[14]
“I didn’t think that the owner of SEO could act that violently,” Andrew said, opening the conversation that had been accompanied by silence. It wasn’t because he had been silent since he entered Justin’s office, but there was a huge intimidation he felt.
Despite that, Andrew tried to relax. His eyes wandered just to distract himself from the pressure of being in this room; admiring Justin’s spatial arrangement. Including being amazed by the design that was neatly arranged in one of the glass cabinets.
He wanted to praise but Andrew was reminded of Justin’s actions which he thought were completely out of line.
“I gave Jilly a warning, but unfortunately…” Justin reached for the coffee cup that had been served by one of the SEO staff. He slowly savored the bitter taste of the coffee that he thought was not right. He frowned and put the cup back down. He was reminded of the words that had yet to come out of his mouth.
“That woman ignored me completely. As if I can’t do anything about it,” she said with emphasis. “Don’t you want to enjoy the coffee?”
“It’s not like that,” Andrew stammered. He lifted his share of the coffee cup and began to savor. He found it quite enjoyable for his taste buds. “What that woman did has nothing to do with me.”
“Business-wise, I admit it’s not,” Justin said immediately. “But the media knows you’re close because you go out together a lot.” He grinned slightly, indicating that what they were about to talk about was no longer just small talk.
“Are you threatening me?” asked Andrew with a calm look. Although he admitted, holding back the news about Jilly’s troubled club was a bit difficult because it dragged his name. Who wouldn’t want to get a big story like this? Since the news of the police raid, there had been a lot of calls at his office just to ask about their relationship. However, they had strong evidence that Jilly and he were often together. Ah damn, but that togetherness was there because Andrew wanted more stories and what Giselle was doing after she hadn’t visited in a while. And is thinking of a way for Andrew to meet Giselle freely.
She wanted to scare Giselle a little with the information she got from Jilly. Who wants their good name to suddenly fall because of a dark past? Unfortunately, Andrew didn’t realize that the behind-the-scenes role protecting Giselle was too big to take down.
“What’s the point of giving you threats for me?” Justin chuckled. “Nothing.”
Andrew made a fist.
“I only gave you one warning and you’re already on fire.” Again Justin said with satisfaction. “You know,” the man leaned into his opponent without taking his eyes anywhere else. It gave one the impression that Justin never messed around with his words. including that he had put on such a good show that those who tried to bring Justin down, especially Giselle, would not be able to.
“You’re just a rookie in a field I’ve been in for almost five years. I’ve walked the path of many spotlights far more experienced than you, Mr. Kingston. If it weren’t for the influence of your last name, I don’t think you’d have gotten as far as you have now.”
Andrew growled but couldn’t say anything because Justin’s words really hit him hard.
“Do you need to hear what kind of information I have about you, Andrew Kingston?”
Andrew’s self-control was starting to suffer. Usually, in the midst of a lot of pressure and condescending and belittling remarks, Andrew could still continue to speak calmly. also broke many assumptions about him especially during the highest shareholder meeting in his office. Because of this, he was accustomed to his interlocutors having great influence that could make him silent and obedient.
But this time, Justin really looks terrifying. The look in the man’s eyes was defiant and fearless.
“Your past is no less dark than Nami’s. Both of you acted to support the life of a loved one. Very much loved but on different paths. You fulfill whatever the person who makes you tormented wants. No matter what the steps were like until I was at this point. But unfortunately, the person you are-”
“ENOUGH!” snapped Andrew under his breath. His eyes were burning into Justin. “Don’t you go on!”
Justin’s smile was triumphant. “I don’t want the years leading up to the SEO name and the model I’ve brought up to the top to get as ridiculous a distraction as you guys are planning.”
“I’m not planning anything,” Andrew interrupted quickly. He still had to normalize his sudden emotional outburst. How did Justin know about his past? Things he didn’t want to hear about let alone let anyone else know? He closed his eyes tightly trying not to look weak in front of his opponent.
Justin really can’t be taken lightly.
“I kept all the information from Jilly to myself.” Andrew sighed softly after managing to get himself to start finding his composure.
“For?” Justin leaned back against the back of the sofa. He lifted his leg as a sign that he was starting to relax into the conversation. Even so, the opponent, who didn’t know Justin’s gesture at all, continued to be wary.
There are many considerations that Andrew must think about before stepping up to respond to the news out there. He should not make the wrong move and jeopardize his position at The Collage. Not only would he be slaughtered by the real owner of The College-Henry Kingston, his father. he could be kicked out along with the person he loved the most.
But… how did the man in front of her know? Could it be that Justin was looking for a lot of information about him? Even though he had been so tightly covered, it couldn’t be easily leaked. Especially when it comes to the Kingston family.
“You don’t need to know.” Andrew picked up his cup again. Savoring the coffee seemed to calm him down even more.
“What you know about Nami, ah… Giselle in the past, made herself scared.”
Andrew put down the cup slowly. His eyes were slightly raised because he felt that someone was watching him very closely. And sure enough, when their eyes met, Justin’s look was chilling. He swallowed nervously and looked away immediately.
“I’m not used to calling Giselle Nami. I’m sure she wouldn’t like it if someone called her something from the past that she wanted to get out of her life. But is it possible? I don’t think so. The past is like a scar that continues to stick wherever the original body moves. It may fade, but it’s impossible to disappear because the past is related to the future.”
Andrew chose to keep his voice down.
“Just like you were bothered when I found out what your past was like. Right?”
Andrew’s hands were clenched again.
“So… tell me what is your purpose in keeping pieces of Giselle’s past? And then to approach her in a way that gives her fear? Is that so?”
“No,” Andrew replied immediately. “I have my own goals but I won’t use what I know to bring him down.”
Justin’s grin broke out. “Are you sure?”
Without hesitation, Andrew nodded. “You have cards that are far more terrifying than what I have. I didn’t intend it that way, and what you have now makes me even more certain I can’t use the threat of Giselle’s past on her.”
Justin chuckled. “You’re good at reading situations.”
“But there’s one thing I’ve wanted for a long time. Let’s just say, this is my real goal.”
Justin looked closely at the man who was now straightening his back.
“I want to get close to Giselle personally.”
Justin’s hands were folded with a frown on his forehead.
“I’m taking this very seriously, Justin. Can… you let it go?”