"As new partners, how about we have dinner this evening, Miss Ford?" Leaving Mr Richmond's office, I halted when I heard Aaron the midway.
"I'm not like those partners of yours, Mr Atkinson. I don't go on dates with just anybody."
"Eek!"
I almost staggered when I felt that the heel broke, thankfully it did not.
"Be careful. Don't wanna fall that easily, do you, Miss Ford?" His warm breath hit my face, making me freeze.
Since when did I allow him to get this close to me!?
"Let go, I stand with what I have said. I don't go on dates with anybody. And definitely not you."
Shooting daggers at him, I resumed walking away.
"Ouch," Following me, Aaron pursed his lips, "I'm hurt that you think of me like this." He put a hand on his chest as if my words had injured him.
"I didn't say anything when you tried to steal my business contract, did I?"
I choked up when I he
"You... You look beautiful." Aaron's smirk returned as he got up from his chair and welcomed me. He had worn a black three-piece suit with a matching tie. Placing a light kiss on my hand, he pulled a chair for me to sit on. Thanking him quietly, I gladly took a seat and glanced at him, "Mr Atkinson, I'm here like you predicted. When are you going to return the shares?" Aaron Atkinson gave a low voice chuckle, "Miss Ford, what's the rush? We haven't ordered yet, and I feel quite hungry right now." My stomach also growled at the thought of food. "..." He nodded at the waiter and the waiter came to our table with two fancy menu cards with him. "Sir, Ma'am." He acknowledged as his eyes lasted on me for a little longer than I imagined. "What's the speciality here?" Aaron coldly glanced at the poor boy who seemed intimidated by him. I watched him as he tur
"What is going on, Stacy?" The company broke out into unrest once I reached.Hundreds of heads turned to me as I walked. Yet no one dared to say anything to me."Ma'am, it's complete chaos." Stacy seemed hesitant as she clutched the iPad in her hands anxiously.What is she trying to hide?Narrowing my eyes, I quickly snatched it from her."The tabloids, they..." She started."...They made me his bed partner?" My eyes went down to the screen, reading the headline of the article. "Just because we were dining out?""The rich heiress does not know how to separate her private and business life. Seen outside playing with the Billionaire Player, Aaron Atkinson. Is she the playboy's next conquest?" I read out loud."The reason why Atkinson decided to help Empire sign the large project with Richmond Corporation, was this all because the Empire heiress wanted to reap benefits and managed to
Aaron decided to answer the other question first, "Miss Ford is a hardworking lady who wants the best for her company. Without her diligence and patience, Empire couldn't be where it is standing today. Whatever project she takes, I can't take away the credit." "Do you plan on being partners with Empire and ending the rivalry that's been going around for years?" A man raised a question. "Rivalry?" Aaron's voice was magnetic, attracting everyone who was listening to him. "There was never a rivalry between the two companies. What we do is what we're best at, but yes. I intend to be partners with her for a long time." I stared at the screen, nervousness seeping into me, but I kept my face poker. Why are you doing this, you jerk!? "Mr Atkinson, you haven't answered my question." The woman from earlier told. She was envious of how everyone got their questions answered, yet her question was ignored when she even had evidence to prov
I felt myself shifting in my seat. Get a grip, Victoria! You can't be intimidated. You should not make yourself appear weak in front of him. Clearing my throat, I looked up at him. "Mr Atkinson, don't you think you have the responsibility of informing your business partner ahead of what you planned?" "You're finally admitting that we're partners, Miss Ford?" Aaron raised a brow, his voice filled with amusement. "Business partners, Mr Atkinson. I said, business partners." I enunciated, my expression blank. He only smirked in reply. An uncomfortable silence fell between us. You have already done enough damage to my image! Stacy arrived on time thankfully with a cup of coffee in her hands. Walking carefully, she placed the cup in front of Aaron Atkinson. "Stacy here makes the best coffee. Mr Atkinson will surely like it." I said as I watched him ta
An hour had just passed when my phone continuously beeped like a hurricane. I stared at the screen with knitted eyebrows. Why were people mentioning me in the comments? As I opened the app, my DMS and feed were flooded with people messaging and tagging me. At this moment, a gentle voice reached my ears. "V, is what they are saying true? Are you and him..." "Ben, people love to make rumours out of everyone and everything they find nowadays." I sighed. "Then your social media..." Ben hesitantly started. "Yeah, what is it? I have been receiving lots of messages and notifications from everyone. I was just about to open my profile when I got your call." "V, you won't like it... It's better if you don't see it." Ben advised me kindly. I knew he had good intentions, but keeping me in the dark would not help anyone. "I'm more curious now, Ben. Let's meet this week. Your
"Uncle Victor." I greeted him with a smile. "How're you? Taking your meds on time, right?"The elderly man chuckled. "I was hoping you would not ask that, dear."He was sitting in a wheelchair, dressed in a dark suit and his legs were covered with a black blanket.When he was in his early forties, an accident occurred and he lost his legs. He was one of my grandfather's partners and after his death, I would come to visit Uncle Victor Fernandez at least once a month.Although my and his age was years apart, the age factor did not stop me from befriending him. He gave out a vintage vibe, similar to my grandfather which made me closer to Uncle Victor after my grandfather Eric died.I had only some supporters I could rely on and trust and those were my friends, Uncle Max, Michael, and Uncle Victor."Good girl, did someone try to mess with you these days?" Uncle Victor asked nicely. He had a smile playing on hi
"...Is she your girlfriend, Uncle?" My lips arched up subconsciously. "Were you keeping a secret from all of us?" He was 28 and almost hitting 29 this year. Settling down was not too bad. "Pretty niece, are you trying to make your uncle angry?" Uncle laughed lazily, but I could make out the warning in his words. "I dare not, Uncle." I bit back a smile. Uncle could never be angry with me, that I was sure of. "Who's she? Can you let me see her face?" "Who're you talking with!?" "Hey, what are you doing-" This girl undoubtedly was daring. Making Uncle act unusual and jolty. "Hey, this guy here, I've borrowed him for some hours, alright! You can have him later." The voice shouted on the phone. It seemed familiar but I could not pinpoint it exactly. And Uncle let you borrow him and that too for hours? Maximus was a person who got impatient with everyone except for his l
1 Week Later"Miss Ford."I whiffed out a breath as I turned around. That cologne was messing with my mind badly.Don't pay attention.We were standing on the location of Mr Richmond's land and workers were sorting out the materials that would be used in the construction of the apartments."Mr Atkinson." I nodded."A week ago when I messaged you, I was left on seen. I was incredibly hurt, Miss Ford."I cocked a brow coldly, "That means you are bound to keep getting hurt, Mr Atkinson. Since I tend to be quite busy and only care to reply when it comes to business and friends and nothing else.""Miss Ford, are you indirectly saying that you want us to be friends?"Air got knocked out of my lungs as I whipped my head toward him at a frighteningly high speed that it hurt.Disbelief was written on my face. Even he could tell easily."From where did you get thi