Love Beyond The Boardroom

Chapter 1

He must bag this contract……….he thought.

Gilmore Davis paced about the four walls of his luxurious study, deep in thought. His head was in a thousand places, He walked to his desk again, glanced through the mail on his opened computer and sighed!

He absentmindedly rummmed his hands on his desk, a storm of thoughts slowly building inside him.

It has been five years since he took over the company from his grandpa,William. His dedication, hardwork, and passion over the years, now feeling like a total waste.

Still, he couldn't stop himself from thinking. Wondering, if it'd all end like this. Without him bagging this multi-million contract with the Stanel Group. He also had a pending project —- the Elaris account, he sighed.

Just then, the elevator beeped.

Lucas walked in – tall, charming, dressed in a tuxedo suit, that emphasized his broad shoulders, chiseled physique, and slim waist. He was smiling as he strode towards Gilmore.

He stared at Gilmore, who was still deep in his own thoughts, and not dressed up yet.

Lucas walked to his desk, picked a pen that was inscribed with the intials “G.D” on it. And threw it at Gilmore, who was now by his window sill looking down at the city.

It was a few hours to midnight. They had to be at a Charity Gala, which started an hour ago.

Gilmore sighed, looked back at Lucas and threw him a questioning look.

“You're not even ready yet, or did you forget?” Lucas said, looking back at him.

“I don't really have to attend this charity gala you know that right, Lucas? I can just send donations to them. Besides I have other important things to put together”.

Lucas shrugged “Let’s just go for the fun of it Gil, c'mon man! It'll put you in a better space too, you've not been yourself lately, I see how bothered you have been concerning the Elaris project account”.

Gilmore knew his best friend was right. Lucas knows him well enough they've been friends for years, since they were little boys. Now, they were both grown ass men in their early 30’s, single and not interested or bothered about getting married. Gilmore for one, sees marriage as unnecessary, while Lucas on the other hand, doesn't just want to get married.

Lucas was the real definition of a flirt and a playboy,he loved women and they in return loved him for his handsomeness as well as his money.

Gilmore thought about going for the gala night, but decided to rather stay at home and put his thoughts together, so he can come up with a plan to get this contract soon enough.

He looked at Lucas and sighed “I'm not attending this gala night, I'd just send donations to them, through you, present it on my behalf”.

Lucas grinned, got up from the desk and started walking out towards the elevator, “Bye Gil, I'd have a fun night, I don't think you will though” he winked, and the elevator doors shut.

Gilmore envied how nothing ever bothered his best friend — Lucas — he wished he could be like that. Lucas had always been carefree, and jovial, nothing stressed him. He remembered when they were so much younger, and all the mischiefs they carried out, they had always been Lucas’s idea but he always bothered about them getting caught, and Lucas carefree as usual.

 Williams Nelson Davis, was Gilmore's grandad. He handed the company — BlueEdge — over to Gilmore because, Gilmore's Father Ethan, died in a car crash years ago. And Ethan was William's only son. The death of Ethan hurt Williams so much that he changed his attitude towards his grandson.

He still loved him just as much, but he became cold, buried himself with work and suddenly didn't know how to show love to Gilmore anymore.

Ethan's wife, Nicole who was Gilmore's mother never wanted to have Gilmore initially but ended up giving birth to him because Ethan promised to pay her off well. So, Gilmore's upbringing was left in the hands of Elizabeth, who had been the Housekeeper and Nanny in the mansion for many years. She was kind, thoughtful, and was a mother to Gilmore who was only Seven then. 

Now, Gilmore is a grown ass man left with the task of carrying on the company's name and image. And not letting Grandpa Williams down.

Gilmore's phone buzzed on the bar table, he picked it up glanced at the notification and ignored it. It was his granddad– William– who is slowly trying to crawl back into Gilmore's life after so many years. He was downstairs now, he had gone to the bar so a few drinks could clear his head. Now he was wishing he had followed Lucas to the gala night. He was bored now, and needed a distraction, there was nothing to entertain him. He picked up his glass, downed the content and went up to his room, took a shower, picked up his tuxedo from the wardrobe, wore it, and headed out of the house to his car, with his driver to the gala night.

The noise from the loud speakers blared throughout the hall, Gilmore walked into the large hall filled with so many people, directors, C.E.O's and top personalities. He searched the hall for his best friend, and found him by the stairway talking to a young lady. Her back was turned to Gilmore, her head was thrown back in laughter. He walked closer and met Lucas gaze.

“Thought you had things to put together, Mr. Busy man” Lucas smirked.

Gilmore ignored him and took a drink from a tray, that a waiter was carrying by. 

 

“Well, meet Vanessa, I met her tonight, and we were just starting to get along, before you came. Vanessa, meet Gilmore my best friend”

Gilmore's gaze fell on her for the first time since he joined them, she was so beautiful. Her long hair shone in the lights as well as her face. She had long beautiful lashes, light makeup on and full lips. Her eyes were the color of the ocean, blue and beautiful, you could look at them all day.

She was staring at him too, smiling, and saying nothing. 

He jolted out of his thoughts and stretched out his hand “Nice to meet you, Vanessa” he smiled.

He wasn't really into women, and he knew little about them. But there was something about this one…there was something.