HARRO.
Orion's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he asked, "Oh really, how's that?" His tone was laced with skepticism, but Harro's smug expression only deepened, his eyes glinting with triumph like a cat savoring a secret.
Harro's words spilled out in a triumphant rush, "Did I forget to mention? I am the chef!" His voice was dripping with satisfaction as if he'd been waiting all day to deliver the punchline. And then, the moment of truth: Orion's legendary poker face shattered, replaced by a look of genuine shock. His eyes widened, his eyebrows shot up, and Harro felt a thrill of victory.
Bingo! The word echoed in Harro's mind as he basked in the glory of his successful revelation. Orion's stunned exclamation, "What?" was the icing on the cake. Harro's eyes sparkled with amusement as he thought to himself. The first thing I needed to know about Orion Alexander Stone was that the man was very inquisitive. The rest was just...semantics.
"How is this even possible?" Orion's voice was laced with incredulity, his eyes wide with wonder. "When did you find the time to become a chef?" He looked like a man who'd just witnessed a miracle, his expression a mix of shock and awe.
Harro's lips twitched with amusement, tempted to unleash a flirtatious remark that would likely leave Orion breathless. But he bit back the words, opting for a more measured response instead. "I totally understand why you'd be surprised by all of this," he said, his hand gesturing elegantly as he spoke. "I'd be surprised, too, if I was in your shoes."
Orion's shocked expression remained frozen in place, and Harro felt a surge of triumph. He'd managed to rattle the older man's composure, and that was no small feat. But Harro's own expression remained serene, his emotions locked tightly behind a mask of calm. He didn't want to risk unsettling Orion further by revealing the depth of his own satisfaction.
"Don't think too hard about it, Orion," he advised, his voice smooth as silk. "Just accept it as it is."
Harro's words were laced with amusement as he observed Orion's struggle to wrap his head around the revelation. The older man's brows were furrowed, his eyes squinting in concentration as if he were desperately trying to solve a complex puzzle.
"You expect me to believe that you somehow managed to make all this by yourself, without knowing I was coming here at all?" Orion's voice was tinged with skepticism, his tone incredulous. Harro's grin stretched wide across his face, his eyes sparkling with mirth, as he watched a kaleidoscope of emotions dance across Orion's face. Confusion, surprise, and a hint of curiosity all vied for dominance, and Harro was thrilled to see the older man's composure so thoroughly rattled.
"You and I both know there's no such thing as coincidence, Orion," Harro said, his voice low and mysterious, "nevertheless, some things are better off left the way they are." He raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with amusement, as he added, "Don't you think?"
Orion's scowl deepened, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What games are you playing?" he growled, his voice laced with warning.
Harro's smirk grew wider, his confidence radiating like a palpable aura. "Nothing you haven't already thought of, Orion," he replied, his voice dripping with innuendo. "But the question is, will you stick around long enough to confirm it?"
Orion's eyes flashed with irritation, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "So much confidence in one awfully tiny man." Harro's grin never wavered, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"It is both a gift and a curse," he said, his voice laced with humor, "and you'd be too if you had my looks and skills." He winked, his eyelashes fluttering with playful seduction. Orion rolled his eyes, his expression a perfect blend of exasperation and amusement.
Orion's patience was wearing thin, his tolerance for Harro's games dwindling by the minute. But he knew he had to keep playing along, at least for now, if he wanted to uncover the younger man's true intentions. Especially since his company seemed to be caught in the crossfire.
"How about finishing the meal?" Harro suggested, his eyes sparkling with innocence.
"What?" Orion's tone was incredulous, his expression skeptical. Harro's grin never wavered as he gestured towards the barely touched food on the table.
"You wouldn't want such good food to go to waste, would you, Orion?" His voice was laced with a hint of playful censure.
Orion's jaw clenched, his pride bristling at the younger man's implication. He was a grown man, after all, and he wouldn't be dictated to by some impudent whelp. "I think I've had my fill, thank you," he replied, his tone civil but firm.
Harro's face fell, his eyes clouding with a hint of sadness. "That's too bad," he said, his voice tinged with genuine disappointment. "I was really looking forward to having a meal with you." Orion's curiosity was piqued by the sincerity in Harro's voice. What was this younger man's game, and why was he so determined to play it with Orion?
Harro's smile was radiant, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "But it's all good though, because you can just sit with me while I eat. Believe it or not, I'm truly famished..." His words were laced with an endearing innocence, but Orion's irritation only grew.
Orion's gaze was drawn to Harro's bright blue eyes, which seemed to twinkle with mischief when he smiled. It was a trait that only served to aggravate Orion further. "I don't know what your deal is," he growled, his voice low and warning, "neither do I have any interest in whatever game you're playing, so just leave Stone Pharmaceuticals out of it."
Harro's expression transformed, his confusion genuine. His eyebrows furrowed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to make sense of Orion's words. It wasn't the part about the game that threw him off - he knew he was playing a delicate game of cat and mouse with Orion. But the mention of Stone Pharmaceuticals left him perplexed. What did his plans have to do with the pharmaceutical company?
Harro's expression was a mask of innocence, his eyes wide with feigned confusion. "The only deal I have with Stone Pharmaceuticals is to help solve the merger problems you're currently having," he said, his voice laced with a hint of sweetness. "That is the reason you requested a formal meeting with me, right?" He paused, his gaze locking onto Orion's with an unnerving intensity.
Orion's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. "Speaking of which...why now?" he asked, his tone firm but curious. Harro's eyebrows shot up, his expression a perfect imitation of surprise.
"Excuse me?"
Orion's tone was laced with skepticism, his eyes glinting with a hint of warning. He sat down opposite Harro, his movements deliberate and controlled. The younger man was already seated, his eyes never leaving Orion's face. "You were strongly against the idea of representing Stone Pharmaceuticals in the bid before," Orion continued, his voice low and even. "Why the sudden change of heart? And why now?"
Harro's smirk was a masterclass in subtle seduction, his eyes glinting with mischief as he tossed a piece of chicken into his mouth. He chewed slowly, savoring the flavor, before speaking again. "Tell you what..." His voice was low and husky, dripping with promise. "Why don't you sit down and have a meal with me, then maybe...I'll tell you why I suddenly had a change of heart."
Orion's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he searched for any hidden traps or ulterior motives. He could have sworn he saw a flicker of amusement in Harro's eyes, but it was gone before he could be sure. Despite his reservations, Orion found himself nodding in agreement, his curiosity getting the better of him. He had a feeling that he was stepping into a minefield, but he was willing to take the risk to uncover Harro's true intentions.