Kathy's POV
"Is that the last meeting, Alice?" I asked Alice as I lazily leaned onto my leathered chair.
"Just one last meeting with the Toy bucks company, Ms. Hutton. You look exhausted, you really need to take a break."
"Yeah, it's okay." I placed my hand on my tummy and feel a little rumble. "I'm famished, what time is it?"
Alice looked at her wrist watch and said, "Its 5:30 pm. Wanna go and eat dinner together?"
"Yes, please I'm hungry."
Alice and I went out to the nearest restaurant and ordered some Ramen and sushi. Alice and I are very close, we just act professional inside the company.
"Why are you so addicted to Ramen, Kathy?" Alice chuckled as she took a bite of her sushi.
"Well, aren't you just the same with sushi." And we both giggle. "I can't wait to end this meeting with Toy Bucks company."
"You should have just reschedule your meeting with them." Alice recommend and took another bite of her sushi. "I hate it when you guys kept on staring at each other.
I took a sip of my ramen and gulp, "Who would have thought that he's the owner of that damn company, I wouldn't have accepted their partnership." I put my chopsticks down and wipe my mouth with a napkin, "I should have checked it twice before accepting."
"I'm sorry, Kathy." Alice cupped my hand with hers, caressing them. "I never thought that both of you would meet again, maybe it's destiny's decision."
I choked on my ramen, "Destiny? I don't believe in destiny, Alice." I said while coughing in between.
Destiny stuff are for children.
Alice tsked in annoyance, "Come on, isn't that romantic? Destiny made their way for both of you to see each other, isn't that a sign?"
"A sign of leaving him alone? Yes, maybe."
Alice rolled her eyes and grab her chopsticks brutally like it was my head. "You don't have to be so bitter when it comes to love."l
"I don't believe in love, I will never believe in love and I've never been in love. Now finish your sushi and we're going back the meeting is about to start."
"You have been in love, you just didn't know that you did." She said, making me look at her suspiciously. I was about to say something but she opened her mouth. "Don't forget to freshen up." Alice spoke with her mouth full.
"Alice!" I exclaimed and she laughs, making me laugh with her.
~
"... So the total expenses will be 5 billion dollars, Ms. Hutton. And that includes the extra salaries for your workers."
Extra salaries? Why would they pay extra salaries for my workers?
I furrowed my eyebrows and said, "Why are you paying extra salaries with my workers again?"
"Mr, Bonneville volunteered it." He pointed at Jack, who's sitting quietly and comfortably in his chair and looked at me.
"Do you think our company is a charity case to you Mr. Bonneville?" I clench my jaw and gave him a cold stare but he just looked at me unbothered.
"I don't think so Ms. Hutton, No." He tightened up his necktie and leaned closer to the table while clasping his hands together.
I can feel the veins in my temple starts to beat rapidly so I put on my best smile, "Well Thank you, Mr. Bonneville if you don't think that way so I don't need those extra funds."
Jack almost chuckled and said, "No, it's okay Ms. Hutton, I insist."
"It would be much better to donate the extra funds to the need Mr. Bonneville, like the orphanage and people with disability."
"We already have Ms. Hutton."
"Then I'm sorry Mr. Bonneville." I said coolly, "I won't accept it."
"What's the big deal, Ms. Hutton?" Jack narrowed his eyes and everyone in the room looked at me. "It's just a small fund, it's an act of generosity and I'm doing it in hopes our company's partnership last long. Would you just accept it?"
The room temperature dropped and I suddenly feel embarrassed of the way I behave on such matter.
Of course I wasn't overreacting! This bloke is a walking manipulative machine!
I cleared my throat and clenched my teeth, trying not to spat any bitter words to him. "Fine. Thank you Mr. Bonneville." I said.
Jack nodded and look away. He may not show his emotion or affection but I can see a fireworks in his eyes making me clenched my jaw.
After the meeting ended, I went straight to my office, Still angry of that stupid bloke who humiliated me in front of everyone. I furiously drop all the folders in my desk, making a loud thud echoed in my office and some papers fell down to the floor.
"Ms. Hutton." Alice said as she let herself in my office, "You know that was a bit unnecessary."
"Was it?" I spat bitterly. "God. I hate that man."
"Do you?" She asked, raising her right eyebrow.
"Oh, don't give me that look, Alice. If you weren't a Smith, I would have fired you long ago." I said and started to pick up the papers and folder on the floor.
"Well," Alice smirk and flip's her hair. "I'm glad that I'm a Smith then." And she walks out of my office.
I rolled my eyes and continue picking the pieces of papers and folders on the floor. "I want to burn that Bonneville, that walking piece of stone. He only cares about himself and nothing more! He-"
"Ms. Hutton."
"Alice, don't say another word or I'll-"
"It's, Jack."
I looked up under the table and see Jack standing on the door, hands in his pockets. I cleared my throat and stood up. "I thought it was someone else." I said.
He probably heard me though...
He completely ignored what I said and handed me piece of paper. "Here, I need you to sign this." He said.
I looked at the paper suspiciously. "Aren't your secretary supposed to do this?" I asked, "And what is this supposed to be?"
I looked at the paper and it was about the Copy rights. And I didn't even bother reading the rest, the man in front is already a distraction to me.
"Yes, He's not here so I did it myself." He fixed his lapel and buttons even though it wasn't disordered. "Why? Is there something wrong with that?"
I grumble under my breath and quickly signed the paper. "No."
"Are you really not married?"
"No personal questions inside the office neither within office hours."
"You didn't answer me."
"I'm not!" I said furiously, "And why are you even asking?"
He looked into my eyes and said, "Then who's Eros?"
I push down the lump in my throat and said dryly. "That is none of your business."
"Why-"
"No personal questions inside the office." I push my hand out in front of his face to stop him and he did close his mouth. I'm not ready for this kind of conversation at all and it is making me nervous.
"Go out with me then." He said, surprising me. I look at him in horror, more than a horror I'd say! "Let's talk about what happened."
What the hell?
How can he asked me so sudden? His face doesn't even seem like he wanted to date me, he just look like he was forced. I know we have our history but today is different, so different from what we were before.
He just stared at me blankly and my horrid face didn't even bother him. I took a deep breath and stood up from my chair, slowly walking in front of him.
"You know..." I whispered and gently touched his necktie, caressing it slowly like I'm studying the anatomy of his necktie which is fucking stupid so I move an inch closer to his face, which was a fucking bad idea because it was too damn close I can almost feel his breath fanning my face and it was driving me crazy. I pushed him to the door and said, "My answer is no." I gave him a sarcastic smile and slam the door to his face.