ADRIAN's POV
I stared at the Sanderss car as it pulled away from the restaurant. My dinner with Rachel Sanders had turned out to he quite "interesting", for lack of a better word.
To be sincere, she hadn't been what I was expecting, I'd been expecting another spoilt society heiress but I was pleasantly surprised to see how different she was.
I guess I could bear to be married to her for a few years, although it wouldn't have been my preferred choice, I hadn't exactly planned to get married any time soon, I was a very busy man and didn't have the time for a wife or family.
I got into my car as it pulled up and waved to my driver to start the car. "Hello James."
"Afternoon, Mr Kingsley. Where to?"
"Home, James." I replied. I knew my family would be expecting a rundown of how the date had gone, but I had more important things to do and I just couldn't bear to sit through so many snide remarks and hateful looks.
A few days after the date, I received a call from my future mother-in-law, Elizabeth Sanders. Her name was both feared and revered in business circles.
Known for being able to win any board of shareholders to her side, and her ruthless nature, it was a wonder my grandfather had managed to convince her to let me get married to her oldest daughter seeing as our families had been enemies for so many years that no one even remembered the cause of the disagreement and especially since everyone knew that she didn't do anything that didn't benefit her or bring her money.
"Mrs Sanders, to what do I owe this pleasure?" I leaned back in my seat and crossed my legs curious on what she wanted.
"Why, I just wished to speak to my future son-in-law, I don't think there's anything wrong with that is there?"
"No, not at all" I tapped my fingers on the table. " But I know better than to trust you, Mrs Sanders, so what is it you want?"
I swivelled my chair to face the floor to ceiling windows of my office and stared at the numerous high rise buildings below.
"Smart man" She laughed. "I want to schedule a meeting"
"A meeting?" I repeated.
"Don't worry, it's not about business, it's just two soon to be family members meeting over drinks, to get to know each other better"
"I see"
"I'll be free tonight, I expect to see you at Elevè by 5"
"And what if I'm not availableat the time?" I asked calmly
"I'm sure you'll find a way to make it. After all, you wouldn't want to offend your future mother-in-law, now would you?"
The line clicked and I stared at my phone in shock, she'd hung up. She'd backed me into a corner knowing I couldn't turn her down, no one turned down Elizabeth Sanders without suffering consequences.
I buzzed my secretary through my intercom.
"Ms Johnson, do I have any in person meetings after 5 pm today"
"Yes sir, you have 3 meetings scheduled from 6 to 8 and online meeting with Mr Kirito to discuss his new project"
"Cancel them"
"But sir...." she protested.
"Inform Mr Tanaka that I'll contact him at a later time tonight, it seems I have new obligations"
" Mr Kingsley, that's really not..."
"Thank you, Candice"
"I can't believe he's....." She muttered.
"I can still hear you Candice" I said with my finger on the hang up button.
"My bad. Sorry, Mr Kingsley and congratulationson your engagement, Sir"
I rolled my eyes, she hadn't been the first to congratulate me and remind me of my unwanted fiancée, employees had been congratulating me in various way all morning.
"It's all good, and again thank you Candice"
I hung up to her muttering and smiled, she really deserved a raise with how much I put her through.
I logged onto my laptop and got back to work, I had a lot to cover if I was going to make it to my meeting with Elizabeth Sanders, aka my future mother-in-law.
"Thanks, James. See you in a bit" I said to my driver as we pulled up in front on Elevè. One of the best lounges in the country, Elevè only catered to the top 1%.
It was almost impossible to get in since you needed recommendations from at least 10 members before you could become one yourself.
The higher the members were in society, the better your chances of being accepted.
"Hello Ellen, I having a meeting with Elizabeth Sanders, is she here yet?" I asked the concierge at the reception desk.
"Mr Kingsley, its been quite a while since we last saw you. Mrs Sanders hasn't arrived yet but she called ahead to have us arrange one of the private room" Ellen smiled at me and I returned it.
"Of course she did" I muttered under my breath. "What room?"
"G10" she handed me the keycard to the room. " I could have Lila show you the way if you need" she offered.
"No need, I might have not come visiting in a while but I still remember my way around" I waved away her offer and walked away.
"Mr Kingsley" Ellen called from behind me.
"Yes Ellen?"
"Congratulations on your engagement. Ms Sanders is quite lovely" I turned around.
"You know my fiancée? Does everyone here know her or is it just you?"
"Oh yes Sir, everyone here knows her but I'd say Lila knows her best. She visits frequently with her mother and sister and is close with some of the staff"
An idea popped into my head, letting Lila show me the way would give me the chance to ask her a few questions about my mysterious fiancée, I barely knew anything about her, and I made a mental note to get someone to look into her.
"You know what Ellen, I just realised I really have forgotten my way around the place, I'd love to have Lila show me the way".
"Of course, Sir" Ellen smiled widely. I'd completely forgotten the Sanders owned Elevè.
"Lila" Ellen called to a waitress arranging flowers nearby.
"Yes ma'am "
"Please show Mr Kingsley the way to G10"
"Of course ma'am, this way Sir"
I followed behind Lila as she led me down a familiar path.
"Ms. Lila, is it?" Adrian started the conversation.
"Oh no, sir, its just Lila"
"I hear you're good friends with Ms. Sanders"
"Which one sir, the older or the younger?"
"The older I believe" I replied as we began climbing the grand staircase. "What is she like when she comes here?"
Lila looked confused that I was asking
about my own fiancée but still answered.
" Oh, she's lovely. She's always so nice and takes time to ask us about lives and how we're doing. Everyone loves her, although I'm quite sure she once said she had a boyfriend in college"
"A boyfriend?". I muttered. Lila realised who she was talking to and her face went white in fear.
" I'm sorry sir, I have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm just saying a whole lot of nonsense" She bowed in fear.
"It's alright, Lila. No harm, no foul". I said as I patted her on the shoulder and walked into the empty room Elizabeth had scheduled.