Chapter Three: Unworthy Suitor

Celine Rachel stepped into the office with a sheepish look, minutes after Grandpa left. I was sitting at my desk, tapping my temple while staring at the blank screen of my laptop. There was no way out of Grandpa's threat. Too many people would be pleased to see me kicked out of management. I would rather grow eyes on the back of my head before giving them the pleasure of fulfilling their expectations. "Director," Rachel called softly. I turned my focus on her. "What is it?" I asked coldly. She flinched at the annoyance in my voice. It wasn't meant for her, but I didn't intend to correct that notion. She should suffer the consequences of her betrayal. "I wanted to inform you of your meeting with Mr. Trevor Lawrence. I've emailed you the location and time. Be on time." Her throat bobbed. When I raised an eyebrow at her, still leaning my head against my finger, she hurriedly added, "That was what the Chairman said. 'Be on time.'" I nodded briefly, adjusting in my seat. "You may leave." She stiffened her mouth. "My schedules have been cleared for today, haven't they?" She nodded. "The Chairman understood the news may come as a shock to you. That's why he ordered they be cleared for today." "He understands nothing about me." "You're in a bad mood, Director. And you're often cranky when you get in a bad mood. He would rather you didn't take out the aggression on the executives or staff. Hence, the motive behind his orders." I sputtered a hiss through my lips, rolling my eyes to the side. Hours later, I drove my car through the gated entrance leading to the canopied parking area of my condominium in Bridle Path. I halted the car and got down from it, placing the car under lock. My heels clicked against the polished floors of the driveway as I headed towards the entrance. The elevator conveyed me swiftly to my private unit on the upper floor, and I stepped out of it into my suite. I toed off my heels, feeling the familiar brush of the Persian rug in my sitting room beneath my feet. My private suite looked serene. It was a contrast to the teeming atmosphere in the company. I enjoyed both styles in my work and personal life. The contrast was my way of striking a balance. After burying myself in meetings and calls all day, nothing was more soothing than arriving in a pristine and serene atmosphere at home. I sank into the nearest couch, grimacing. Today had been unequivocally boring. I threw my head back over the ceiling, staring at the dazzling silver chandelier hung above. I unwound in that position for a while before being prompted to get moving by the rumble of my belly. My house help, Grachi, had prepared dinner before my arrival. Her shift ended at six, so I always had to microwave the food before eating. I hated eating cold food. I loved my dinner steamy. She kept forgetting those details no matter how often I told her; I had given up on raising it again. Her dishes were excellent, and I didn't have the time to search for another help. I sat on the breakfast table set in the middle of the spacious kitchen adjoined to the sitting room, after microwaving my dinner, and ate. I cleaned my dishes after I was done. One more thing about me: I was a neat freak. That added to the towering faults everyone had about me already. I was mean, demanding, and cold as ice. I was brushing my teeth when Grandpa's call came in. Leaving the toothbrush hanging in my mouth, I walked back to my bedroom to get the phone. "What now?" "Have you noted the date and time you would be meeting with him?" I rolled my eyes, releasing an exhale. "Is that why you're calling me?" "You brat! Why wouldn't I call you to confirm when I'm fully aware of my granddaughter's nature?" I twitched my mouth. "You know what's at stake, Celine. Don't try to play any antics." "I don't have to play any antics, Grandpa. The date won't work out. I bet he would be canceling first when he notices my personality." "And what's wrong with your personality? You had better make things work out between the two of you." I removed my brush. "Are you asking me to force a man to marry me?" "You wouldn't need to do that if you worked on that cold personality of yours." "And what if he's not my spec?" "He will grow to become it with time." I gritted my teeth, frowning. "Why are you being so difficult, Grandpa?" "Now you understand how I feel. I've given you enough chances to make a choice. Remember what's at stake this time. You ruin the date and lose your position in the company. Good night." The conversation ended with a beep in my ears, and I glared at my phone. I walked back to the bathroom to finish brushing my teeth, attacking my teeth with vengeance. I glared at myself in the mirror when I stopped, my chest heaving. I rinsed out the foam in my mouth and spat it out, heading out of the bathroom when I was done. "What's even the deal about that man that Grandpa is hell-bent on marrying me off to?" He had never been this invested in matchmaking me off. I grabbed my phone from the bedside drawer and got into bed. "Trevor Lawrence," I typed into my phone. "Last son of LawOil and Gas." I frowned as I scrolled through the reports on him. "Playboy Billionaire... King of Scandals...Splashed in the face with wine...Fight in a club." I trapped air in my mouth as I scrolled through the reports on him. There was nothing pleasant about him online besides his numerous scandals and appalling actions. "What is Grandpa thinking? I'm to marry this guy?" I wanted to scoff. I couldn't believe my position was at risk for a man as unworthy as Trevor Lawrence. "Is he kidding me?" I itched to call him and demand answers, but it was already late at night. I already knew what his response would be. It would be some nonchalant excuse about giving me enough chances to choose a worthy suitor. I blew all my chances, so I could only make do with whomever he chose for me. "But seriously, of all suitors for your only granddaughter?" I rolled my tongue. "This is the best you can do? Simply ridiculous!" I shook my head, putting my phone away and getting into bed.