PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 37

Nalaglag ang panga ko sa narinig mula sa kanya. I was honestly flabbergasted. So, now we were going to act professionally for business. The last time... which I didn't want to remember flashed back. I couldn't believe he was saying these words to my face.

Fuck! I shouldn't still be having the hang of it. Now that I was facing him, it felt just like yesterday but it was a long time ago. I hated that he was too persistent but I hated it now that he was distant as if we didn't know each other.

I subconsciously traveled my eyes to his arm, down to his hand, and to his fingers. I see... he was not married yet. I instantly snapped myself to go back to my senses. I shouldn't be thinking about that right now.

He was right, I should be professional but in the first place, I didn't need his help. Start-ups started from the bottom and I wouldn't be so satisfied if it meant asking for his help.

I had so much pride. If my money wasn't enough, I could find a way to suffice whatever demands I would face in the future. I would never want to work with him.

I tried to fight the detachment of his gaze. "This is a mistake. I should have known that it was you. I can't trust your company."

"Have a seat," he insisted in an emphasized note. "You can. I'm the best in this field. I'm the only one Lilia can recommend. She wouldn't recommend me to you if I weren't competent enough."

I wanted to scoff and roll my eyeballs at his remarks. He really was so boastful. I didn't want to hear about it, I didn't want to hear about his achievements if he was planning to include it.

"I want to at least check your proposal," he said, extending his hand toward me.

"As far as I can remember. You don't invest in the fashion industry or show business," I countered.

He sighed, calming himself. "Well... you are talented and you have the potential. You have quite good experience so it might be worth it."

"Might be?" I exclaimed. "Do you see this as just a freaking experiment?"

"That's not what I mean!" he instantly denied. "You know in business... it's always trial and error. Not all businesses succeed. That's the reality. Okay?" he said, calmly, as if he was lecturing an ignorant kid in the easiest way possible to understand.

"I'm not stupid," I said.

"I know," he claimed. "So... that's why I'm giving you an hour for this meeting."

"Should I say thank you?"

"Don't be rude. You're supposed to be pleasing me," he replied back, now in the same tone as mine, back to his bossy one.

I scoffed.

"Be professional. We're here for business," he reminded me.

I scoffed again. I gestured my hand to the room. "This is not a place for business."

Tumaas ang isang kilay nya. "What do you expect us to do here?"

I scowled at his fucking face. "This is serious. I also expect you to be professional. Maybe in your office or a meeting room."

"Nah. You wouldn't be stepping in my company if you knew it was me," he said.

"What? So... you picked Lilia's hotel room to be sure. Not professional at all."

"Anyways, we can do business anywhere... so hand me the proposal before I change my mind," he arrogantly said.

I dropped the folder in front of him unprofessionally. I didn't care. I was not going to convince him or please him. He could reject my proposal, it'd be fine. I didn't need his money.