Only show up if you accept the deal," the words echoed in her mind like a sing-song melody.
Madisyn read the business card over and over, wondering what to do. The meeting was in about an hour, and she still didn't have a plan.
On one hand, she wanted to accept the deal and work with- for her ex-boyfriend's brother. But on the other hand, she didn't want to submit to anyone, not even a successful, handsome billionaire.
She wished someone could give her the answer she was waiting for, but no one could help her since no one knew of that devious scheme.
"What am I getting myself into?" she whispered to herself.
She checked the clock and sighed just as a new message lit up her phone. It was from her father.
"I heard from a client that Joey is opening his new company next month."
She could almost see his disappointed look through the phone. That message pushed her to make a decision, and before she even realized it, she was out the door, dressed in a tight midi dress, carrying a Hermès bag, and wearing heeled pumps. It felt like ages since the last time she had gotten gussied up.
Surely, it would be worth it, this decision would mark her life forever.
However, deep down, even though she was denying it to herself, she missed him. She would never admit it. After several years together, starting all over on her own was hard. Waking up alone and going to sleep in the same way was tough. Even though she hated him deeply and immensely, there was still a sliver of hope that someday he would come back and tell her it was all a sick joke.
Pathetic? Maybe.
But also human.
She told the driver the address Ethan had sent her. She fidgeted with her hands nervously, doubting whether she should trust Ethan. She didn't want to make the same mistakes she had with his brother.
Maybe Ethan was lying, and they were close, and he just wanted to deceive her like Joey did and then laugh at her together.
She couldn't accept that. She couldn't accept being tricked by anyone ever again. That's not how her father raised her.
Everyone knew her father in the business world. Everyone knew who he was. He was a self-made man who deeply loved his wife and family.
He was a man from another time, where men respected and loved women, not deceived and betrayed them.
When she arrived, she stepped out of the car. The coffee shop was somewhat hidden—a small, reserved place with an almost invisible sign and no tables outside. It seemed like the perfect place not to be seen by the paparazzi.
She walked inside, and her phone rang—a new message from Ethan.
"Go to the barista and tell her you want to say hi to her cousin."
Madisyn frowned, then nodded and approached the barista.
A long red-haired girl looked at her and tilted her head to the side as she prepared the coffee.
"How may I help you, miss?"
"I heard your cousin is here. I want to say hi to him. Haven't seen him in a while."
The girl leaned closer as if she didn't want to be heard.
"The left door at the back."
Was he really that famous that he needed to hide like this?
Then why had she never heard of him before?
Well, not that she talked about companies often. On the contrary, every time someone mentioned a famous CEO, her mind ignored it as she didn't consider it an important topic.
Madisyn thanked the girl and followed her directions to a reserved room full of tables.
He was seated at the back, and he lifted his hand and smiled lightly when he saw her.
"You came," he said, somewhat surprised.
"I did." Madisyn seemed surprised herself.
"Is that really your cousin?"
He chuckled, "No, it's a code we use when I have to meet someone."
"I see. I didn't think this would be your kind of place," she said, glancing around.
It was a normal, simple place, barely equipped and decorated with nothing but the essentials.
"Just because I'm a billionaire doesn't mean I always go fancy."
He cleared his throat. "I also don't want anyone to see us together, or your plan will fail."
Madisyn nodded. "Right."
"But before getting to the plan, we should get to know each other better, don't you think? After all, I'm hiring someone I barely know."
Madisyn frowned. "Well, if you change your mind, you can always just help me without hiring me."
"I never change my mind, Madisyn. Tell me about yourself as if you were attending a job interview."
Madisyn burst out laughing—it was funny and silly at the same time. Why would she need to be interviewed when he was the one insisting on giving her a job?
"I'm waiting, and I hate waiting."