A cloud of white balloons hung above the head, and fairy lights sparkling in-between, resembled thousands of stars. On my left, on the spotlighted stage dwelled a large, three-storied cake with the numbers, ten thousand, written on it with decorative icing.
Yes.
It was a celebration day, for the Kingston Corporation had secured the first place in possessing the most number of hotels and resorts around the world.
I still didn't understand the silence from the Montero division. If he really planned to take the Kingstons down, then why was he not taking any action? Why was he letting them win without a hard fight? It wasn't like my deft method of presentation won the deals at the table, no, but because there was no actual effort from the other side. It almost felt like the calm before a colossal storm hit the curbs of the Kingston fort.
However, since I was the one in assistance of its crea
"Smurfette."Anger rushed through me, and I hustled out my car keys from my purse."Smurfette, wait!"Footsteps neared, and I tried to insert the key in the lock, but the shaking in my fingers made it harder."Smurfette." His hand wrapped around my wrist, seizing my struggle, and I jerked it off."Don't call me that," I yelled.Taken aback at my outburst, He stared. "Why?"I could clearly detect the hurt in his eyes. But why would he be hurt when it was supposed to be me? My fingers curled into fists, and I pushed at his chest with all my rage. "You betray me like that, and you still have the audacity to ask me why?""What? What're you talk-"Another push from my hands cut him off. "I should be the one asking you why. Why?" And another push faltered his steps, collidi
"Look out!" A gasp left my mouth as I whipped around. But before I could dash to the direction, someone wrapped their arms around me like a shield, and a booming sound rang through the store, followed by a glass, shattering to the ground.Breathing heavy, I slowly moved Blake's hand blocking my vision and peered at the mess before me. Two men held one by his arms on the floor, and another took the gun in his possession. At the farthest corner were huddled the saleswoman and her companions, and a few feet before them stood the targeted, a long slit gracing his newly-worn suit.Unknowingly, an exhalation of relief left my lips. I didn't know what I was so afraid about. Perhaps that someone hated him so desperately that they deemed, sending a gunman to murder him in a customer-packed mall would be the perfect plan. But the question was who was that hater.A lump formed in my throat as I glanced at Blake who poss
"What? You have another injury? Where?" "I'm fine. Thank you! Where did you wanna meet him?" "Huh?" "You told Mr Evans you will meet him somewhere. Where?" I swallowed. The place I planned on meeting Blake was the old-age home, and there was no way in hell, I could let him know about that and be exposed. So I spilled what came to my mind first. "Beach... Yeah, the beach. We were going to the beach." "You were shopping suits for the beach?" He arched an eyebrow. "Huh? Ah... N-No, we were just shopping... just like you. But I'm not going anymore. It's late" I let out a nervous laugh while he watched me in a sceptical look like he could see through my lies. Darn it! Who couldn't? I had to spill such poppycock for excuses. "Fine. Where do you live then?"
I jolted out of his lap like his skin electrified me, or perhaps it did, and right that instant, Gary, the other guard peeked half of his body from behind the door. "Sir, the car is ready."Mr Kingston turned to me. "Are you finished?""Not yet," I said, patting the cotton a bit hard on his wound as punishment, but this time he didn't hiss neither flinched. What was he? An autobot with metal bodice?He then looked back at Gary and gave a nod of his head, "We'll be there in a few." and the bodyguard left."We?""Yes. You missed lunch because of me. So I'll be the one to compensate.""I don't need your compensation. I'm not hungry." I turned down his offer with my chin held high.On cue, my traitorous tummy rumbled as if to punish me for lying, and I squirmed in my heels to silen
"Keep away from that Dimitri Kingston, Smurfette. I do not like him acting like he owns you." "What are you saying?" I eyed my brother quizzically. "He is just the boss. He acts like he owns the whole world." "I know, but still be careful," he pressed, not happy with my careless behavior. "Don't you worry, caveman." I planted a kiss on Blake's cheek and entered the Kingston estate. Through a paved driveway with manicured gardens at both sides, I finally reached the fountained front, and my jaw dropped to the floor. This building, nestling acres of land, looked like something cut out from Architecture Daily. "Ms Green?" a man in business suit, standing in the porch, asked. I nodded, and he stepped aside. "Come in, miss." Taking a deep breath, I clutched my purse and walked inside, getting mesmerized by the architectura
The day started in hell. First, I got my period. Second, I had to give the entire presentation to Montero. Third, I still hadn't make out an excuse to get out of this mess. It wasn't easy acting normal when your ship was sinking. The rate at which my heart pounded in my chest, I was afraid everyone in the meeting room could hear and make out my treachery. Still I tried, sitting there, scanning all the faces present in case I never get the chance to see them again. My team glowed in confidence while the rival team only smirked, knowing they'd snatch the fruit of our hard work from right under our noses. My eyes darted to Blake, talking to Wendy. Montero forbid to let him know a thing, but he'd find out soon enough, and he'd be angry. But nothing would compare to the rage of the boss. He never lost a deal before, and he wouldn't, most definitely
My heart drummed in my ears, and hands turned clammy as my back pressed hard against the chair. He found out, didn't he? "Did you do it, Ms Green?" he gritted out. Wait... Did he not know? Or was he testing me? "Wh-Why do you think I did it?" "Because you were the only one sweating in an air-conditioned room," he shouted, slamming his hands hard on the chair and making me jump. A jolt of pain went down my abdomen at the movement, making my toes curl. "Th-That's all?" I whispered. That was his reason of suspicion? "You want more?" He snorted, pushing away and throwing his hands in the air. "That man appeared in every single deal since you joined." He came back, hovering over me. "Even after all this privacy I maintain, how? Do you have an answer? Do you, Ms Green?" "This could be a coinc
My head whipped to the side, meeting those ashen gray eyes, and my heart picked up speed. "Mr Kingston?" "Now I believe you made it a habit," he spoke, playfulness dancing in the corner of his lips. "What are you doing here? I thought..." I trailed, not wanting to mention that dreadful moment from the other day. His temper was certainly one of the worst things that I had ever encountered, and I never wished to face it ever again. However, I dumped all my wishes to the trash can on the day I stepped into this game. His anger was something that I bound to take one horrible day in the near future, and it already gave me headaches. "What did you think?" He asked in his husky voice while walking me to the bathroom. "Aren't you mad at me?" I watched him suspiciously. Did he really believe all those lies I spewed before fainting, or was he feeling guilty, thinking he caused this?