Frustration

“Good morning, Mandy,” I greet her as soon as she answers. “Could I speak with Mr. Odell?”

“Who’s calling?”

“This is Debra Hardwick. We spoke yesterday.”

“Oh, yes. I know who you are.” Silence.

“And?”

“Mr. Odell is busy at the moment. He’s asked me not to put through any calls.”

“All right.” I take a deep breath because I sense this will be another pointless conversation that’ll give me a headache. “Could you give him my number and ask him to call me as soon as he’s free?”

“Mr. Odell doesn’t call anyone.”

“If that’s how he runs the business, it’s no wonder it’s going under,” I mutter.

“I’m sorry?”

“I was wondering when I could call again.”

I clear my throat to cover the lie. The last thing I need is for Mandy to hear me and relay it to him.

I think she’s the type with no filter, though I’m not sure whether it’s because she’s truly that innocent or because she plays dumb to catch people off guard.

Or else Mr. Odell has told her to act clueless with me so I can never get a meeting with him.

“I don’t know. When the meeting’s over, I suppose.”

“And when will that be?”

“Maybe in an hour.”

An hour for a meeting at a company that’s losing clients every day? Something tells me I’m being stalled and that I’ll have to show up at the office in person to demand a meeting. She’s definitely not as naive as she seems and she knows how to throw me off.

“Fine. I’ll call in an hour.”

I use the time to go for a run. Exercise relaxes me.

Besides, it’s a good way to make up for all the hours I spend sitting behind a desk or in front of one, depending on whether I’m working at the office or out in the field.

It’s early and there’s barely anyone on the streets.

The tranquility of this place fascinates me.

In the city, no matter what time it is, there’s always noise.

People rushing around, talking to each other or even shouting; cars racing down the road as though their lives depended on it, honking, accelerating…

They’re two such different worlds that it never stops being striking.

Each has its advantages and its downsides, though it would be a dream come true if there were a place that balanced both. That would be my personal paradise.

And although I’d planned to head back after an hour, this place is so wonderful that I lose myself in the scenery and forget to check my watch.

By the time I realize it, I’m already running late.

Luckily, there’s service here and I can make the call.

I continue to be surprised that the signal is so good in such an isolated place, but it’s also an advantage we can count on if we manage to sign the contract with Mr. Odell.

The internet is one of the most important tools today for growing a business and putting it on the map.

It takes time and a small investment, but the results speak for themselves.

“Good morning again, Mandy.”

“Miss Hardwick.” She recognizes me this time. “Mr. Odell is still in his meeting, I’m afraid.”

“Could I speak with his son?” I try my luck.

“Haven isn’t available right now either.”

“Right, of course.” It’s obvious they’re not going to make this easy. “All right, Mandy. When the meeting is over, tell them I’ll be stopping by.”

“What time?”

“When I can.” I’m not about to tell her so they can be gone by the time I arrive.

“Very well. But Mr. Odell is a busy man, so…”

“Fortunately, I have nothing else to do because that’s precisely why I came here,” I interrupt her. “See you, Mandy.”

I hang up the phone and exhale sharply. If I ever harbored any doubts about Mr. Odell’s intention to dodge me, I don’t anymore.

But I am not Carson—my patience is infinite and I’ll do whatever it takes to meet with him.

Though I’m going to have to extend my stay.

In the end, my father was right. As always.

I decide to head back to the inn. I need a shower and more presentable clothes before I go to the office and camp out there.

Because no matter what, today I will leave that building with a meeting scheduled, and I don’t care if I have to wait until closing time.

In any case, as I already told Mandy on the phone, I have nothing else to do.

I came here to close a deal and I won’t leave until I have.

This time I choose something more casual. No skirts or matching blazers; no white blouses or sky-high heels either. I’m looking for comfort because I suspect I’ll be spending many hours in reception. Black pants, a blue T-shirt, and my leather jacket will be perfect.

In these clothes—more my style—I feel comfortable and sure of myself.

It’s not that I don’t feel the same in my work clothes, but this is more me.

The rebel, the wild one who accepts every challenge thrown her way and follows through.

Sometimes I miss that part of my life. I left it behind when I entered university, aware that my father expected great things of me.

After all, who wouldn’t want their children to carry on the family legacy?

Although he always gave me the freedom to choose my own path, I know that deep down he was pleased when I told him I’d study law to help him at Whittemore Corporation.

I head to the dining room, ready to fill my stomach before entrenching myself at Odell Textiles. I smile at the thought—it’s impossible not to see this as a battle. A clash of wills. What Mr. Odell doesn’t know is that I love challenges. I thrive on them.

“Looks like we’re destined to keep running into each other, morena.”

He sits across from me and begins slowly stirring his coffee without taking his eyes off me.

And I feel the heat in my body rising while the temperature of his drink drops.

I don’t know how he does it with just a look, but we’re in public and I can’t let it get to me.

I sit up straight in my chair and continue eating as if nothing is happening.

“Maybe it’s not destiny,” I say after a moment, “but rather coincidence. The town is small.”

“Even so…”

“Even so,” I interrupt him, “I’m leaning more toward stalking.”

“Stalking?”

“Are you following me?” I continue, ignoring the face he makes when he hears that word. “You should know I can report you if you are.”

“Strange word to describe what’s going on between us,” he whispers, leaning forward.

“I don’t even know what’s going on between us.” I mirror him. “And before you think of saying anything else, let me remind you that I’m here for work. Whatever you’re hoping will happen, it’ll be over in a few days, so let’s just forget about it and everyone’s happy.”

“I wouldn’t be happy, that’s for sure.” He smiles. “I’d rather make the most of the little time you say we have.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but that won’t be possible.

I’m heading to the Odell Textiles offices right now, prepared to stay there until the owner grants me a meeting.

And I assure you I’ll get one, whether he likes it or not.

” I dab my lips with the napkin and notice how his eyes follow my movements in detail.

“I’ll be too busy for anything that doesn’t involve the contract. ”

“You still haven’t been able to talk to him?” His expression darkens.

“I will today, without fail,” I answer confidently.

“Still set on winning over the son?”

“If it gets them to sign.” I shrug.

“How far are you willing to go for that?”

He’s not being very explicit, but his look says it all.

Although he apologized in the forest for implying exactly that, it seems he’s back at it again and I don’t know what to make of it.

However, this time I won’t let anger get the better of me.

I could make him think I’d stoop to anything in order to win, but that’s not who I am.

“I don’t mix business with pleasure,” I reply, “if that’s what you were asking.”

“Never?”

“Never.” I place the napkin on the table and stand up. “If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

“Maybe I should remind you how things ended the last time you asked me to excuse you.” There’s amusement in his voice.

“I remember perfectly,” I say without looking at him, “but I don’t have time for more games in the woods. You’ll have to find yourself another prey.”

“The thing is, I don’t want any other prey.”

He stands and walks alongside me. I can’t deny he’s very persistent, but right now the last thing I need is to complicate my life, no matter how good the sex with him is.

“Bad luck.”

I try to show him that his closeness doesn’t affect me, but it’s difficult.

If he so much as touched me right now, I wouldn’t be able to hold back a moan.

I don’t like the loss of control he causes in me, I don’t like not being the master of myself when he’s near, and I don’t like knowing that a man whose name I don’t even know can get whatever he wants from me.

“Maybe,” he whispers in my ear, “but… bad luck for whom?”

I feel a shiver run down my spine and close my eyes, trying to control it.

When I open them again, I find myself alone in the inn’s lobby.

As if what he makes me feel weren’t enough, the fact that he’s so mysterious, appearing and vanishing at will, only makes him more desirable. And I don’t like what that implies.

Who am I kidding? I love it.

“Were you saying something, dear?” Mrs. Delaney asks, looking at me curiously.

“I was saying how much I love this town.” I smile at her.

“You have no idea how happy that makes me to hear.” She switches to the informal tone with me and immediately hooks her arm through mine. “Tell me, how did it go with Haven yesterday?”

“I got lost,” I admit.

“Good heavens.” She presses a hand to her chest. “That’s terrible.”

“Not at all.” I reassure her. “After wandering around for a while, I found my way back.”

There’s no way I’m telling her the truth, much less that someone helped me. She’d ask questions I don’t have answers to. And wouldn’t want to give even if I did.

“Mrs. Delaney…”

“Ethel, please,” she interrupts. “Mrs. Delaney was my mother-in-law.”

“Ethel,” I repeat, smiling at her, “I need to go.”

“Have you managed to speak with Barnaby?”

“That’s where I’m headed.”

“Don’t let that grumpy old man get his way. Just for how delightful you are, he should make the effort to hear whatever you have to tell him.”

“Thank you so much for the vote of confidence, Ethel.” I smile again and free myself from her arm.

“We’ll talk later, dear.”

“Sure.”

She just asked me for a full report without actually saying it, but she won’t get one. I’m sure the whole town will know every single thing I tell her the moment I turn my back. She’s charming, but a terrible gossip. And keeping secrets is definitely not her strong suit.

I walk the road from the inn to the factory once more and, with each step, my determination grows.

I will get what I came for, or I’ll make such a scene that Mr. Odell will have no choice but to come out to reception just to make me stop.

Though I doubt it’ll come to that because he’ll have to go home at some point during the day, and I’ll be right there waiting for him. Him or his son—I don’t care which.

“Good afternoon, Mandy,” I say as soon as I see her.

“Good afternoon, Miss Hardwick.”

“You can call me Debra,” I offer. Maybe if I can win her over, she’ll help me see him sooner. “Is Mr. Odell free?”

“I’m afraid not,” she answers without having checked first.

“And his son?” I press. I’m not going to bother pointing out that I don’t believe he’s been in a meeting all morning.

“He’s out.”

“Well.” I take a deep breath. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just wait here.”

I sit down in one of the armchairs in the lobby, pick up a fashion magazine from the coffee table that doesn’t seem particularly current, cross my legs, and pretend to read. I hope she understands that I’m not leaving and that her only option is to talk to her boss so he’ll come see me.

“Perhaps you should come back another time,” I hear her say a few minutes later. “The meeting could go on for a while.”

“No problem.” I look at her over the top of the magazine. “I have nothing else to do. In fact, meeting with your boss is the only reason I’m here, so I’ll wait.”

The minutes turn into hours and every magazine on the table passes through my hands. By the end, I’ve even read some of the articles. I surreptitiously glance at my watch and realize it’s nearly dinnertime—he can’t be much longer. Besides, his supposed meeting won’t last forever.

“Miss… Debra,” she corrects herself immediately. “It’s closing time. I’m sorry, but I have to ask you to leave.”

“And your boss isn’t coming out?”

“Mr. Odell is no longer here. He had to leave due to an emergency.”

“When? I’ve been here all afternoon and I didn’t see anyone leave. Oh, right! Never mind.” I stand up. “I assume there’s a back exit somewhere.”

“It’s not what—”

“You don’t need to defend him,” I cut her off.

I can be patient, but I won’t tolerate being taken for a fool.

“But tell him from me that he’s a coward and a fraud, and that if this is the attitude he’s going to maintain with me, maybe I should convince my father not to invest in his business.

And tell him also that his stubborn pigheadedness will cost him everything; however, if that’s what he wants, by all means—I won’t stand in his way.

There are plenty of other companies waiting for our help. ”

I head for the exit, but turn back again. I haven’t finished venting yet and, sorry, Mandy, but she’s the one who has to bear the brunt of my day’s frustration. What Mr. Odell is doing strikes me as so childish that I can’t keep quiet about it.

“And one last thing: tell him not to expect that in a few months, when he’s drowning in debt and the creditors are knocking on his door, my father will ride in to the rescue.

If he has no vision for the future and doesn’t know how to seize the opportunities offered to him at the right time, he doesn’t deserve any compassion afterward. ”

Having said that, I turn and make my way, for the second time in two days, toward the exit without having achieved what I’d set out to do at the factory.

My frustration has now turned into rage.

Is this man so closed-minded that he’d rather go bankrupt than accept help from an outsider?

He can’t even bring himself to listen to the proposals!

I won’t force him to sell the company if he doesn’t want to—we could be partners.

He might resent losing sole ownership of the business, but at least it would keep running.

If what he prefers is to shut it down for good, I won’t meddle. And I won’t beg him to let me help.

Now it’s his move, and if I don’t hear from him in a couple of days, I’ll go home and make sure my father forgets about Odell Textiles for good.