The Media Baron's Heiress

CHAPTER 8

Brad took a seat at the bar. Occasionally Tessa's eyes would stray to the bar and find its way back to the men at her table. She psyched herself to focus on the documents her dad had put in front of her. She picked them up and applied her mind, trying to give it her undivided attention.

'Was the film company creatively involved in the design?' she looked at Felipe.

'No, Claude designed that a year before they even approached us.'

'So you have some talent after all,' she murmured softly to Junior.

'I'm good at a few things,' he whispered back, drawing too close to her.

'Did you sign off intellectual property rights in the contract you have with them?'

'No. They called, made an appointment, came to view the original items in the safe. They selected that particular piece and enquired about insurance. We agreed on a fee and that it be returned after four months, and that was that,' junior concluded.

'Then, they have no case against you,' Tessa spoke. 'That is without me seeing your contract with them. I hope there are no clauses, which restrict your future sales of that said item.'

'There's not a single clause on the agreement,' Junior confirmed.

'Then you have absolutely nothing to be concerned about,' Tessa smiled briefly at Felipe.

'This calls for a celebration,' Felipe shook hands with Joseph von Biljoen. Claude why don't you take Tessa to a good restaurant?'

'I was just about to invite Tessa,' Junior winked at her. 'Shall we?' He stood up.

'Give me a minute will you Junior?' Tessa stood up and attracted Marco's attention. He immediately hurried to her side.

'Put everything they have on my tab will you?
Marco nodded.
'Can __ you ask Brad to meet me at my apartment?'

'Always at your service ma'am,' he mocked, and walked away.
Tessa did not look at Brad again, instead, she gracefully strode out, with Junior's hand at her elbow. Outside he put on a show for the cameras, drawing her close to his side and smiling down into her eyes.

'When this show is over Junior,' Tessa smiled back at him, 'I'm going home.'

Hopefully I will have a visitor.

'You're standing me up?' he grinned, feigning offense.

'We will put on a show in front of our parents. When they're out of sight we do as we please,' Tessa informed him. 'And it pleases me to go home.'

'Can I join you?'

'No, I'm expecting company,..'
I hope.
Tessa crossed her fingers.

'Au revoir,' he kissed her cheek, as he held her door open for her.

'You're a drama queen, you know that?' Tessa hissed softly. You've so ruined my already tarnished reputation.

Junior threw his head back and laughed as she drove off. He followed her down two streets then turned in a different direction.

Tessa stood against the wall in her apartment, right next to the front door wishing for the sound of a knock, so she could open it. She'd been standing there for all of five minutes. Surely if he was following her, he should be here by now. Perhaps he had other plans, or perhaps he was not interested anymore. Tessa felt everything inside her deflate like a punctured balloon. She decided to take a shower, then she would fix herself dinner. She was halfway out the lounge, when the knock sounded. Tessa flew to the door and yanked it open. Brad was standing there, a satchel carelessly slung over his shoulder. One hand was leaning casually on the wall, the other was holding the satchel.