The New Classic

Chapter Twenty

"You don't have to thank me."

"I do. Not many people would have done that."

"I'm not many people." I quirked an eyebrow at her as she smiled.

"True." She opened her mouth to say something else but was cut short by a voice from behind me.

"Miller."

"Davies." I turned around, instantly recognising one of my toughest competitors and most hated nemesis from my college days. He still was, to be honest. Stealing clients using underhanded techniques was still his favorite hobby, I'd heard. "Shocking to see you here."

"Likewise." He smirked. And I swear to god, I'd never felt this urge to be so violent with someone ever before. He and I had history. It was mostly bad, though. It had started off innocently, just two of the top candidates in classes locked in a friendly competition with each other. But that eventually turned bitter when I landed the most sought out internship in one of the most reputed firms of that time instead of him. We'd been the final candidates that had been chosen, out of which only one would get the internship of a lifetime over there. I was the one. And he hated that. He somehow blamed it on nepotism, saying that I'd landed the job just because my father was an influential figure in the industry. I mean sure, it might have contributed a bit in the beginning. But I'd gotten the internship solely because of my hard work and years spent sacrificing everything else to build my perfect future. Jean Davies - as he liked to pronounce in the French way - didn't stop there, no. He'd proceeded to steal my clients right from under my nose, causing me to land in hot water with my bosses. We could have been friends maybe. We both were half french. We both were academically driven, ambitious and competitive as hell. We could have even worked together. But not in this life, for sure.

"And who is this?" He gave Aaliya a once over and something in his gaze did not sit right with me. Call me a caveman but I felt really possessive of her in this instance.

"Aaliya." She gave a tentative smile, looking at me briefly before she extended her hand towards him. "Aaliya Joshi. I'm the Finance Director at Dellite Inc."

"Oh," his lips curled up before he spoke. "What a pleasure to meet a beautiful woman like you, Miss Joshi."

"What the fuck do you want?" I butt in, the green, ugly monster inside of me rearing its head. "I know you like to play games but cut the bullshit, Davies."

"Games? I would never." He laid a hand on his chest - as if he had the audacity to be offended.

"Neil," a small hand on my arm made my tense body relax a bit. "Tone it down." Aaliya whispered before shaking her head.

"You don't know him well, Aaliya."

"Doesn't matter, Neil. Just play nice for today and keep whatever bad blood is there between you at the side for the time being, alright?"

Looking at her, I stiffly nodded before turning back to Davies. "I'd say that it was a pleasure to meet you, but that'd be a lie. Enjoy the convention, Davies, and I'll see you on the podium. Or not." I smirked, mocking him with a little salute as I watched him grind his teeth together. I may or may not have known that he hadn't been picked to be a guest speaker today.

"What's up with you today? You're acting...different." Aaliya gave me a weird look, her eyes scouring the room around us.

"Sorry," I huffed a breath as I closed my eyes. "He just manages to bring out the worst in me."

"I can see that."

"Are you mocking me, mon soleil?" I asked after seeing the small smile on her face. Fuck. Seeing those smiles would never get old for me. I should probably start keeping score of how many times I'd brought them to her face.