Leon walked out of the conference room after several meeting sessions with the board of directors and some administrators. Wearing a deadpan expression, he instructed Lily to make a hotel reservation for him at the Alvy Bloom five-star hotel. He walked into his office and shut the door.
His well-spaced, and sophisticatedly decorated office, reflected the outstanding identity of Treshvire Fashion Company. These were; professionalism, elegance, and luxury. The office was tastefully decorated with rare and sophisticated artworks. It also had an exquisite view of the complex.
Leon strolled towards the magnificent floor-to-ceiling window in his office. He tucked both hands in his suit pants pocket, gazing at the captivating scenery. His brows furrowed as he thought about his father's proposition. He never had plans of settling down, not now, not ever. He wasn't the type to hang around any particular woman for long. But, he desired to prove to his father that he was capable of any task. He was going to take up this challenge, even though he felt mortified by the request.
Leon went back to his desk, sat down, and started going through some files. While flipping through a document, his eyes caught a word and an idea popped into his head, then he smiled.
All he needed right now to actualize this plan, was a woman he could tolerate living under the same roof with.
His phone beeped and when he checked who it was, his expression dampened.
This was the third message today from Chloe.
['Hi handsome, how's your day going so far? Mine is splendid. I just finished a photo session with my manager. I'll be going to my dance session now. I'll call you when I am all done. Don't forget our late lunch or dinner date. I'll book a reservation at the finest wine and dine. Talk to you later. Hugs and kisses.']
Leon deleted the message as he did with others and placed a call to Lily. He warned her not to entertain any lady by the name of Chloe Robinson except, instructed otherwise.
Leon was piqued by Chloe's idiotic assumption, that they were already lovers. Her continual pestering was getting on his nerves. It made him gradually dislike her. He decided on what to do, to put her in her place, and then smiled mischievously.
Whenever Leon was stressed out, he always went partying in one of the elite nightclubs in town. He was a familiar face there and whenever he visited, he would leave with one of the most beautiful girls by his side.
He picked up his phone and dialed Tom's number.
"Tom, let's meet at the club. I'm in the mood for some fun," Leon's placid but intense voice made Tom chuckle when he answered the call.
"Meet you up by 8:00 PM, don't start the fun without me," Tom said and hung up.
...
Chloe tried calling Leon's mobile number severally when she left Silvia's office. But, she couldn't get through to him. Her body twitched and her face creased.
"Didn't he call me last night with this number?" she queried out loud. She tried one more time but still couldn't get through. So, she sent a series of messages. When she didn't get any reply, her exasperation tripled.
Chloe was never one to back down or turn away from something she craved. She would draw down lightning and brimstone until she got what she wanted. She had decided to go all the way to have Leon at her side.
She was tempted to call Mrs. Treshvire but decided it was too early to get her involved. She needed to do this on her own first.
"If Leon was playing hard to get, then he had something crazy coming his way." Chloe smiled slyly as she got into her car and zoomed off.
On her way to the Treshvire business complex, she booked a high-profile appointment. It was a thirty minutes personal styling appointment with the company. This would enable her to access Leon easily without being seen snooping around.
When she got out of her exotic convertible, she walked straight to the reception office. She was met with half a dozen smiling faces who were professionally attending to different clients.
She walked up to one of the receptionists that were less busy and stated her mission. The receptionist smiled and professionally handed her over to one of the head stylists. While the head stylist led her to the styling room.
Chloe acted friendly to the head stylist to gain her trust. She complimented her dress design, hairstyle, the company's professionalism to customers and so much more. When they finally got to the styling room she picked one of the most expensive designs to impress her new friend, then they began fitting the dress on her. She started by asking normal questions for which she got an immediate response. Giving off a facade disposition, she progressed to asking more private questions. The feedback wasn't very impressive and it irked her.
Clicking her tongue in utter disgust, she picked on the workers one after another.
As her impatience got the better part of her, she snapped at some of the workers who were fitting a dress on her.
When she observed that everyone was cautious around her, she bluntly made her request. "Is the CEO within the complex? He is a friend, and I'll love to see him."
"I'm not sure about that ma'am, but I'll inform my boss of your intention."
"It is Miss Chloe and not ma'am!" Chloe scowled at the head stylist who quickly apologized and excuse herself.
Chloe was unhappy with her response, but she pretended to be calm while she waited patiently for the so-called boss.
A mature-looking lady in her late thirties walked in and smiled at Chloe.
"Good day, Miss Chloe," she half smiled with a polite nod. "I am Director Jane, the head of design. I was told, you would like to meet with the CEO."
"Yes!" Chloe flashed a stiffened lopsided grin. "I am a very good friend, and I would love to speak to him in person. I've been trying to call his number all day but I've not been able to get through to him."
"So sorry about that." Jane genuinely apologized. May I have your business card? We will get back to you as soon as possible on an appointment with him," she smiled again and left when Chloe gave her the card.
"Get your hands off me! I think I'm done here," Chloe sneered ferociously at the stylist and others working on her dress. Then she got herself ready, picked up her things, and left angrily.
Chloe usually threw horrendous tantrums whenever she didn't get what she wanted. As she drove out of the parking lot, she became a bit reckless. She thought of Leon being in that office and watching her go through all this ordeal just to get through to him. She was more pissed that nothing came out of her unplanned visit.
CRASH!
There was a loud bang.
...
The music was at its highest and booming when Tom stepped into the club. The scent of booze mixing with the sweat from enthusiastic dancers filled the air. He went straight to the VIP lounge and found Leon already seated with a beautiful lady by his side, dressed in a short shimmering silver gown. An opened bottle of champagne was in front of them, and they were drinking, chatting, and laughing. Tom casually walked up to where they were seated.
"I can see you started the party without me," Tom winked at Leon and shook hands with him. "Care to introduce me to this gorgeous queen before us?" Tom said as he took the lady's right hand and planted a soft kiss on it, then he took a seat opposite them.
"Tom, meet Roxy. Roxy, meet Tom." Leon's introduction was very brief.
"Nice to meet you, Roxy, you look amazing. I trust you are having fun."
"Yeah!" Roxy replied, giggling, "thank you."
The three drank and chatted for a while, then Leon and Roxy stood and went to the dance floor, where Leon displayed his pro skills in dancing.
After sweating it out on the dance floor, Roxy excused herself and went to the ladies, while Leon returned to his seat.
"For a second, I thought that was the beautiful Chloe," Tom teased.
"If she was the one, I don't think we would be here talking. That girl has a talent for driving someone insane."
"Can you imagine she had been bugging me all day? I've decided to ignore all her calls and messages to see if she would use her brain and back out. It's just frustrating to think mum suggested her to me."
"Probably she may be the one that will cure your appetite for the ladies," Tom chuckled.
"Who said I needed a cure? And when did it become a crime to enjoy all the beautiful things of this world?"
Tom raise his glass and said, "to the beautiful things of this world."
"Yeah, to the beautiful things of this world," Leon replied as he also raised his glass to the toast.
At that moment, Roxy returned and took her seat beside Leon. She moved closer to him, placed her right hand on his thigh, and started massaging it very gently.
Leon, who always loved being in charge, held her hands and stopped her before she could go any further.
He then finished up his drink and said to Tom, "Roxy and I would take our leave now, we have some important business to conclude."
"Alright then, have fun. I'll hang around for a while before I take my leave," Tom smiled.