GET CLOSE TO HER

Iyare heard a knock on the door and the lock opened almost immediately. A middle age man accompanied by a younger man stepped into her office.

Iyare looked at her wristwatch; it was barely five minutes since Dave left her office. She knew the board members would definitely create problems for her, but she never thought she would deal with more than one a day.

She sighed inwardly; It seems like the board members were hitting her with all they got, she thought. She turned her attention back to the men standing before her table.

Iyare gestured for them to take their seat as she wondered what could be the problem. Her eyes caught sight of the young man that walked in. He was not dressed formally.

He was 6'1 tall with strong-looking muscles, which was apparent even with his clothes. His eyes were dark, just like his hair. Iyare has never found dark eyes beautiful before, but his seemed to perfectly complement his curly cropped hair.

He wore a button-down white shirt, a roll-up sleeve, and dark blue jeans. Iyare found his appearance very attractive, but it seems Louis has ruined the word handsome for her. so she considered him not ugly or good-looking.

Iyare smiled at her thought before looking away from him and giving them both an indifferent look. "How may I help you?" Iyare asked with a distinct voice.

Shelley immediately excused herself since she needed to start planning the staff meeting. Besides, she did not feel her presence was necessary.

The middle age man smiled at her. "I am sorry to disturb you, ma, but there is an urgent problem that needs to be sorted out as soon as possible," Iyare raised her brows at the man. It seems not only the board members looked down on her. He did not even have the courtesy to greet her or introduce himself before he started babbling.

The man notices the look on her face and swallows his next word. He did not understand why he felt nervous all of a sudden. Did he say something out of place? He questioned himself.

Iyare felt like asking the man to leave her office, but she decided against it. She will let them know that she will not take any form of disrespect later, but she will forgive him today since she has not officially introduced herself.

* Emm.. wmm... The man began to stammer with how she looked at him. 'Why was she affecting me?' he asked himself. For a minute, it almost felt like he was seeing her father.

"The finance.. department... run... into some trouble, so... I invited... Adrian here to help since the ICT unit is having.... difficulties solving the issue," The man manages to complete his sentence.

Iyare frowned her brows, 'did that problem not get solved five minutes ago?' she asked herself. Or is there already a new attack. She wondered. Wait! She frowns her eyebrows more. 'Did he come here because he thought it a good idea to recruit a new expert?'

'If that's the case, the company should have people in charge of employment, right? Then why bring him straight to the CEO. It seems like these people planned to push her patience.' Iyare pouted her lips at that thought.

"So, according to the company's policy, I brought him here. So he can sign the usual agreement before he can work with us to solve the problem." Iyare heard the man explain. "Oh.. He was just some expert here to help," Iyare realised.

The man paused after stating why he was there and waited for Iyare's response.

"You are?" Iyare asked with annoyance evidence in her voice.

"Oh, forgive my manners, ma, my name is Michael Pavlov. I am the head of the ICT unit," Michael immediately replied.

Iyare gave him a grin, "how may I help you," she asked. She was going to make him repeat himself for his bad manners.

Michael sighed inwardly and began his explanation from the beginning. When he was done explaining for the second time. Iyare decided to clarify if there was another problem or if it was the same one she just solved.

"Just so we are clear, did our finance department get another attack because the only problem I am aware of got solved some minutes ago?" Iyare stated.

"Oh! I am sorry, ma, it should be the same. I ran out to contact him, and I brought him straight here to get permission before taking him to the department. So I am unaware of the current situation," Michael answered awkwardly. He felt like he just flaunted his incompetence in the presence of his boss.

Adrian, who heard this, frowned his brows but immediately hid his emotions. He did not come too soon to the rescue since he wanted Iyare to be aware of the issue. How else was he supposed to show off his skills to her?

He informed Michael of his plans to avoid someone else solving the problem. So he will contact him and not someone else. Who would have thought that someone else would still solve it before he arrived? He curses his luck under his breath.

"That's okay; I understand," Iyare said. "Sorry for wasting your time," she turns to Adrian. "Michael, please prepare compensation for him," Iyare instructed.

"There is no need for that," Adrian immediately refused. He has seen an excellent opportunity to show his generosity, and he plans to make good use of it.

"It is only right we compensate you; please accept it," Iyare replied with a sweet smile. Adrian returned her smile, cheering himself up. He had noticed her checking him out earlier. So if she smiled brightly at him, it means his charms were working, right?

"There is no need; I am part of the company. My Dad owns some shares here," Adrian injected. He knew his father had already started on the wrong foot with Iyare. He understood this would pose a little setback, making Iyare fall for him. Someone else would think that keeping his father's identity secret would solve the problem, but Adrian knew that was not the case.

He understood she would have trust issues for someone like Iyare, who was already welcomed with poison. So he decided to appear honest to her. Once he wins her trust, her heart will be easy-breezy.

Oh, Iyare was taken by surprise. "Who's your father?" she inquired.

"Charles Freeman," Adrian answered.

Iyare gave him a fake smile, becoming alert immediately. "wow, I did not notice the resemblance," Iyare commented, still putting on her fake smile. 'Did Charles plan to use his son?' Iyare asked herself. She had seen the young man at her father's funeral; back then, her mind was occupied, so she did not pay much attention.

"I get that a lot. I look like my mum," Adrian replied, giving her a handsome smile. He intended to use all his charms on her. After all, he was very attractive, and ladies easily drool over his looks.

"That explains it," Iyare commented, still smiling. "It's nice to meet my father's godson," Iyare said, standing up and stretching her hand while she studied his face.

"Nice to meet you too. I must confess you are lovely," Adrian complimented her as he shook her hand. He did not want to acknowledge her as a sister; that would automatically put him in the friend's zone, which he needed to avoid.

He must confess that she was gorgeous. At least he does not need to fake an attraction, he thought. He couldn't deny the fact that he was attracted to her. Not that he liked her, but like his father said, he would love to bed her.

"I still think you deserve some compensation for your time," Iyare said, taking her seat.

"If you insist, how about dinner? You know, since you insisted on compensation. You may spend some of your time with me. That will be perfect compensation. Don't you think?" Adrian immediately grabs the opportunity.

He knew it was best to get close to her as soon as possible. He had to fully use his plans, even if they did not turn out perfectly. At least she already sees him as an expert.

Iyare paused to think. She knew she needed to be careful around him. She can't let him treat her to dinner; what if he poisons her? After thinking for a few more seconds, she decided to treat him to dinner. That way, he would not make any plans ahead.

"Okay, but it will be my treat," Iyare answered with a smile.

"Works for me," Adrian replied as he stood up. He was pleased that he could create an opportunity to meet with her again.

"I am afraid I have a lot going on right now, but I will surely make arrangements as soon as possible," Iyare said.

I guess I will wait for your call, then Adrian said, giving her his handsome smile, which is capable of melting any lady's heart, followed by a wink. He notice the slight blush on Iyare cheek when he winks.

Iyare just nodded in response and tried to hide the small blush on her face. "I will take my leave now, don't want to take more of your time," Adrian said before walking out of the office with Michael.