Chapter 6

Natalie

I came back down after getting ready to welcome the guests. It’s almost twelve in the afternoon which means Cyrus would be here anytime.

I wore a black dress which is stopping a little below my knees. It’s not at all revealing like the dress I was wearing yesterday.

I didn’t tie my hairs up and let them open. I put on a light make up.

No, I didn’t do all of this because I want to look good. It’s just that Edwin doesn’t like it when I meet with his business colleagues or clients, in my casual look.

He always tells me to wear make up and dress nicely whenever someone comes here at his house or we go out to meet someone.

I sighed in frustration. I really don’t want to be here. I even contemplated staying in my room and not coming down.

But as soon as that thought came into my mind, I pushed it away.

I don’t want to make Edwin even more angry than he already is. Because I know the more angry he gets the more bad it’s for me.

‘Cyrus won’t be able to do anything to you Nat, when you are here in front of your family' with this thought I tried to encourage myself but another thought came to my mind.

‘But is it really your family?’ And my heart filled with sadness.

I saw everyone sitting in the living room. Even Shawn is present here.

I was about to start walking towards them when I heard the doorbell ringing and my heart started racing in my chest.

I took in a deep breath and told myself to relax. He won’t be able to do anything here in front of everyone.

I saw a maid walking towards the door and opening the door for whoever it is outside.

My heartbeat increased even more when my eyes fell on him, entering into the living room.

He is wearing a blue three piece suit with white dress shirt. Top three button of his shirt are open giving a full view of his tan masculine chest.

His charcoal black hairs are combed back perfectly, making him look like a Greek God. His clean shaved, chiseled jawline is…

‘Why are you admiring his looks Nat? Did you forget how he was behaving with you yesterday?’ I scolded myself.

My breath hitched when he glanced in my direction and my brown eyes met with his blue ones.

A smirk appeared on his lips upon seeing me and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

Edwin and others walked towards him to welcome him. They guided him inside and everyone took seat on the couches in living room.

He sat down on a couch and a person who is with him, I suppose he is Cyrus’ secretary, sat down beside him on the same couch.

Edwin sat down on the single couch which was placed on Cyrus’ right side. And others settled down on the couch which was placed opposite to the couch on which Cyrus was sitting.

“Welcome Mr. Knight. We are glad to have you as our guest” Edwin started with his sugar quoted words.

Cyrus just nodded his head with a small smile and his eyes moved to stare at me.

Everyone followed his gaze and now everyone was looking at me.

“Nat, what are you doing there dear? Come here, sit with us” Edwin said softly and that too with a smile on his lips.

‘This man really deserves an Oscar for his acting' I thought.

Upon hearing his words I realized that I am still standing where I was before the doorbell rang.

I nodded my head at Edwin and started walking towards them. I sat down beside my mom. She looked in my direction with concern in her eyes which I ignored.

I could feel Cyrus’ intense gaze which was fixed on me but I didn’t glance in his direction even once.

‘Don’t give him the attention he is asking for' my mind said to me and I was more than willing to follow it’s instruction.

Ana came out of the kitchen with two other maids and started serving coffee and snacks to everyone.

I also took a cup of coffee from the tray and mouthed a small thanks to her.

She is the only person in this house who I think genuinely cares about me. She is in her late fourties.

She has been working here since the first day I came into this house, fourteen years ago. She is the only person in this house or I should say in my life, with whom I enjoy spending my time.

“I was really surprised when your secretary called me yesterday and said that you have something very important to discuss with me” Edwin started the conversation.

“Yes, I told William to call you” his deep baritone voice fell on my ear. I was still keeping my eyes downcast not looking at anyone present in the room.

“Okay but before all of that, my daughter Natalie wants to say something to you” Edwin said and my wide open eyes snapped to look at him.

He looked in my direction and gestured for me to say it. He is telling me to apologize to Cyrus when I didn’t even do anything.

I don’t want to apologize to this bastard Cyrus but Edwin’s eyes are challenging me to go against his words. I don’t have any other choice.

I shifted my gaze from Edwin to Cyrus and found him already staring at my face with a big a** smirk on his lips which I so badly want to wipe off of his face.

I sighed in defeat and prepared myself to utter those words.

“I…” I started but was cut off by Cyrus when he said, “I will hear what she has to say but not now. First I will tell you what I want to say. I will hear her after I am done talking”.

He moved his eyes to look at me again and said while staring right into my eyes, “I think it’s going to be more fun that way”. His smirk grew even wider.

‘Why do I feel like he is up to something? Something which is not going to be good for me'.

“Okay, no problem” Edwin said with a small frown on his face. I can tell that even he is finding it a little strange. Maybe he also thinks that there is something wrong with this guy Cyrus’ behaviour right now.

“I heard from my sources that your company Miller Enterprises wanted to have some kind of collaboration project with Knight Corporations” Cyrus said while sipping on his coffee.

I was staring at his face, trying to figure out what is he thinking in his head.

A small grin appeared on Edwin’s face as he replied, “Yes, I have been trying. But our offer was rejected twice, so I thought you don’t find our project interesting”.

“Do you still want to join hands with me?” Cyrus asked casually as if he didn’t have any care in this world.

“Of course I would. Who doesn’t want to work with you?” Edwin said.

It’s truth though. Knight Corporations is one of the biggest companies in the world. Many businessmen and their companies all around the world want to work with them.

But the thing is the CEO of the Knight Corporations, that is Cyrus Knight, chooses it’s partners himself and he does it very carefully. So not everyone gets the chance to work with them.

I saw how hard Edwin has been trying to get a single deal with them but he couldn’t even fix a meeting with him in past one year.

“Great. So I am here to tell you that I will accept your offer of the project you sent few months ago and will sign the deal with you”

“But of course after making few changes here and there to make this project more profitable and beneficial for both of us” Cyrus said while placing the cup of coffee on the tea table in the middle.

Edwin’s small grin turned into a full blown smile upon hearing Cyrus’ words. He is trying to contain his happiness inside with a straight face but I can see how happy he is right now.

But Cyrus’ words made me confused.

‘Why is he agreeing to sign the project which he rejected two times before?’ this question popped in my mind.

I realized it wasn’t only me who had this thought in my mind when Shawn spoke for the first time and asked, “Sorry to ask you this Mr. Knight but why this sudden change of heart? What made you change your decision?”

“Right, I was wondering about the same thing. Why are you suddenly accepting our offer? Is there some hidden agenda behind this decision of yours? Is there something you want in return?” Edwin asked using his professional tone.

Edwin is a good businessman himself, so is Shawn. They wouldn’t fall for anyone’s tactics just like that. Both of them waited for Cyrus’ reply.

I also fixed my gaze on his face. Even I am curious to know the answer.

Cyrus chuckled lightly at their questions and said, “You are not wrong about the hidden agenda Mr. Miller. Actually I do have one. You know the rule we have in our business world” he paused and crossed his legs at knees as he continued.

“If you want something from somebody, you must be willing to give too. It should be a win win situation for both parties. You understand what I am saying right?” Cyrus asked with a smile on his face which says BUSINESS in big bold letters.

Edwin smiled back and replied, “Yes I understand. Tell me, what is it that you want? After hearing your answer I will make my decision”.

Cyrus shifted his gaze back to me and I felt an uneasy feeling crawling on my back. I don’t have a good feeling about this.

My eyes popped out of the sockets and I felt my heart sinking in the pit of my stomach when his voice registered in my head when he said,

“I want to marry your daughter, Natalie Miller”.