Chapter Two

EVELYN

I knew men like him, men who had everything at their disposal and would still demand for more. Handsome, young, intelligent and wealthy—no better recipe for making arrogant twats.

He was born in wealth, pampered from birth and groomed to be the heartless CEO he was today. He never lacked anything, from love to respect, to fame—he had everything and more. 

One didn't even have to dig deep to know pretty much everything about Nolan Walter. There was always so much hype around Nolan that it never failed to make me cringe whenever I heard people talk about the ‘young golden business mogul’.

I wasn't raised that way. My parents had always been wealthy but they didn't exactly make things easy on me. I had always been told that I had to be more this, I had to be more that. 

Yeah, Nolan and I both had the responsibility of running our parents' respective businesses. But unlike Nolan, I didn't have it thrown at me like a toy I could pick whenever I liked. Whether it sounded absurd or not, I had to prove myself to my parents. I had to fight for it. 

On that note, there was no way on this bloody earth I would allow Nolan Walter get the win here. Not this time. 

“Mr Rowland, you came to us first and I assure you that there couldn't be a better decision," Nolan said, maintaining eye contact with David. 

“Of course there is a better decision, David, and that's going with Lotte Corps." I said, going further to tell him why Lotte Corps was the better choice. For perhaps, the eleventh million time.

It wasn't easy convincing David. It wasn't just because Nolan couldn't allow me to make two sentences without cutting in. The issue was that both Lotte Corps and Walter Corporation would offer similar services, and David would be fine either way. Well, I couldn't possibly tell him that. 

“Mr Walter, I do not wish to appear boastful, but it's well known that my works and accolades are unmatched. When I get into a project, it is always a success. Always." Nolan stated.

Nolan kept speaking and it began to become clear that the tables were turning in Nolan's favour. David, of course, had a thing for women but like every businessman, business was always the top priority. 

If he got convinced that Walter Corporation was better for him, he would go for it. As much as I loved to praise my networking skills, it was nothing close to Nolan's. Every word the man said was smooth, calm and witty. It was only a matter of time before David went Nolan's way. And like I said, that wasn't going to happen this time. I won't allow it!

I was desperate now. Like the cliche says, desperate times call for desperate measures. 

“Mr Rowland, as I have said before, Lotte Corps has more to offer you but I understand if you don't feel a woman can offer a good deal." I said, deliberately making my usually clear voice tremble as I spoke. 

No one expected that from me. Hell, I didn't expect it either. 

“It is nothing of that sort, I only think Walter. . .”

I cut in. “It is okay, I have lived my whole life knowing I would always be seen as inferior to men, it's the cross we carry as women”

Then I broke into a sob. Jeez, I didn't know my acting skills were this good.

Nolan chuckled. “This is ridiculous.”

“Oh, I'm sorry I don't mean to be a cry baby, my emotions seemed to have imploded." I stood, pretending I didn't know David would call me back. “I will be on my way now, nice having dinner with you.”

“Miss Bennett, I have a very firm stance against discrimination of any sort and I will never be a part of it. As proof of my words, I hand over the deal to Lotte Corps."

Wait, was this really happening?

His words were sweeter than music to my ears. Even sweeter, was the look of disappointment on the face of the cute devil who almost stole the deal from me. 

“Mr Rowland, you can't be serious, you do know you are missing a lot by not going with Walter Corp."

David, clearly, had made up his mind. “This doesn't mean I won't work with your company in the future, but I have decided to go with Lotte Corp this time."

Luckily, before Nolan could utter another word, David's phone rang. 

“I'm sorry I have to leave, I will leave you two now." David said, leaving the table and then the restaurant.

For a minute or two, neither of us said a word. I enjoyed the silence, my mind still finding it difficult to believe that I just cut a major deal, winning it over Nolan Walter. Winning the deal was great on its own but that I got it right in the presence of Nolan, added spice to it.

When Nolan spoke, he almost took away the happiness that bubbled tempestuously in me. 

“At the party, I told you that you were just sex on legs with nothing going on in your head, but now I know there is one more thing you are."

“What is that?" I asked, half expecting him to say something rude. 

“Pathetic. You are pathetic.” Nolan shook his head as he uttered every word he spoke, looking at me in a way I didn't appreciate at all.

“Talk about a sore loser." I shot at him.

He laughed, digging his hands into his thick hair. “Crying? You snuck into an invite-only party, you tried to seduce a man to get your way with him, and now crying? Is there anything beneath you at all?"

I picked my handbag and stood. “Have a nice evening."

I was barely six feet away before I heard him yell out a question. 

“What will you do when next you have to compete to cut a deal? Shed some more tears?" He asked, knowing I was offended already.

Without turning, I said, “whatever the hell I have to.”