Chapter 403 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Why do you keep talking about her and her family? Besides, who said she’s in love?”

“She’s in love, not necessarily with you. But she’s in love with your money and your identity,” Harry said with a shrug, “And now that we’re back to the subject, I think you should make your stand to her known today. Spell out that even if she was the only girl left in the world and you have to choose between her and a female cheetah, you’d choose the cheetah.”

“No. I’m not choosing either her or the cheetah! Are you crazy? You can be so weird sometimes,” Benne hissed, and Harry laughed as Benne pulled over in front of OmniGlobal airlines.

Harry cleared his throat and put on a straight face when he saw the long line of executives waiting for them, including Anita, “Time for serious business.”

All morning, Anita had paced around her office restlessly, trying to figure out the best way to face Benne. It was going to be the first time she would be meeting him since he publicly revealed his identity, and she knew that she was expected to have a reaction.

How would she have reacted to this announcement had she not known his identity already? How would she have felt about him and his relationship had she not known Celsie? She didn’t want to ask either her mother or sisters, as this was something she felt she was capable of handling on her own.

After the close of work the previous day, she had gone shopping for the right office dress to wear. A dress that showed just how classy and sexy she was without revealing too much skin as was against the company’s policy. She needed to look her best, as she would be facing Benne now as Anita, his ex-girlfriend, and not just Anita, his employee.

Her plan was simple. She was going to ask him to give her a minute after the meeting, and she would apologize for all the stupid things she did, tell him that she liked him and hoped they could remain friends, and then if possible, push her luck by asking him to prove he has forgiven her by letting her buy him a drink or dinner even if it means bringing Celsie along. Then gradually, she would find a way to stay in his life while they tried to kick Celsie out.

Now standing in front of the company with the other executives who had made it a habit of waiting for the CEO that way whenever he was coming, thanks to her arrogant uncle who always asked them to wait that way for him, she couldn’t help but feel awkward.

“You don’t have to stand here waiting all the time when I’m sure you have more important jobs waiting on your desk,” Benne said after they greeted them, and he and Harry walked ahead of them to the conference hall.

Anita followed quietly, grateful that they had not brought Celsie along with them this time. It would be easier to face Benne and talk to him without having to face Celsie too.

Now that he was walking in front of her, she could look at him freely. Without the disguise or the playboy earrings and hairdo, he looked so handsome, confident, and powerful. And from the whispers she could hear behind her, it was obvious that she wasn’t the only one that thought so, especially when she saw a couple of female employees stealing glances at him as they pretended to go about their business. This was the man she wanted. The handsome, confident, wealthy, and powerful man. She didn’t care if he treated her the way Tiffany’s or Bernice’s husband treated them. She wanted to be beside this man.

Once they got to the conference hall, Anita went to sit on the seat closest to Benne as she had wanted to do the first time before Celsie took over the seat. This made Harry exchange an amused look with Benne, and he mouthed ‘Cheetah’ to Benne, who glared at him with disapproval.

Benne ignored her and waited for them to settle down before he cleared his throat, “Before we move to the agenda of today’s meeting, you should all know that Harry is now my Co-CEO, and he will be directly in charge of the airline. This will be the last time I have to sit here unless, for any reason, Harry wants me to be here. After the opening ceremony next week, Mr. Harry Jonas will be taking over,” Benne announced, and everyone clapped, while Anita wondered if he was doing that because he didn’t want to keep running into her here.

Following that announcement, Benne gave Harry a nod to take over the meeting while he sat back and just listened to them exchanging ideas about how to promote the airline and give it a competitive advantage over other airlines.

Anita remained quiet while letting the others speak, while she thought of how to talk to Benne after the meeting. They would need to speak, and she wanted him to listen to her.

“Director Miller?” Harry asked, tapping the desk with a pen to get her attention, and she blinked rapidly as she tried to focus.

Seeing the way everyone was staring at her, she could tell it wasn’t the first time he had called her name, and her face flushed in embarrassment as she cleared her throat, “I’m sorry. I got distracted,” she said, and Harry gave her stiff smile.

“I guess we should all be relieved that you’re a director and not one of our pilots. Your distraction could cost the company a lot,” Harry said dryly, and Benne tried not to look amused even though the others around the table didn’t bother to hide their amusement.

“It won’t happen again, sir,” she said apologetically.

“I believe it won’t. Everyone has contributed thus far, but you are yet to pitch in anything. What ideas do you have?” Harry asked coolly.

Anita cleared her throat as she sat forward, “During the last meeting…”

“Yeah. I’ve been briefed on that. I’m not asking about the last meeting. I’m asking about now,” Harry said dismissively.

Anita swallowed when she met his cold eyes. His sudden coldness made her uncomfortable. He seemed to be angry with her, and she wasn’t sure it was because she zoned out. Benne’s coldness she could understand since she had been a bitch to him, but Harry had always treated her like he treated every other employee, so why did it seem like there was more to this?

“…”

“It seems like you only have amazing ideas when there’s someone you want to compete against. I will remember to bring Director Miller along with me next time to be your muse,” Harry said, and Benne chuckled at Harry’s pettiness while the other directors hid their laughter.

It was not a secret to them that Anita had her eyes on the CEO, and neither was it anymore a secret to them that Celsie was the CEO’s girlfriend, so they could all now understand why Benne had behaved the way he did the last time. The only thing they couldn’t understand was why he had asked his girlfriend to leave so rudely during the last meeting, only to scold Anita in her absence.

“Since there is nothing else, is there something you would love to add, boss?” Harry asked, and Benne, who had been watching them quietly the whole time, sat up.

“Nothing much. I think the ideas are good. I’m impressed that you were able to come up with well-thought-through plans on how to execute the ideas. We will have to work on implementing them. I believe you have all taken note of the adjustments that have been made,” Benne paused and waited until they all nodded.

“I look forward to seeing your best results,” Benne finished.

“Alright, that will be all. I will be coming around daily to supervise and ensure that you’re all on your toes and everything is in place for the opening. You will also receive an invite to the coming anniversary celebration of OmniGlobal, so be sure to attend and participate in the activities as you’re the newest staff. That will be all,” Harry said without making any move to stand up.

As the others left, Benne turned to Anita, “Anita, wait behind. I want to have a word with you,” Benne said, choosing to use her name directly since it was a personal matter and there was no need to pretend otherwise.

He had thought of it, and the best way to approach what needed to be done and take control of the situation was to be the initiator of their conversation.

If he let her ask to see him as he knew she would, she would be on top of the power differential, but if he initiated the conversation, she would have no choice but to listen.

Anita nodded, and Benne turned to Harry, who he expected to leave, but Harry looked away from him, making it clear that he had no intention to excuse them.

He had promised Celsie that he would keep an eye on them to make sure Anita didn’t do anything since he didn’t trust her not to have planted a camera around to make it look like she had something special with Benne. Benne was his best friend, and Celsie was, well… Like a sister to him. So he wasn’t taking any risks. Besides, it would be suspicious if he was to leave alongside the other directors, leaving them alone. That would make people speculate, and he didn’t want unnecessary rumors going around a company they had just taken over.

After the others had left, Benne glanced at Anita, who was seated with her head bowed, and both hands folded on her lap. Looking at how calm she looked, one would never guess just how evil she could be, Benne thought.

Harry, who was pretending to be busy with his phone, clicked on his camera and made a video record of them without their knowledge.

“I understand that based on the way things happened between us and following the revelation of my identity, you must be quite stunned to know that I’m the CEO. I apologize for lying to you about my identity even though you will agree with me that it was necessary,” Benne said politely, choosing to act like he didn’t know anything she had been up to.

What was she supposed to say to now? She had thought she was ready to handle the situation, but he had destabilized her by asking to speak with her first.

She cleared her throat and tried to retake control of the situation, “Benne, I’m sincerely sorry for not showing up on our date…”

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