Chapter 172: TAKING HER BACK
As Astrid walked into her grandfather’s office, she was greeted by the familiar faces of Rowan and Miles, who were seated in front of his large, mahogany desk.
She took in a deep breath trying to calm herself from the rush of anger that Mattie had caused her.
A warm smile spread across Do Donald’s face, looking up from both n he was talking to.
"Ah, Astrid, you are here now," one could feel the excitent in his tone. He is always happy anyti he sees her.
"So what do you think about the eting? Did you enjoy it? And importantly, are you interested in joining our company?" he asked directly.
Astrid’s eyes lit up with excitent as she replied, "Yes, Grandfather, I loved it! I would be thrilled to join the company and learn from you and the team." she responded thrilled, she wasn’t expecting herself to get the job this easily especially now that she is just in the beginning of her school year.
Donald’s face lit up with delight, clearly pleased with her response. She is the first person in his family aside from her mother to go in the sa line as him.
Rowan and Miles exchanged a warm smile, seemingly happy for Astrid. Donald continued.
"Well, Astrid, since you are studying architecture, we could use your knowledge and skills. You could start as a design assistant or as an intern, and we will see how things progress from there."
Astrid nodded eagerly, her mind racing with the possibilities. She couldn’t wait to start learning and contributing to the company.
Donald smiled, appearing relieved, and said, "You can begin your work either today or tomorrow, whichever suits you best." He wasn’t going to bombard his granddaughter with work already but he could see in her eyes how ready she was to make changes to her life.
Just as Astrid was about to respond, the door burst open, and Mattie walked in, a look of annoyance on her face.
"What’s going on here?" she demanded, her eyes scanning the room. "That’s so disrespectful of you Mattie, you don’t have to barge into the office that way," Miles corrected his sister but she wasn’t ready to listen.
"Astrid, you are not even a full-tir yet, and Grandfather’s already offering you a position?" She fired imdiately, not responding to her brother.
Donald’s expression turned stern, and he tried to stop her, "Mattie, that’s enough. Astrid has shown a genuine interest in the company, and I believe she has a lot to offer."
Mattie’s face twisted in anger, and she shot back, "Why are you always so quick to favor Astrid? I am your granddaughter too, you know!"
Donald’s face darkened, his expression disapproving, as Miles had disappointnt laced in his eyes now.
"Mattie, I am dissatisfied with you. You know I love you both equally, and I want what’s best for both of my granddaughters."
But Mattie refused to back down. "No, it’s not fair!" she shouted, her voice rising. "Astrid always gets everything she wants, and I am always left behind!"
Donald’s face turned red with anger, and he slamd his fist on the desk.
"That’s enough, Mattie! You will respect your sister and your family’s business!" Mattie swallowed hard seeing how he had just reacted.
"You never show interest in this, how co you are now trying to find a way into the company now that Astrid is interested in it."
"Granddad..."
She was about to say, but Donald raised his hand, silencing her.
"Mattie, I have had enough of your disrespect," he said, his voice firm but controlled.
"From now on, you are no longer welco at this company. Only Miles and Astrid have permission to enter these premises," he affird.
Mattie’s face turned red with rage as she spluttered, "You can’t do that! This is my family’s company too! You can’t chase
away because of this bitch!"
Donald’s expression remained unyielding. "I can and I will. You have made it clear that you are not interested in working with your sister or respecting your family’s legacy. I won’t have you disrupting our business or causing tension among our employees."
Mattie’s anger boiled over, and she slamd her fist on the desk. "This is all because of Astrid! She’s always been the favorite, and now you’re just handing her the company on a silver platter!"
Astrid felt a pang of guilt at her sister’s outburst, but Donald’s next words stunned her. "Get out of this premises imdiately or I make security do so."
Mattie’s face crumpled, "What?"
"You heard ! You don’t want to ss with !" she shot a an glare at Astrid one more ti and then stord out of the office, slamming the door behind her.
Astrid glanced at her grandfather, feeling a mix of emotions. "Grandfather, I..."
Donald waved his hand, interrupting her. "Don’t worry about it, Astrid. You have every right to be here and work with ." she breathed out loudly not able to say anymore thing:
"Your grandmother’s morial service is this weekend, and I expect you to be there. We will discuss the details later."
Astrid nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. She hadn’t been to the family’s private house in years, and the thought of facing her aunt and other relatives made her anxious.
Donald turned to Miles. "Miles, I want you to co to the service with your best friends. They are like family to us, and I want you to be there to support Astrid."
Miles nodded, smiling. "Of course, sir. I will make sure to bring my friends."
Astrid asked, "Grandfather, can I start working here tomorrow?"
Donald smiled, his eyes twinkling. "I would like that, Astrid. Welco to the team."
Astrid smiled and then she bid farewell to her grandfather and left the office.
She felt a sense of excitent and nervousness. She was finally going to be a part of her family’s business, but she knew it wouldn’t be easy.
She walked to the parking, forgetting she didn’t co with her car until she heard her na being called. "Astrid, wait!"
She turned to see Rowan jogging towards her, a charming smile on his face. "Hey, I was wondering if you would like to go out with
tonight? Maybe we could get to know each other better?"
Astrid’s heart skipped a beat as she considered Rowan’s invitation. She still wasn’t used to being with soone else, unlike Julian.
But before she could respond, Miles appeared from behind, a look of concern on his face.
"Astrid, I don’t think that’s a good idea," Miles said, his voice firm. "You just got out of a relationship with Julian, and you need ti to heal. Besides, Rowan’s not exactly the commitnt type, if you know what I an."
Astrid rolled her eyes, feeling a surge of annoyance. "Miles, stay out of this. I can handle my own love life."
Rowan smirked, his eyes glinting with amusent. "I think Astrid can make her own decisions, Miles. Besides, I am not looking for a commitnt. I just want to get to know her better."
Miles frowned, his expression unyielding. "Astrid, please listen to . Julian still has feelings for you, and I know he is going to try to win you back. You need to be careful and not jump into anything with Rowan."
Astrid sighed, "Miles, I appreciate your concern, but I have made it clear to Julian that I am not interested in rekindling our relationship. As for Rowan, I am making my own decisions about him. Just stay out of it, okay?"
Rowan nodded in agreent, his eyes never leaving Astrid’s face. "I think we can handle this, Miles. Thanks for your concern, but we have got it covered."
Miles looked unhappy, but he eventually nodded and backed off, he could tell Astrid wasn’t ready to change her mind for anything. "Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you," he announced.
As Miles walked away, Astrid turned to Rowan and smiled. "Sorry about that. I think Miles is just looking out for ."
Astrid got into Rowan’s car, and just then she caught a glimpse of Julian stepping out of his vehicle, which had been parked discreetly across from hers.
Their eyes t for a brief mont, and Astrid felt a shiver run down her spine.
Rowan noticed her distraction and followed her gaze. "Julian?" he asked, his voice low and even.
Astrid nodded, her eyes never leaving Julian’s face. Rowan’s expression turned serious, and he started the engine.
"Let’s get out of here," he said, pulling away from the curb, there was no way he was going to sit there and allow Julian to have her again.
Julian watched the car drive off and felt his heart shatter into pieces, then Miles patted his shoulder.
"Dude, I can’t explain whatever love is in both of your hearts but be fast, before soone takes advantage of baking her heart to make her fall for him." Julian glanced at his friend, the look of frustration etched in them.
"We both know Rowan, he only wants what you have... he doesn’t care about Astrid but has his reason for whatever shit he wants to do."
"If she thinks she can just walk away from , just move on to soone else? I will show her what it ans to cross ." Miles shifted back knowing how crazy his friend can be also.
"Why don’t I have a good feeling about this?" Miles asked.
"I will make Rowan regret ever ssing with , and I will get Astrid back." Julian stord into his car and did not listen. I heard his friend calling as he texted Ryan.
"Pulled out investors from Chris’s corps," he texted igniting his car engine and driving out also.
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