Demitri was there, leaning casually against a pillar near the entrance. As soon as their eyes locked, he pushed himself off and strode toward her with determination written all over his face.
Ashley sighed and turned her head away, choosing to ignore him. Not today. She adjusted the strap of her handbag and walked briskly toward the glass doors.
“Ashley,” Demitri called out, his voice steady but edged with urgency.
She didn’t respond. Her steps quickened as if ignoring him might make him disappear.
“Ashley, wait!” he said again, his pace matching hers.
He followed her inside, matching her pace but not saying another word.
The large reception area was bustling with employees and clients, but Ashley’s sharp heels clicking against the marble floor seemed to echo louder than usual.
Her secretary, Mia, hurried to catch up with her, a stack of files clutched tightly to her chest.
“Good morning, Miss Donaldson. Your first meeting is scheduled for—” Mia stopped mid-sentence when she noticed Demitri trailing closely behind. Her eyes widened, her jaw slackened, and she froze in place like a deer caught in headlights.
Ashley didn’t miss the reaction. She snapped her fingers in front of Mia’s face. “Focus, Mia,” she said curtly.
Mia blinked rapidly and stammered, “Sorry, ma’am. I was just—um—” Her gaze shifted back to Demitri. “Who are you here to see, sir?”
Demitri gave a small, knowing smile. “I’m here to see the CEO.”
Mia glanced at Ashley, clearly confused. “Miss Donaldson—”
Ashley shot her a warning glare that silenced any further questions.
Mia turned back to Demitri. “Do you have an appointment?”
“Not exactly,” Demitri admitted with a shrug, as if the formality of an appointment was a mere suggestion.
Ashley clenched her jaw. “Handle it, Mia,” she said coldly before walking off toward the elevators. She refused to let him rattle her.
Demitri, however, was relentless. He stepped into the elevator with her and Mia before the doors slid shut.
The ride up was silent except for the soft hum of the elevator. Mia kept sneaking glances at Demitri, her curiosity evident.
When the elevator doors opened, Ashley stepped out first, eager to put some distance between herself and Demitri.
She walked straight to her office. Clara, her secretary halted suddenly and turned to face Demitri.
“Demitri!” she snapped. “You can’t just—”
Demitri walked in, exuding confidence. “Thank you, Clara,” he said smoothly. “That’ll be all.”
Clara looked to Ashley for guidance, but Ashley waved her off, glaring at Demitri as the door closed behind her secretary.
“What part of ‘not interested’ did you not understand?” Ashley said coldly, leaning back in her chair.
Demitri placed the folder on her desk and sat down across from her, uninvited. “You haven’t even heard what I’m offering,” he said.
“I don’t need to,” she retorted.
He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto hers. “This isn’t about us, Ashley. This is about business.”
She scoffed. “Business? Coming here unannounced, barging into my office—that’s not business, Demitri. That’s harassment.”
He smiled faintly, unbothered by her hostility. “If you’d just read the proposal—”
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