My Cursed Mate

Spring signified a new start. Thus, Xefton City was teeming with life and positive energy and in the headquarters of Empire Group of Companies, people couldn't stop talking about their rare visitor. She was in her black suit and red high heels as she walked to the elevators followed by a staff.

Nobody exactly knew who she was but to be personally escorted by a company staff only meant that she was someone important. They couldn't help but whisper in admiration at the aura she was exuding, the way she walked screamed elegance and confidence.

Kazandra was aware of the eyes that were looking at her but she ignored them all. She was already used to it and it would be better if the person she wanted to impress would have the same reaction as theirs. A smile appeared on her face at that thought.

'I really hope that he will notice me.'

The elevator reached the 25th floor and Kazandra was escorted to one of the conference rooms where a group of people were already waiting. She was welcomed with warm greetings and was helped to her seat. Kazandra looked around and found that someone was missing.

She leaned back and tilted her head as the smile on her lips was replaced with a frown. The people in the room immediately felt the change in the atmosphere and already knew what made the woman displeased. A man who was wearing glasses looked at the woman beside him and slightly leaned towards her.

"Where is he?" He whispered and the woman gently shook her head.

"They said he'll be here just ten minutes ago. I'll call secretary Evos again." The woman answered back before she slowly stood up and left the room.

"I apologize Miss Hernandez, I'm sure that our CEO is already on his way." The man in glasses, Director Clint, smiled at the woman.

They had been inviting the woman for partnership and were rejected several times to the point that they already decided to give up. There was nothing like Vignier in the country and they wanted that influence to push the Empire's Chain of Hotels and Restaurants further to the top as they also plan to expand in Zaithan City. To do that, Vignier would be the biggest factor.

Now that the owner of Vignier finally decided to accept their invitation and talk about the partnership, they agreed to all of her demands and one of them was to make sure that the CEO and owner of Empire would show up during the meeting. Clint turned around to look at his assistant who was on the phone but the woman shook her head.

"Should I leave now?" From the look on the director's face and the other staff who were there, the CEO wasn't coming. "Since the person in-charge is not here, I won't waste anymore time sitting here and waiting for someone who will not come." She stood up and gave them all a smile.

Clint immediately stood up and tried to pacify the woman. "Miss Hernandez, please give us fifteen more minutes, no, ten more minutes and I'll make sure that our CEO will be here."

Kazandra raised a brow. She removed her sunglasses, revealing her hazel eyes and looked Clint in the eye. "I came here on time expecting that everyone is present and we can immediately proceed with the discussion but it seems that your own CEO lacks sincerity and integrity. If that's the case, then forget about partnering with Vignier."

Clint swallowed a lump of saliva at how domineering the woman was. With just a look, he could already feel his feet shivering. "Miss Hernandez, our Mr. Ishmael will never be late, especially in important matters that concern his own company. If he will be late, then there must be a reason for it. We are already contacting his secretary to ask for his whereabouts."

"Is that so? Anyway, I'm still leaving. Good luck on your next partnership, that is if you can find anyplace better than Vignier." She walked past him as she was not really interested in whatever excuse they had prepared.

Before she could reach the door, it opened and the assistant who had been talking with the CEO's secretary came with a worried look on her face. "Mr. Ishmael was held up in the lobby. It seems that Miss Sophia came unannounced and is currently blocking the entrance."

Kazandra shrugged her shoulders and still left despite what the assistant said and Clint's apologies and explanation. Since the person she was looking for was being held up in the lobby, it was better to go to him personally and deal with Miss Sophia or whoever she was.

"Very brave of her but I'm sure that he will not be interested in that kind of woman. I should go and let my presence be known." She mumbled to herself as a smirk appeared on her face. The sweet smile she had turned out to be something deadly.

They were right, there was indeed a commotion in front of the gate pass. From her vantage view, she could see a woman dressed in pink holding on to a frowning man. She shook her head and couldn't help but laugh at the situation. He was good at keeping his cool.

"Why weren't you answering my phone calls?" An irritatingly high-pitched voice asked the man she was holding to.

"Miss Sophia, please don't do that here. Mr. Ishmael has an important meeting he needs to attend now and if you don't let go, I'll have to call the security to escort you out." Evos, Vega's secretary, touched the woman's hand and tried to remove it from its grip on his boss but Sophia did not let go.

Evos looked at Vega, helplessly, and just saw him nod. The secretary reached out for his phone and was about to call for security when they heard another woman's voice.

"Shall I help you drag her out?" The crowd parted for the woman who spoke and she walked towards the center without hesitation. "Because, I can do that since I'm already on my way out."

"Miss Hernandez – " Evos immediately recognized the woman. She was the owner of Vignier and she was the important client that they should be meeting right now if not for Sophia's interruption.

"You've already missed the time so, I decided to leave," she then gave Sophia a once over before letting her gaze rest on Vega, "even with this kind of excuse, it would be difficult for me to change my mind."