Chapter 3: Here we meet again

At xxx Hotel, London

8:00 a.m.

Rosaline's P.O.V

The scorching rays of the sun fell on my face waking me up from my deep slumber. I reached London at 5:00 a.m. sharp. Two employees of Miller Corporation received me at the airport. They escorted me to the hotel. It was a luxurious one though. I quickly threw off my heels and didn't bother to change my dress even. I got into the covers and fell asleep as I was too tired.

Today was a big day for me as our company was going to sign a mega deal with Mr. Miller and his business partner. It is really a lucrative and crucial deal for our company. But I was nervous too as I am gonna be the team leader of that substantial project.

I woke up and stretched my muscles. I went inside the washroom to freshen up. After bathing, I came out while wearing a bath robe. I took out a nice and decent dress as being the Vice President of Valentino Estates, I need to look presentable. I applied a little makeup and combed my hair. Checking myself one last time in the mirror, I grabbed my phone and headed outside. I locked the door and went downstairs to have my breakfast.

The restaurant was too chaotic. I scanned the area and found a vacant seat near the glass window. I sat down and put my purse on the table. I checked the menu. It was repleted with large variety of delectable comestible making my mouth watery. Soon a waiter approached me.

"What would you like to have Ma'am?"

"I would like to have a Nutella stuffed pancake along with a cappuccino", I told him.

"Is that you'll be ordering?"

"Yeah"

"Alright Ma'am, your order will be here in 10 minutes"

I nodded and smiled. Suddenly I recalled that I haven't talked to V since I had arrived here. He had told me to inform him but I was too exhausted. I quickly dialled his number.

After a few rings he picked up.

~OTP

V: Rosa, how are you? Why didn't you told me that you had arrived or not? You know I was so worried. Why didn't-

He kept shooting questions at me without even giving me a chance to explain. He was whining like a kid which made me smile at his cuteness.

Rosaline: V, will you allow me to explain?

I giggled and spoke in a soft tone.

V: Huh? Yeah, sorry. I was just worried, you know.

I chuckled.

Rosaline: I know. Actually, heavy lassitude settled upon me due to such a long tiring journey. As soon as I landed, two employees of Miller Corporation escorted me from the airport to hotel. I immediately fell asleep so I couldn't call you back. Sorry for bothering you so much, V.

Vincent laughed making me smile too.

V: It's okay, I can understand. So, what are you doing now?

Rosaline: Right now, I am in the restaurant having breakfast. After that I will immediately heading to Grand Hotel. That's the venue the Miller Corporation had chosen for the meeting.

V: Alright, eat well and give your best. I believe in my wifey.

I cackled.

Rosaline: Yeah thanks, you also take care. I'll call you later in the evening.

V: Yeah, bye. Take care Sweety.

Rosaline: Bye Agent hubby.

I mocked him. V laughed.

Vincent always makes my day. Talking with him always soothes me down whenever I feel burdened or down. In four years of marriage, we both have developed a strong unbreakable friendship that has really helped me a lot to cope up with my pain. He is my true friend. Soon my order arrived. I immediately dug into the food as I was badly famished.

While I was eating, I could feel stares on me. I slowly roamed my eyes around as not to become oblivious but to my dismay there was no one. All I can hear was the sound of utensils and people gossiping and chuckling while enjoying their breakfast. It might be my hallucination. I shrugged it off and ate my breakfast.

*****

~Time skips

9:00 a.m.

I left after paying off for my food. While I was walking in the hallway again, I got groped with that eerie feeling. I quickly turned around. But again... No one.

"W-What's wrong with me?"

I shivered a little as it had started creeping me out. I was also getting scared as this was the first time after four years, I had left America and came somewhere on my own. Vincent always had me guarded whenever I used to go somewhere but now as I had started feeling confident, I requested him to cut off his security around me. I slowly walked behind with a little courage so as to check but all of a sudden, my phone rang.

I got startled and checked the caller ID.

It was Henry.

He must have arrived by now. I picked it up.

~OTP

Rosaline: Hello

Henry: Rosaline, where are you? Are you still at the hotel?

Rosaline: Uh, yeah. I am about to leave.

Henry: No, don't. Wait there only. I'll pick you up from there.

Rosaline: Okay.

I ended the call and headed outside.

*****

~Time skips

After 5 minutes, a black Maserati halted in front of me. I saw Henry waving at me making me chuckle at his childishness.

"Get in, let's go"

He unlocked the door. I got inside.

"When did you came? And who's car is this?"

I asked him while putting on the seatbelt.

"First answer- Around 7. Second answer- This car belongs to the Miller Co. but I got a call from your overprotective husband. He had ordered me to be your chauffeur. So, I will be the one driving you to the venue"

I sighed. 

'Seriously V?'

I looked at Henry and giggled.

"Oops, sorry. You know my husband is too protective. I feel sorry for you"

Henry scoffed.

"You should be happy that you got a handsome dude as your driver, Mrs Valentino"

He flipped his hair back arrogantly making me chuckle.

"Alright I am obliged. Now will you please drive, Sire?"

"Yeah, My lady"

We both laughed and then he drove off.

End of Rosaline's P.O.V.

Little did she know that someone was watching her every move from afar with red eyes and clenched fists......

He was none other than Xavier.

Xavier was the one who was stalking her. He had set his eyes on Rosaline since she arrived in London. He followed her quietly to her hotel. In the restaurant too, he was sitting just behind Rosaline but she couldn't figure it out as she looked everywhere but not behind.

He saw how happily she conversed with Vincent and even called him Agent hubby which didn't fail to incense him.

He even watched how she chirped and laughed along with Henry.

Although Xavier was enflaming outside but deep down his heart was bleeding in pain as he didn't find a single scar of remorse or sadness on her bright face. But that was not at all true. Rosaline always missed him a lot. She even felt guilty for cheating on him but she had accepted the fact that what's done has been done and now there was no way she could change the past.

But at the same time, she couldn't forget how much Xavier had hurt her, not only physically but mentally as well. Still that poor girl was so kind-hearted that she always blamed herself for everything and wanted to make everything right by her own. She missed him a lot because as much as Xavier loved Rosaline, she also loved him. But she was good in hiding her emotions and that's where Xavier took it wrong. 

They both loved and cared for each other since childhood. Xavier always cared and loved Rosaline more than himself but slowly that innocent and pure love turned into a psychotic deadly obsession breaking down the string of trust and love which had bounded the two souls together.

Watching the car slowly vanishing away with deadly eyes, Xavier slowly pulled down his mask.

His lips got curved up as he smirked menacingly.

"Just a few hours more to go for the final showdown"

*****

~Time skips

9:20 a.m.

At Grand Hotel, London

"Woah!!"

Rosaline spoke while roaming her eyes around the large hall with fancy walls and high ceilings in awe. Henry chuckled as he saw her admiring the building.

"Guess our President is exhilarated"

Rosaline looked at him and nodded while smiling like a kid.

"Yeah, it's beautiful"

"Welcome, Mrs. Valentino and Mr. Johnson"

They both turned around to the owner of the voice. Rosaline saw a girl with long wavy brown hair smiling at them. She smiled back as she walked closer to her.

"Thank-you"

"Hello, I am Chloe, secretary of Mr. Miller"

She bowed at them. Rosaline smiled and bowed back.

"Nice to meet you Chloe"

"Thank you, please come"

Chloe guided their way inside. Henry and Rosaline followed her. She led them to the conference room. Some employees of Valentino Estates who were also present in the meeting room along with the employees of Miller Corporation greeted Rosaline and made her seated. The staff of Miller Corporation respected Rosaline very much not only because she was the Vice President of their company but also because she was a kind and down to earth woman. She treated everyone nicely and never disrespected anyone. Rosaline smiled and greeted everyone back.

"Good morning, Mrs. Valentino"

Mr. Taylor, who was the Senior Manager at Valentino Estates, said softly. Rosaline nodded at him with a smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Taylor" She then looked towards Chloe. 

"So, Miss Chloe, where's Mr. Miller?"

Chloe looked down as she was taken aback with her sudden question. But she immediately put up a faux smile and spoke softly.

"Uhmm Ma'am, actually he's held up in traffic. He will be late. So, I would suggest you to start the meeting"

Rosaline looked at her and nodded.

"Alright"

Soon the meeting started.

*****

~Time skips

10:30 a.m.

Rosaline's P.O.V 

It's been an hour but still there was no sign of Mr. Miller and his business partner which slowly had started infuriating me but I kept my cool. Chloe kept explaining me the details of the deal.

"So, Mrs Valentino, if you agree on this deal, our company will invest an amount of 50 million dollars and the Knight Empire will invest 150 million dollar in the project. And let's talk about the shares-"

I instantly threw her a stern look making her shut. Chloe became befuddled by my sudden demeanour"

"Don't you think Ms. Chloe that we should discuss about the shares with your Boss?"

I spoke firmly to which Chloe lowered her gaze down.

"It's been an hour Ms. Chloe I don't think that the roads have been so busy that your Boss and his partner couldn't make it up till now" Henry snapped at her.

Chloe kept staring at her feet as she herself don't know what had taken them so long.

"I am sorry Mrs. Valentino but-"

"No Ms. Chloe, I am sorry for sounding rude but don't your Boss know the etiquettes of a meeting? How can he and his so-called partner act so reckless and that too about such an important meeting. We came all the way from U.S. to attend a meeting that is being carried out by his secretary? I am not blaming you but I don't think my company will be able to work with people who don't even know the rules of the professional world. I prefer working with passionate and dedicated souls. And I don't think your affluent Boss and his partner will be able to work with such a hardworking person like me"

"Is that so?"

Suddenly a deep husky voice echoed in my ears making me flinched.

That voice!!

My heart started hammering in my chest wildly and slowly all the blood got drained off my face. My palms turned all sweaty as I heard the sound of boots hitting the marble floor coming closer to me making my heart beat increase.

This can't be happening!!

Please God, he's someone else.

I had recognised that voice immediately but my mind kept denying the fact. Suddenly Chloe bowed to someone behind me but I couldn't even build up the courage to turn around. 

"Mrs. Valentino our Boss Mr. Miller has arrived along with his business partner....

Mr. Xavier Knight"

As soon as I heard that name, my heart sank into the pit of my stomach. 

No, not again.....

I flinched as Henry held my forearm. He was looking at my pale face worriedly.

"You okay? They have arrived Rosaline. Greet them"

He nudged my arm. I nodded hesitatingly as I don't want to make a scene in front of everyone. I inhaled sharply and turned around.

I lifted my eyes up only to see....

B-But?

My eyes widened in shock. I was not at all shocked to see Xavier but I was shocked to see the man behind him.

"N-Noah?"

But wasn't he dead?

That's what V told m-

I stepped back a little as the reality hit me.

V lied? But why?

And why Noah is with Xavier?

Didn't he betray him that day?

I kept staring at him in fear and shock when all of a sudden Noah walked closer to me and stood in front of me.

"Mrs. Valentino, he is our Boss"

Chloe's voice pulled me out of my trance. I looked at her in shock.

"W-What?"

That means the CEO of Miller Corporation was none other than Noah Miller.

And that Croesus was none other than Xavier Knight?

Wait...

"If you agree on this deal, our company will invest an amount of 50 million dollars and the Knight Empire will invest 150 million dollars in the project."

Oh God! why I didn't listen it carefully?

That means the Knight Empire is nothing but Xavier Knight Empire. 

Oh No!

What should I do now?

I looked at Noah nervously. He smirked at me making me froze on my spot.

"Thanks Chloe but I would like to introduce myself properly to Mrs Rosaline. I am Noah Miller, CEO of Miller Corporation and he is Xavier Knight, CEO of Knight Empire, my friend and a well renowned billionaire of United Kingdom"

He smirked while ogling at me.

What's happening?

Thousands of questions were running inside my mind. I just want to leave this place as soon as possible but I couldn't. It was as if my feet have been glued to the ground while I kept staring at everyone helplessly.

I looked at Xavier. He was staring at me with his cold eyes. I wasn't able to speak anything. It was as if my body had been paralyzed with fear and words got stuck in my throat. He slowly came forward and extended his hands towards me for a handshake.

I gulped in fear. His face looked cold but his gaze was intimidating and deadly. My heart twitched as we both kept looking in each other's eyes when suddenly he spoke in his deep, husky voice which shook me to my core.

"Nice to meet you.... Mrs. Rosaline Knight"

And that was the moment when my soul left my body.

~~~💗~~~