Chapter 2 The Client From Hell

Charlotte Bennett had prepared for many things.

Difficult clients. Last-minute cancellations. Brides who changed their colour themes five times in one afternoon.

She had even dealt with a woman who wanted a winter wonderland wedding in the middle of July.

But she had not prepared for Alexander Sterling.

Not as a neighbour.

And certainly not as a potential client.

Standing outside the glass doors of Sterling International, Charlotte took a deep breath.

"Business first," she whispered. "Personal feelings later."

She straightened her cream blazer, adjusted her handbag and walked towards reception.

A young woman behind the desk greeted her.

"Good afternoon. How can I help you?"

"Charlotte Bennett. I have a twelve o'clock appointment with Daniel."

"Of course. Please take a seat. I'll let him know you're here."

Charlotte smiled politely and sat down.

She looked around the reception area.

Everything was expensive.

The marble floor, the enormous glass windows, the modern furniture and even the flowers displayed on the reception desk looked as though they had been selected by someone who didn't believe in ordinary things.

She glanced at the flowers.

"At least somebody here has good taste," she murmured.

"Miss Bennett?"

Charlotte looked up.

A tall man in a grey suit approached her.

"Daniel?"

"Yes. It's nice to meet you."

They shook hands.

"Likewise."

"Mr. Sterling is ready for you."

Charlotte's smile weakened.

"He's attending the presentation?"

Daniel nodded.

"He's the CEO."

"Yes. I know."

Daniel gave her a curious look.

"Have you met before?"

Charlotte stood and adjusted her blazer.

"Unfortunately."

Daniel laughed lightly, assuming she was joking.

He led her towards the lifts.

---

Alexander was standing behind his desk when Charlotte entered.

He wore a dark navy suit and was reading something on his tablet.

He didn't immediately look up.

"You're late."

Charlotte glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Good afternoon to you too. And I'm actually five minutes early."

"You're not exactly punctual if you're standing outside my office."

She stared at him.

"Do you practise being difficult, or does it come naturally?"

Daniel cleared his throat.

"Mr. Sterling, this is Miss Charlotte Bennett from Bennett Events."

Alexander finally raised his eyes.

"I know."

Charlotte smiled tightly.

"Lovely. Saves us time."

Daniel looked between them.

There was clearly something he had missed.

Alexander gestured towards the chair opposite his desk.

"Sit."

Charlotte sat.

Daniel placed the presentation folder on the desk.

"I'll leave you both to it."

"Thank you," Charlotte said.

Alexander didn't respond.

The moment the door closed, Charlotte opened her folder.

"Right. Since we're both busy, shall we begin?"

"Please."

She took out her proposal.

"The Sterling International charity gala is a wonderful opportunity to bring your business partners, investors and selected guests together. My proposal focuses on elegance, comfort and a memorable experience without unnecessary extravagance."

Alexander glanced at the first page.

"Unnecessary extravagance?"

"Yes."

"You're planning an event for a billionaire company."

"And?"

He looked up.

"You're aware of our budget?"

"I am."

"Then perhaps you should understand that we don't need a cheap-looking event."

Charlotte slowly lowered her pen.

"Did I say cheap?"

"You said unnecessary extravagance."

"Because spending money simply to prove you have money is unnecessary."

Alexander leaned back.

"That's an interesting opinion."

"Thank you. I have several."

He turned another page.

"The proposed venue is unsuitable."

Charlotte frowned.

"Why?"

"Too small."

"It's designed to accommodate the number of guests your office provided."

"We may invite additional investors."

"Then I can adjust the seating arrangement."

"The decoration is too simple."

"It's an elegant charity gala, not a circus."

Daniel, who had returned to collect a document, stopped just outside the partly open door.

Alexander looked at Charlotte.

"Do you always speak to potential clients like this?"

"Only when they make it difficult to do my job."

He closed the folder.

"I don't think this proposal is what we're looking for."

Charlotte stared at him.

"You haven't even allowed me to finish."

"I've seen enough."

She took a slow breath.

"Mr. Sterling, with all due respect, if you wanted someone to agree with every ridiculous suggestion you made, you could have hired a personal assistant instead of an event planner."

His eyes narrowed.

"Careful, Miss Bennett."

"No, you be careful. I have worked hard to build my company. I didn't come here to sit quietly while someone insults my work."

For a moment, the room became silent.

Charlotte gathered her papers.

"Thank you for your time. I'll send an updated proposal if you decide you're interested in working with a professional who actually understands events."

She stood.

Alexander's expression remained unreadable.

"Are you walking out?"

"Unless you have another complaint about my shoes."

She picked up her handbag.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Sterling."

And she walked out.

---

Daniel was standing near the reception desk when Charlotte arrived.

"How did it go?"

Charlotte smiled.

"Wonderful. Your boss is a delight."

Daniel looked towards the executive office.

"That bad?"

"Let me put it this way. If he were a customer at a restaurant, the waiter would resign."

Daniel tried not to laugh.

"I'm sorry about that."

"Don't be. It's not your fault."

She adjusted her handbag.

"Have a good day, Daniel."

"You too, Miss Bennett."

Charlotte walked towards the lifts.

Daniel watched her disappear before returning to Alexander's office.

He found his boss standing beside the window.

"Well?"

Alexander turned.

"Well, what?"

"Your meeting."

"Unproductive."

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"She seemed confident."

"She seemed argumentative."

"Perhaps because you rejected every suggestion."

Alexander gave him a cold look.

"Are you questioning my decision?"

"Absolutely not, sir."

"Good."

Daniel placed the document on the desk.

"One more thing. The board specifically requested Bennett Events. They liked her previous work."

Alexander looked at him.

"And?"

"And they expect us to consider her proposal before making a final decision."

Alexander said nothing.

Daniel continued.

"I'd recommend giving her another opportunity."

"You're dismissed."

Daniel nodded.

"Of course."

He walked towards the door.

"Daniel."

"Yes, sir?"

"Find out why the board recommended her."

Daniel smiled faintly.

"Already done."

He left before Alexander could ask anything else.

Alexander looked towards the closed door.

Charlotte Bennett.

He had known her for less than twenty-four hours, and she was already becoming a problem.

---

By the time Charlotte returned home, she was exhausted.

She dropped her handbag onto the sofa, removed her heels and headed straight for the kitchen.

Her phone rang.

Olivia.

Charlotte answered.

"Before you ask, no. I didn't get the contract."

"What happened?"

"My neighbour is the CEO."

There was a pause.

"Wait. The handsome one you complained about?"

"Don't call him handsome."

"So he's handsome?"

"Olivia!"

Her friend laughed.

"Tell me everything."

Charlotte opened the fridge.

"He rejected my proposal before I finished presenting it. Apparently, my decorations are too simple, my venue is too small, and I don't understand what rich people want."

"Maybe he wants a golden toilet."

Charlotte burst out laughing.

"Don't give him ideas."

"Are you going to take the job if he changes his mind?"

Charlotte pulled out a bottle of water.

"It's a good contract. I need the money. So yes."

"Even if you have to work with Mr. Miserable?"

Charlotte sighed.

"Unfortunately, my business account doesn't accept personal hatred as payment."

Olivia laughed again.

"You're going to have fun."

"I seriously doubt that."

Charlotte ended the call and walked towards her bedroom.

Just as she reached the door, someone knocked.

She frowned.

Who now?

She opened it.

Alexander Sterling stood outside.

Again.

Charlotte looked at him.

Then at the empty corridor.

Then back at him.

"Have you lost something?"

"No."

"Then why are you here?"

He held out a folder.

"Your proposal."

She looked down.

It was the same folder she had left in his office.

"I know what that is."

"Good. Then take it."

Charlotte accepted it.

"Thank you."

He remained standing there.

She waited.

He waited.

Finally, she raised an eyebrow.

"Is there something else?"

"Your proposal needs revisions."

Charlotte stared at him.

"Excuse me?"

"The board wants a second presentation. Tomorrow morning."

She looked at the folder.

Then back at him.

"Are you asking me to revise it?"

"I'm telling you what the board wants."

"Of course. Because asking politely might damage your reputation."

Alexander ignored the comment.

"Ten o'clock. Don't be late."

Charlotte smiled.

It was not a friendly smile.

"Don't worry, Mr. Sterling. I'll be there."

"Good."

He turned to leave.

"Alexander?"

He stopped and looked back.

Charlotte tilted her head.

"One small thing."

"What?"

"Next time you come to my door, try knocking like a normal human being instead of delivering instructions."

His expression hardened.

"Goodnight, Miss Bennett."

"Sweet dreams, Your Majesty."

He walked away.

Charlotte closed the door and looked at the folder in her hand.

She had a presentation to prepare.

A billionaire to deal with.

And a growing suspicion that moving into apartment 804 had been the worst decision of her life.

Across the corridor, Alexander entered his penthouse.

He removed his jacket and placed it over a chair.

Then his phone buzzed.

A message from Daniel.

DANIEL: The board wants you to give Miss Bennett a fair chance. They also mentioned that her previous events received excellent reviews.

Alexander stared at the message.

He typed a reply.

ALEXANDER: I'll decide that tomorrow.

He put his phone down.

For some reason, he could still hear Charlotte's voice in his head.

Sweet dreams, Your Majesty.

He shook his head.

This was going to be a problem.

A very loud problem.