and the men inside looked up at us. My eyes shot to the man at the center of it all in a checkered blue suit.

"Mr Marco Cassian" Aziel paid homage once we walked into the room and I stopped at once, the man got up, taking off his glasses, "Mr Aziel Miller" he answered before his gaze darted to mine.

"Pearl Vega" he said, walking forward. I should have known, what other Russian clients do we have currently?

I plastered on a smile, "Mr Cassian, I should have known" I greeted and he stopped, Aziel looking between us. "You both must be acquainted" he said and a small smirk made way to Cassian's lips.

"Ты можешь сказать, чтo (𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝)" he replied, his eyes not leaving mine for a second. Moments later, the meeting began, the room consisted of me and Aziel and Reagan his assistant on this side and Cassian and his group on the other side.

"Господин Азиль, я изучил ваш проект и вижу в нем потенциал. RedCo развивается быстро, но у меня есть вопросы по поводу стратегии масштабироповод" Mr Cassian said and I leaned into Aziel to interpret.

"He has reviewed the project and has questions about the scaling strategy"

Aziel nodded and looked up at him, "Thank you, Mr. Cassian. We aim to expand into the European market using our new platform. Your investment will help speed up this process"

"Это хороший план. Но какие гарантии у меня есть, что моя инвестиция принесет прибыль? Какие меры вы предприняли для минимизации рисков?" He questioned in response.

"He needs guarantee on the profitable nature of the investment and ehat measure you have taken to minimize risks" I told Aziel, my gaze darting to Cassian, he watched me with an admirated look on his face.

"I'm sure, Caius has gotten through that one with you. We have a clear strategy. We have already tested the product in several countries, and demand is high. Additionally, our team of experts is ready to adapt to any challenges"

Miller explained to him but his eyes were still on mine. "Твой русский стал лучше (𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚁𝚞𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛)" he said and I let out a low breath.

This is why you should never mix business with pleasure in any way.

"Thank you. Можем вернуться к делу? (𝙲𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚎 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚜)" I requested and his smile widened as he leaned back on his seat, Aziel glanced at me for a second before looking back at him.

"Alright, Mr Miller. I will invest, but I want a 25% stake and...a seat on the board of directors" he said in English, the accent still heavily present.

Wow, Cassian never does give up, if Miller does accept this proposition, he'll be here for a while and he might be a problem to my reason for been here, and we can't have that now, can we?

"25% is a lot. We can discuss 15% and an advisory role on the board" Aziel bargained and he chuckled darkly, leaning from the seat.

"Давайте найдем компромисс. 20% и право вето на ключевые решения" he requested and a little smile formed on my lips, he does strive to get what he wants.

"20% and veto power on key decisions" I interpreted for him, not tearing my gaze from his.

He has always been a hard one to bend to any will even when he doesn't act like it and that was the only reason Caius sent me to get him to sign that contract, because as much as he was the most cliché business man out there. He was still a man

The room had gotten silent as Aziel pondered on the offer, he too was a business, I guess one that also wanted something.

"Agreed. Let's finalize the contract"

Moments later. A hand snaked round my waist and I didn't bother turning around to see who it was because I already knew. "Pearl" Cassian said, stopping in front of me.

"Mr Cassian, are you stalking me? " I asked, shooting him a narrowed look and he smiled. "Я, возможно, да. Что ты делаешь в Лос-Анджелесе? (𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝙻𝚘𝚜 𝙰𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜?)" He asked and I tucked my hair behind my ear before answering. "I now work here in LA"

"Я получил тебе это повышение? (𝙳𝚒𝚍 𝙸 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗?)"

"Don't be cocky now, Mr Cassian" I answered and he laughed. Someone cleared his throat from behind and we turned to see Aziel, it didn't surprise me once again.

He glanced at me before turning to Marco again. "I'm happy you came all the way here in person"

"Business comes first" he answered Aziel before turning to me, "I see you already know our newest member, Pearl Vega, she is in the international relations depart-"

"We need no introductions" he interrupted him, his eyes still on mine. "Alright" he broke the silence but my eyes were still on Cassian, he could be an asset.

He might be of use if he stuck around for a while. They both exchanged pleasantries before he turned to me once again, "I hope you don't run again"

My smile widened, "can't make promises"

He chuckled at my response before glancing at Aziel before heading out. Yes, this will be fun.