Chapter 4

• /Reed's POV/
• Running a hand down his black striped suit, I adjusted the sleeves of the white shirt. A heavy feeling sat in the pit of my stomach, all too familiar and aching. The thought of seeing the omega again caused a stir in my heart. Immediately I thought back to the day of my fathers funeral and how broken she appeared. 
• Erin looked like she was barely holding together when she saw my father's picture. The omega slipped away before the end of the ceremony and cried her heart out. I could hear the rings of them, and quite frankly, it ripped something inside me. But why? After all these years, I should not be thinking about comforting her for the moon's sake!
• "Looking handsome, brother! Who are you trying to impress?!" Rowan wriggled his brows, leaning against the wall. He was also dressed in a suit, the one which brings out his eyes. And my brother had the audacity to pick at me. 
• "I should be the one asking you that." I raised my brow, giving one final look in the mirror before turning on my feet. 
• His lips twitched at that, eyes almost brightening when I glared at him. "I hope you are not going to do anything weird. We are going there for purely business purposes."
• Rowan's nose flared. "What do you take me for? I know my boundaries."
• "Good."
• With that, I slipped on my watch and wound it around the wrist, checking the time. Charles will be our assistant for now as we abruptly shift here. The beta told us that he informed Woods Publishing and set a meeting. 
• "The car is waiting for us. Let's go."
• I hummed, pocketing my phone and turning towards the door. 
• ***
• As I stared at the property from the car window, my eyes fixated on the green lawn and benches on either side; I felt my shoulders sag in defeat. It's been years since I saw the tall building, watched the line of trees framing it and heard the quiet rushing of waves from nearby. 
• The car came to a quick stop, Charles turning over his shoulder. "We are here."
• "Thanks. You can come with us if you want." Rowan said, his voice drifting as he shut the door, leaning against it. 
• "I will!"
• A lump formed in my throat as a rush of memories hit me, that achingly familiar giggles and patter of feet as we ran around. Rowan and I had no restrictions as pups being the son of Pack Alpha, free reign to run around. We went a bit overboard at times and always came to this place. 
• "Reed?" My brother's voice echoed in my ears, his brow arching. "Come on!"
• I shook my head, snapping myself out of it and rushed to catch up with Rowan and Charles. The elevator did not work, so we had to climb up two flights of stairs, my shirt clinging to my chest. Once inside, we were greeted by a receptionist who forced a blinding smile our way before guiding us towards the meeting room. 
• "Miss Woods is running a bit late but do not worry, she will be here soon. In the meantime, do you want me to get you something? Tea? Coffee?"
• Rowan beamed at her, "I would like an iced americano." 
• "Umm...black coffee for me. Two spoons, please. Thank you."
• Charles was bashful to order, almost staring at us with folded lips. Rowan nudged at him before placing an order for the beta. The receptionist, whose name I had not heard, walked out of the room. 
• "How can anyone be late for their meeting? It's preposterous!"
• Rowan let out a sigh. "Don't start now."
• "What?" I innocently blinked. "If it were our office, we would have already cancelled the meeting."
• "Good thing it's not our office then."
• "Rowan, you don't understand...."
• My brother met my eyes, his jaw set tight. "I am not understanding? Wow!"
• Charles shifted his eyes between the two of us, his arms crossed against his chest. The beta commented on the lines of watching a soap opera come to life when we heard footsteps. I straightened in my seat only to see the receptionist rushing with a tray. 
• After thanking her, I accepted the cup and looked outside the glass window. A couple of acres stretched before us, ideally attended to bushes and trees adorning the grounds with colourful flowers. I tried to repress a pleased hum as I took a sip. The drive had exhausted me — or perhaps the fatigue was simply a result of my family or the looming tasks.
• A few minutes passed by when I heard the door abruptly pushed open, and in walked Erin. She hurriedly hung her coat on the stand before rushing to us. I couldn't help but stare at her as the omega came to stand in front of us. Her loose strands swooped gently over her forehead, probing only somewhat into the blue — perhaps even cerulean eyes. 
• She was overwhelmingly gorgeous in the striped pants suit, almost complimenting Rowan and me. Her curves were on display, the material clinging onto her like a second skin. The slight, upward curve of the corner of her mouth had me staring at her round pink lips. My mind couldn't help but think there was something rather aesthetically pleasing to her bright clothing, mixed with sharp eyes and a confident stance.
• "I apologise for making you all wait. Something came up urgently."
• Her smell hit me out of nowhere, my knees felt suddenly weak, and my mouth started to water every time I breathed in—hints of lavender and spring rain, subtle yet earthy. The rich and floral scent almost surrounded me in a cocoon. 
• "Mister Reed Armani," She said, her voice clear and yet entirely raspy and ridiculously sultry. Her blue eyes beneath that loose hair remained closely on my face; a hand held out in my direction. "Welcome to Woods Publishing"
• I swallowed strenuously, and reluctantly took her hand, feeling her firm but soft skin against mine. For a second, I could feel something sizzle inside me, a spark igniting as our palms touched. I let go as fast as manageable. "Thank you."
• I didn't have to look sideways to confirm my brother's smirk. He has always been annoying like that. 
• "We were also hoping to meet Adam today."
• At that, Erin grimaced, her lips pressing in a thin line. The omega cleared her throat. "I am sorry, but he won't be joining us today. My father is dealing with a loss in his way, and it's taking a toll on his health. So it will be only me."
• "Oh"
• "Please." Erin motioned towards the empty chairs. 
• I didn't take my eyes off of her for a mere second. My gaze pierced the omega as I sat silently while Charles introduced himself. Now that I was facing the omega, I saw that she had grown even more gorgeous and graceful, almost like a carefully sculpted statue that took years to carve. The years have done good to her. 
• As Erin turned, she noticed me staring at her, my lip caught inbetween my teeth as my eyes scanned her face. I quickly looked away and released my lip from the grip of white canines, heat crawling my face. 
• Except, now that I think about it, it's not just her attractiveness that sticks out; there's exhaustion painted over her face and beneath the omegas eyes, weighing down over her body. It appeared distinct and all too familiar.
• "Reed?" My brother said cautiously. 
• I jerked, snapping out of my thoughts. My cheeks coloured when I realised Rowan must've said something, but I was too busy staring to catch it. "Sorry, what?" 
• "I was explaining to Miss Erin that we have to pull out the investment."
• Nodding my head, I pulled on the blazer and sat up straight. "Ahh, yes. It's unfortunate, Miss Erin, but we do not have any choice. We barely made any profits, and so did your company. I have checked the bank statements, and it's not looking good, so we do not have any other choice."
• Colour drained her face, mouth opening and closing. Erin shook her head. "N-No, you cannot do that!"
• "Why not? What's the point of spending money when we are not getting anything in return? I have no idea why our father kept on investing when there has been no change in your situation for the last four years."
• Her voice quivered as she clasped her hands together. "We hit a rough patch, but the Pack Alpha always believed in us. He was sure we would get back on our feet. I know things have been bad, but we all are trying, Mister Armani. The book fair this year will surely change things for us. Can you please hold on till then?"
• "I am afraid we cannot. The contract termination will be sent tomorrow, and we can talk about money later. Good day."
• ***
• Any thoughts? I will update on Thursday too :D