Chapter 3: Encounter

LEAH

Mr. Lim looked someone in his mid-50’s. Though he looked stern and professional at first glance, it turns out that he was very kind and approachable. Yet I still couldn’t shake off the uneasiness I was feeling ever since I’ve arrived here.

“Please wait here for a moment, Ms. Knight. Our boss is currently having a conference meeting.” He informed me.

“Sure, no problem.” I smiled as I took my seat on the couch.

“Would you like some drinks?” He offered.

“Just some water, please. Thank you.”

After ordering someone to bring some water, Mr. Lim also suddenly left as another employee came asking for him, leaving me alone in the room.

It was only then I get to scan the whole room I was in, or should I say, an office. This was the CEO’s office to be precise. At first, I hadn’t really expected that I would be meeting their CEO today, as I thought we were just going to discuss some matters in the contract which we haven’t gone through. But I guess, it still made sense that the CEO also wants to be present. They were making a huge investment on our company.

Perhaps, he wants to test if our company was worth investing for?

The office was sleek and luxurious. The glass walls on the left side provides a beautiful view of the entire city. On the other hand, the CEO’s table was empty. There were literally no documents stacked on top of it unlike what I’ve imagined at first.

In fact, this was The Finance, they’re supposed to be very busy all day and night considering that they’re the most competitive and successful company in the whole country at the present.

My gaze fell on the name plate embedded with gold that was the only thing displayed on the table.

Hudson Alistaire

Chief Executive Officer

His name was felt familiar. Perhaps it was because I’ve often heard about him in the news and since he was also introduced to us from our partnership with The Finance.

But this will be my first time seeing him in person.

I shifted on my seat, suddenly feeling agitated. Perhaps it was because his name sounds too, aggressive and powerful?

As I tried calming myself down, the door of the office was suddenly pushed open again before a series of strong, yet slow footsteps approached my direction.

The giddy feeling on my nerves rose. I thought it was Mr. Lim who came back, but surprisingly, it was another person who came.

It was a man wearing an overall formal black suit. He was tall, and the muscles on his chest and arm couldn’t be concealed by his tight-fitting suit. His skin was tanned, but it only added to his overall appeal.

His hair was sleekly combed. His brows were thick, a tall nose, and there were some thin stubbles from the side of his cheeks down to his jaw. And his eyes were deep grey in color, as if it can suck my soul out.

He was… a very fine man.

“Leah Knight…” My name came out from his lips. His voice sounded so deep and magnetic, even carrying a bit of huskiness.

Only then I snapped out of my thoughts when I saw how the corner of his lips curled up as he smirked.

Oh crap! Did I just openly gawk at this man?!

I stood up in a hurry with my cheeks burning.

“I’m sorry,” I mentally scolded myself with the momentarily distraction. What a great timing to be distracted, yeah right?

The man only chuckled, seeing my reaction, and I don’t know why I suddenly had goosebumps hearing his deep sexy laugh.

“It’s alright,” He was still wearing the same smirk as he suddenly held out his hand in front of me. “Hudson Alistaire.”

My heart dropped for a moment upon realizing that the man in front of me, the man whom I just gawked upon earlier, was the CEO of The Finance.

“I’m Leah Knight, from Horizon Enterprise.” I reached out my sweaty palm to shake hands with him. “It’s a pleasure to… meet you, sir.”

“Sir?” He titled his head, a small smile playing between his lips. “I like this one too…”

I was confused with his words, yet the sudden tingles that erupted on my skin when we shake hands made me slightly shift. I tried to break away due to the shock, but I only felt his strong raspy palm grasp my hand firmly.

“It’s my pleasure to meet you too.” His thumb grazed the back of my palm that almost made me jump from all the sparks erupting on my skin.

Upon finally managing to break away from his touch, a sigh involuntarily escaped my lips. I don’t know why I suddenly felt so overwhelmed… by this man’s presence.

“So,” he trailed off, his deep eyes boring into my skin seems to stir something from within me. “Shall we start then?”

I was confident with my skills. But for some unknown reasons, I felt restless around him. His eyes seem to follow my every moment and during our discussion, it even seems that I was just making a fool of myself.

Hudson, this man looks so calm and composed, yet his eyes were so intense when he stares at me, and it was making me lose all the composure left in my body!

Fortunately, the meeting ended just fine and our company’s partnership with The Finance has not been compromised…

I just could not find the reason why I felt extremely uneasy in front of Mr. Alistaire. In fact, my performance in front of other clients and investors has not been worse like this one.

“Thank you so much for your time, Mr. Alistaire.” I got up from my seat and slightly bowed my head. “With this partnership, rest assured that our company will do our best and we won’t let you down.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” He leaned on his swivel chair in a casual manner, his eyes still fixed into mine as I tried my best to display the highest level of formality I could muster under his deep and unfathomable gaze.

After finally walking out of his office, a relieved sigh escaped my lips. I could feel his eyes boring into my back even as I walked out of his office earlier.

Was he purposely doing that to tease me? Just because I went absentminded and gawked at him earlier? With his appearance, he should be used to being gawked upon like that. He should’ve at least experienced that a lot of times now.

So why bother teasing a person like me? Does he find it funny?

I pursed my lips as I entered the elevator. Pressing the button for the ground floor, I inhaled deeply to calm myself down. At least, our partnership with The Finance is going smoothly…

This is the most important thing. So, I’ll just pretend that today didn’t happen.

I glanced at my watch and noticed that it was already past lunch time. I took my phone which has beeped from the packet of my coat and saw that it was Mia, the nanny of my triplets who sent me an update.

Mia is the one I hired to take care of the kids when during daytime on weekdays. And sometimes, I also pay her to stay at night each time I have overtime at work.

She had sent me a picture of the three eating their favorite chicken wings. I smiled while looking at their adorable pictures. At the same time, the elevator rang and opened, indicating I reached the ground floor.

I quickly typed a reply as I slowly walked out of the elevator while still looking at my phone screen. But then, I suddenly bumped into a person, and my phone fell on the tiles.

“I’m sorry,” It was me who quickly apologized first as I tried to reach my phone on the ground. But then, the person whom I bumped into was quick to get it first.

“Here,” The man handed me my phone. I quickly apologized again, then suddenly realized how his voice sounded awfully familiar.

“Be careful next time.”

I raised my head, and as I finally get to catch a glimpse of his face, my mouth slightly parted.

He looked exactly like Hudson, but his eyes were different. They were deep green orbs!

“Like what you see?” He devilishly smirked at me, finally snapping me out of my thoughts. But the shock on my face shouldn’t have gone unnoticed by him. I took a deep breath when I realized how my heart was heavily pounding again.

“I-I’m sorry,” It was all I could say as I removed my gaze away from his face. It was only now I’ve noticed that he was also wearing a formal suit. He also seems to be an executive of this company.

Are he and Hudson, twins?

This could only be the reason.

“Other women would not choose these words to say this in front of me.” He crossed his arms, then I noticed once again how his even stature was indeed similar with Hudson.

“What do you mean?” I was confused at first, but seeing the playfulness written all over his face, I pursed my lips.

“Wouldn’t you at least try to ask for my number first?”

I narrowed my eyes at him, pursing my lips while observing his handsome yet narcissistic face. The previous shock and unknown feeling that was budding inside my chest earlier instantly vanished, being replaced with slight annoyance. I guess, Hudson is still much better than this guy. At least the former still showed formality with me, but this man…

Just, how is he so narcissistic?!

“I’m sorry, but that is not what I came for here. If you’ll excuse me.” I said with a more stern tone before walking past him.

His deep chuckle rang into my ears and that annoyingly sexy sound sent chills running down my spine, which made me shift uncomfortably but I continued walking forward.

“See you around, angel.”

Tsk, what a playboy!

As I got in my car, I took a quick glance at the huge building of The Finance again, sighing deeply how ‘eventful’ today really is.

Then the man’s words just now suddenly echoed in my mind.

Sure, he does look nine points similar to Hudson. Perhaps they were twins? But what does he even mean by seeing me around?