Chapter 6

Emma’s POV

“What happened?” Marie shook me.

I met her eyes, shaking away the shock that had gripped me. The call had ended just as quickly as it started and now staring at me on the phone screen was an address he wanted me to come to. “See this” I handed the phone to her, my ability to explain had disappeared.

She read it and then handed the phone back to me, “I Still don’t understand” she said.

“Aaron Blake, he contacted me. He thinks we can help each other”

There was a pause, Marie stared at me, her hand still on the phone and question in her eyes. “As in the billionaire Aaron Blake? The one with several companies in several industries?”

I nodded, “yes” the realization had been as much a shock as it sounded right now. I didn’t want to believe it but the truth sat there. Suddenly, I had forgotten all that was happening outside. “He wants to see me”

“You have to go” there was no hesitation from Marie.

A part of me knew she was right but still… “What if it’s something like Mr. North? Making an offer for the whole thing? I cant sell it Marie”

“You’ll only know if you go and you have to go Emma, for yourself and for the company, you have to give him a chance too. I doubt he’d contact you himself if that was all he wanted” she gave me a look.

A sigh left my lips, “You’re right” and I had already decided I would go see him anyway. There was no way I wouldn’t find out what one of the richest men in the business world wanted with me. “I have to prepare and the media” I looked outside where they remained although they had reduced.

She looked outside and then back at me, “Don’t worry, go get ready first. I already know a way”

As soon as I walked into the bathroom, I heard her leave the room to do whatever it is she did.

An hour later, I was ready, dressed in dark brown corporate pants, matched with a white button up shirt and black shoes to match. I looked presentable and official enough even if I needed a wider variety of official clothing.

Marie nodded when she saw me, “Yes, this is perfect. Come on, let’s go” she turned around but I stopped short.

“But people are still outside” I could still hear them and if I stepped out, they wouldn’t let me walk out of the apartment in time.

“Just come with me first” and I followed.

We took the stairs but this time, she didn’t head towards lobby at the landing. Instead she took a right turn where there was a huge brown door and when she opened out, it was into the empty alley behind the apartments.

She pointed towards the other apartment that wasn’t far, “The car is waiting on that side” and then dropped the key in my alms. “Good luck” she smiled.

My eyes watered sligthly, “thank you so much”

She rolled her eyes, “Just be careful”

“I will” and then I was off.

Inside the car, I typed the address into goggle maps, following the directions as it led me towards the more expensive and reserved part of the city. Despite all of Alex’s wealth, he wouldn’t be able to afford anything like it if he worked forty years more.

The Blake’s had passed down the family business through generations, amassing wealth that was sometimes unbelievable.

When I reached the huge black and gold gates, I slowed down. The gates started to slide open and I drove in carefully.

My mouth dropped on when I saw the size of the land. It was huge, tall coconut trees grew around the walls with flowers to make the place prettier. I spotted a tennis and basketball court as I drove down the gravel driveway that crunched beneath me.

I stopped the car and came down slowly, wondering what I was supposed to do. That was when the door opened and a huge man walked straight to me.

“Ms. Carter, welcome. Please come with me” his voice was gruff and rough like he was used to shouting commands rather than speaking them so politely.

At least I was relieved that I didn’t have to ask any questions. Inside the house looked just as grand as the outside did. The walls were nude colors, expensive art sat on it as well as a golden chandelier that hung off the decorated ceiling.I had to keep myself from muttering ‘wow’

He stopped in front of a door with me slightly behind him when I heard a voice before I saw the figure slamming into me.

“I don’t want-” the voice was cut short with an oomph as the body hit mine.

I grabbed the wall before I lost any balance and looked down, “What-?” the question began to form but just then the door opened.

“Watch where you’re going” the high pitched voice said before disappearing down the hallway.

“Come in Ms. Carter” the gruff voice said, gesturing for me to walk in.

I did so and the door closed softly behind me. The room held the same air of wealth and importance as the rest of the house did. It was a big room, one I was sure could hold three other offices of smaller size.

My eyes traced until they reached the large table towards the other end of the room an found the man sitting comfortably on it. His hands were on the table in front of him while his sharp eyes focused on me, grey when I got closer.

He held just as much power as the room around him held, built muscular so that I could see the strain of the muscles under his suit. His jawline was sharp, hair shining black with sharp cheek bones.

Aaron Blake had won bachelor of the year last year and now I could see why. None of the paparazzi pictures did him any justice.

“Thank you for honoring my invitation Ms. Carter” he finally stood up and I found myself looking up at him. “A pleasure to finally meet you” he stretched his hand out for me to take.