She’s standing in the doorway, fidgeting with the strap of her purse. Her gaze flickers nervously around the office, never quite settling on me.
Not angry. Or nervous. Just… uneasily tense.
I stand slowly.
“Iris.”
TWELVE
Iris
I’m almost brisk walking. The click of my heels against the marble is the only thing I hear in the empty Astor building.
God!I need to calm myself before I face Levi. It’s not something I thought I’d do, but he needs to know what I’ve just learned this morning.
I had been working out of the building to gain local network access, when I learned that Levi was also working upstairs. It wasn’t in my plans to actually talk to him, but I don’t think this can wait.
The moment I step near the hallway that leads up to his office, dread starts coiling.
I’m hoping I don’t run intothatbastard on a Sunday. The man was eerily, yet dangerously calm during the party. He intercepted two of my attempts to talk to Celestine—Cece. I genuinely only wanted to get her input on the merger, now that Miller-Moore isactively involved.
But he smiled at me with that hint of hate in his eyes when I tried the first time. Then the second time, he dropped the pretenses. Dragging me away into a corner.
Tae, Taewon—whatever his name is—is a damn loyal minion. And unfortunately, he’s on a mission to hate me on principle. Doesn’t he understand that I need to talk to the Wentworths as well?
??????
“Ms. Desmond,” he growls behind me as I approach Cece. “I’d rather you not associate with Ms. Wentworth. Not at her own parents’ anniversary party.”
Fucking hell. Not this guy again.
“Excuse me?” I ask—his hand on my arm making me turn. “She’s equally important for the merg—”
“Not. Tonight,” he grits out.
What the hell is wrong with him? I haven’t done a thing to him, and he’s here growling at me like a well trained dog. Like he has some type of vendetta against me. But clearly no brain here.
I yank my hand away from him, glaring. “Listen, Mr. Choi. You will not intervene with my job. I’m the lead consultant on—”
“For now.” He smirks bitterly and then it promptly falls off his face in a blink. “And if you really want to talk to Ms. Wentworth, find a more professional setting. Hell,createone.”
I swallow hard, my gaze darting toward where Levi is. Hoping he can get his damn guard dog leashed. But Levi is off to the other end of the hall, mingling. Shit.
“Fine,” I huff. “I’ll create an opportunity to talk to her then. God.”
I start to turn away when he speaks again. “What’s your game, Ms. Desmond?”
Game? Oh this infuriating, condescending bastard. “My game, Mr. Choi, is to successfully merge the two incredibly powerful companies and finally get approval to lead the research unit at Miller-Moore. My game—is to make this project a success case study and you’re intervening with that. My game—”
“Arasseo, arasseo.” His face twists with irritation. “Sorry—I mean—fine, I get it.”
I scowl at him. “Why are you so pressed? We’ve never even talked properly before and now you’re…”
He sighs, running a quick hand through his dark hair. “I know about you and Levi.”
My eyes widen and he steps closer, continuing. His eyes narrowing. “And that’s why I don’t understand your motives. You knew Levi’s going to be involved, yet you came here. I also heard you spilled your past with Levi in front of Cece. Which makes you… a puzzle piece I can’t quite fit.”
“I… what?” My breathing picks up. “I thought she already knew and… it was polite to put the past behi—”
