"What? Why would you think that? We never even spoke with them before. So why would there be a feud between us," I asked, shock glimmering in my eyes.
"I don't know, man. The moment I mentioned the Maplebite group to Freyja, she didn't even blink before saying she does not work with them. After that, she straight out refused any meeting proposal by closing the subject. So I had to go against that, and only after mentioning the old man stepped down. Thus, his son taking over as the new CEO and president of the group, Freyja agreed to a meeting. Given that I was speaking, highly of you. Still, now after this, I'm afraid anything I might say will only make it worse, so there is no chance you can get an official meeting with her," Liam said, shrugging his shoulders in defeat.
"So, it must've been something that involved the old man. I need to find out what he did for her to be so adamant about rejecting us. And you, you need to get me a new meeting with her. You said an official one is out of the question, but how about an unofficial one?" I said, cocking my head, eyes glimmering mischievously.
"An unofficial meeting?" Liam said, furrowing his eyebrows, puzzled.
I nodded in response.
For a couple of minutes, we just stood there in complete silence, cooking up a plan. Then, suddenly, Liam clapped his hands, and a glimmer of joy flashed through his eyes.
"I got it. Did you already decline the invite to the charity auction?" Liam exclaimed, jolting upright, and you could see the hope in his eyes.
"Not yet. I was going to let them know after I met with Miss Murik, but you know how that went," I replied, rolling my eyes as he let a small laugh out again.
"Great," Liam said, now fully standing up from his chair in excitement
I watched him for a few seconds before I realized what he meant
"Is she going to attend?" I asked.
"She sure is. She attends every year despite not entirely liking the event. In her opinion, it's just a showdown for filthy rich, arrogant people to show off how much money they have and compete, but it goes to a noble cause. So, therefore, she attends for that sake." Liam said, relaxing back in his chair, deep admiration in his eyes.
The way I saw her just a couple of hours ago, she looked arrogant and cold, nothing like the picture he was painting just now. This woman is fascinating.
"Then this year, I must attend as well," I said, straightening myself, filled with determination.
"That is a must. Now, are we going to address the elephant in the room? Did you just find your mate?" Liam asked, propping his chin on his hand, eager to know the answer.
"Man, you know I'm still searching for her. There can't be any other girl than her," I replied, lifting my shoulders in a half shrug.
"You are so hung up on that little girl from your childhood, but did you take a moment to think maybe she is her," his question took me by surprise. Could she be the girl I was looking for?
Freyja's pov.
I could see him go pale at the mere mention of my name when Clara spoke, and I couldn't help but smirk in satisfaction. You reap what you sow j**k. Now more than ever, I was sure I made the right call not to get involved with the Maplebite group. I was heading to the door, so I can deal with the other Mr. Bothersome, when an enormous hand wrapped around my arm and pushed me to the wall. The next thing I knew, Hades was kissing me hungrily. When I felt his soft lips pressed on mine, shivers run down my whole body. He made sparks explode in me with a simple kiss, and I started deepening the kiss without realizing it. Now, my body was acting on its own, like I no longer controlled it. And his scent was driving me insane like I could get drunk on it. Goddess, how can a kiss with a stranger feel so good despite me not wanting any of it? How does my body react to him without my consent? Identically, Rhea was also doing backflips of happiness as we kissed our mate, as she so fiercely said earlier. Indeed, this feels better than anything I have experienced in the past. When he pulled apart from me, stunned by what he did, I wanted to pull him to me again and roar for everyone to leave the room. I wanted him; I craved for him, but I had to regain my composure, and so I did.
"You think throwing yourself at me will make me jump into bed with you on a business deal? Think twice, handsome," I said, an arrogant smirk playing on my lips.
"No, and I didn't throw myself at you. But, if I recall, you didn't push me away either," Hades said in a low, husky voice.
"I had no reason to, same as I have no reason to still be here," I replied coldly, and walked out of the room.
After I said that, I did not know how I walked out so calmly, as my legs were shaking from excitement, and my body was aching from wanting him. As soon as I was out, I let out a small breath I didn't realize I was holding until then and headed straight to my office. I needed a drink and a cold shower to calm my nerves.
My office was on the 40th floor of the building, and it was a picture of elegance and professionalism. All the furniture was minimalist in a theme of black and dusty blue. Therefore, the first thing you noticed when you stepped inside was a massive window that allowed you to grasp the mesmerizing view of the realm so in-depth, one would swear you could see all of it from there on the horizon. The still picture of dimly lit houses and buildings was a profoundly soothing feeling when it was dark, and I loved gazing at it. In front of the window was my massive desk, a small couch, and a coffee table, and on the other side of the coffee table were two soft armchairs. Still, the biggest secret to that modern office was behind an extensive library on the wall facing the door. Behind a part of the library, it was a secret door that leads to an in-office bathroom. Few people knew about it, and it was most convenient when I spent the night there catching up on reports or late into the night meetings. As my company was working with all five realms, sometimes time zones were a bust. I had to hold business meetings late into the night due to them. After I entered my office, I went straight to the shower, having Lisa prepare me a change of clothes I kept in case of emergencies, then headed to the other meeting.
When I saw Mr. Davison, he was eager to present some other nonsense he had come up with, but my head couldn't leave the other meeting room. All I could think about was how good that kiss felt and how my body reacted to everything he was doing.
"Miss. Murik, what do you think?" he asked, full of hope.
Shoot, I spaced out the entire meeting… I did not know what he said until then. I tried to look at the picture in front of me, assuming it was the last slide of his presentation, but I couldn't figure out what he wanted. So I'll just go with it until proven failure.
"Sure, let's do it," I said, waving my hand dismissively
"Really?" Mr. Davidson asked, almost shocked
"Yes, but I have one condition. You have come up with business proposals for months now. Unfortunately, neither of them had any long-term gain, and I don't see this one going further either, but I appreciate your determination. Hence we will run with it for 6 months. If, after 6 months, your project turns out to cause more losses than profits, we will shut it down. Are you ok with these terms?" I asked, curious to see if he really was that confident in his project.
"6 months is more than enough to prove to you I am worth your time," Mr. Davidson replied confidently.
"Then, it is settled, leave a budget detail with Clara, and my legal team will draft the contract, as it is an investment and a partnership, I believe a split of 60%-40% will be fair," me being the one who takes the more significant profit.
"That is perfect," he replied enthusiastically.
We shook hands, and I left the room. Mr. Davison wasn't a bad person, he had a small business he dreamt of turning into a big corporation, but his ideas were short-lived. Many other companies already implemented them, mine included sometimes, or they simply wouldn't catch on as there was no fundamental necessity. In all honesty, I hoped this project will work for him as he really was a hardworking person.
After I met with Mr. Davidson, I asked Lisa to clear all my meetings for the day, as I wanted to head home. Me spacing out an entire conference was no good for anyone, and I knew it.
While driving home, my head was still spinning from the meeting with Mr. Loke, and I believe what Rhea said may hold some truth to it. Until now, there was not a man that interested me enough to look at him twice, while many men would try to get into my good graces. After all, I was on the pretty side, and even more so; I was one of the wealthiest people in the world. Therefore, one would be crazy not to get me, if not for looks or smarts, then for the money, but I didn't really have any interest in any of them. They were fun to toy with, play around for a night or two. But then I wouldn't see them again as I promised my heart to a small boy in the middle of the forest after saving him from almost drowning in the lake nearby. He was the only one I wanted. The memory of him was so fresh in my mind like it was yesterday.
At that time, I was 10, and he was the same age. One day while I played in the forest, chasing rabbits, I saw him falling into the lake. Without thinking, I jumped in and pulled him to the surface. After successfully getting him out, I found out his name was Das, and he stood in the only other habitable place on the northeast side of the forest. Compared with my mother's tiny cottage, his home was a large villa, and I quickly found a way to sneak in to see him.
We spent the next 3 weeks playing together, and we couldn't help but fall helplessly in love with each other, a child's love but love, nevertheless. He was there when I got scared by the loud wolf hauling in the forest and when he fell ill; I nursed him back to health using my mother's herbs while sneaking into the villa so I won't get caught. But, after those 3 weeks when we promised to find each other again, sure that we will be each other's mates, I never saw him again. Over time, I tried searching for him, but I couldn't find him, no matter where I looked. Till this moment, I was still hoping that someday the Moon Goddess will reunite us, but now it seems like she, for sure, is mocking me.