Page 86 of Unfinished

The meeting room door opened and my entire world froze when Liam walked in with Damien. He was laughing, and my heart immediately started pounding in my chest. Everything started connecting. The Teresis have had a long-time connection with the Kings that spanned generations. Their families were connected through the university and it only made sense that they would do business with each other. I should have put it all together the moment Declan mentioned an advertising company.

“Ah good. Hannah, I’d like you to meet Liam Teresi. He’s the COO—” Declan started, gesturing towards Liam.

“Of Trident Advertising. I’m well aware.”

“Oh?” Damien tilted his head at me with a grin.

“It’s good to see you again Hannah,” Liam stated, and in my peripheral vision, Declan and Damien looked between the two of us with bright eyes and expectant smiles. They knew everything. They knew about my past relationship with Liam. Was this a manipulation in order to win me back? Would Liam spend millions of dollars just for a chance with me? No … maybe. Either way, I could use this opportunity to my benefit. I'd play dumb about figuring out his intentions for the time being.

“Mhm, I wish I could say the same,” I seethed and Liam smiled wide before I turned to Declan, “Is everyone here now?”

“Uh, yeah I think everyone is here,” Declan answered, looking around the room.

“Great, we should start the meeting. We’ve got a lot to cover today,” I announced, walking past Liam towards my team and I sat down next to Aston.

“Did you have any idea?” Aston whispered to me.

“Not a fucking clue. I should have. I can't believe I missed the connection,” I whispered, opening my laptop and setting it to record the meeting.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. There was no room for emotion at work. I took a moment to box everything up and erase the feelings I had for Liam till he was nothing more than a client before pushing my entire mind to focus on the meeting.

Most of the morning was spent with legal going over some of the laws we had to follow and my team and I got clarification as we went. I jotted down specifics and ideas that I would want to remember during planning and development.

“Let’s break for lunch and meet back here at two,” Declan announced.

Turning to my team, “Are you all okay with meeting in the cafe in thirty minutes to go over a few of our ideas now that we have a clearer understanding of the legalities?”

My team agreed and we all packed up our laptops together. I linked my arm with Aston as we walked out of the meeting room and headed towards the elevator. There was a cafe for employees that was usually empty after lunch, making it a great place for us to eat and work through some of our brainstorming.

Thankfully, the elevator doors opened and we stepped in quickly. As the doors closed, I saw Liam step out of the room and his eyes met mine. I breathed a sigh of relief when the doors closed fully.

“How are you holding up?” Aston looked at me with concern.

“I’m good. He’s in a box.”

“Okay.”

We got to the cafe and Aston and I pulled a bunch of tables and chairs together for our team. I grabbed a rolling white board at the other side of the room and rolled it over to us. There were several relaxing areas in the building for the purpose of allowing places for employees to brainstorm.

Just as everyone was arriving for the meeting, a familiar voice came from behind me, “Hannah.”

I spun to Liam, “Do you need help with something?”

“I would like to speak with you.”

“Is this about the project?” I asked.

“You know damn well it’s not.”

“Now is not a good time for me.” I went to turn away but Liam’s hand flew out and grabbed my elbow, turning me back to him.

“I know what you are thinking. I didn’t do anything that would hurt your career.”

“Liam, I’m not stupid. VanadiumWorks is the best. Of course you would come to us for a project like this. Furthermore, I remember our conversations and I know damn well that it was my predictions in the online advertising world that you chose to go in the direction you did with Trident Advertising. I know you want me on this project because of my familiarity with your company and it was a smart move. I’m not questioning your motives.”

“Good, but you should also remember, I told you I was done waiting.”

I smiled at Liam, “Liam, there is nothing here for you to wait for.”

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