Staff members from the BABEL's Project Department led them directly to the 48th floor that housed the BABEL President's Office.
The front area of this floor was the secretaries' workplace, where more than ten secretaries could be seen attending to their affairs in an orderly manner.
A trace of greed flashed through Hailey's eyes. "I heard that President Williams is handsome, rich and capable; the most important thing is that he is loyal. If one were to succeed in becoming his woman, I'm sure that she would be the happiest woman."
Laura couldn't help but smirk when she heard what Hailey was hinting at. "Dream on! Girl" She sneered in her head.
The door to the conference room swung open and Richard entered with his special assistant. Richard was tall and well-built, his handsome face void of emotion. There were dozens of men wearing suits and leather shoes following him from behind. The atmosphere wasn't grave but it wasn't a relaxed one either.
Laura pressed her lips together and she finally looked at the man who was sitting at the head of the table.
Laura was about to stand up when Hailey snatched the folder away from her hands. "You were the one who presented the last few times, so I should be the one doing it this time," she stated arrogantly.
Her hip-hugging workwear flaunted her perfect figure and she was smiling charmingly.
"Hello, President Williams. I am Hailey Adams. This is our final design draft." Her voice was especially melodious.
Laura immediately scowled deeply. She noticed Hailey's love and admiration toward Richard were reflected in her eyes.
After the meeting, they all head to the Times hotel to have lunch together.
After entering a private room, either by coincidence or deliberate planning, they were assigned to their respective seats. Laura was the last one to enter the room and the only seat left was the one beside Richard.
Laura calmly took the seat next to Richard. She ignored the burning jealousy coming from Hailey's gaze.
Hailey did all she could to flirt with Richard by taking advantage of the excuse of working together. Laura, however, was the only one keeping quiet.
-------
Katty gloomy voice spoke to Laura from the other end of the line. "Join the dinner tonight."
Laura tightened her grip around her cell phone as she mumbled, "Okay, Mom."
Laura gulped when she heard the beeping tone over the phone. "Is this what they called love?" Laura sincerely loves Damon but in the end, she was only a joke. A sense of despair overwhelmed her and it felt as though it was about to swallow her whole.
A shadow cast over her head, accompanied by a deep voice. "Are you going to cry?."
Laura retreated backwards continuously but she tripped against her own feet, so she started falling sideways.
'Careful." A deep voice echoed in her ears. The next thing she knew, he pulled her into an embrace that was filled with an aroma of a mixture of mint and tobacco.
Laura's heart was pounding. She looked up and met his deep, bottomless eyes. She was enthralled by his eyes.
"President…" Laura realized that she was still in his arms, so she struggled out of his grasp hastily. She tucked her hair behind her ears awkwardly and said, "I am sorry."
"Marry me," Richard said.
"Huh?" Laura blinked her eyes and there was a hint of puzzlement in her eyes.
Staring steadily into her panicky eyes, Richard crinkled his chilly eyes with a hint of charm. "I need you to marry me. I can give you the happiness nobody else can give."
"Hush! What are you saying? Slow down your voice."
The man before her grabbed her left arm when Laura merely turned sideways.
Laura's heart jumped; she had a gut feeling that something bad was going to happen on this day. "Richard Williams, Are you sick? Let go of me."
-------
Seeing Richard open the door to the passenger seat for Laura, she hesitated before entering the car. Richard closed the door and then circled the car to get in the driver's seat.
"I think you misunderstand me, Miss Laura. I'm not that difficult to please!" He said with a smile.
Laura fell silent. She didn't understand why someone like Richard would say such things.
Laura stepped out of the car and stood without moving an inch.
"You don't have to give me an answer right now, Miss Laura. I'll give you time to think about it." Richard said.
Laura turned to see Richard leaning against the car door, looking rather relaxed. "President Williams, Are you interested in me?"
"Yes, I told you before. You are an interesting lady." Richard shrugged.
Laura dodged his gaze discreetly. "But why? We don't even know each other."
"I know your name. You're Laura Fuller and you know my name. We know each other, so why are you saying we don't?" Richard casually replied.
Laura found herself breathing heavily; her debating skills were nothing in comparison to the man who stood before her eyes. "I am sorry, I couldn't accept your proposal."