Done Being Friends (10 page)

Once the door was completely closed, he released his arm and lifted her chin. “Angel, are you all right? You will be safe now; they can’t get into the building. I have told Jessica to triple the security at the door and post patrols.”

Faith blinked and sighed. “Thanks Zac, I didn’t expect the ambush. I wouldn’t have known what to do without you.”
 

Zac pulled her head in and kissed her forehead. “I am here. Will be here. Don’t worry.”

Zac brushed her hair and pushed her fringe that had covered her face. Standing straight, he adjusted his crumpled shirt. When he saw his bunched up shirt, he chuckled softly.
 

Faith looked up and smiled sheepishly. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“Feel free to do that again anytime,” Zac smirked.

“Triple the security? Is that really necessary?”

“You really can’t miss your sleep, can you?” Zac turned to see the confused look on her face. “See, you’re so slow you can’t even get what I meant.”

“You forget that I get grumpy when I get tired.”

“And hungry.”

Faith scowled at him and he had the audacity to smile.
 

“All right, shutting up.”
 

The lift was a direct access to her father’s office on the fortieth floor. The entire level was his; no one could access it without the special security pass. As they entered the office, two security guards stood by the lift, eyeing the two unfamiliar faces. Zac kept his eyes on Faith, only looking away once to nod his head when he was acknowledged by Chelsea.

Faith had kept her head high as she walked in. She gave Chelsea a polite smile as she was greeted and continued striding toward her father’s office.

She glanced around the familiar room. Sunlight was pouring in through the full length glass windows, illuminating the entire room. The dark brown mahogany desk stood proudly before a black leather chair. Her father’s office was big enough to be an apartment. Besides the desk and chair, a black leather sofa with a small coffee table lined the side of a wall. On the other side of the office, there was a private bathroom complete with a shower and a changing area.

As she walked into her office, she was half expecting to see her father walk out of the bathroom to greet her. The office seemed hollow without her father, or perhaps, it was her heart which was feeling empty. As she walked over to the desk, her fingers skimmed the top of the polished table, hesitating a moment before taking Mr. Preston’s seat.
 

“I haven’t been on this side of the table for the longest time,” Faith choked slightly at the words.

Zac watched her as she took in the surroundings. He saw how her brows furrowed and how she fought back her tears as she looked at the black leather seat where her father had been sitting just the day before.

So much had changed since yesterday.
 

Zac walked over and placed his hand on her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. At the same moment, Jessica walked in and cleared her throat to get their attention. “The project managers are already in the meeting room.”
 

Immediately, Faith let out a heavy breath, readying herself for the battle to come. Zac sat down on a couch as Faith stood.

“You’re not coming?” The alarm was clear in Faith’s voice.

“These are the company projects; I don’t think your father want outsiders knowing about the details.”

Faith clasped her hands behind her back, wringing them. “Please? I...I don’t think I’ll understand anything. I really need...your advice.”

Zac wished she had ended her sentence with a you.
I really need you.
Still, the alarm in her voice melted his heart. He stood up and walked beside her. He had intended to put his arms around her and walk out together, but they were in the office and they should be more professional.

He tilted his head toward the door and gestured for them to get going. Faith took in a deep breath and strode out with him.

Fear and uncertainty was percolating within her, but despite all that she was feeling, she had managed to keep her face straight. As she entered the conference room, all heads turned. The project managers looked as nervous as she was. She gave them an amiable smile and settled into her seat.
 

Zac took the seat beside her and gave Faith an encouraging smile. Nodding, Faith finally spoke. “Let’s begin. Fill me in on all the different projects, the stage that we’re at and what are the things that need to be done.”

Immediately, the teams started presenting on the projects, bringing Faith up to date with all that was happening in the company. Preston currently had two new projects going on, two major projects. Both were resorts with plenty of details that Faith would have to see to.
 

Zac made himself pay attention while the projects manager briefed Faith and informed her of the status of the projects. He couldn’t help but look toward Faith periodically, wondering if she could get what the managers were saying.
 

She would scribble down notes while the managers spoke and was staring intently at the files of information before her. Now and then, she would draw in a deep breath and tilt her head to the sides to stretch her neck.
 

Zac knew that she must be tired. She had a fantastic memory. She had the uncanny ability to repeat word for word from a movie that she had watched once, even if she had watched it a couple of years before. The lack of sleep, however, would definitely make it tough on her. He fought the urge to go over to her and give her a shoulder rub or to let her lean on his shoulder for a nap.
In the office. Be professional.

After two hours of meeting, they trotted back to the office where Faith slammed into her seat. Before she could take a few moments of rest, Chelsea came in with a list of duties.
 

The nearly fifty year old Chelsea waited for a reply from Faith, but all Faith did was shut her eyes and take in a deep long breath. Chelsea stood rooted, unsure of what she should do. She had been working with Mr. Preston for years, and experience had told her that it was best to stay silent and invisible when a Preston’s wrath was imminent.

As she stood facing the desk, Chelsea contemplated if it was acceptable for her to simply turn and walk out quietly, leaving Faith alone until she was needed again.

“Thanks,” Zac stood up and led Chelsea out of the office. Chelsea gave Zac a grateful look before escaping back to her desk. Closing the door shut, he turned to face Faith.

Faith leaned her head back and sighed. Her hands flew to her temple and she squeezed her eyes shut.
 

“I am in
way
over my head,” Faith spoke softly, with defeat in her tone. “I’m amazed that nobody has screamed in my face, asking me what the hell I’m doing here. Why is everyone pretending like I’m some experienced businesswoman? I know nothing. I don’t know what I can do here except to create more trouble.”

Zac knew it would be hard. She had never worked a day in her life; and all of the information must be overwhelming for her. He wanted to comfort her immediately, telling her that he had absolute confidence in her, but he knew that she needed to rant, and so he allowed her to do so.

“I had no idea what they were saying! I don’t understand the figures. I don’t understand the terms...I just don’t understand a single thing!”

Zac strode over and knelt beside her chair. He gently took her hands from her face and lowered them without letting them go. He squeezed her hands gently and waited for her to open her eyes. “Most of the major negotiations and contracts required are done. You just need to make sure that everything runs smoothly.”
 

Zac knew he was downplaying it. Things never ran smoothly, and there would be hitches that would make Faith want to wring the necks of the people involved, but that could wait. He just wanted to soothe her and didn’t want her to be frightened by everything all at once.

“As for all these duties, there are departments that will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Preston’s has great talents. If you are not sure, you can ask them. They will be able to advise you accordingly.”

The corner of Faith’s mouth lifted slightly, more from being polite than relief. She just didn’t want Zac to feel as though he was wasting his breath. Zac knew she was giving him her placating smile.

Letting go of her hands, he cupped his hands on her cheeks. He leaned in till their noses almost touched. “Faith Preston, you can definitely do this. I believe in you. I believe, wholeheartedly, that you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Faith’s lips turned up as she heard the familiar words she had once told Zac. She couldn’t believe that he remembered what she said, word for word. For a moment, every problem in the world disappeared as her heart warmed.

The tears that were threatening to burst forth from fear brimmed at her eyes, not from fear, but a mixture of relief, bliss and love. Faith looked at Zac. She wondered how the boy she had played with had grown up to be such a wonderful man, and right now, her pillar of support.
 

All she wanted was to lean onto his chest and let him wrap his hands around her because she knew no other safer place. She had so much to say, but all her words seemed to be choked in her throat, and all she could do was let her tears fall.

When he saw the tears drop, Zac panicked, and he wondered if he had said the wrong things. Not knowing what to say or do, he pulled her into a hug and brushed her hair with his fingers. “Shhh…It’s all right. It’s going to be all right.”

Zac held her for a few moments before lifting her from his chest. His thumb wiped away her tears, and he gave her an encouraging smile.

“Sorry, and thanks.”

Her voice was still shaking. He put a hand on her neck and pulled her in to kiss her forehead. “You have nothing to be sorry for and you are more than welcome.”

Zac lowered his eyes to hers and saw her still wet lashes. An overwhelming urge came over him to kiss her, to take away the uncertainties looming in her mind, and to tell her that he would be there for her no matter what happened.

He had never seen Faith looked so defeated. She wasn’t one who complain, simply one who kept her eyes on her goal and went ahead to achieve it. Even on her first mission trip, things were tough, but she had adapted and gone through it without complaints. Yet sitting before him then, Faith looked broken.
 

Seeing her tears which she barely shed, coupled with the uncertainty in her eyes, Zac’s heart ached. Before he realized what he was doing, his lips brushed hers. He paused and lifted his face slightly away to see her reaction. Faith stayed still; she didn’t flinch or move away.
 

That was enough invitation for him to continue. He cupped a hand under her ears and leaned in again.

His breath sped and his heart thumped so hard that he thought it was going to burst out of his chest.
 

“Lunch Delivery!”

Chapter Six

Zac sprung up at the loud announcement.
Ugh...great timing Dylan.

“Dylan.” Zac turned around to greet him, pretending as though nothing happened. The glint of anger in Dylan’s eyes was unmistakable, and Zac knew he would have to deal with him soon.

“Hi Dylan,” Faith finally spoke, breaking the tension in the room.
 

“I didn’t know you would be here so I only bought enough for two,” Dylan spoke brusquely, obviously wanting Zac out of the room. Zac smirked and turned around to Faith.

“I can share. I don’t have much appetite anyway,” Faith said before Zac could reply.
 

The corner of his lips turned up; he couldn’t help it. Zac was so pleased with Faith’s reaction. She wanted him there. After the moment earlier, he was sure that Faith did feel something for him. She had allowed Zac to lean in and kiss her after he had already brushed his lips against hers. She had more than enough time to stop him or throw him a slap, but she didn’t.

Maybe she just needed someone.
Perhaps that wasn’t the best moment to kiss her; she was vulnerable and might not know what she wanted. The timing wasn’t perfect, but one thing for sure, Zac was going to let her know that he was done with being just friends with her.
 

“It’s all right angel, there are some things that I need to attend to. Eat your lunch, I will see you in an hour.” Zac bent down and kissed Faith on her cheeks.

“Enjoy your lunch,” Zac said, looking straight into Dylan’s eyes. There was going to be war.
 

Dylan’s jaws were tight, and he didn’t reply. He simple gave a curt nod as Zac left the office.
 

Zac wanted to stay beside Faith but staying right beside her wouldn’t help much, since Dylan was there, she would at least have some company. Zac could use some time to pull in some help before the board meeting.

He had already made two calls before meeting Faith and had put his own money and reputation on the line. Two of the board members had already agreed to not contest Mr. Preston’s decision and let Faith continue the position as acting chairperson.
 

Mr. Preston had been wise enough to keep a fifty-five percent of the company’s share between himself and Faith, but if the board members were to be unhappy, things might turn ugly. The last thing he wanted was board members pulling out and dumping their shares in the market. It would cause the stock price to go tumbling down and with two major projects going on, cash flow was extremely important.