Book One of the Aurum Choi series.
Aurum doesn't like people. In fact, he absolutely detests the idea of being around anyone. Top grades in the state and the most wanted athlete; he doesn't need human interaction because it's a "waste of time". Bei...
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"I don't hate people. I just feel better when they aren't around." –Charles Bukowski
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"No. Just... No."
The steady throb of a headache pounded against the side of Aurum's skull and seemed to echo right by his eardrums. He scratched his eyebrow and contemplated how he was going to get himself out of this annoying situation. What sort of excuse could he come up with this time?
A girl with long, curly blonde hair tugged at the sleeve of his suit, which was an expensive purchase; if she wrinkled it, the tab was on her. "Puh-lease?" She whined with pouting and quivering lips. "Papa went through all this trouble setting this up! The least you could do is go on a date with me!" Her grip was like a handcuff that tightened around his wrist and wouldn't let go.
Her appearance was enough to cause him to vomit. The wings on her eyes were too long, uneven and unsymmetrical. Her green eyeshadow completely contrasted with the bright pink monstrosity of a dress she decided to dawn for the day. Her cleavage, which was fairly obvious that she was trying to show them off with the low cut outfit, were implants (he had to take a crash course in plastic surgery for a company deal with a surgeon's clinic).
The smell of perfume was so strong that his nostrils were burning. Even with her calling her father "Papa" constantly throughout the conversation, she was about eight years older than he was by the information he could recall, and he was seventeen (not even at the legal age to marry yet, mind you). There was lipstick on her teeth, but she seemed to not notice.
Aurum sniffed; she was disgusting.
The glitter on her over-expensive dress began to cling to the fabric on his outfit, and since glitter was like leeches and practically impossible to get rid of, Aurum immediately placed a mental tab on her father's name. He swiftly yanked a handkerchief out of his breast pocket and placed it over her hand, removing her steel grip with a bit of force. "I apologize," Aurum said with no hint of being apologetic in his voice. "But I was told that I was holding a meeting about collaborating projects for both companies; not a setup."
"Technically..." She reached across the table, and with two fingers, pretended to walk them up his arm. Chills ran up and down his spine and he felt like he was going to break out into hives at any moment. "It is a collaboration of projects; the two of us, if we get married and make some children, see?!"
The silverware clattered as he hastily stood up from his seat. "This is ridiculous," He blatantly said while wiping the handkerchief against the sleeve of his suit. "What a waste of my time. I did not come here in the interest of an arranged marriage." Aurum tucked the square piece of fabric back in its pocket. He bent over to pick up his leather briefcase and held it to his side like a proper businessman should. "Be sure that the last time I will contact your company is for the damage you've caused to this outfit. Good day, ma'am."
