19

Chapter Nineteen

On Sunday afternoon, Amanda walked out of her family home, feeling dejected.

Half an hour ago, she had walked into the house, feeling optimistic.

Thanks to a call from Rachel, the housekeeper, she was finally able to catch her father alone, outside work. She had hoped to make a last plea and hope that he backed off where Lemaiyan Fits was concerned.

"I know you feel as if you have no control over anything at the moment," he had told her, pouring her a cup of tea. "But it's only for a moment."

"Why? Why now? Do you also believe that I'm not capable of running the company?"

He had shaken his head. "No, of course not, dear. Amanda, you checked the reports. The board is concerned about the profit margin."

"The profit margin is pretty satisfying, Dad."

"It is, but it's not on par with the other companies. It could be better if you tapped into the market we're targeting with the new collection."

"Dad. We agreed that this is not another one of your subsidiaries. If you gave me your shares right now like we agreed, your board wouldn't have to worry about an underperforming affiliate."

"I've not forgotten about my promise, Amanda. But at the moment, the company is in my group."

"Because you're keeping it there." A fear she had never considered before had grappled her. Her father had always treated her well. He would never lie to her. When she gave him her mother's inheritance and agreed on the fate of the company, she never once considered it was in her best interest to get everything in writing.

He was her father.

In the long run, she had the right to about a third of his business empire, which was times more valuable than Lemaiyan Fits.

It wouldn't make sense that he would have an ulterior motive.

God, she even felt disgusted at herself for considering it.

He had reached out and covered her hand with his. "Amanda, I'm not just the Chairman. I'm your father. I know how people are talking about you after what happened. I'm concerned that if I hand everything over to you right now, you'll be dealing with more negative attacks." He squeezed her hand. "Look. Relax and recover from what happened. By the time you're done working with this project, you'll be in the right headspace to head the company, on your own."

His words got to her. Maybe this was just his way of showing his concern for her.

She wished he would listen when she told him she was fine.

She couldn't help getting annoyed that everybody around her seemed to expect her to have lost her skills and abilities because of her breakup.

As if it incapacitated her.

If anything, it made her more driven.

When she got back from her short vacation, she had every intention to go beyond every achievement the company had recorded in the past two years.

Instead, she found herself stuck with a project she was having trouble pouring her heart into.

A project that had no meaning to her.

Hell, maybe that's what would incapacitate her.

She got into her car and drove off towards the beach. The idea of a stroll down the sandy stretch felt inviting. Maybe she would scream out at the ocean, let all her frustrations go.

Then when she went back to work the next day, she would own that project and prove to everyone that no, she wasn't going to cower in a corner no matter what they threw her way.

Amanda left her car at a park a few minutes' walk to the docks and headed for the beach.

She strolled towards the deserted end of the beach, seeking solitude that would allow her to collect her thoughts.

A few minutes into her walk, she took off her sneakers and carried them in her hands. Feeling the white sand beneath her feet had a satisfying and oddly relaxing effect. Coupled with the cold breeze in her face, it couldn't get better.

She was so immersed in experiencing the nature around her that she didn't hear him approaching.

When he called her name, she started and dropped her shoes to the sand.

She turned to find Lucas jogging up to her, a grin on his face. "Holy, it's really you."

She bent to pick up her shoes. Her hand pushed her hair aside as she got a good look at him. "Lucas? What are you doing here?"

He stopped in front of her. "I should be the one asking you that." He looked up and down the beach. "I live around here."

Right, of course. There were several beach houses in that area. Beach houses that someone like Lucas Erikson could effortlessly afford.

"Impressive," she mumbled. She held up her shoes. "I'm taking a walk."

"So am I. Can I join?"

Actually, he looked like was he was doing something more hardcore than walking. He was wearing a pair of sports shorts and vest. There was a large patch of sweat down his chest, and his hair was sticking to his forehead. He must have been on one long run.

He caught her assessing look. "I just got back from my run. Headed back to my place. It's about five minutes from here."

The last time they talked, he propositioned her. Now, he wanted to join her on her beach walk. Towards his place.

Nothing she couldn't handle, right?

"Okay."

His brow shot up, as if he wasn't expecting her to agree so easily. "Okay?"

"Lead the way."