Olivia's POV:
Mr. Bennett glared at the man for a while. "What's her role in this meeting?" he asked, and I had to admit he was too rude; he didn't even accept her handshake.
"She is... a translator," the man said with a lot of difficulty. It turned out he couldn't express himself in French, but he had said the first sentence well, which was all he practiced before coming here.
Mr. Bennett nodded as they both sat; the man looked lively, and the lady stared at me. I picked up a document on the desk and focused on it.
"C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer et je vous remercie pour l'hébergement à l'hôtel." The man said something, and I couldn't understand a single word.
My dad said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, and he also thanked you for the hotel accommodations," she explained, and Mr. Bennett nodded before picking up a document.
The meeting kept going for thirty minutes, with the girl translating everything.
"Mr. Bennett, can your secretary please get coffee for us?" Chloe asked as she glared at me.
"No," Mr. Bennett said, and she glanced at him, surprised. Why did he have to refuse? It was only normal that she asked that.
"La réunion est terminée; parcourez le contrat avant l'événement ce soir, et vous pourrez me donner votre réponse à ce moment-là... puisque c'est tout. Vous pouvez partir."(The meeting is over; review the contract before the event tonight, and you can give me your answer at that time... since that's it. You can leave.) Mr. Bennett said, and I glanced at him in shock. He speaks French so fluently, so why did he keep letting the lady translate?
Chloe chuckled nervously. "Turns out you speak French so well; now I feel embarrassed," she said, and he didn't reply.
The man smiled before extending his hand for a handshake. "It was nice doing business with you," the man struggled and said.
Without wasting time, they left, and Mr. Bennett walked towards me. "We can leave," he said, and I got curious.
"You speak French?" I asked, and he nodded.
"Are you impressed?" he asked, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He frowned and pulled me closer with his hand entangled around my waist.
"I warned you against rolling your eyes at me," he said, and the door pulled open. Chloe walked in, and she had a shocked expression seeing us in such a position.
I got nervous and tried pushing Mr. Bennett, but he didn't let go. "Uhm, I forgot my purse," she said, walking to the table and getting her purse. Still, Mr. Bennett did not let me go.
"Let me go," I said but he didn't; instead, he traced his finger down my jawline.
"I will leave now," Chloe said, hurriedly walking out. This was the most embarrassing moment of my life.
"Mr. Bennett!" I scolded angrily when he placed his hand behind my head and pulled me closer to his.
"Kiss me," he blurted shamelessly. I quickly pulled away, but my face was hot.
"The restroom, I will go out first," I said and turned to leave when he held my hand.
"It's that way," he said with an amusing tone.
"I will check the one down," I said. I didn't know the structure of this company, as the only place I had been to was Mr. Bennett's office, but I wanted to be far from him. He was so shameless and didn't think before blurting out such words to me.
I hurried out of the office and walked down the corridor to the elevator. I found the lady from earlier still standing by the elevator. Why was she still here? I smiled at her before getting into the elevator.
I pressed the button when she walked in as well; there was silence for a while before she spoke out.
"So you are the secretary?" She asked, and I shook my head in denial, but she wasn't glaring at me and didn't even give me the space to reply.
"You must be older than me for a year or two, and from the look of things, you are not from a renowned family," she added.
"So I guess it's normal for you to be fooled by men like Mr. Bennett, but as a lady, I will advise you to protect your dignity. He will only have fun with you and dump you later," she explained, and I wish I could tell her that it's not what she thinks, but it's better to let it go.
After all, this is the last time we will be meeting. "My father owns the biggest fabric company in Paris, and we are soon signing the contract to become investors... but we can only strengthen our bond and trust through marriage," Chloe explained with a calm voice; she didn't raise her voice for once.
I guess she was a perfect example of a lady from a high-class family; why was she telling me all this? Did she mean that she would be getting married to Mr. Bennett to strengthen their business?
Then the elevator door stopped, she walked out and glared at me, "Je suis féministe. Ne prenez pas mes mots à contresens," she said before leaving.
(Don't take my words wrong; I am a feminist. )
Huh, what did she mean by that? I heard feministe, which probably stands for feminism. Did she mean that she was against feminism because I heard contresens?
So if Mr. Bennett had a business wedding proposal with this lady, then it would be good, as he wouldn't have any choice but to divorce me. I smiled widely before deciding to go back to his office. Now I was in a happy mood.
**
It was evening when Mr. Bennett and I returned home. I was welcomed at the door by Alice.
"You again," I said, and she chuckled.
"I brought the hairdresser and makeup artist; let's get you ready," she said, and I frowned before glaring at Mr. Bennett.
"You should do as she says," he said, and I clenched my fist before putting up a fake smile after this event tonight. I will be free to get a job and will also meet with Caleb tomorrow.
I switched off my phone because I knew he was going to call me; my guilt wouldn't let me pick up his call. I was being selfish toward him.
Then I spotted the cat on a small, comfy couch; it looked new and was probably brought for him.
I smiled and carried the cat. "Mr. Bennett, can he come along?" I asked hopefully, and he sneered.
"I already have one animal to handle; I can't handle two," he said, and my eyes widened in shock. Who was he referring to as an animal?