Billionaire's Choice

Chapter One: Draw back

" Vee, come on, we are going to be late", I called out to my friend and roommate while she struggled with her shoe.
"Calm down, I will soon be done, I need to get my make up right. It's not every day one's office decides to throw an office dinner, I need to look my best"
I rolled her eyes before walking over to the room where Vee was
"It's just a dinner to welcome our new board of directors and we are only going for attendance purposes. Plus I gotta ask, how many coats of paint will you apply on your face?"
It was Vee's turn to roll her eyes
"Don't be such a party pooper. We have to ace attendance and look good doing it", she said with a wink
The sound of the horn of a car is heard from their apartment.
" The driver is here. Let's move out"
I grab my keys and purse and exit the house.

In the space of forty minutes, the car stopped in front of  huge office building. Stepping into the hall was the easy part but to look around, now that was the hard part. The attire of the people in the room made me look like a joke. Vee on the other hand blended quite naturally, she waved to some colleagues and dragged my hand meaning for me to follow her. I wasn't having any of that and stayed put.

"Fine, we'll meet back here when everything is  over. Imma go get high", Vee picked up a glass of wine and cheered as she walked out.
Standing all alone now, i searched for a place to sit but felt another hand on my shoulder. Aaron smiled so wide that it touched his eyes.
"I didn't know you came to parties Tess", he finally said
"Count this as attendance then", I scanned him from head to toe
" See anything you like" Aaron replied with a smirk
"You wish; Oh how is Rita by the way"

Aaron frowned and looked at her with not so happy eyes. I held back her laughter. Rita was his ex girlfriend but she was a case. A control bitch as she was called by Vee, she liked everything to go her way alone.
One time, she stormed into the office and went into Aaron's office raving like a lunatic. When asked what the problem was, she acted like the hurt one and accused Aaron of cheating. She explained that when she called Aaron's phone, a woman picked it and said his number was not available.
Long story short, the assistant manger didn't hear the end of it. His colleagues still laugh at it till this day. He broke up with her after that and began using voicemail.
Apparently, that statement got Aaron out of my sight most of the night.

I got a glass of wine and kept sipping until the toast was made and the new directors introduced to all the workers. The owner of Hardin Enterprises, Theodore Hardin gave a speech to congratulate the directors and admonish them to put the company's interests first. The speech was long and a little boring that I didn't realize that my eyes started dozing off until.....

"You know its just rude to do that when your boss is talking" said a bold voice
I jerked in surprise and almost fell off the chair but the stranger held me. Not reeling in yet, I looked at him in the eyes; he cocked his eyebrows and to my greatest surprise, he left me.
My butt found the floor in matters of second and this obviously drew attention to me

"Oh my God, are you alright?", a woman sitting in front asked me as she helped me up
Other stares were rendered and I felt like a complete fool. I stood glaring at the strange handsome man in front of me. He looked authoritative but had a strong build and his eyes were to die for.
Well, not die like dead and buried but we all get the point. He wore a fitted suit and every thing about him portrayed expensive.
Back to the eyes, deep blue set of eyes that could say a lot of things and yet say nothing.

He cleared his throat and I snapped back to reality. I was angry right, I need to continue my anger.
" What the hell is wrong with you", I flared again
"Nothing at all ma am; just thought you needed reminding of where you were", he replied with no single emotion on his face
"Who do you think you are; catching girls and making them fall again. You look like a jerk anyway, don't know why I'm still asking", I said
"I had to punish you in some way. But now, I don't blame you. Speeches make people drowsy all the time especially bad mouthed young ladies", he said as a matter of fact

Okay, now I'm pissed
" How is it your business what I do or say", I could feel smoke coming out of my ears
"This is not a function for sleeping and that's that. Now if you would excuse me, I have other businesses to attend to", he finally said as he crossed me to go the other side of the hall.

Oh hell no. I'm not going to allow him disrespect me like that. I have lived with Vee long enough to know that.
At that, before he crossed me, I set my leg out for a tackling spree. He hit my leg and stumbled but didn't fall. He looked back at me with surprise written all over his face. I smirked and mouthed ' Payback'
To my dismay, he regained his composure and left the place. He was really lucky that no one was really around throughout the episode but I felt avenged.

I finally caught Vee close to the counter talking to Fred, one of the tech guys and it was obvious she was slightly drunk. Pulling her away, I called it a night to the guy and took my friend to sober down. We sat down close to a vase in a corner
"He was cute", she slurred
"You just called Fred cute, how many did you have to drink? For God's sake Vee, this is an office function not a bar. You are lucky that I'm sane", I said with my caution look
" Nahh Tess, I'm not that drunk. Just had a few plus I saw you talking to that hot guy the other time", she recounted with wink.
" I am not even going to say anything. I'll term you drunk. Just a few minutes and we will be outta here" I sighed

Aaron walked up to us with a lady who looked older than him. He had his hand on her waist, smiling like a goat. I could hear Vee snort  and murmur something like asshole
"Oh Tessa, there you are; I don't think I have had the opportunity of introducing my fiancée Georgina to you", he was still smiling
" No Aaron, you haven't and I don't think you will. Tess and I are about leaving" Vee blurted out
" Hello Georgina" I said and that earned me a glare from my best friend
"Bye Georgina", she said and walked out, signaling me to follow her
Georgina asked the problem and I told her Vee had a bad day. She seemed okay about that explanation
" It was nice meeting you. Lemme go meet V; Bye Aaron" I saw him answer with a nod but the smile had disappeared.

I couldn't find Vee anywhere so I just decided to wait for a while thinking that she had to use the bathroom
The event seemed to be ending and the chairman stood to give the closing remark. It was then I saw Vee coming out of the ladies room
Go figure
I rushed to meet her but the sound of the microphone stopped me
" Ladies and gentlemen, we are very happy and grateful for your presence but there is a formality we seemed to have skipped or rather withheld. Following the retirement of our able CEO, Theodore Hardin.......

I couldn't help but look over to the Hardin boss and saw him nod his head. He was actually retiring but the board of directors can't manage the firm alone. What of the CEO?

"....... It is with great pleasure and honour that we introduce the new CEO of Hardin Enterprises and Theodore Hardin's oldest son, Derek Hardin"
The applause was resounding but I was more engrossed looking around for the man in question. My mouth was on the floor for all I could remember
He strut to the stage with a lot a confidence, he waved to the audience and shaked the hands of the chairman. He expressed his gratitude

He looked at me
He smirked
He was the stranger.............

             
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Haya peeps,
It is Loveijane and this is my first book
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