Hired For Love

1. The Heir

"Luke. Make it a point to atleast look proper for a meeting. They are probable clients and I do not want your non- professional attitude ruining it." My father commanded as we sat across each other, him in a crisp black suit and me in a white shirt with a brown khaki pant. I was very comfortable on the leather seat as steam figuratively blew out of his ears.

The clients, Mr. Thompson, owner and founder of Gilmore(A 5-star hotel enterprise) and Ms. Leah Richard( founder of the Blood Moon group of hotels) soon approached the glass doors and my dad stood up to greet them. I stood as well for the formalities and soon we were talking business.

You may wonder what a 19 year old with little to no interest in the business world was doing in an important meeting such as this. I had a flair for this field and could easily take over the company and make it even more profitable over a few years.

My father saw that detail and made sure I was present for every minor meeting.

I sighed as they decided a merger with the three groups, to create a new enterprise called 'Aphrodisiac'. It would certainly benefit the company to have be a share holder over such a huge project but the problem came with the location of starting it.

As they started shooting different locations, I stood up and said
" Maple Hills."

The looks on their faces were surprisingly not what I expected. I was expecting shocked and wonder. What I got instead was a glare and collective sighs.

"Clearly, you weren't paying attention when we listed Maple Hills. It belongs to the Maxfield family and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't let us even near the area let alone build a hotel there." Ms. Leah shot out.

"Give me 5 days to convince them and I'll get the job done. If not, we'll just choose somewhere else." I said indignantly.
Another annoyed sigh followed as Mr. Thompson stated " Why are you  so Adamant about the place? There are equally beautiful locations which we could easily afford."

I gave a smile, a smile which would send wolves running away with their tails between their legs and I got audible gulps. "Consider it a way of making money. Besides I always get what I want."

With another icy smile, I walked out of the office, a task at hand.

It was an hour since the meeting and about 15 minutes since I left for the Maxfield residence. The Maxfield came from an aristocratic family holding power for several years. Their very name would have people keel over and Bend to their every wish.

They weren't dons. If they were, it would have been easy to break the pack of goons. No, they were noble and kind. People worshiped them as saviours for their family had generously donated money to save thousands during the epidemic. The family owned acres of long all over the country with orchards and herbs of different kinds. They also owned a chain of schools for the underprivileged and hospitals as well.

One might think that I was crazy to hate the family. But I did, with a vengeance. They were a family of snakes in my eyes and that's what they would remain for eternity.

I soon arrived at the estate which went on for miles. I was let in by a butler as soon as my name was announced. So, they did remember. As I was led into the garden where they were seated, I passed by pedestals and pedestals of all the Maxfields till date.

Mr. Alec Maxfield, stood near the pond, surrounded by two girls who I presumed to be his daughters. With the blond hair and bright green eyes, they were an exact replica of their mother, Rhiannon. They were gorgeous.

Alec slowly made his way to me, a smile gracing his features.
"To what do I owe this unexpected visit, Luke?" There was so much familiarity in his voice and it made me writhe with anger.
"Business." The one word caused the smile to disappear on his face as he sat down on a bench.
He nudged me to continue and I slowly explained on how we wanted to build the hotel on the hills of his forefathers.
He sat there with a frown as he contemplated for some time. As sweet as he was, he was equally ruthless in business.

Before he could give his answer, the sound of the door thudding open interrupted us.
Midnight black hair cascaded down her back and as her brown doe eyes looked towards me, surprise flitted across her face followed by distaste.

June Maxfield had returned.