Love, Lies and Billionaires

“It’s an honour, sir,” Maren greeted as they took their various seats around the table.

He didn’t reply. Instead, as he took his seat, some men who had walked in with him approached him with unique documents and even devices, speaking in hushed tones while Maren and her party watched in silence and patience.

Maren watched all these go on with a smile on her face, but deep down, her heart raced with no reason known to her.

The first thing she noticed as he walked in was the black, fearsome snake on sword tattoo which she had seen through the unbuttoned part of his shirt, which gave him a domineering aura.

His hair was brushed back, jet black and long, extending to his neck. His eyes, which had initially locked in with hers, were black and cold and it pierced through her that she’d felt it sting her soul.

Damn, he’s gorgeous!

Even with all these, that wasn’t what scared her the most. That detail was yet to be figured out.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Soon enough, everyone moved away from before him and he ended up with only a file in front of him. He scrolled through the pages for a while and then suddenly he looked up. Locking eyes with Maren immediately, as she hadn’t stopped staring.

He leaned forward, steepling his fingers together and keeping his eyes on her.

It was too late to look away, so Maren just continued in the contest. “So Mr Harding, shall we begin?” She finally asked, taking the chance to look away, though her mind still raced and her hands slightly shook.

Maren concluded that she was just too excited about this entire situation.

“What do you have for me?” his jaw shone as he spoke. His voice was deep and commanding. Sending an authoritative echo throughout the room and a sweet chill down Maren’s spine.

Maren lifted her head and met his gaze. Her brows furrowed a little-too little and hardly noticeable. ‘Was this man just about to ask her what her company has to offer even as it was him who had initiated the proposal?’ she thought.

She shifted her gaze to the documents in front of her. She didn’t mind because she was ready for him.

“Well, sir-”

He snapped his fingers, and a man dropped a glass in front of him and began pouring the liquid, which smelt like scotch, and filled the room into the glass. When it was half full, the man stopped, cocked the bottle and left.

“Continue.” he took a sip and leaned back in his chair, his gaze on her more grave than before.

Maren almost raised a brow but didn’t, reminding herself that she had prepared for this along with the speech which she had practised repeatedly in her head.

She took a silent deep breath and locked eyes with him and then began supporting her words with hand gestures.

“Well, sir, as you might have known, judging from the fact that you were the initiator of this remarkable proposal, I assure you that this company is built on values such as competence, integrity and excellence.”

She paused, now realising that he had just been staring at her while she blabbed. She blinked a couple of times, then continued when he wouldn’t say anything.

“We profoundly regard conveying five star results which is evident considering how fast we’ve risen up the pyramid within the space of a year-”

He suddenly grunted, startling Maren a little. He leaned back on the table, interlocking his fingers, his eyes glimmering with more interest.

“Go on,” Mr Harding studied her as she spoke, nodding to every word she said. Whether he was listening or not, no one could tell.

He watched her every move from the way her lips moved to the directions her ponytail moved in her head gestures. All while speaking about her company of heart.

Maren’s party, on the other hand, was astonished at their boss’s preparedness. Normally, Mr Harding should be in her place as the initiator.

“You see, sir, my team comprises experts in their fields, and we have a proven track record of success. We’re not just about making a profit; we’re about building long-term relationships and trust with-”

She came to an abrupt stop as he had his palm raised. “You have a question, sir?” She blurted in annoyance. She couldn’t take back her words now.

The man sat back in his chair once more, a small smile playing on the corner of his lips as he engaged in another round of staring competition while raising the glass to his lips.

Maren’s heart raced as his stare was now looking like he was waiting for her to perform some fucked up thing so he can take his people and leave.

“You know the first thing that caught my attention about your establishment?” He asked rhetorically. “The fact that it’s being run by a female. You don’t see that everyday right?”

Maren fought the red which threatened to display in her cheeks. Instead, her lips curled into a humble smile. “Not really”

He ignored the answer and continued. “A company run by a lady who’s been into two publicly failed relationships”

Maren’s heart dropped, along with her smile. A feeling of anxiety washing over her with a tiny glint of anger too.

The room suddenly became uncomfortable as her board began shuffling in their seats, none having the balls to defend their boss.

“But even at that, she could build up her father’s company to what the world calls a success,” he added with some amusement which Maren thought she’d seen somewhere before. “I’m guessing your weaknesses are your strengths?*

This time, Maren wasn’t quick to judge his words, so she maintained the line her lips drew on her face, reminding herself not to respond rudely to this gorgeous demon before her. “You can say that.”

The room was quiet afterwards. The officials from Maren’s company avoided looking into any of their eyes. Maren, on the other hand, was looking in his direction, but not at him.

He suddenly shifted his sleeve a little, exposing part of the tattoos on his arm, and checked the time.

“I admire you, miss Sharppe and your work towards this company. Permit me to say the world would be better if more women were like you” the authority in his voice was intriguing.

“Thank you, sir,” Maren half whispered, gradually putting on her coat of pride once more.

“Like you said, I brought to light this proposal for the reason that I saw the potential and competence which I supposed you and your establishment exhibits”

Maren nodded.

“So with that, I’d like to say, welcome to the family, miss Sharppe”