"and what would you know about any of this, miss alvarado?" he raises his eyebrow.
"i know numbers, hood." i sigh. "that, and your company is going to fall deeply under mine if you don't let me help you."
"i really don't like the sound of this." he...
having followed rachel down the stairs, she slipped into the restroom before she left. when she walked out, i was shocked to see her change in appearance. i thought her bag was rather large, aside from the smaller one that she had at hand.
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this girl sure knew how to do professional well. all us guys ever had to do were wear a suit and tie. having gotten into my car without being noticed, i followed rachel until she reached her office building, where with a great amount of anger and frustration, she bursted inside. following her and hiding wasn't easy, but i was able to manage.
"what the fuck do you possibly want now?" she yelled. "honestly jessica, your games are growing rather intolerable, and i lived with you for what's cutting close to two decades of my life!"
"your frustration is getting the best of you dear, i can't allow that to happen." miss fallon smirked.
"if this involves your newest little scheme to get your hands on my company, leave." rachel seethed. "you have no reason in needing to be here."
"i am your mother, i will do as i please." miss fallon demanded. "and why on earth are you wearing jeans. you weren't out, were you? oh my god rachel i am so-"
"and i'm the fucking CEO of this damn empire that i built from the ground up!" rachel snapped. "and you are not my mother, you selfish bitch. now get out before i personally kick your ass out of here myself!"
"and what would you tell the press then?" she asked. "that when her poor, innocent stepmother came to pay her a kind visit, she was turned away with no remorse nor regret? sweetheart, games are easy to play, but harder to strategize and win."
"or, she could say that her date removed you, whichever you prefer, miss fallon." i leaned against the doorframe as i adjust the cuffs on my blazer. "i know how to handle the press too, ma'am. both your daughter and i share works in the industry. your image and social status could falter at any mere moment. you've ruined our night enough as it is, so i suggest you leave and hold onto your pride while you still can."
"i'm sorry, and you are?" she asked.
that's all she had to fucking say?
"calum hood, CEO of hood enterprises." i nodded, not bothering to shake her hand per usual. "and both rachel and i agree that it's time you leave, unless you need me to escort you off the premises? i wouldn't want to put your daughter through all the hassle in that."
"i will not rest until i get what's mine, rachella." she glares. "until next time, i suppose. it's been a pleasure, mr hood."
"you'll be the snake while i build the ladders, jessica, it's how the game goes." rachel nods before her stepmother leaves, having closed the office door behind her. "now, before i lecture you and scream or whatever the hell happens when i'm this worked up, help me sweep the room for mics, cameras, and all of that spy shit she could use for insight, and fast."
