4

"Mr. Durand, what specific information do you need regarding the woman?"

"I've already told you, Luc, absolutely everything."

"I'll have the information for you by tonight, sir."

I entered the company through the VIP zone, which I had just designed for more privacy.

I wondered why she was crying. I couldn't get her out of my head; it had been an incredible night that I wanted to relive.

Had she seen her ex-boyfriend? Had she forgiven his infidelity? Just thinking about it put me in a bad mood.

"Well, what a surprise, our dear president Gérard Durand in the company."

"Alphonse, I need you to provide me with financial reports on new investments abroad."

"Don't be so cold, you're not even going to ask how I'm doing? Besides being the vice president of this company, I'm also your friend. Couldn't you be a bit more kind?"

"You're very dramatic."

"Deep down, I know you love me."

We laughed at his antics.

"Let's stop playing around, it's very important to conclude new contracts in the United States, this partnership with Steve White will greatly help expand the company."

"Don't worry, everything is going very well, I've never let you down in business, we just need to travel to the United States to sign the official contract."

"Perfect, Alphonse."

"Changing the subject, Gérard, is it true that Vincent is marrying Miss Alice Bonnet?"

Alice was my great teenage love, but she cheated on me, and I learned last Friday that she got engaged to my cousin.

I admit that day, I was a little sad, I decided to have a few drinks, and that's where I met this mysterious girl who has been haunting me ever since.

"That's true, they're getting married in 2 months."

"Well, it looks like Vincent got what he wanted. I really hate your cousin. How could he do that to you?"

"I don't care, I've understood the kind of woman Alice is, they're made for each other."

"That's true, besides you're Gérard Durand, you can have any girl you want."

"Alphonse, I have to confess something that worries me."

"What happened?"

"When my grandfather learned about Vincent's engagement, he talked to me and wants me to get married too."

"What's the problem? No one can force you to get married."

"That's what I thought, but my grandfather threatened to take control of Durand Enterprises away from me and give it to Vincent. You know we're the only heirs, but Vincent is worthless, he just spends the family's money and has never worked.”

"Do you really think Mr. Simon Durand would go that far?"

"You know my grandfather, he always keeps his promises."

"Well, you're in a tough spot."

"We're in a tough spot, Alphonse. If Alex comes in as the new president, he would replace you immediately."

"You're right, Alexis hates me as much as I hate him."

"I need to find a solution."

"I think your situation is complicated, my dear friend. Why don't you go out with one of the many girls chasing after you?"

"None of them have really attracted me."

"You're very picky, at least try, you can't afford to lose control of the company."

"I need to think, I'm leaving, my friend, I have other matters to attend to."

"I thought you would stay longer, I thought you would introduce yourself to all the company staff. Everyone is excited to meet you in person."

"That will be for another time."

I left the company. I still had to meet a few investors for the new Durand hotel chain in Spain.

After such an intense day, I was in my room, the house was completely silent, the employees had already left.

I lay down on the bed but I couldn't fall asleep, I couldn't stop thinking about my grandfather's words.

When I was 16, my parents died in a car accident, unfortunately, Vincent's parents and my little sister were traveling with them.

After this unfortunate event, our grandfather Simon took us under his wing, my relationship with my cousin was never good, I always excelled in my studies, I finished my studies at 20, and from there, I took over the business.

My grandfather could no longer work, he had many health problems and left me in charge of everything.

Vincent couldn't stand that our grandfather had so much confidence in me, he always tried in every way to make my life impossible.

My cousin is often very immature, I couldn't stand to see the Durand company in his hands. I have worked tirelessly for the past ten years to prevent him from ruining everything.

And on top of that, his engagement to Alice, when I didn't realize how fake and self-interested she was. She was my first love, just thinking about it makes me feel like an idiot.

On the other hand, there was Juliette Moreau, my assistant who did an excellent job providing me with all her information.

Is she really as sweet and innocent as she seems?

***

Juliette's POV

It was a terrible night, I couldn't sleep at all, knowing that Bastian and Sophie would soon be getting married affected me deeply.

I still haven't mustered the courage to ask my parents if it's true or false that Sophie and I are not actually sisters.

But I admit that Sophie is a liar, it's highly likely that she made up this story just to upset me. I followed the same routine, arriving early at the office to avoid my sister but I can't help but think about them.

My friend was already at her desk and I went to greet her.

"Chloé, good morning."

"Hi Juliette, good morning, nice to see you."

"I see you're a bit distracted, Chloé."

"I was thinking it was a shame we didn't meet President Durand yesterday."

"That's true, apparently he only spoke privately with the Vice President and left."

"I guess he's very busy."

"Changing the subject, I have a lot of work, Chloé, I have a meeting with Director Luciano today, answer my calls and tell my clients I'll contact them later."

"Of course, Juliette, good luck with this new project."

"Thank you, Chloé."

I quickly left the office and headed to the café "La vie douce".

I was about to enter when I saw a very handsome man.

It was a strange sensation, I was drawn to him. When the man turned to look at me, I was frozen, it was the same man I had a one-night stand with.

We stared at each other for several minutes, I still couldn't believe I would encounter him again.