Chapter 11
Calum –
business partner of Calum, said. He was out having a business
“Look, isn’t that the new CEO of Aegis Core Systems?” Mr. Tucker, a new busine lunch when he noticed Soraya sitting a few tables away.
Calumn hadn’t noticed when Soraya got there.
At first, he frowned, questioning Soraya’s presence. It was too much of a coincidence, but then Silas Ward arrived. His name had been on the news last month, as the newest CEO in town.
“He is seeing another woman,” another business partner, Mr. Buck, said. “But Mr. Ward has never been known to be truly romantic. I believe this is the first lady he has publicly given flowers to.
“Well, I can’t blame him,” Mr. Tucker said, glancing at Silas and Soraya. “The woman he is with is gorgeous. She isn’t looking, but if you look closely, she has that very angelic face. I wonder who she is.”
sophisticated-
Both business partners who were with him today were single men in their early thirties. Thus, they had every right to appreciate anyone they saw as beautiful.
In the next few minutes, Calum focused on their discussion, but now and then, he felt unsettled at how Soraya and Mr. Ward were chatting like they were intimately close.
Another thing that caught Calum’s attention was how Soraya looked different. He could not point his finger to it, but she felt different.
He noticed her laughing quietly at something Silas said, a sound he hadn’t heard from her in a long time. For a moment, curiosity rose inside him, but he pushed it down. I don’t care. Never did. Never will
Then, he found himself checking his phone. He realized that Soraya had made a follow–up on the divorce. Seeing how she was Silas Ward, he wondered how deep their relationship was
He did not know much about Soraya, but he was aware that she had worked with Aegis Core Systems. “Could they have known each other then?”
Calum shook his head. He didn’t want to get involved with Soraya anymore, but she was still Sage’s mother. That meant he had a responsibility to protect his daughter.
Even if they were getting a divorce, what if Sage had to meet a new stepfather who was notoriously known for dating multiple women? Calum couldn’t let that happen. He needed to make sure Soraya didn’t bring that kind of shame into his daughter’s life.
Their meeting soon ended. Mr. Tucker excused himself to take a phone call while Mr. Buck went to the restroom. Calum took the opportunity to send Soraya a message.
She still did not look his way.
He could not understand himself. He had always found Soraya’s presence annoying, but now, he felt the need to address the situation at hand Calum got up and walked over to her instead. He said, “Silas Ward? Not exactly your usual type, Soraya.”
Soraya turned to him, raising her brow She asked, “And how do you know that, Mr. Montclair?”
“You prefer the mysterious kind. Affluent, less wordy and serious,” Calum suggested. He frowned because he was describing himself, but wasn’t that what Soraya truly wanted? After all, she had been in love with him for many years, even before he got trapped in their marriage.
“People change,” Soraya said. “I realized my old preference was quite boring”
Caluny’s eyes darkened
“Hey, Muter” Unexpectedly, Silas Ward returned “Find y
your own Woman.
This
“Your woman?” Calum raised a brow. His frown deepened as he stared at Soraya. “Very well.”
That encounter left him with an unfamiliar feeling. But despite that, he allowed Soraya to go with Silas. He figured he would deal with Silas later, if the need ever arose.
When he returned to his table, his business partners soon came back. They bid their goodbyes just in time for Rose to walk in, looking bright in a summer dress “Calum”
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Chapter 11
“Oh, this must be Mr. Montclair’s girlfriend,” Mr. Tucker reacted. “How beautiful”
Calum smiled. Of course, Rose was beautiful. Not only that, she had made a name for herself at such a young age.
“Good afternoon, I’m Rose Becket,” she introduced herself with a smile, shaking Mr. Tucker’s and Mr. Buck’s hands. “It’s nice to meet you”
“Mr. Montclair, no wonder you did not pay much attention to the woman with Mr. Ward earlier. Your girlfriend is nearly as beautiful,”
Mr. Buck reacted.
Calum winced, but before he could react, Mr. Tucker added, “Yes, indeed. Miss Becket is almost just as beautiful.”
“Almost just as beautiful? Calum noted their words, his face forming a frown.
After Mr. Tucker and Mr. Buck left, curiosity got the better of Rose. She asked, “Who were they referring to? Did a celebrity dine here earlier?”
“No one important. They were wrong. You are the most beautiful woman in the city, Calum said, smiling at Rose.
“She is kind and radiant.” He thought. What he liked best about Rose was the fact that she did not make him feel suffocated.
No, Rose is perfect, Calum reminded himself.
–
Soraya
“Thank you, Mr. Guzman, Soraya said as Silas‘ assistant handed her a cup of coffee, Since joining her friend in the CEO’s office at Aegis Core Systems, she had become familiar with Marcus Guzman, Silas’s young executive assistant.
“I’m happy you have a male secretary, Silas,” Soraya remarked, making Mr. Guzman chuckle.
“Female secretaries are troublesome,” Silas remarked, shaking his head behind the CEO’s table. “I like women, but I don’t want them to be anywhere near my workplace. You are the only exception I will make.”
Silas smiled, and Soraya did too.
While waiting, the two old friends discussed how Silas had become the CEO. Silas shared, “Aside from getting promoted, I started buying company shares. My parents became good friends with Mr. and Mrs. Sharma, the founders of Aegis Core Systems.”
“Right.” Soraya noted. Mr. and Mrs. Sharma had no favorable heirs to pass the company down to. They had a son, but he was more interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
“Trust is everything. Mr. and Mrs. Sharina entrusted me with their company, and I’ll always be grateful for that,” Silas added. “Still, Mr. Sharma rentains the director of the board. He has a say in my every decision.”
“They had asked fo
for you. They had wondered how you were,” Silas revealed.
The thought of the two kindest and gentlest innovators Soraya had met made her smile. She said, “I look forward to seeing them again.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Marcus Guzman returned with a contract in his hand.
It was Soraya’s offer letter.
Dear Ma. Soraya Azar.
We are pleased to offer you the position of Exclusive Systems Security Consultant at Aegis Core Systems. In I development and implementation of our next–generation cybersecurity system, NeuroSentinel 2.0.
Position: Exclusive Systems Security Consultant
Contract Duration: Six (6) months
Compensation USD 100,000 per monthl
this role, you will lead th
the
Soraya siniled. She and Silas had agreed that a part–time role suited her best for now. It allowed her to support her uncle’s company while also giving her the flexibility to focus on growing her finances.
“I’m afraid, Soraya, since you had given up your rights to NeuroSentinel, the succeeding version’s rights will remain with Aegis Core Systems. However, as previously agreed, you will retain a profit share of the program, which I believe will be much higher after the
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Chapter 11
upgrade,” Silas said. “Of course, any innovation outside the company, you have full exclusive rights to. You may opt
to sell your
rights.
or you may not. When that time comes, we will have another discussion.
“That’s fine.” Soraya said, smiling. “I’m glad to be back where I belong.”
She signed the contract and said. “Please allow me a week or two to get settled. I want to rent an apartment within the city for when I need to focus on working on NeuroSentinel
“Do you need help?” Silas asked.
“No, I already have a few prospects. I just need to get a better deal,” Soraya said with a smile. “And please do let me know if any shareholder wishes to sell-
“You want to be a partner?” Silas asked in amusement.
“If there is any company I’d like to be more part of, it’s Aegis Core Systems,” Soraya confirmed.
“If you marry me, I’ll sell you some of my shares,” Silas teased, making Soraya roll her eyes.
Silas, please,” she warned.
I know, I know, I’m not your type,” he said, eyes narrowing as he pointed at her. “You like men who seem mysterious without even trying. The tall and handsome ones with that quiet, commanding presence, always in control, always dressed like they walked out of a boardroom shoot
“Well, too bad. There is only one man in Cedar Heights who fits that description in detail, and he is cheating on you,” Silas pointed out. “If you’re not changing preferences anytime soon, I guess I’ll help you with a global manhunt
Of course, Silas did not know there was one other man who fit the description quite well–and he lived not too far away.
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