Can we be friends?

Chapter 9 Can we be friends? I sat down behind the table that for years used to be my father's. I have walked into this office for years, watching him work from across the room and never in a million years would I have expected that I'd be sitting on the chair. I had thought I would give everything to Royce because he was vast in dealing with businesses but I didn't know he had a different agenda. It had been difficult to get my father to believe me. I wouldn't blame him though, everyone he thought was on his side were allies to his enemies. But he also knew he had little or no choice. He must have calculated that he really had no choice. Beside,I at least prevented his company from getting into the wrong hand I knew I was capable of doing well but still, I couldn't help but doubt if I would be able to handle it all. As my puzzled mind tries to sort out what next move it would be better to use on Royce and Britney, My father's secretary brought in my cup of coffee and dropped it on the table. As she left, I took it and inhaled the aroma of the coffee but it didn't smell like Priscilla, my old assistant's coffee. My heart sank as I thought about her. Christian had briefed me about how Britney had got her fired after they had declared me dead. I felt my burner phone vibrate and I unlocked the safe in the office. Taking it out, I discovered that it was a message from Percy 'Congratulations on getting the first step done. Keep on track and all will be over very soon." It reads. I deleted the message and was about to reply to him when the telephone rang. 'Miss Cullen, Mr. Robben and his wife are on their way to your office. I tried stopping them as they had no appointment with you but they wouldn't hear of it. I thought to give you a heads up. I'm sorry ma'am." She apologized. 'It's alright. Thank you," I replied and ended the call. I straightened my back and clothes waiting for them when the door opened. If it wasn't because I needed to find a way to get close to him, I'd have told him how rude he was but I let it slide. He walked in arrogantly, looking innocent with Britney following him closely. Unlike how calm Royce was as if he had everything in control, Britney seemed tense and from experience, she had something up her sleeves. 'I wasn't expecting anyone this morning," I said as soon as they got to me. 'And I haven't told you to seat down Mr. Robben," I said firmly but he didn't seem bothered. 'We are really sorry about that Myra," Britney says but I stopped her. 'It would be Miss Cullen to you Mrs. Robben," I said looking straight into her eyes because a bile had risen in my throat. ‘I used to go by that name,' I thought. 'Miss Cullen, sorry for barging in unannounced, may we sit?" Britney said as I nodded. 'Thank you," she said as she took her seat. 'First of all , I must commend how well you handled yesterday's meeting. I must say that my husband and I are really happy that you were able to avert the misfortunes that would have befallen the company. My husband here used to be Mr. Jonathan's daughter's husband. I mean Bella." She explained. 'Oh, really? How come Bella never told me?I didn't even know she was married.I'm so sorry about your loss." I said, feigning surprise. 'So, if I may ask, why are you here? I know you didn't come because you wanted to tell me he used to be Bella's husband." I said. 'Yes, we came because, you know…we'd like to clear the air about what happened yesterday. I meant how we both left the room before Carl could even speak," Royce answered this time around. 'We had something important that had to be done. We both don't want you to see us as adversaries. We are all professionals and it would be nice to at least find a common ground between us" he says indifferently. 'Adversarials? I guess this is the part where I have to ask you what you are trying to say because I really don't think I'm following your words," I said, even though I knew what they ate both trying to do. They want to get me to their sides, and then find a way to get rid of me later. I smirked as both of them looked at eachother, trying to find the right way to use and at the same time don't sound too eager. 'I think what my wife wants to say is that we would like a collaboration. Although, I really don't like your kind of person, people who get too lucky at climbing the ladder of success. People who don't know what it is to suffer for every piece of dime they own because they have some backings", he added 'Royce!" Britney called out to him in shock why I snicked. How very bold of him to say something like that to me considering how all he did to me? I get to climb the ladder of success quickly? How very shameless of him! 'That's where you are getting it wrong Mr. Robben. No one climbed the ladder of success easily. We all had to do what we had to do to be here today. I'm sure both of you here have also done one or two things that you wouldn't want anyone to find out about in order to get where you are right now," I said, making emphasis on each word. 'There's no point to keep bickering about this. All we want is a collaboration from you. You know, get to know one another and share ideas together.* Britney explained. 'Well, I suppose that wouldn't be bad," I said, trying to remain calm and neutral. 'Great. Why don't we have lunch together,say next week?" Britney said , testing the water. I looked from one to another, watching them with scrutiny. 'Yes, I suppose that isn't a bad idea either," I said and Britney beamed with happiness. 'I guess we'll see you then," Royce said as he stood up. And Myra, don't make us regret spreading our hands to you." He warned. Britney looked at him in surprise and looked towards me in apologies while they both sauntered out. I stifled a laugh as they leave and wonder what game Royce is trying to play by proving too hard to get as if he's some big shot. I could tell that there was some foul play somewhere. Their visit to me looked as if it was planned and they did a good job acting it out. As I placed the length of my office, my phone vibrated again. I walked to the table and picked it up. It was a message from Christian. 'Royce and Britney are sniffing around, trying to find out more about. Be careful" This time I laughed out loud. This is because they still operate as if we were in the 15th century. Christian and Percy already made sure that nothing is found about me except for the ones they planted themselves. As it is, the couple didn't know that I'm the leader on the chessboard and when I'm through with them, they wouldn't know what it them.