Jane's POV
"Next week, we will have an End of Summer Beach Party for all employees and their families. It will be held at East Hampton, New York, the Cheng's beach house," announced Mabel as everyone turned to look at me. "Invitations will be sent out today. Thank you. Now, scatter."
Everyone went back to their cubicles and I did, too. Every year, on the last Saturday of August, Cheng Construction conducts an end of summer beach party for all employees and their families. Though my dad was not the type to make these unconventional parties, he still does it every year since the company started to keep his employees satisfied. Most of the time, he hires an event coordinator for the party and the employees barely see him participate in any of the activities. He is either cooped up in his little office in his master suite or socializing with his associates in the terrace.
Our beach house in East Hampton was large with about six bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a swimming pool, theatre room that can fit about twenty people and two dining rooms. It also has an Olympic-size swimming pool and lawn that everyone can lounge around overlooking the ocean a few meters away from the house.
We rarely go to that house for personal use. There were times I wish I could bring my friends there instead of sneaking out in college to go to different beaches in New York and New Jersey every summer break. My dad never allowed anyone to use it except for business purposes like the office parties.
I missed going to the beach just by ourselves. Relaxing under the warmth of the hot sun basking our bodies, sipping ice cold drinks as a chill went through our skins and the cool breeze touching our faces. Then we will walk on the beach, feeling the sand under our feet and kicking the water as we hold hand in hand, enjoying the wonderful years of togetherness and friendship.
I would love for them to come for this beach party and I was hoping that my dad would allow me to invite them this year. I sighed, hoping I could get the courage to do it this time..
"Good morning, beautiful!" a familiar voice greeted me and I looked up to see Tristan.
"What are you doing here?" I whispered, looking from left to right if anyone was staring at us. "Dad might see you."
"So? I'm not doing anything. We're just talking. Besides, I need to tell you something," he said and he knelt down beside me as he turned my chair to face him.
"Ok. But make it quick before anyone would see us."
He chuckled. "I think everyone knew... and your dad will, too."
"What?" Since our first date, he's been begging me to let him tell my dad about us dating but I refused. I am just more afraid of what he will say to him than to me. He doesn't know my dad. He could control his temper in some ways but not in this matter. He will definitely get ridiculed and insulted as he felt like Tristan would never measure up to the Chengs, and I can't let him do that to him.
He took my hand and kissed it. It sent me blushing and he smiled.
"I like you, Jane, and I told you many times, I'm not afraid of what your dad will tell me once I told him my intentions to you. You have to let me prove to you that I am willing to take the risk."
"What if you lose your job?"
"I don't think he will do that. HR will definitely give him a hard time. It's against the law, you know," and he winked at me. "But even then, it is still worth the risk."
I sighed and smiled at him. How can you resist a man like Tristan? So bold, so brave, so... sexy. I bit my lip as I blushed again with the thought. My mind suddenly went to the beach party and though I knew it would be risky but I think it is the perfect time to tell my dad about his intentions to me.
"Are you going to the office beach party?" I asked.
"Yes, of course. I always come every year. You're the only reason why I come..." and he smiled, his eyes twinkling. "I actually thought Jax Montgomery was dating you at some point."
I laughed. "Jax?! No way."
"Yeah," he smiled, sheepishly. "I saw how your dad adored him and I almost wanted to confront him if I haven't seen him with Cynthia Lee at that time. I knew then you were not together."
"Well, he's not my type. He's a nice guy but I only like him as a friend and he's dating Elisse."
Tristan's smile widened. "He's dating your friend Elisse?"
"Yes."
"Since when?"
"Since three weeks ago."
"How did you know?"
"Remember the time you sent me the flowers?" he nodded. "Well... I caught them... ummm... kissing in front of her apartment." I still felt embarassed every time I remember that scene. I felt like I interrupted something that could have happened in which I would rather not know what it will be.
"I see..." then he pulled my chair closer to him, as my legs hit his chest. I felt myself blushed once more as his hand pushed a strand of hair from my face and placed it behind my ear. "Can't wait for it to happen, too... to us."
I felt a sudden rush of blood filled my cheeks as I imagined his lips on mine. He bit his lip as he gazed at me and he touched my cheek. My face felt like a delicate glass the way it rests on his large hand. Silence fell between us as the whole place became vague and the only person I can see is him.
The sudden rustling sound of loud whispers woke me up from the trance and I turned to look what all the noise is about. My eyes grew wide as I saw my dad walking from across the hall. I panicked.
"Dad's coming," I whispered. "He can't see you here."
"Jane-"
"No, not today. He looks upset. Go under my desk."
"What? You want me to hide here?" pointing at my narrow desk. "I won't be able to fit there. Besides, why do I have to hide? I work here, Jane."
He tried to stand up but I pulled him down.
"Please, please, just... stay there. Pleeease." I begged.
He sighed. "Alright. But this is ridiculous, Jane," he said as he squeezed under my narrow desk. He looked like a giant tuna in a can of sardines when he folded those long legs to be in a fetal position under my desk. I chuckled while he smirked at me.
"Why don't we just tell him now?" he suggested in a low voice.
"Jane," my dad's strong voice made me jumped and my eyes grew wide as I straightened myself to stand up.
"Yes, dad," I replied, my eyes glancing at Tristan making sure he was okay. He was biting his lips, and he was very still.
"Jane, come to my office," ordered my dad.
"S-Sure, dad," I stammered as I let him walk past. I noticed Adrian Lee was with him and I wondered why. He glanced at me as he walked alongside my dad and they disappered into the hallway.
"They're gone. You can come out now," I whispered.
"Pull me out, please. I think I'm stuck," he groaned as his hands reach out to me. I knelt down and pulled his hand. He was too heavy and with my small physique, all his weight went to mine. He fell on top of me and I heard him laugh.
I slapped his shoulder. "You did this on purpose, don't you?"
"Well... I'll do anything to get this close to you," he said huskily as his eyes dropped on my lips. I looked through his ocean blue eyes, drowning in them, as I saw him lowered his lips slowly to mine and I closed my eyes.
"Hrmmm..."
My eyes opened suddenly as Tristan's eyes looked up to see who it is.
"Mabel," he uttered as he let go of me and straightened up. He smiled, pulling me up, as we stood to face Mabel.
"Well, kids, I hate to interrupt but Jane is needed in the office," she said, and giggled. "But, don't worry, my lips are sealed about you two."
We looked at each other and laughed.
"I'll see you later then, Jane. Lunch date?" he said.
I nodded. "Lunch date. Text me, okay."
"Definitely," and he kissed my hands.
He started walking back to his cubicle and I was left squirming. I wondered if this has something to do with Adrian Lee being here.
Adrian Lee, the youngest son of the famous fashion designer, Miguel Lee, is one of the top investors of our company. He owns most of the corporate buildings that we construct in Manhattan and some out of state. At a very young age, he was exposed to fame and fortune that his parents had built. His mother was a business tycoon as well, investing in different companies throughout the country and had been a longtime friend of our family.
Adrian has been travelling in and out of the country since he was probably twenty five. Now at thirty, he took over his mother's business as the new CEO of the Lee Investors Corporation.
I walked towards my dad's office and knocked on the door.
"You may come in, Jane," my dad said behind the door and I opened it. My dad's office was huge with tall glass windows, overlooking Manhattan. Adrian Lee was sitting in the blue couch and stood up as soon as I entered the room.
"You remembered Adrian," my dad said as I looked at Adrian. He was young but looked much older in his business suit. His black hair swept neatly on one side and had not moved as he turned his head towards me. "Please sit down. We have an important business to discuss."
I took a seat on the large blue couch as Adrian sat on the love seat. My dad walked towards us from his desk and sat on the other seat across Adrian.
My palms were sweating and my heart raced. I definitely know what was coming and I am starting to regret this day. I wished I made up an excuse to not come to work today. I knew exactly what my dad will say. He is going to match me up with Adrian Lee and I hated it. The saddest thing is I couldn't say anything for fear of being sent out of the office for good... and for life apart from my family.
"Adrian has been our dearest family friend since you were born," he started. "His mother and I were great business partners and now that Adrian is at a certain age, we decided that it is time for both of you to settle down."
Settle down?! What does he mean settle down? I didn't like where this is going.
"I have tried to match Jane with every eligible young Chinese man who knew how to handle the business but unfortunately, we haven't found the right one," my father continued. "So, unbeknownst to both of you, or perhaps just Jane as I assumed your mother has already told you about the business arrangement, isn't it Adrian?"
He just nodded and gave me a cold stare. He had this arrogance in him that I just couldn't stand another minute with him in this room or even worse, be alone with him in any form. He looked like I was just a piece of ornament to him. Something of less value... a business partner in this whole arrangement.
"Dad, if I may ask, are you suggesting that we... ummm... get married to keep this business?" I asked nervously.
My dad turned his eyes on me.
"Yes, Jane. It has already been arranged. Victoria and I had agreed upon this a long time ago. Since Adrian is now the CEO of their company, I think it was just the right time to do the wedding. Don't you agree, Adrian?"
"Yes, Sir. The sooner the better," Adrian answered and he stared at me again.
I swallowed a big lump on my throat. This can't be happening! Not when Tristan was about to speak to my dad about his intentions. Why now?!
"Very well then. I will give those duties about the wedding preparations to Vivian. She and Jane can talk about it at home. Also, we will set up a date for all of this to happen. We will resume our discussion regarding this matter in a few weeks after the office party. Thank you for coming, Adrian," and we all stood up as Dad walked us out of the door.
As soon as we were in the hallway, Adrian pulled me aside.
"Make sure you don't mess this up for me by not showing up on our wedding. One wrong move and I can tear down your whole family, you understand?" he told me in a low strong voice.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked, confused. I shook with fear as he stared at me with those dark eyes.
"Hey!" said a male voice and we both looked. It was Tristan. "Let go of her."
Adrian looked at him with creased eyebrows.
"Boyfriend? Jane, you better-"
"Stop it, pal, if you don't want my fist on your face," Tristan said as he clicked his knuckles.
"Tristan, no. It's.. it's okay. Adrian, please let me go," and he looked at me as he let my arm go.
"What is going on here?" That familiar voice made my body trembled. It was Dad, standing behind us. "Tristan?"
"Sir..."
"N-Nothing, dad. I was just introducing Adrian to Tristan. Tristan, this is Adrian Lee."
"What's your position here, Tristan?" asked Adrian as he gave him a cold stare.
The arrogance of this man!
"He's my architect, Adrian," replied my dad with a dismissive tone that made Adrian looked at him. "We are finished here."
Tension rose between them as Adrian walked past Tristan. He stared at him icily as Tristan looked back at him as well. As soon as he is gone, we walked together back to our cubicles, Tristan is in front of me as my dad's office door slammed.
He grabbed my arm and looked at it. Adrian's handmark was still there.
"That bastard!" Tristan said in gritting his teeth. It is the first time I ever saw him so angry. His eyes looked like a dragon that is ready to blow fire any minute.
"Tristan, it's okay," I assured him. "This is nothing."
"If he ever hurt you again, I will definitely break his bones. It's not right to hurt a woman like that. I don't care if he is rich or he has a share in this company, I'll break his bones in two if he ever do that again to you."
I felt so honored and thrilled that somehow I knew that Tristan would do anything to protect me but I needed him to stay out of Adrian's way if he wants to keep his job.
"Are you sure you're not hurt?" he asked again.
"No. I'm fine. Thank you again, Tristan."
"No worries. It's a good thing I was there. What were you talking about anyway?"
I cannot let Tristan know about the arranged marriage. I needed to protect him from Adrian Lee.
"We're still on for lunch, right?" I changed the subject suddenly in order for him to not focus on the enemy.
His eyes lit up and he smiled at me.
"Of course. I can't wait for later," he said as we stopped at my cubicle. He took my hand and kissed it before heading to his own cubicle.
I went to my desk and started looking at the balance sheet on my computer. I cannot let one mistake lead to another. Choosing would be difficult... but I need to do it. Though my heart tells to choose Tristan, my mind chose to follow my dad's will... for now.