TWO DAYS LATER
"Monica, is the presentation ready?" Damien asked as they walked through the corridor of this newly built office building.
Damien Rodriguez, a twenty eight years old billionaire. The eldest heir of the Rodriguez family who's handling the Rodriguez enterprise as well as his own built businesses. He's a self made billionaire from a very early age. Even though his family is crazy rich, he didn't take a penny to start his business.
He and his family have many business lines which are being handled by him only. He's doing that without breaking a sweat. He has recently started a clothing brand which is not that popular yet. He's planning to do a collaboration business with a worldwide famous fashion brand to get exposure. They are in the building of that famous fashion brand to get the deal. They have recently opened a branch in New York which is why this building is new.
"Yes, Damien. I have checked it thrice. Don't you worry. We will get the deal for sure." Monica, his childhood best friend and fiance said in an assuring and confident tone. He shortly nodded at her as they continued to walk.
Fiance… that word reminded him of what happened two days ago. Monica had an accident a few years ago which is why she was in a long term coma. Even though she's okay now, she needs to get checked every once in a while.
That day they went to the hospital for that purpose only when he bumped into that woman. Arabella Smith or Arabella Anderson as she claimed herself to be.
He saw her after three and half years and she hasn't changed a bit appearance wise. She was still as breathtakingly beautiful as has always been. But if it wasn't for her face, he would be convinced that it was an entirely different person.
The Arabella he knew was soft spoken and hopelessly sentimental and emotional. She never looked at him or anyone in the eyes before but this woman was glaring murderously. If only looks could kill. The Arabella he knew never raised a finger at anyone but she slapped him and almost broke Monica's hand.
But even after all these changes, the past wasn't going to change. She was still the same person and he knew that. She was still the same shameless and pathetic woman who tried to destroy his life once and if she's back to do it twice, he was not going to let that happen.
"We better get it. My peace is already disturbed by that woman's return. I don't want another reason for my lack of peace." Damien said in a cold tone.
His hands fisted tightly beside him which Monica noticed. She slowly tried to touch his hand but he pulled it away. She fisted her hand to control her emotions. She couldn't let that hurt her.
"Don't worry at all, Damien. As long as I am here, no one can even look at you, let alone take your peace." She said in an assuring tone. He didn't say anything. They both walked into silence until they reached the conference room.
"Prepare yourself mentally. You are going to do the presentation." Damien said in his usual cold tone and she nodded at him with confidence.
"I am ready. Let's go inside." She said and they both got inside the room.
_____
TWO HOURS LATER
"Congratulations, Mr Rodriguez. By signing the contract, you became an important part of the AA enterprise. This is our first project in America and we are glad it happened with you. Hope we can maintain and respect our new relationship." An old man in his early fifties said as he stood up and shook hands with Damien.
After all the presentation the company decided to sign the deal with Damien's company. After all, anyone would like to do business with the Rodriguez's. They had just finished signing the contract.
They were all planning to head toward the lunch hall now to have lunch with everyone, including those who didn't get the contract. Everyone headed out already. Just Damien, Monica and two representatives from AA enterprise were there, one of them was the personal secretary of the CEO of the company.
"We definitely will. I believe it's a big opportunity for both of the companies." Damien said in a professional tone and everyone nodded, showing their agreement.
"It indeed is." The man said.
"Mr Shawn, I was thinking if we could meet Mr AA before leaving. After all, we are business partners now." Monica spoke up in a curious and friendly tone, looking at the secretary. Shawn looked at her with a raised eyebrow but before he could say anything, someone opened the conference room's door and entered the room.
"MISS AA, Arabella Anderson. It's nice meeting you… " A very known voice to Damien and Monica spoke up. "... again." Arabella's voice trailed off when they turned around to face her.
Arabella was standing there in a very fashionable black business suit. Her hair was open. She had smokey eyes and red lipstick to give her a bold look. But when completed her look was the smirk she was wearing.
"You!" Monica shouted in shock.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Damien joined Monica soon and scowled at Arabella.
"Where do you think the owner of property should be?" Arabella asked with a smirk and fake innocent look on her face as she walked toward them in her black heel. The tick-tock sound was like a hammer bruising Monica and Damien's ego. Arabella walked and stood in front of them, looking directly into Damien's eyes.
"Owner of the property?" Monica exclaimed in shock and disbelief but she got ignored as Arabella forwarded her hand toward Damien for a handshake.
"I am AA, CEO of AA enterprise." Arabella said but Damien didn't move a muscle to shake her hand. He just gave her a cold look. She smirked, noticing that and moved her hand away. "I think we share a business relationship now. Congratulations Mr -...?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. Her tone was filled with mockery.
"Damien Rodriguez." Damien answered in a cold tone and she smiled at him. The smile was like a poisonous flower.
"Congratulations, Mr Rodriguez." Arabella said with a smirk. He glared at her but the next moment Damien turned around to look at Shawn and the other representative with a cold look on his face.
"I want to cancel this contract." He announced out of nowhere, making Monica gasp in shock.
"Damien?" She snapped in a warning tone because cancelling the contract is going to cost them a lot. It was an international project.
"I am afraid you can't do that, Mr Rodriguez." The old man spoke up in a professional tone, making Damien frown.
"What do you mean?" He asked. Shawn was going to explain but Arabella signalled him to stop.
"Didn't you read the contract clause properly? It was clearly mentioned in the contrac that if you back off after signing the contract or fail to meet the contract requirements, I automatically become a very important board member of your business." Arabella spoke up with a smirk, making Damien look at her with unexplainable anger. He took a step toward her with gritted teeth and looked her in the eyes.
"Stop messing with me." He said in a low and dark tone before walking away after crossing her, without saying another word. Monica followed behind quickly.
Their body touched for a second and Arabella's body reacted in a weird way. It happened two days ago as well. She pushed those thoughts aside and looked at his back.
"See you soon, Mr Rodriguez. Hope you can decide whether you want to maintain the client relationship or make me your business partner by then." Arabella shouted behind him but he was already out of the room by them.
"Arabella… you are surely back to messing up with my life again, aren't you?" Damien whispered to himself as the past memories were coming back to mess with him once again.