CHAPTER 13- ONCE AGAIN
Emily
Mike was a good man he’s been with my father for more than five years now. He’s handsome and a career goal-oriented type of man, maybe that’s the reason why he wouldn’t have any woman around him.
“We’re almost there, Ems.” He said as he was making his way to park his car.
Yes, you read it right. After more than an hour of spending our precious time in the traffic jam, which was unintentional. We finally arrived at the venue. I hate to be late in any appointment that I would needed to be in time, for me time means a single penny. If you were late then, you wasted the money.
I rolled my eyes as the traffic jam was getting into my nerves. “Hurry, Mike. We’re late.” I told him as I hurriedly get off the car.Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
I heard him giggled but I didn’t mind it. All I care about now was to close the deal with my parents’ new business partner. Besides, this was my first time making a deal with our future client. I was still hoping for their consideration and all.
“Hey, careful! Ems.” He worriedly said. “Calm down first. I need your presence of mind here. The client has been your father’s target for more than a year.” Mike told her and held her hand tightly.
“I know Mike. That’s why being late was the worst thing that happened to us.” Emily explained to Mike while they were both walking inside the hotel.
“Shit!” I grumbled as I felt the sting pain of my ankle.
“Are you okay?” Mike asked me again.
I didn’t answer but nodded my head twice and it was visible on my face that I could feel the pain on my ankle. It was damn painful and it was quite hard for me to walk so I held the metal on the walls and leaned on it for a while.
Fuck! I forgot to take my medicine.
“Ems, I can carry you.” he volunteered himself and even bent his knee down and made a gesture for me to ride his back so I won’t get tired easily and could not feel the pain at all.
I swiftly put both of my hands in the air to refuse about his offer. “No way Mike, with the crowd like this? Please don’t do that.” I pleaded and continued walking towards the restaurant even though I was not in my good posture.
Then, Mike suddenly appeared in front of me, he smiled and offered his hands instead of riding his back. But, this time I couldn’t refuse Mike, he’s been so kind to me and my family since the day we met him.
“Here, your hand should be placed here. You can’t even walk properly.” He looked at me worriedly and carefully intertwined our fingers together.
Mike has been a friend of mine for many years and being sweet to him was not a big thing to me and my parents as well. He has no intention of being intimate with me, I guess? But for me he was still a good friend not just to me but to my parents as well.
“After this, we’ll call your family doctor to check your ankle right away.” He said calmly while we were heading inside the restaurant.
As we walked inside the restaurant, I felt someone was staring at us and that even sent chills in me.
I felt unease and strange by the atmosphere inside the restaurant. Most of the people were executives and VIP’s, the restaurant was grand and a live band was on the stage playing the music requested by one of the guests.
People were looking at us as if we were one of the famous actors that can be seen on TV. I felt uncomfortable by it so I moved closer to Mike and whispered,
“Why are they looking at us?”
I heard him giggled once again and answered, “Well, you’re a drop-dead gorgeous, babe.” then he winked at me and held my hand tightly.
I laughed as he said those words. He knew how could I make me laugh at this situation, which I admire him on being humorous.
“I don’t think so, babe?” I emphatically said the last word and smiled at him. “I think they were looking at you. Look.” Then I pointed most of the women looking at Mike.
“Alright, you won.” He said and we both laughed while we were on the table.
We talked about some silly things to make me feel relax before the meeting.
“I think we should call each other “babe.” So no men would have a chance to court me, you know.” Emily said and laughed.
“You broke up with Matt? How about the wedding?” Mike was confused about it and even drank the glass of water.
“Long story, babe. I mean…” but I couldn’t continue my words and my sight caught a figure behind Mike.
My mouth fell half-opened and the beat of my heart was faster than normal whenever he was around. I saw how tall he was and his attire for tonight was jus a plain light blue polo shirt and ripped off pants.
Damn it! He’s hot and gorgeous with those simple attire.
“Babe? Are you okay?” Mike asked me and suddenly turned around and saw a man wearing light blue polo that was folded until his elbow with its black pants.
Mike stood up and greeted the man behind him.
“Good evening Mr. Winston. Our apology for being late and…” Mike could not continue his words as Anders did not even made a glimpsed at him.
I felt embarrassed as all the people were looking at us, Anders was grimly staring at me, instead he walked towards my place and leaned in front of me to grab my hand.
“Miss Emily Smith?” Then, he kissed my hand and lightly shook it.
I was stunned by what he did and felt my cheeks were like tomatoes. The heat on my face was undeniably obvious.
Calm down Emily!
His scent that lingers on my nose and his huge hand gave an electrifying feel on my skin.
I saw him smiled at me and that was not even for praising me but it was like an insulting smile which I did not know why he was doing it, “So, I didn’t know that you had a new guy, Miss Emily,” Anders said and looked at me sarcastically.
“He’s..” I was not be able to finish my words as Mike suddenly held my hands and said.
“Babe, I got this.” Then he smiled at me like he has an idea about us.
“Mr. Winston, Emily was here to talk about the collaboration of..” Mike couldn’t continue his words as Anders looked at him sharply.
He smirked and gave a narrowed look to both of them.
“Right, I guess you might put away your hand from her, Mr. Royo. Our business here is the collaboration not the joined hands of both of you.” Anders said and trying to calm himself.
Mike smiled devilishly and pressed her palm gently, then he slowly put away his hand from her.
Emily grabbed his hand and looked at Anders then she put their hands under the table.
“Babe, it’s okay. So Mr. Winston as you know that my parents sent me here as their representative. I think we should start, let’s not waste our time here.” I said and smiled at Anders sarcastically.
Mike took out the black folder and gave it to Anders.
“To start of this meeting I would like to discuss the company, Darden Restaurants Incorporated. Our vision is that..” he said while looking at Mr. Anders who was reading the files inside the folder and made a glimpsed with me.
“I like it, however, you must agree with my terms,” Anders said seriously while looking at me. He dropped the folder on his said and let his assistant to get it.
I smiled and was about to say something when my phone rang. I stood up and excuse myself from them.
I walked toward the toilet and answer the call.
“So, How’s the meeting my darling?”
“Mom, I’m here. I’ll call you back as soon as we’re done here. Bye.” then I put down my phone and looked at myself in the mirror. I felt the fast beating of my heart and I could not help myself but to look on his lips. Shit!
Then, something fell on the floor and I picked it up and when I looked at the mirror once again I saw a man behind me and was staring at my face without any emotions.
I was surprised about him as he was too close to my body and I could even feel his musculinity down there from behind
“Y.. you shouldn’t be here. Men’s comfort room is on the other side, Mr. Winston.” I muttered and stepped back to avoid his gaze.
“What took you so long?” he asked.
“Mom.. called me. I’m sorry to keep you wait.” I apologized and fixed myself to go out.
Then, silence took over between us and as I lightly shook my head I noticed Mr. Winston was still staring at me.
“Excuse me, Mike is waiting for me.” I politely said
Anders smiled at me and leaned closer to my face. He was so closed that I could almost smelled his fresh breath.
“I signed the papers, congratulations, you closed the deal.” He said sexily
I widened my eyes in surprise about what Anders said. I even held his hand and said. “Thank you so much! Dad would be so happy..”
Anders put one finger to my lips and as if he was not interested about what would I say.
“Ssh… I have my terms on this collaboration and the first one is you, Emily.”
I wrinkled my forehead as I heard the terms of Mr. Anders. My heart suddenly stopped its beat and my eyes were pinned on his eyes.
“Me?” I said and pointed the finger to myself.
He put his one hand on the wall and whispered, “Yeah, you need to work for me and that starts right now!” Anders couldn’t help himself and kissed me on my lips.
“Mmm! S.. stop!” I mumbled and was trying so hard to push him away.
“Look, Mr. Winston. I’m not a slut, bitch that you might be thinking. I was just drunk last time and I’m sorry for that.” I explained myself as Mr. Winston kept on walking towards me.