CHAPTER 242: MEETING HIM AFTER YEARS

Chapter 242- Meeting Him After Years.

Tyler’s POV

I froze.

What?

Slowly, I brought the phone back to my ear, blinking like I didn’t hear him right.

"And where’s the agreement for that?" I asked suspiciously, my voice flat but alert.

"I’ll send it over after the meeting so you can sign it," he said without missing a beat.

A small smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.

So now he was trying to bribe me with more shares?

Well played, old man.

"Okay," I said, dragging the word slowly. "Now let’s talk about this mysterious meeting. What’s it for? Who am I meeting? When? Where? I need details, Declan."

"You’re going to have the meeting on my behalf," he started.

I rolled my eyes so hard, again.

"No shit. I know I’m having the meeting for you. That’s not what I’m asking," I snapped. "Who am I meeting with? That’s my question. Give me a name, a face—something."

He cleared his throat again like he was buying time.

God, this man was annoying.

"Thank you for that question," he said, acting all formal and diplomatic like he was speaking at a press conference.

I didn’t say anything. I just let him go on with his nonsense.

"So... the person you’re meeting with recently returned from abroad," Declan said, still dragging the whole thing out like it was a movie trailer. "He’s the owner of one of the biggest companies in Russia. Huge investments. Real estate. Tech. And now, after many years, he’s back in Europe."

"Declan," I growled, rubbing my temple, "why are you beating around the bush like this? Can you just say what I need to do and stop talking like I’m watching a documentary? Be clear."

"Apologies. You’re not even patient, are you?" he said with a fake chuckle. "Anyway—here’s the main thing: my company and his company are thinking of partnering on a joint project. It’s a twenty million dollar deal."

My eyebrows shot up.

"Twenty million?" I repeated.

"Yup. We’re planning to launch a new organization—joint ownership. If it works out, we’re expected to make over forty million in returns. But first, we need to sit down and plan it properly. The foundation. The structure. Sales strategy. Marketing. Profit-sharing. The full works," Declan explained like he’d memorized it.

"And you want me to go do all that?" I asked.

"Exactly. I need you to go meet with the CEO, see if they’re serious, ask the hard questions, and then discuss how to move forward. If everything checks out, we’ll move to the next stage."

I tilted my head back and sighed.

"You know..." I said slowly, rubbing my eyes, "You always seem to give me instructions you can’t even carry out by yourself. Isn’t it sad that I basically run your company more than you do?"

He didn’t say anything.

Of course he didn’t. Because he knew I was right.

"Alright," I muttered. "Send the files to me. I’ll go through them once I’m done here."

"Thank you so much—" he started to say.

But I didn’t let him finish. I cut the call.

I leaned back in my chair, still holding the phone, and let out a deep breath.

"Suit yourself," I mumbled to myself, tossing the phone on the table like it had just annoyed me personally.

I glanced at the clock. It was way past midnight. I was already drained, but I knew I wasn’t going home anytime soon. So I stood up, pushed my tired body toward the corner of the office where the coffee machine sat, and began making myself a strong cup of coffee.

If I was going to survive this night and deal with this mysterious meeting tomorrow, I’d need caffeine, patience, and maybe divine intervention.

————-

The next day...

My alarm went off like it hated me.

That sharp, annoying sound dragged me out of what barely even felt like sleep. I groaned and reached out blindly to hit the stop button. My body begged me to lie back down, but I couldn’t. I already slept way more than I was supposed to... yet somehow, I still felt like I hadn’t closed my eyes at all.

It was already noon.

I sat up on the bed slowly, resting my elbows on my knees as I took a long, deep breath. My whole body felt sore, especially my back. That’s what happens when you sleep like a rock after sitting at a desk all night.

I walked over to the mirror.

One look at my reflection and I sighed. My eyes were swollen and puffy like I’d cried myself to sleep — which I didn’t. I was just tired. Exhausted, actually. I had stayed up till almost 4 a.m. arranging all the files, cross-checking everything, organizing the documents for the meeting. I needed to make sure nothing looked rushed or unprofessional.

And now here I was. Looking like a raccoon in a suit.

I splashed water on my face, brushed my teeth, and dragged myself into the shower. The cold water helped a little. At least it woke me up. By the time I came out, my body felt a little less heavy. I wore a dark gray suit.

I double-checked the suitcase that held all the files. Everything was there.

Sprayed my cologne. Looked at myself one more time in the mirror.

"You got this," I mumbled, even though I didn’t feel it. Then I picked up my keys and left the house.

I was already halfway to the café—the meeting place—when my phone started ringing.

I sighed and glanced at the screen.

Mom.

I pulled over to the side of the road and answered the call. I already knew this wasn’t going to be a short one.

"Hello, Mom," I said flatly. "I’m busy."

"You’re always busy," she snapped back immediately, like she was just waiting for me to say that.

I didn’t answer. I just waited for her to say whatever made her call me in the middle of my already stressful day.

"Why did you stand that lady up?" she asked, her voice rising. "The one I introduced you to? She told me you agreed to meet her for lunch and then never showed up! Tyler, you didn’t even pick up her calls. Do you know how embarrassing that is?"

Here we go again.

I rubbed my temple and closed my eyes for a second.

"Tell her I’m sorry," I said, not even pretending to mean it. "And tell her it was your fault. You keep pushing women at me like I asked you to. I’ve told you a hundred times, Mom. I’m not interested. I don’t want to fall in love. I’m done with it. Just let it go."

"Tyler, you can’t keep living like this," she argued. "Ever since you and Alexa broke up in high school—"

"Bye, Mom." I didn’t let her finish. I ended the call.

She thinks it’s about Alexa. If only she knew it had nothing to do with her. The truth is way deeper than that. But explaining it would only cause more questions I don’t want to answer.

I started the car again and kept driving.

After about twenty minutes of fighting traffic and cursing under my breath at red lights, I finally reached the café. It was a small but classy place. I parked, grabbed my suitcase, and checked the time.

Damn.

I was five minutes late.

I groaned. This isn’t good. I hated being late. It makes you look unserious. Unreliable. And I needed this meeting to go smoothly, especially if I wanted to collect that 35% my dad promised.

I rushed into the café, scanning the room quickly, trying to spot the person I was supposed to meet.

Then I saw him.

Sitting in the far corner, back straight, face down, staring at something in his hand—maybe his phone or a document. He looked calm. Focused. Almost too perfect.

"Great," I muttered under my breath as I walked toward him, putting on a polite smile. "I hope he hasn’t been waiting too long."

I stopped in front of him.

"Hi," I said politely, trying not to sound too rushed. "Hope I haven’t kept you waiting?"

He didn’t look up. His head stayed down, and he didn’t say a word.

"Hello?" I said again, louder this time. "Are you the one I’m supposed to be meeting with?"

No answer.

I frowned.

Then slowly... he looked up.

And my world tilted.

My breath caught in my throat.

My heart slammed hard against my chest, and I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. I just stood there, staring at him like I’d just seen a ghost.

His eyes met mine.

And suddenly, everything around me faded.

"Why... why... does he look... like him?"