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CHAPTER 5
At first, her mind struggled to comprehend the information.
Why was he at her place of work? How did he know about... Scratch that.
She knew he carried the air of an important person but did not know he was this important.
Her brain buzzed with the news. The man whom she almost had her first wild night with was none other than the CEO of Sterling Corporation, Damien Raphael, one of the country's top 5 richest bachelors whose personality and face always remained a mystery.
She glanced at him once more, no longer was he staring at her but now focused on his Vice.
"Ah, Mr. Lucien," the Vice CEO voiced, giving Mr. Lucien a cool smile.
"Good morning, sir. Since you are busy, I would take my leave and return at a later time, sir."
The second Mr. Lucien said that, he lowered his head and took a step to turn when Damien's deep voice rang out.
"There would be no need. I was in my way out. You can have your meeting."
Skai's breathing ceased as her brain recalled all the moments they had together last night and how her body tingled when he spoke to her in such a manner.
No one had ever spoken to her like that before, she had never felt a connection as strong as hers with this man even though now, his personality felt completely different.
Yet, he was the owner of Sterling Corporation.
"Oh, if you say so, Mr. Raphael." Mr. Lucien bowed.
"Draven ensure the meeting go well today in my absence. I will get back to you on my return."
"As you wish."
With that, Damien turned and walked away and the moment their eyes connected, his eyes lingered briefly.
For a second, she could swear she saw something in his eyes. A deep sense of longing, desire and anger... It was gone in a split second, leaving her confused and somewhat angry.
What got to her the most, was the fact that he pulled a stunt this morning and even here, acted as though she did not exist.
"Ah it is no wonder your eyes are drooling," Skai heard Mr. Lucien's voice and immediately snapped her head in his direction.
"Sir?"
"Even though you've worked here for five months, you do not know who the CEO is?"
Her cheeks flushed at being caught. "I don't remember seeing him before."
A low chuckle caught their attention and when their eyes landed on the Vice, his charming smile filled her with delight.
He had a beautiful soul, she thought. And a handsome face.
"That's because there aren't any portrait or pictures to go with his appearance usually. So the public eye does not know what he looks like."
"Mr. Michael is right." Mr. Lucien chuckled before turning to her. "My apologies Ms. Jayden."
The Vice CEO smiled once more. Even though they were speaking to Skai her mind seemed lost.
"He doesn't bite, Ms. Now shall we head in and discuss business?"
*******
After the meeting, Skai rushed to the restroom. She had managed to conceal her anger all through but recalling all that transpired this morning with Damien in the picture, she felt her heart tighten.
"He's so rude!" She growled under her breath.
"To think that I thought he was... No. Imagine going through with Kiera's list and sleeping with him. Was that how he was going to treat me after?"
Her anger grew. She hated when men treated ladies like trash.
"I pity for those girls who have fallen for your sweet charms. One moment you think he is the best man on earth and the next, he ruins that image completely."
She berated herself internally. What was wrong with her? Why could she not control herself around him?
Suddenly she heard flushing sound and snapped her brows.
'Wait, someone was here?'
One of the toilet doors opened and she looked up in the mirror to see a tear faced beautiful girl step out.
Skai pursed her lips wondering if the girl had heard her rant when the latter opened her mouth to speak with more tears running down her face.
"And I'm one of those girls used and dumped!"
"Huh?"
She turned on her heels and stormed off crying leaving a bewildered Skai behind.
She stared at the door for a good two minutes, trying to understand what that was about when her eyes lit up as a thought came to mind.
"Don't tell me he sweet talked and used her too?"
She gasped at the realisation.
How could she have been so stupid! Just like her ex, these rich men were nothing to write home about.
Her heart dropped and her anger returned.
"Damien Raphael... Thank you for pretending as though you do not know me. I'll do the same and forget anything about last night—a simple dream, that's all."
*********
The day passed by quickly with no time for thinking or regretting things done in haste.
She had work to attend to which kept her busy until late evening when it was finally over.
She had just finished packing away some files when there was knock on her office door.
She glanced towards the entrance before calling out, "Come In".
The door swung open revealing Ethan standing tall with his suit jacket hanging from his shoulders while holding an envelope between both hands.
"It's time to leave, Skai."
"Ethan!" Her voice rose and she rushed forward and hugged him tight.
He held onto her back and patted gently but did not let go of her waist.
When she pulled apart and stepped aside, he gave a small smile and handed her a letter sealed with a red wax stamp bearing a symbol of a dragon head.
She took hold of the paper feeling the weight of the seal against the palm of her hand before lifting her head to look at him.
"You are looking at Draco and Co's new Vice CEO. Dad finally agreed to let me step in."
Ethan and herself had been friends since they were children and by far one of the most sensible friends she had considering her noisy female friends.
"Oh my God! Congratulations!'
"Exactly! I am going to celebrate with friends and a few workers. You should come with."
Skai's expression changed slightly. She wanted to go but she was not up for it.
"I don't think so, I'm sorry," she said softly, hoping that would be enough for him not to insist on coming along.
His face fell as if expecting that answer, yet still, he did not give up.
"Why, Skai? It's weekend."
"I know but after my birthday yesterday, I have barely slept and I had to come to work this morning. I couldn't refuse Kiera and the others."
"But you can refuse me."
"Come on, Ethan. You know it isn't like that. Besides, you refused my invitation outing with the girls."
"So now we are being petty?" He lifted his brows quizzically.
"Stop it. Fine, I owe you and I promise I would make it up to you. I would just head out to buy my dinner and then back home."
"Okay then... Pack up, I'll give you a ride on my way," he said softly as though trying hard to hide his disappointment.
She smiled as best as possible before nodding her head once more.
"Thanks."