Yvonne's POV
I found myself in an unusual state of mind, not quite fitting into the conventional mold. Kylian's assertive demeanor had stirred something within me, leading to incessant thoughts about him even after leaving the dinner table. Perhaps there had been a vivid fantasy involving him, although I refused to acknowledge it. He had a way of teasing, leaving me both intrigued and frustrated.
As if his proposal of a fake marriage wasn't enough, he added the tempting suggestion of experiencing a preview of our arrangement. It was tempting, I couldn't deny that. Yet, I resisted the urge and opted for a cold shower upon returning home. It irked me how easily he could affect me. His lack of a filter, speaking whatever crossed his mind regardless of social norms, was both infuriating and strangely alluring.
I had one final chance to break away from Kylian's influence for good. Today's meeting with my investors was crucial, and I preferred begging for their support over dealing with Kylian and his undoubtedly large size thirteens—though I quickly scolded myself for letting my thoughts stray into inappropriate territory. Dwelling on Kylian's physical attributes would only complicate matters further.
"Focus," I reminded myself as I made my way down the hallway towards the conference room, steeling myself for the impending discussion that could determine the fate of my company.
Entering the room with a smile and a facade of confidence, I was met with stern expressions that dampened my initial enthusiasm. It was clear they weren't receptive to my ideas on salvaging the company.
"Seems like you've all made your decisions," I remarked, trying to maintain composure despite the sinking feeling in my gut.
"I understand," I replied evenly, masking my disappointment as I addressed the group of investors. "I've taken your advice to heart and have already initiated discussions with a potential buyer. By the end of next week, I anticipate the paperwork to be in motion and the transition process underway. Will that suffice?" My tone was saccharine, concealing the bitter sting of their lack of faith in me.
A few hesitant nods and murmurs confirmed their tentative approval. "There are some minor details to finalize, but the buyer is eager, and I see no reason to delay. I wanted to inform you before any news reaches the public," I continued, maintaining my composed facade despite the turmoil inside.
"That's all for now," I concluded with a forced smile before exiting the room.
The rejection stung, even if I understood their perspective. It seemed inevitable that I would have to accept Kylian's offer now. The only lingering question was whether I would entertain his other proposition.
When I returned to my office, I finally mustered the courage to make the call I had been avoiding for days.
"Have you reviewed my offer?" he inquired, his tone hinting at satisfaction that irked me enough to consider hanging up.
Clearing my throat, I responded, "Yes, I have."
"And?" he prompted, prompting me to gather my thoughts and express my request firmly. "I would like to propose staying on as the CEO, retaining control over daily operations and decision-making. Your buyout would transition you into an investor role, focusing on major business decisions."
Silence stretched on the line, leaving me anxious that he might reject the entire proposal.
"Why?" When he finally broke the silence, his voice held a note of challenge. "Convince me why I should agree to that."
"Because this company is my creation, my vision turned into reality through sheer determination and hard work. Every drop of sweat, every late night, every tough decision—it all led to where we are now. I understand this business inside out, its strengths and its weaknesses. I've weathered storms and emerged stronger. I'm not perfect, but I've learned, and I'm more than capable of steering us back on course. I welcome your insights and suggestions, but when it comes down to it, this is my domain."
"Are you serious?" his incredulous interruption was met with a firm rebuttal. "Absolutely. And I won't entertain arguments about why I should step aside. Yes, there was a stumble, but the core remains solid. This company thrives with me at the helm, and I'm not ready to let go. If you genuinely want success for this venture, you'll see that keeping me onboard is the best choice."
A heavy sigh from the other end hinted at a contemplative pause, leaving me eager to gauge his response if we were face-to-face.
"I might consider it," came the cautiously optimistic reply.
"Might?" I couldn't contain my hope, my eyes lighting up with anticipation.
"Yes, might. I have an idea, a way we could make this arrangement work," he elaborated.
"What is it? I'm willing to do whatever it takes to ensure I remain in control," I admitted, a touch of desperation creeping into my voice.
"Have dinner with me tomorrow night. We can delve into the details then," he proposed, a subtle yet calculated move.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the predictable maneuver. "Fine. And I do have additional questions regarding your proposal. Where would be a convenient place for us to meet and discuss them further? The same restaurant as...” “My place.”
A surge of conflicting emotions hit me like a physical blow. My initial instinct screamed to refuse outright. Then, a rush of adrenaline made me consider the possibilities. Ultimately, I pushed both reactions aside. "Fine. Send me your address," I muttered, ending the call before I could change my mind. His laughter on the line fueled my frustration, igniting a desire to lash out physically. It was a side of me I rarely experienced, triggered only by him.
As I hung up, doubts flooded my mind. Was this just a ploy to test my boundaries, to see if I would comply with his wishes? What if our encounter didn't meet his expectations, leading him to retract the CEO offer? The thought of being used or ridiculed gnawed at me, amplifying my unease. This could all be a cruel game, a setup to manipulate me into his bed with no intention of honoring our professional agreement.
I reclined in my chair, mulling over the possibilities. Should I take the risk? The uncertainty gnawed at me, urging me to seek advice. Cynthia, with her level-headed advice, would be my sounding board. We had plans to meet for drinks later, a conversation I now anticipated with a mix of dread and necessity. But for the moment, I needed to prepare for the worst-case scenario, ensuring I had a backup plan in case walking away became my only option.
Kylian's POVI enjoyed surprising women with my culinary skills, relishing in their unexpected delight at finding out I was more than meets the eye. "The total package," I quipped to myself as I busied myself in the kitchen. For Yvonne, I had prepared a tantalizing meal of linguine with a rich homemade sauce, complemented by perfectly cooked steaks. The wine I selected was a perfect match for the occasion, adding an extra touch of elegance to the evening. Everything had to be flawless; after all, I needed to impress her, even if I had teased otherwise. This dinner was part of my strategy to win her over to my proposal.Setting the candlestick on the table, I carefully placed the tall, white candle in its holder and lit it, casting a warm glow across the room. I knew the allure of a homemade candlelight dinner was hard to resist for any woman. Soft music wafted from the speakers in the ceiling, creating an ambiance of intimacy and romance. The lighting was just enough to create a cozy
Kylian's POV It was Monday, unlike most people, I actually liked Mondays. Mondays were a fresh beginning. It was like New Year’s, fifty-four days of the year. I fired up the laptop and began to scroll through my emails, trying to distract myself from recalling the previous weekend escapades. I couldn't help but bit my lower lip as I recalled how soft Yvonne's lips had been on mine and how she'd given me a taste I'd been craving for so long. “Hey!” Kieran said walking into my office, that Monday without knocking. “What do you want, Kieran?” I grumbled. “You’re grumpy.” “I am not. You barged in without even knocking.” He sat down on my couch, crossed his legs, and stretched his arm over the back of the couch. "Does that even count?" he asked, a grin playing at the corners of his lips. "Yes, it counts. If my door is shut, you knock. Everyone knows that," I retorted sharply. He chuckled softly. "Feels like old times, doesn't it? You scolding me for barging in." "That's becau
Kylian's POV "The conference room is right, this way." One of her workers was telling me as he walked me towards her office. I felt ridiculous to be excited, to finalize the terms that would get me my inheritance, which was supposed to be mine, as the oldest son. I strolled down the hallway to Yvonne's office, looking forward to seeing her. I had her right where I wanted her and knew my presence would make her anxious. “Good morning, Mr. Litt. Everyone’s in the conference room,” the secretary said, pointing across the hall.“Thank you,” I said with my charming smile and headed for the door. When I walked in, although I had already been told everyone waswaiting, I was still a little surprised to see both lawyers and Yvonne already there. She stood to greet me with a friendly smile. I walked to her and gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek. She didn’t flinch at all, which surprised me a little. I noticed the slight blush she was trying to hide. She could pretend all she wanted, but I
Kylian's POVI would hold her feet to the fire. I had given her the job and now she owed me. I hadn’t been able to slip that into the contract, but I was not about to let her back out on her word.“Kylian,” she started.I shook my head. “Don’t even think about it.” She let out a long sigh. “Fine.”I smiled. “Trust me, it’s only for the legality of it all. I need my inheritance. You need your job. You understood the terms of the deal when you went into it. I’m not trying to pull one over on you.”She nodded. “I did. I think it’s ridiculous and completely scandalous, but what can one expect from a man like you.”I smirked, her veiled insult didn’t bother me a bit. “We don’t necessarily need to be together. If it is a hardship for you to be in the same room as I am, we can keep our distance. I only need your name on paper and for an occasional gathering to prove our engagement. And then there is that other thing.”Her jaw clenched, and she glared at me. “We still need to iron out the deta
Yvonne's POV I strolled through the corridors of my corporate offices, knowing that this was my final week in charge. Soon, everything would officially belong to Kylian, my soon-to-be husband. The realization was bittersweet, as I struggled with relinquishing control. Despite my inner resistance, I had to acknowledge that this transition was inevitable, and I reminded myself of that fact constantly. I greeted my employees with a smile and a wave, although they would soon become Kylian's employees. While I held the position of their direct boss, the ultimate authority would shift to the man I was engaged to, at least on paper. Earlier, I had received an email detailing the upcoming changes, emphasizing that while most aspects would remain unchanged, certain details such as the name on the bottom of the checks would no longer be mine but his. I found myself surprisingly calm despite the occasion. Kylian had arrived earlier, his usual debonair and strikingly handsome self, exuding conf
Yvonne's POVI glared at the man sitting across from me. How dare he question my ability or Kylian’s ability to be reasonable. No one handled me. I’d never heard anything so chauvinistic in my life. I opened my mouth, ready to tell him exactly what I thought about his questions and assumptions. Kylian reached out and put one of his big hands over mine, which was gripping the edge of the table. “I think my business sense speaks for myself. I don’t make decisions about business based on my personal opinions. I won’t explain my decisions. My fiancée will be treated with the utmost respect. Trust me, I can handle my homelife, no matter what happens at the office,” he said firmly. I felt like I was in the seventeenth century, where my status as a woman was just above that of a sheep. It was making my blood boil. I wanted to kick him in the shins something fierce. “What will the media say about you buying the company? Won’t it look odd that a woman’s company is struggling, on the verge of
Kylian's POV This morning, I woke up with a renewed determination to resolve matters with Yvonne. I felt the urge to meet her and had a solid excuse in mind.Yesterday's events left Yvonne displeased, and while I didn't intend to upset her, certain issues needed addressing. It was crucial for investor satisfaction, and I wanted to assert my authority as the decision-maker. Naturally, this would likely anger her, as she was used to being in control. However, the situation was a result of her actions, and I needed to take charge to untangle the mess.After the meeting, she’d avoided saying more than a few words to me and the words were stilted that did come out of her mouth. I had a feeling she was going to back out of our arrangement. She got a good dose of what the future would be like in the company and didn’t like it. I had seen it in her eyes. The idea of holding onto her position was not nearly as enticing as it had been. I could see her second-guessing her decision. I needed to d
Kylian's POVI couldn’t help but laugh by her very unenthusiastic approach to getting a diamond ring. Wasn’t it what every woman wanted? She was acting like I was dragging her in front of the firing squad. I had never met a woman so reluctant to have expensive jewelry bestowed upon her. She was definitely an odd duck.She put on a smile and pretended to actually like me as we walked into the store. We were immediately greeted by several associates eager to sell us something expensive to fatten their own pockets with a healthy commission.“We’d like some time to browse,” I said, slowing their attack.“Of course,” the lead saleswoman said, holding out an arm and stopping the other two.“Go ahead,” I told Yvonne.“What? You seriously want me to pick a ring?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.I shrugged. “I guess I could.”She waved her hand and made her way to the case farthest away from the head of the store where the most expensive jewelry was stored. She was looking at the cheap stuff.“Y