"Hello Carla"As Carla stood face to face with King, her eyes widened with surprise, and her gaze traveled across his appearance. Once a man of wealth and opulence, he now stood before her with signs of adversity etched on his countenance. A mix of emotions coursed through her, creating a whirlwind of thoughts and reactions.Initially, disbelief washed over her features, momentarily freezing her in place. The stark contrast between the memories of his affluence and the reality of his current state was jarring. She blinked, hoping that the scene before her was a mere illusion, an ephemeral trick played by her own mind.As the initial shock subsided, a wave of compassion and concern engulfed her heart. She gazed into his eyes, searching for the essence of the man she once knew. She recognized the weariness and struggle etched on his face, the marks of a life that had taken an unexpected turn. Her heart ached at the realization of the challenges he must have faced and the hardships th
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe I finally have the opportunity to meet you like this, Armand, I'm sorry, Mr. Armstrong! Thank you so much for taking the time to see me." Carla said, bursting with excitement once they were seated in a quiet corner of the coffee shop."Well, I must admit, I wasn't quite sure about this meeting at first, but your persistence and enthusiasm won me over. So, what's all the excitement about? Tell me, how have you been and what have you been up to?" Armand asked, smiling politely."Armand, you won't believe it!" Carla said, beaming."I've been working tirelessly on a project that I truly believe will revolutionize the way people communicate. It's a new mobile application that connects individuals through shared interests and hobbies. I've poured my heart and soul into it, and I would love to share my vision with you." She said,"A mobile application, you say? Well, I must say, I'm quite intrigued. Please, go ahead and tell me more." Armand said, acting
Maintaining a composed and professional demeanor, Armand maintained eye contact with Carla, nodding slightly to acknowledge that he has heard the suggestion.Internally, Armand's mind began to assess the feasibility and practicality of the idea. And his mind told him what he already knew. Implementing such a suggestion would be impractical, unattainable, and incompatible.Despite this realization, Armand aimed to handle the situation diplomatically.Maintaining a calm and collected presence, Armand carefully chose his words, aiming to address Carla's suggestion tactfully."Miss Smith, expanding into new markets can indeed be a growth opportunity, but it is crucial to approach it strategically and realistically. Entering new markets requires careful planning, market analysis, building distribution networks, and investing in marketing and promotional activities. It takes time to establish a presence and gain a significant market share. Rapid expansion can also be financially risky i
"Vanessa? What has Vanessa got to do with anything?" Armand asked.Carla, with a sly smile, leaned in and asked, "Armand, tell me honestly, was it because of your representative that you rejected me? Does she fulfill your desires better than I ever could?"Armand, taken aback by the audacity of her question, couldn't help but chuckle softly. He looked directly into her eyes, his gaze unwavering. "No, Carla," he replied firmly. "It had nothing to do with my representative."Carla's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "Then why, Armand? Why did you turn away from me when I tried to seduce you just now? Was it because I didn't treat you well during our marriage?"Armand sighed, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and frustration. "I'm surprised you're even asking me that question, but yes, Carla, it was precisely that. The way you treated me when we were married, the constant belittling and disrespect, made me realize how toxic our relationshi
"Carla, can I call you back?" Armand asked and without waiting for a reply, he hung up."Vanessa, you want me to go to the Charles Smith company? The last time I was there, I caught my wife with another man. My father in-law humiliated me in front of his cheating daughter and her lover. Also, Carla's secretary insulted me." Armand said."Yes Armand, I want you to go back there. Things have changed. They need your help now." Vanessa explained."If you say so." Picking up the phone, Armand called Carla again. "Carla," Armand's voice quivered with a mixture of fake regret and determination. "I owe you an apology. I'm sorry for abruptly ending our conversation earlier."There was a pause on the other end, a hesitant silence that seemed to stretch into eternity. Finally, Carla's voice emerged, "I appreciate your apology."Armand took a moment to gather his thoughts, aware that his next words held the power to shape the course of their interaction."Carla, I've been thinking about
Monday arrived soon. As the morning sun kissed the horizon, casting its warm, golden glow upon the world, Armand stood in front of his home, a sense of contentment and nostalgia washing over him. Dressed in his neatly pressed work attire, he couldn't help but smile as he reminisced about the beautiful weekend he had spent with Vanessa.The weekend had been a blissful escape from the hectic demands of their daily lives.With a dreamy look in his eyes, he absently grabbed his car keys and began to stroll towards the garage. Armand's heart swelled with affection as he replayed the moments they had spent exchanging playful banter as they discovered hidden nooks and crannies.His steps grew lighter as he recalled the joyous moments they had shared around. Armand marveled at the way Vanessa's eyes sparkled like the brightest constellations in the night sky, a reflection of the love and happiness they both felt.Reaching the garage, he paused to lean against the doorframe, his m
It was the start of a new day. The sun appeared as a radiant orb. As it rose higher, it brought a sense of renewal and energy to the start of the day.Armand stood at his garage's doorway. He smelled the familiar, intoxicating blend of rich, earthy undertones, mingling with notes of leather, fuel, and a hint of polished metal. But today felt strange. He felt both excited and worried.He hadn't driven himself in a long while. King, who had turned out to be his ever-reliable driver, had been the one behind the wheel for countless journeys. King's expert hands guided the car on the roads with such accuracy that Armand was used to it. When King drove, the car felt like a part of him, smoothly moving through traffic like a well-practiced dance.But today was the day of the interview and Armand had granted King the day off. Armand knew this was his chance to reclaim the driver's seat, to rekindle the sensation of control that had slowly faded in his absence.With a deep breath, Ar
"Tomorrow will arrive soon." Those were Vanessa's words the previous day after Armand had gotten off the phone with Charles.Indeed, tomorrow did arrive soon. Armand decided to arrive at the first loan company, Gifted hands, before Charles and Carla.He was waiting at the gate for them when they both arrived, looking at Carla, he could clearly tell she had dressed to impress him.She had on a well-fitted, tailored blazer and pencil skirt in a deep, rich red color.The blazer had a slightly low-cut V-neckline, revealing just a hint of skin, while maintaining a sophisticated silhouette. She paired it with tasteful heels, minimalistic jewelry, and subtle makeup. As they got closer, Armand broke into a fake smile."Armand, we can't thank you enough," Carla said, her voice a mixture of gratitude and amazement. She extended her arms for a hug, instead of reciprocating, Armand shook her hand instead.Charles's eyes shimmered with appreciation as he shook Armand's hand firmly. "Arm