Diana blinked rapidly, shocked by the way he ignored her.
"This way" she said and quickly lead them to the private lounge.
Violet and Adrian sat down opposite Diana, the servants came in and served their meals.
Even though Adrian ignored her the other time, she brushed it off, thinking he was in a bad mood or something.
"Who's she?" Diana asked, talking about Violet, who hasn't said a word since they arrived.
"She's my secretary" Adrian answered before Violet could reply.
"Why did you bring her? The meeting was supposed to be just two of us" Diana said.
"Is there another motive behind this meeting? It's strictly a business meeting, I see no reason why I can't bring my secretary" Adrian said, and she cleared her throat.
"I would like to co-produce a movie with Starlight" she said and Adrian nodded his head.
Diana knows the movie would be a big hit if she makes the movie a joint production with Starlight; their name alone would draw attention to the movie.
"Write an official business proposal and submit it via email, including your vision, budget, and production plans. If it's worth working with, we'll let you know." Adrian answered formally.
Diana furrowed her brows.
She didn't want to go through the normal process like others.
That was why she used her dad's influence to invite him over, thinking he would just accept the proposal, and it would be done once and for all.
"I hope that's fine with you, Miss Russell" Adrian asked when Diana didn't say anything.
"Sure. It's fine" she answered.
"Here is the email you'll be forwarding your message to, ma" Violet sad, handing her a note.
The rest of the dinner went well with little talks.
"Thanks for the dinner, we would, be taking our leave now" Adrian said after they were done eating, standing up.
"Emm... before you go, can I see you privately" she said to Adrian.
"Wait for me in the car" Adrian said to Violet and she nodded.
"Bye miss" she said, before leaving.
"So, what do you want to say? Make it quick please" he said, his voice firm.
" Well..." she started and moved closer. Adrian swore to leave if she gets closer than where she was but luckily for her, she remained a few inches from him.
"I just wanted to say it would really be nice if we could work together" Diana said, her voice intense and sultry.
"Our partnership would be really productive in business, and maybe somewhere else...."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, his expression, unreadable.
"I'm afraid I'm not interested in any other form of partnership with you, if it isn't related to business, Miss Russell" he said, his voice firm and cold.
"You can just call me Diana" she replied.
"I'll stick with Miss Russell" Adrian said, his tone, unyielding.
Diana's eyes narrowed slightly, but she smiled again.
"I get the fact that you are a businessman. But come on, there are other ways our partnership could be mutually beneficial, "she said slowly, twirling the end of her hair, her voice dripping with innuendo.
Adrian's expression turned from indifference to disgust." I'm not interested, Miss. Our relationship would be strictly professional, nothing more, nothing less" he said as he made to leave.
"Bear it in mind that your action tonight might taint your chance of getting a partnership with Starlight.
And by the way, your attempts at seduction are pathetic. Work on your self-respect, Miss Russell".
With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Diana standing alone, her face burning with humiliation.
OUTSIDE,
Violet sighed, wondering why Adrian was taking so long.
"Finally" she muttered when she saw him coming.
He entered the car with a frown on his face.
Violet knew something must have happened inside, but she didn't ask.
She knew he won't answer anyways.
"How close is your house from this place" he asked, starting the ignition.
"It's like a thirty-minute drive." she answered.
He drove out of the mansion and parked a few metres away.
"You can alight here" he said.
Violet was surprised. She had at least thought he would be considerate today and dropped her at least close to her house.
"Why was she even expecting that anyways, isn't he the cold-hearted king?" she thought to herself and alighted.
He zoomed off almost immediately, and she scoffed.
The day was already turning dark, she stood by the roadside, waiting for a taxi.
XAVIER'S APARTMENT,
"That was so good" the girl on Xavier's bed smiled.
He stood up and walked to the bathroom. He paused when he saw that the girl didn't make any move to leave his room.
"Get out" he said curtly.
"I want more" she whined.
"I said leave!" his voice turned cold, and the girl quickly got the message and scrambled out.
He hissed in frustration, before entering the bathroom.
He ran his hands through his hair as the water touched his skin, thinking of ways he can outrun Adrian and win the award.
He and Adrian have been rivals since childhood. They attended the same high school, even though Adrian had always been in the first position, and him, second, he didn't mind.
But the hatred all started when Xavier's father got to know about Adrian and started comparing him every single time.
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO,
"You call this a result?" Thomas barked, waving the result in thirteen years old Xavier's face.
"But-But dad, I got eighty-seven percent" Little Xavier said, tears streaming down his face.
"Your results were pasted on the school's online platform. Adrian got ninety-three, didn't he?"
"Yes sir"
"Can you see yourself? Why can't you also be the first? Does he have two brains? He has always been getting first, and you are fine with it.
He is leading and you are following. Stupid boy" he shouted, leaving Xavier crying.
"I don't want to be his follower" he muttered to himself.
Ever since then, he has been seeing Adrian as a rival.
IN SCHOOL,
The following week,
The class had a competition, and they were shared into two groups, with Adrian in one mad Xavier in the other.
Adrian's team won and Xavier was frustrated.
"Nice match. You played so well, well done" Adrian said innocently, smiling, oblivious of Xavier's resentment towards him.
Xavier stood up and left, leaving him standing.
Adrian blinked, surprised at Xavier's attitude.
"Did I offend you?" he turned and asked Xavier who was almost out of the class, but Xavier ignored him and left.
Fifteen years later, Adrian is still leading him, and it vexes him so much.
"I can't afford to lose. I must overtake him one way or the other" he muttered as he came out of the shower.
*
Alexa was jogging, her usual daily routine. She usually does it with Violet, but Violet begged to sleep in, she just went on a leave and decided to rest.
Wearing a pink headphone on her head, she jogged, enjoying the way the early morning breeze caressed her skin.
Bryan was on his way to Adrian's house when someone caught his attention.
"Hey, mind if I join you?" he asked with a friendly smile, walking towards Alexa.
Alexa hesitated, then nodded.
"I'm almost done, but sure." she answered.
"Thanks" Bryan smiled, happy that she accepted.
"I'm Bryan, by the way."
"Alexa," she replied.
They jogged together in comfortable silence for a bit.
"You're a regular here, huh?" Bryan asked. Alexa nodded.
"Yeah, I try to come every morning, with a friend, though. But she couldn't make it today."
"Ohh okay." he said.
"I can see why. No wonder you have a nice stature" he complimented, glancing at her.
And she smiled warmly.
"You're doing great. I'm struggling to keep up!"he said.
Alexa laughed.
"Thanks, I've been doing this for a while."
As they approached Alexa's usual turnaround point, they stopped, catching their breath.
"Well, it was great running into you, Alexa. Maybe I'll see you around?"
"Yeah, that'd be nice," Alexa replied with a smile.
ADRIAN'S ISLAND
Adrian woke up, hearing some noise downstairs. He frowned as he walked down, his hair messy giving him a hot, bad boy look.
He sighed when he saw Bryan on his couch eating popcorn and watching a movie.
"Hey man" he said to Adrian
"I regret giving you my passcode. What are you doing here so early" Adrian yawned as he got to where Bryan is.
He took the remote and reduced the volume.
"Hey!" Bryan whined.
"It's too loud, it's still 7am for crying out loud. Didn't you sleep at home" he said to Bryan who was smiling like he just won a lottery.
"Seems like your day started well. Who made your day?" Adrian asked. Bryan was always cheerful, but today it was extra, his face radiating brightly.
"I met an angel today" Bryan said, grinning from ear to ear, thinking about Alexa.
Adrian shook his head as he chuckled.
"You've started"
"Dude, I am serious. She is so cute.She's my spec" Bryan said.
"Did your conversation with her go well?" Adrian asked with a smug look.
"Of course. I had to jog with her though, just to start up a conversation. I think we really clicked."
"Were you able to get her number?"
Bryan eyed him and Adrian laughed.
"I'll get her number soon. I was only able to know her name".
"How sure are you that you'll see her again?"
"It looks like she lives around. I will surely see her again. She said she usually jogs every morning around that area. I don't mind going there every day" Bryan answered and Adrian chuckled.
"Go freshen up, I have so many games I want us to play together." Bryan said, showing him the game box he brought.
"Don't tell me that's why you came early."
"Of course it is. Be fast. We still need to make breakfast or order something. I haven't eaten"
"You didn't eat at home?"
"No. I came here as early as I could just to see your handsome face" Bryan smiled and Adrian threw a pillow at him.
"Joblessness" he said and went upstairs.
Bryan laughed and continued stuffing his face with popcorn.
*
"I am so glad I am your friend, I wouldn't have gotten to see this side of you." Bryan said after playing tons of games with him.
He really wished Adrian could act this way to everyone, but it's going to be really hard.
"I don't think that would be possible anytime soon" Adrian answered.
No matter how hard he tried, he can't just seem to tolerate or have fun with other people like the way he does with Bryan and Sasha.
They were the only people close to him.
"You'll be able to one day. It's just going to take time" Bryan said and Adrian nodded.
His phone started to ring, and his expression became cold when he saw the caller ID.
"Come home" the voice said, sounding distant and cold.