Axel and London sat down, and Talia could tell that they were assessing her immediately.
She didn't greet them or utter a word. They were the ones that came to her, not the other way around.
This made things way much easier for her, her plan was going to have to move forward sooner than she thought.
When they didn't say anything, Talia realized that it was because Marian was there, she was watching the exchange like a hawk.
Talia gave her a dismissing glance.
"I will be outside if you need anything, Ma’am." With that Marian left.
Talia turned her attention back to the men.
"So, this is where you have been?" asked Axel
"What do you want?" Talia responded.
"Wow, no hello or anything," he replied.
"If you don't have anything to say or propose I suggest you leave."
"Wow, you have definitely grown up."
"I couldn't stay a child forever."
"London, can you wait outside? I need a moment alone with Talia."
London nodded and he got up and left.
When the door closed, Talia heard Axel take a deep breath.
"I have missed you, Talia. More than you can imagine."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, I searched for you all these years and now I have found you."
"But what is your point?"
Axel looked taken aback by her tone, "my point is that I am glad that I have found you."
"So, what?"
"We can work things out, Talia."
"Work what out?"
"Being husband and wife, we can be happy."
"I am not your wife."
"Yes, you are. We made vows and you said yes."
"I did, but the circumstances are different now, so you can shove that marriage shit and that speech of yours."
"I still have the license, it’s recorded."
"If you want to take this to court we can. I married you under circumstances that were unlawful, if I recall. Is that what you came all this way to tell me? "
"No, Talia. I want to talk, really talk. This is not how I imagined this to be."
"Then how did you imagine it to be? That it would be all rainbows and sunshine?"
"Of course not, I just didn't expect you to be..."
"Let me finish that sentence for you. To be immune to your bullshit!"
"No that's not what I meant, and you know it."
"I mean, what does this have to do with business? I only saw you because Marian said that you wanted to sign a contract. Am I wrong?"
"What are you on about, Talia?"
"Exactly what I just said. I have entertained you for long enough. Now let's get back on track as to what this meeting should really be about."
"Is that important right now?"
"Yes, yes, it is. For me, that's the only reason why I saw you. Because you wanted an answer as to why we hadn't gotten back to you or why we had rejected the contract."
"We will talk about the contract later."
"Then get out of my office and come back when you are ready to discuss it."
"But..."
"Or should I call security, so that they can come and take you out?"
Axel looked at her and she saw that he knew that she meant every word.
He got up and straightened his suit, he came around her table and leaned close, so his face was next to hers.
"I see you want to challenge me but I won't let you go ever."
He straightened back up and smiled,
"I will be back."
And with that, he left.
